PREPARED BY: GRIFFEN DEMPSEY DATE OF MEETING: 07/22/25
SUBJECT:
TITLE
RESOLUTION APPROVING MAJOR DESIGN REVIEW TO ALLOW THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW 25,549-SQUARE FOOT INDUSTRIAL BUILDING WITH 42 OFF-STREET SURFACE PARKING SPACES, ALONG WITH A MINOR ADJUSTMENT TO ALLOW AN INCREASE IN THE MAXIMUM FENCE HEIGHT (FROM SIX FEET TO EIGHT FEET) AND A PARKING REQUIREMENT REDUCTION OF TEN PERCENT DUE TO PROXIMITY TO A TRANSIT STOP, ON TWO ADJACENT PARCELS LOCATED IN THE IMU - INDUSTRIAL MIXED-USE AND CMU- COMMERCIAL MIXED USE ZONING DISTRICTS, ALONG WITH A FINDING THAT THE PROJECT IS EXEMPT UNDER CEQA GUIDELINES SECTION 15332 AS INFILL DEVELOPMENT, LOCATED AT 1701 RUMRILL BOULEVARD, SAN PABLO, APNS: 410-011-005 & 410-011-002.
CEQA: This project is categorically exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines Section 15332, In-Fill Development Projects, as it involves development on a site that is five acres or less, is surrounded by urban uses, has no habitat value, is adequately served by all required utilities and public services, would not result in any significant effects on traffic, noise, air quality, or water quality, and would be consistent with general plan and zoning regulations.
Label
Location: 1701 Rumrill Blvd
APN: 410-011-004 & 410-011-002
Zoning: IMU, Industrial Mixed Use & CMU, Commercial Mixed Use; proposed for redesignation to EMU, Employment Mixed Use
PLAN No.: PLAN2506-0005
CEQA: Exempt under Section 15332
Owner: Rudy’s Refrigeration
Applicant: Ben Plant
Staff Contact: Griffen Dempsey, Assistant Planner
Recommendation
Conduct public hearing; adopt Resolution
Body
REQUESTED ACTION
A request for approval of Major Design Review for the construction of a new 25,549-square-foot industrial building with 42 off-street surface parking spaces, along with a Minor Adjustment for an increase in fence height from six feet to eight feet and a parking requirement reduction of ten percent due to proximity to a transit stop, to be located on two adjacent parcels located at 1701 Rumrill Boulevard (APNs: 410-011-005 & 410-011-002). The project includes a single-story warehouse and manufacturing building, 31 feet and 3 inches in height, built for the warehousing and assembly of commercial refrigeration units for Rudy’s Refrigeration.
Surrounding Zoning and Land Uses:
The subject parcels are currently located in the Industrial Mixed Use (IMU) and Commercial Mixed Use (CMU) zoning districts. The parcel falls within the Rumrill Corridor Plan which was adopted as a component of the San Pablo General Plan 2035 on July 7, 2025. This General Plan Update changed the land use designation on the site from Industrial Mixed Use and Commercial Mixed Use to a new designation of Employment Mixed Use. To implement the new land use designations, the City is currently in the process of rezoning this property from its current zoning designations of IMU and CMU to a single designation of Employment Mixed Use (EMU). The rezoning was recommended for approval at the June 24, 2025, Planning Commission meeting by Resolution PC25-12. As of the publication of this report, the City Council will consider the rezoning ordinance on July 21, 2025, with a second reading to occur on August 4, 2025. Should the Council approve the ordinance, it will go into effect on September 3, 2025. Zoning designations and land uses for surrounding properties are as follows:
North: Commercial Mixed Use (CMU) and Regional Commercial (CR) (proposed zoning: Mixed Use Center West); restaurant, food trucks, Food Barn grocery store
South: Open Space (OS); Rumrill Sports Park
East: Neighborhood Commercial (NC) and Commercial Mixed Use (CMU), (proposed zoning: CMU); various restaurant and retail businesses
West: City of Richmond; M-1, Office/Industrial Flex; BNSF railroad and vacant lot
PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE
Notices regarding this public hearing were mailed to owners of properties within a 300-foot radius of the site on July 9, 2025. In addition, a Public Hearing Notice was published in the West County Times newspaper (West Contra Costa edition of the East Bay Times) on Saturday, July 12, 2025.
