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Planning commission holds workshop on Freeway‑Oriented Development overlay; no ordinance proposed
Summary
Staff presented a Freeway‑Oriented Development (FOD) overlay for the industrial corridor on the west side of Highway 101; commissioners and the public weighed in on signage, boundaries and permitted uses. No formal action was taken — the item moves to City Council workshop next week.
The Cotati Planning Commission held a workshop on July 20 to review staff recommendations for a Freeway‑Oriented Development (FOD) overlay that would apply primarily to the industrial area west of Highway 101 adjacent to Redwood Drive. No ordinance was adopted; staff sought guidance and public input to shape a draft for Council consideration.
Director Noah Hausch said the overlay is intended to encourage reinvestment and make it easier for businesses along the freeway corridor to attract customers by permitting larger or different signage, limited temporary promotional events, and a broader mix of uses such as medical clinics or urgent‑care facilities. He emphasized the overlay would be targeted to the west side industrial district initially and that final language would balance visibility and circulation with community aesthetics and safety.
Commissioners debated the overlay’s geographic scope — several asked that the boundary be extended south to include properties near the 76 station and parcels along Gravenstein (to include Lowe’s and other highway‑facing businesses). Commissioners also raised concerns about allowing drive‑throughs and franchise restaurants and asked staff to clarify any overall caps or concentration limits.
Public commenters representing businesses told the commission that current signage restrictions make it difficult for customers to find back‑of‑site tenants; one business owner said temporary feather flags or directory signs during business hours would help customers locate businesses. Brian Ling, a Reliance Business Park representative, told the commission he supported staff’s approach and urged flexible land‑use rules to help keep properties occupied.
Commissioners also flagged environmental and nuisance concerns: several urged that small recycling facilities and any use with potential air emissions require full use permit review rather than a more limited staff approval. The commission asked staff to consider allowances for modern internal illumination while preventing excessive light trespass and to require applicants to use solar lighting where practical.
Staff summarized the guidance it heard: consider expanding the overlay boundary toward the Gravenstein corridor, require full use permitting for recycling facilities, permit limited promotional events with restrictions, allow certain internally illuminated signs with constraints on light spill, and expand directory and monument signs while guarding against sign proliferation. Staff said the item will go to City Council for a workshop next week and that, if directed, staff will draft ordinance language and return to the planning commission for a public hearing.
