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Commission recommends approval for fencing-contractor use at 1346 Western Oak with screening and lighting conditions
Summary
The commission recommended approval for a rezoning at 1346 Western Oak to allow a construction/fencing contractor facility, accepting staff'recommended screening requirements and adding a condition requiring downward-facing lighting. The item will go to City Council with the commission's recommendation.
Staff Zoning Senior Planner Arde Gomez introduced the application for 1346 Western Oak Drive, which requested a zoning change and specific use authorization to allow a construction contractor/fencing contractor facility. Staff noted likely adverse effects to neighboring residences and recommended a C2 transition district as a more appropriate buffer in the corridor.
Mike Escalante, representing SAWS aquifer and environmental review, said the site (about 1.82 acres with an existing 4,000-square-foot office/warehouse) presented no documented floodplain or sensitive geologic features and recommended approval with technical conditions, including no increase to impervious cover, only above-ground storage of fencing materials, and prohibition on heavy-equipment storage or maintenance on-site.
Applicant representative John Cooley said the site has operated with contractor uses in the past and that the proposal would not increase impervious cover or outdoor storage beyond the existing screened area. Commissioners questioned outreach to adjacent neighbors, ownership of perimeter fencing, driveway and access maintenance, and lighting. Staff confirmed that screening between the commercial property and adjacent residences must be provided by the property owner (not be relied on neighbors' fences) and that screening could be achieved by retrofitting the existing fence with approved materials.
Commissioner Kelly moved to recommend approval and Commissioner Kellum seconded. Commissioner Sipes offered a friendly amendment to require downward-facing lighting; the amendment was accepted. On roll call the motion carried. The commission's recommendation, including the required screening and downward-facing lighting, will be forwarded to City Council.
Quotes (on the record): "We recommend approval with the conditions in the report," said Mike Escalante, summarizing the environmental review. Applicant John Cooley told commissioners, "All this is screened...the fencing has existed since it was built." Commissioner Kelly, explaining his vote, said the proposal was similar to existing corridor uses and neighborhood responses did not indicate opposition.
Next steps: The commission's recommendation will be included in the case materials for City Council; staff and commissioners urged continued applicant outreach to neighbors before council consideration.