SITE LOCATION AND PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The project site is located in the western portion of San Pablo near the southwest corner of Market Avenue and Rumrill Boulevard in a commercial corridor area. The new building would be located at the site of “This and That”, a used building materials store that is going out of business. The parcel has two frontages, one on Rumrill Boulevard and one on Market Avenue.
The site is located within the recently approved Rumrill Corridor Plan area, which was recently adopted as a component of the General Plan Update 2035. The new General Plan designates the site as Employment Mixed-Use (EMU). The EMU zone is intended to provide opportunities for production, distribution, and repair-oriented businesses, small -scale repair and manufacturing, and other creative uses. The site is located near other light industrial and commercial uses. The project applicant operates two other manufacturing, warehousing, and distribution facilities within close proximity and the proposed project would be an expansion of Rudy’s Refrigeration, a successful custom refrigeration and cooling manufacturing business that has been located on Rumrill Boulevard for many years.
The proposed project would consist of a new stand-alone industrial building containing 25,549 square feet of floor space, to be used for the purpose of manufacturing and warehousing commercial refrigeration units. The building would be one story, reaching 31 feet and 3 inches in height. The project site would also include a surface parking lot for 42 cars, a trash enclosure and service area, perimeter landscaping, and a loading dock for trucks located behind the building out of public view. A merger of the two existing parcels to create a single development parcel will be required as a condition of approval for the project.
Along with the application form, the applicant has submitted a detailed plan set including a site plan, floor plans, renderings, elevations, stormwater control plan, and landscape and irrigation plan. Additionally, the City is in the process of creating a Shared Parking Agreement to allow the project’s parking facilities to be used by the general public during events at the adjacent Rumrill Sports Park when the on-site parking is not needed by the business.
BACKGROUND
The project site is owned by Rudy’s Refrigeration, a local commercial refrigerator manufacturing business that currently operates two facilities along Rumrill Boulevard in San Pablo. The site is currently occupied by “This and That”, a used building materials store, which occupies an approximately 10,000 square foot building, with much of the rest of the parcel used for outdoor storage of building materials. This business would close and all existing structures on site would be demolished as part of the proposed project.
Rudy’s Refrigeration purchased the two parcels which comprise the site in 2024 with the intention of expanding their operating footprint within San Pablo. This would be the third facility that the company would operate in the city. In 2017, Rudy’s developed a new 14,632-square foot warehouse and manufacturing building at 1621 Rumrill Boulevard. They also operate a facility at 1652 Rumrill Boulevard.
The site was studied by the City as part of the Rumrill Corridor Plan, which was adopted as a component of the General Plan 2035. The Corridor Plan addressed the area along Rumrill Boulevard between Brookside Avenue and Costa Avenue and proposed new land use designations for a number of properties within the corridor, including the two parcels on which the Project is proposed. The Rumrill Corridor Plan was approved by the San Pablo City Council as part of the General Plan 2035 update on July 7, 2025. The General Plan update set forth new land use designations for 139 parcels citywide, including the two project parcels. The new land use designation for the project site is Employment Mixed-Use (EMU). In order to implement these changes to the General Plan, the City is currently in the process of updating its Zoning Map and Ordinance, with a potential effective date of September 3, 2025. This update will change the zoning of the parcels from IMU - Industrial Mixed Use and CMU - Commercial Mixed Use to EMU - Employment Mixed Use.
As part of discussions with the City, the owner of Rudy’s Refrigeration has proposed to share the parking lot with the City in order to provide overflow parking for the Rumrill Sports Park during soccer games, as there are often parking impacts in the neighborhood when games are in session. This agreement will be separately reviewed and approved by the City; the approval of the design review is not conditioned on the completion or terms of the agreement.
GENERAL PLAN CONFORMANCE
The General Plan designation for the site is Employment Mixed Use. This designation aims to provide opportunities for a range of production, distribution, and repair-oriented businesses. The proposed development of a warehouse and manufacturing facility would be consistent with the designation of the General Plan. The following General Plan 2035 Guiding (G) and Implementing (I) policies apply to this request:
Guiding Policies for Economic Development
ED-G-2 Pursue the Major Goals identified in the 2024 Economic Development Strategy, including the following:
• Expand economic opportunities for San Pablo’s resident workforce
• Revitalize and diversify San Pablo’s older commercial and industrial areas.
• Promote expanded opportunities for homeownership
• Strengthen the City’s fiscal position.
ED-G-5 Preserve and enhance qualities that make San Pablo an ideal place to do business
ED-G-10 Support and contribute to a clean, attractive, and safe environment for residents, business owners, employees, and shoppers.
Implementing Policies:
ED-I-3 Attract new businesses, focusing on businesses that:
• Possess a high growth potential, such as medical-related businesses, regional and local serving retail. Hotel and conference facilities, entertainment-related businesses, and businesses or schools that provide educational and training to the local workforce;
• Generate net fiscal benefits to the City through increased tax revenues;
• Provide opportunities for skilled training;
• Created higher-paying and/or higher quality jobs for local residents;
• Complement or augment existing goods and services in San Pablo;
• Create minimal negative impact on the environment; and
• Require minimal public investment.
Guiding Policies for Land Use & Physical Design
LU-G-2 Ensure planned land uses are compatible with existing uses and provide for appropriate transitions or buffers for new uses, as needed.
LU-G-6 Focus new development primarily in San Pablo’s Priority Development Areas to accommodate growth while helping to reduce auto dependence; preserve open space; promote economic development; and increase housing opportunities.
LU-G-9 Retain and enhance commercial, industrial, employment, and entertainment land use areas to strengthen San Pablo’s economic base.
Implementing Policies:
LU-I-59 Focus industrial, manufacturing, and service commercial uses along major roadways in the western part of the city, subject to development standards that limit noise, odor, and emissions beyond the boundaries of the site.
LU-I-64 Encourage the development and maintenance of well-designed industrial and light industrial properties and structures that meet adopted standards for visual quality and design.
Rumrill Corridor Plan Policies
Goal 1: Cohesive Land Use Framework.
Foster a vibrant mix of uses along the Corridor and a clear development pattern defined by a mixed use core, residential nodes, and opportunities for retail, employment, and recreation.
RUM-1.1. Promote the redevelopment of underused sites along the Corridor to provide for community needs, capitalize on market opportunities, and foster prosperity.
RUM-1.2. Integrate new housing and employment-oriented uses along the Corridor to address affordability, increase economic opportunity, and support neighborhood vitality, while taking action to prevent the displacement of existing residents
and businesses.
Goal 5: Thriving Local Businesses.
Cultivate a vibrant mix of home-grown businesses and entrepreneurs while attracting new businesses to diversity and grow the local economy.
RUM-5.1. Focus business attraction and retention efforts to build on existing industry concentrations in the Corridor, including businesses in the following sectors: food production and sales; small-scale manufacturing; wholesale trade; repair and maintenance; and personal
and businesses services.
Goal 9: Comprehensive Parking Management.
Strategically provide parking to meet the needs of existing and future residents and businesses.
RUM-9.2.
Promote the use of shared parking agreements that allow for common use of spaces between uses with different time of day needs and require reciprocal parking and access agreements between individual parcels where practical.
The proposed project would be responsive to these policies by developing a new industrial building that would expand an existing local San Pablo business and provide greater employment opportunities for local residents, while also providing a more attractive built environment for the site. The project would fit well into its surroundings and would provide infill development of two underutilized and visually unappealing parcels. The project would add daytime uses to the area and has the potential to assist in providing much needed parking for after-hours Sports Park use if a shared use agreement for the parking facilities is executed. The project would visually enhance the area with a new, well-designed warehouse building buffered by new landscaping and trees. It would provide appropriate lighting and will not obstruct view areas or access to the existing nearby retail uses.
ZONING CODE CONFORMANCE
The property is currently in the IMU - Industrial Mixed Use and CMU - Commercial Mixed Use zoning districts and is proposed to be rezoned to the Employment Mixed Use (EMU) district in conformance with the recently updated General Plan 2035. The majority of the site is in the IMU zone, with a small sliver parcel in the north of the site zoned CMU. The entirety of the proposed structure would be on the IMU-zoned parcel, with the CMU parcel containing a small portion of the parking and landscape area. The intent of the Industrial Mixed Use and Commercial Mixed Use districts are described as follows:
CMU District. The CMU commercial mixed-use district is intended to implement the commercial mixed-use land use designation in the general plan by providing opportunities for retail, commercial, office, residential, and public uses. While the predominant development use is commercial, the city encourages the vertical and/or horizontal integration of office, residential, and/or public uses that are compatible with the commercial development. In multiple-story buildings, retail uses should be predominant on the ground floor. The maximum permitted floor area ratio is 1.5. The maximum density allowable in the district is fifty dwelling units per acre.
IMU District. The IMU industrial mixed-use district is intended to implement the industrial mixed-use land use designation in the general plan by providing opportunities for light manufacturing, distribution, sales, and services with ancillary commercial and office space uses. Targeted uses include single- and multi-story office, flex-space, and industrial buildings for single and multiple users, warehousing, and research and development facilities. Retail uses are not permitted. The maximum permitted floor area ratio is 0.6.
The intent of the proposed Employment Mixed Use district is described as follows:
EMU District. The EMU employment mixed-use district is intended to implement the employment mixed-use land use designation in the General Plan and the Rumrill Corridor Plan by providing opportunities for a range of production, distribution, and repair-oriented businesses, including food production and distribution; small-scale auto and appliance repair; apparel, electronics, and furniture manufacturing; and other creative demonstration, showcase, and assembly uses. On-site live/work housing is also encouraged. On sites over 0.25 acres, multifamily housing is permitted where adequate buffering and noise mitigation is provided. Maximum non-residential FAR is 0.6.
The portion of the site where the building is proposed is currently zoned IMU - Industrial Mixed Use. Development standards in the IMU zone are set forth in Table 17.34-B of the Zoning Code. A breakdown of the relevant standards and project compliance is provided in the table below:
|
DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS FOR INDUSTRIAL MIXED USE DISTRICT |
|
Standards |
Zoning Code Requires |
Proposed |
Complies? |
|
Maximum building height |
65 ft |
32 ft 3 in |
Yes |
|
Maximum floor area ratio |
0.6 |
0.34 |
Yes |
Upon adoption of the proposed zoning ordinance amendments, the site will be zoned EMU - Employment Mixed Use. The Ordinance includes proposed development standards for this zone, which will be set forth in Table 17.34-B of the Zoning Code. A breakdown of relevant standards proposed for the Employment Mixed Use zone is provided in the table below:
|
PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS FOR EMPLOYMENT MIXED USE DISTRICT |
|
Standards |
Zoning Code Requires |
Proposed |
Complies? |
|
Maximum building height |
60 ft |
32 ft 3 in |
Yes |
|
Maximum floor area ratio |
0.6 |
0.34 |
Yes |
As described above, the proposed project would be in conformance with the applicable development standards for both the IMU - Industrial Mixed Use zone in which the parcel is currently located and the EMU - Employment Mixed Use zone which is proposed for the site but not yet adopted. No setbacks are applicable as the project site does not directly abut any residential uses.
PARKING COMPLIANCE AND PROPOSED REDUCTION
The proposed building would be 25,549 square feet in area and will include 42 parking spaces on a surface parking lot on the east side of the lot (see Site Plan). Table 17.54-A-Nonresidential Parking Requirements provides off-street parking standards that are relevant to the site. According to this table, the proposed uses would be considered “Warehousing and Storage, Enclosed” and “Industry, Limited.” “Warehousing and Storage, Enclosed” requires one space per 1,000 square feet of building area, while “Industry, Limited” requires one space per 600 square feet of building area. The applicant is not yet able to identify what portion of the building area would be dedicated to each use; thus, the higher standard is conservatively applicable. At 25,529 square feet, with a ratio of one space per 600 square feet, 43 spaces are required.
Under Section 17.54.050(F), buildings located within one-quarter mile of a transit stop can reduce parking requirements by 10 percent with Zoning Administrator approval. The project site is less than this distance from the nearest transit stop and thus qualifies for a 10 percent reduction in required spaces, bringing the off-street requirement to 39 spaces. Pursuant to Zoning Code Section 17.16.070, Approving Authority, when a project is subject to more than one permit with more than one approving authority, all project permits shall be processed concurrently and the final action shall be taken by the highest-level designated approving authority for all such requested permits. Thus, in this case, the decision on the Parking Reduction is elevated to the Planning Commission.
Based on this adjusted requirement, the project provides three more spaces than would be required. Additionally, the Business Plan submitted by the applicant indicates that approximately 20 employees would operate out of the new building, and that only limited salespersons would visit the property, as it would not be a retail operation. Approximately eight freight deliveries and two outgoing shipments are estimated to occur per day, and would occur out of the rear loading dock area separate from the parking lot. Based on the projected employee and visitor parking demand, the provided amount of parking would be more than sufficient to accommodate the project.
MAJOR DESIGN REVIEW
The applicant proposes to construct a new 25,549 square-foot industrial building at 1701 Rumrill Boulevard. The new one-story building would include space for warehousing and manufacturing and will be set back within the site with a short frontage on Market Avenue and surface parking on the east side of the project site, along Rumrill Boulevard.
San Pablo Zoning Code section 17.20.030(B) requires Major Design Review by the Planning Commission for commercial development including any additions over 15 feet in height or involving more than 250 square feet of ground area. Section 17.20.030(C) of the San Pablo Zoning Ordinance states that the Planning Commission shall ensure that the proposed development meet the following requirements:
1. Design Guidelines. The proposal is consistent with applicable design guidelines.
2. Community Plans. The proposal is consistent with any community design plan or specific plan.
3. General Plan. The proposal is consistent with the land use, physical design, and economic development element and the open space element of the general plan.
4. Location and Design. The location and design of proposed development gives particular consideration to privacy, views, and sunlight on adjoining properties and fosters the orderly and harmonious development and preservation of the public health and welfare of the city and its neighborhoods.
5. Design and Colors. The architectural design of structures and their colors and materials are visually harmonious with surrounding development, landforms, and vegetation.
The project’s overall compliance with the San Pablo General Plan and Zoning Ordinance are addressed above. Several of the policies within these plans are aimed at fostering the orderly and harmonious development and preservation of the public health and welfare of the City and its neighborhoods. The project would fit well within the Rumrill corridor by providing a modern and clean site design and creating a new building that fits the light industrial character of the area.
As depicted in the elevations submitted as part of the Design Review application included in Attachment C, the proposed building would be single story and built in a style typical of modern warehouse and industrial buildings. The building would be set back from Rumrill Boulevard, avoiding creating a large blank wall along the street, while a small frontage on Market Avenue would include office windows and multiple gabled rooves, creating a more expressive façade. The site layout roughly matches the Acceptable Industry Layout shown in Figure 1 of Zoning Code Appendix C - Industrial Design Guidelines. This layout includes a building centrally located within the site, loading docks located behind the building out of public view, and parking in the front of the building screened by landscaping.
The proposed colors for the exterior of the building include grays, silver, and blue. The Rumrill-facing façade would have an intermittent gray and blue pattern, breaking up the horizontal massing. The building would be clad in corrugated metal siding and roofing, reflecting the industrial nature of the project. The main entryway to the building would be expressed with a projecting awning. The building would be surrounded by perimeter landscaping and landscaping accents around the parking lot. The overall site plan also includes a trash enclosure, a loading dock in the rear of the building, and stormwater treatment areas.
The Industrial Design Guidelines provide non-binding guidance on site and building design for industrial projects. The project meets the Industrial Design Guidelines in the following areas:
Site planning. The proposed site plan includes clear on-site circulation, with trucks entering off of Market Avenue and loading behind the rear of the building, and vehicular parking entering and exiting off of Rumrill Boulevard. The layout aligns with the Acceptable Industry Layout, with parking in front buffered by landscaping and loading in the rear.
Parking and Circulation. While the parking lot is located at the front of the building along Rumrill Boulevard, parking areas are adequately buffered by landscaped areas and are broken up into multiple smaller sections to reduce the visual impact of parked cars. Adequate internal vehicle circulation and pedestrian access are provided.
Landscaping and Screening. Landscaping with a variety of drought-tolerant and native plants is placed around parking areas and the building, including a number of new trees. Landscaping is placed where possible on the site and provides a visual buffer between the sidewalk and parking areas, and further acts to soften the façade of the industrial building. A masonry screening wall around the site is deemed unnecessary, as the perimeter areas that are not buffered by parking and landscaping face the adjacent railroad tracks, where visibility is not a concern.
Architectural design. The long façade along Rumrill Boulevard is broken up with alternating blue and silver paint colors, as well as additional expression around the entry point. The Market Avenue side of the building provides architectural expression through windows overlooking the street and a series of tiered gable rooves. The entire roof is sloped with an eave overhanging the exterior. The building appearance is further softened by the addition of trees and landscaping around the edges of the building footprint.
This analysis shows that that project meets the Design Review findings of consistency with the Design Review Guidelines, the San Pablo General Plan and the Rumrill Corridor Plan. Also, as noted, the location and design of the proposed development gives consideration to privacy, views, and sunlight on adjoining properties and will foster the orderly and harmonious development and preservation of the public health and welfare of the city and its neighborhoods at this location. The architectural design of structures and their colors and materials are visually harmonious with surrounding development, landforms, and vegetation.
MINOR ADJUSMENT
San Pablo Municipal Code Section 17.18.070 allows for the zoning administrator to grant a Minor Adjustment to allow for creative design solutions and to accommodate unique site conditions. Pursuant to Zoning Code Section 17.16.070, Approving Authority, when a project is subject to more than one permit with more than one approving authority, all project permits shall be processed concurrently and the final action shall be taken by the highest-level designated approving authority for all such requested permits. Thus, in this case, the decision on the Minor Adjustment is elevated to the Planning Commission.
The applicant for the project has requested a Minor Adjustment to allow for an increased fence height over the maximum allowed height. According to Table 17.18-A-Standards Subject to Minor Adjustment, fence height may be increased by a maximum of two feet. The maximum fence height in nonresidential areas, as set forth by Table 17.45-B, is 6 feet, with a minimum transparency of 50% in front and corner side yards, and with 90% transparency if necessary to block objectionable views. The applicant is requesting the maximum increase of two feet, for a total fence height of eight feet. The proposed fence would be wrought iron with black chain link and would meet the minimum transparency requirements. The applicant is requesting the increase in order to provide adequate security for the industrial building and ensure that the site cannot be accessed by potential trespassers. The proposed fence would run around the north and west edges of the property and a portion of the southern edge, before turning north in the middle of the property to run alongside the edge of the proposed warehouse. The fence would effectively surround the loading dock and the new structure but would not surround the parking area. The increased height fence would not front Rumrill Boulevard and would separate the structure from the parking area. Details on the fence material and location are shown as part of Attachment D.
Pursuant to Section 17.18.070 (E), the Planning Commission shall only approve or conditionally approve a Minor Adjustment after finding all of the following:
1. The proposed development is of sufficient size and is designed so as to provide a desirable environment within its own boundaries.
2. The proposed development is compatible with existing and proposed land uses in the surrounding area.
3. Any exceptions to or deviations from the density, requirements, or design standards result in the creation of project amenities that would not be available through strict adherence to code provisions (e.g., additional open space, protection of natural resources, improved pedestrian connectivity, public plazas). All minor adjustments shall be consistent with density bonus provisions outlined in Section 17.60.020 <https://www.codepublishing.com/CA/SanPablo/>, Density bonus and other incentives.
4. Granting the minor adjustment will not adversely affect the interests of the public or the interests of residents and property owners in the vicinity of the premises in question.
5. The minor adjustment is consistent with the general plan or any applicable specific plan or development agreement.
6. The exception is the minimum required in that it allows the specified improvement or development to occur, but does not provide additional development rights.
The proposed increase in fence height would be compatible with surrounding uses and would serve to ensure that the business operating on the site is not vulnerable to theft or other unwanted intrusion, ensuring the viability of the project. Granting the Minor Adjustment would not cause any harm to neighboring property owners or residents, as it would face away from any public areas and would be set back from pedestrian-focused areas along Rumrill Boulevard.
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION
The proposed project has been determined to be categorically exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), in accordance with CEQA Guidelines, pursuant to Section 15332, In-Fill Development Projects, as it involves development on a site that is five acres or less, is surrounded by urban uses, has no habitat value, is adequately served by all required utilities and public services, would not result in any significant effects on traffic, noise, air quality, or water quality and would be consistent with general plan and zoning regulations.
Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15332, staff recommends that the Planning Commission find as follows: (a) the project is consistent with the applicable general plan, specific plan, and zoning designations, policies, and regulations; (b) the project occurs within City limits on a site that is less than five acres which is substantially surrounded by urban uses; (c) the project is located on a site that has no value as habitat for endangered, rare, or threatened species; (d) approval of the project would not result in any significant effects relating to traffic, noise, air quality, or water quality; and (e) the site can be adequately served by all required utilities and public services.
Furthermore, the project is consistent with the General Plan and zoning designations of the Industrial Mixed Use and Commercial Mixed Use districts, development of which were evaluated as part of the Environmental Impact Report for the San Pablo General Plan, prepared in 2011 and of the proposed Employment Mixed Use district, development of which is evaluated as part of the Addendum to the Environmental Impact Report that was prepared for the General Plan Update 2025, and adopted by the City Council on July 7, 2027. Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15168, none of the CEQA Guidelines Section 15162 factors requiring additional environmental documentation for the project are present.
CONCLUSION
Staff recommends that the Planning Commission determine the proposed project to be categorically exempt from the provisions of CEQA and approve the Major Design Review, Parking Reduction, and Minor Adjustment for a new 25,549 square foot industrial building with 42 off-street surface parking spaces and an increased fence height, to be located on two adjacent parcels at 1701 Rumrill Boulevard, along with the conditions of approval identified in the attached proposed Resolution (Attachment A).
ATTACHMENTS
A. Resolution PC25-13
B. Site Location
C. Project Application
D. Planning Submittal: Site Plan, Floor Plans, Elevations, Landscape Plan, Color and Materials Palette, Fence Location, Business Plan, Letter of Explanation
E. Proof of Publication from West County Times