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Planning Commission

February 24, 2026 ·6:00 PM Final

City Council Chambers Members of the public may view this meeting online by using this URL https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85007036216

Agenda PDF 📹 Watch video Official record ↗

Agenda — 29 items

1 *IMPORTANT NOTICE ABOUT PUBLIC COMMENTS AND MEETING PARTICIPATION*
2 NOTICE:
3 PUBLIC COMMENTS:
4 • WRITTEN PUBLIC COMMENT: Public comments may also be submitted via email to Pcommission@SanPabloCA.gov. Each email must contain in the subject line "PUBLIC COMMENTS NOT ON THE AGENDA" [or] "PUBLIC COMMENTS AGENDA ITEM No.__”. Written comments received by 12:00 noon on the day of the meeting will be provided in advance to the Planning Commission and posted online with the agenda materials. During the meeting, the public may provide written public comments via email to Pcommission@SanPabloCA.gov. All written comments received after noon the day of the meeting will be read into the record before Planning Commission consideration of the item and will be limited to the same time allowed for other public comments. Comments that do not conform to the Planning Commission's rules of decorum may be summarized rather than read verbatim. Please note that all information provided in public comments, email addresses and any other personal information written or stated is subject to disclosure on the broadcast of the video- or tele-conferenced meeting.
5 PAGE BREAK
6 AGENDA MATERIALS:
7 AMERICAN WITH DISABILITIES ACT:
8 CALL TO ORDER ▶ jump to 3:00
9 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ▶ jump to 3:11
10 ROLL CALL ▶ jump to 3:31
11 STAFF INTRODUCTIONS ▶ jump to 3:53
12 PUBLIC COMMENT ▶ jump to 4:12
13 APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES OF THE DECEMBER 9, 2025 MEETING CEQA: This project is not defined by CEQA PC26-005 ▶ jump to 5:09
15 APPEAL DATE ▶ jump to 5:43
16 PAGE BREAK
17 PUBLIC HEARINGS
2. CONSIDERATION OF MAJOR DESIGN REVIEW AND PARKING WAIVER FOR A 12-UNIT APARTMENT PROJECT. THE APARTMENTS WOULD BE SIDE-BY-SIDE TOWNHOUSE STYLE WITH TWO ATTACHED APARTMENT UNITS PER BUILDING AND SIX SEPARATE STRUCTURES TOTAL, TO BE LOCATED AT 2424 CHURCH LANE, SAN PABLO, APN: 417-090-024. 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 for endangered, rare, or threatened species, is adequately served by all required utilities and public services, would not result in any significant effects on traffic, noise, air or water quality, and would be consistent with general plan and zoning regulations. PC26-007 ▶ jump to 5:58
3. CONSIDERATION OF A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT REQUEST BY EMBARC TO ALLOW A RETAIL CANNABIS USE AT AN EXISTING COMMERCIAL BUILDING LOCATED IN THE MIXED USE CENTER NORTH DISTRICT IN THE SAN PABLO AVENUE SPECIFIC PLAN (SP-2) AT 14501 SAN PABLO AVENUE, (APN: 413-352-017). CEQA: This project is categorically exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines Section 15301, Existing Facilities, Class 1. This Class applies to continued operation of existing private structures, such as the existing commercial shopping center where the new business proposes to locate, with negligible or no expansion of uses. PC26-008 ▶ jump to 29:31
4. CONSIDERATION OF A MINOR DESIGN REVIEW, MINOR ADJUSTMENTS, AND A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO CONSTRUCT A TWO-STORY SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENCE WITH REDUCED FRONT AND REAR SETBACKS ON A SUBSTANDARD 2,925-SQUARE FOOT LOT LOCATED AT 1825 CALIFORNIA AVENUE, SAN PABLO, APN: 410-152-035 CEQA: This project is categorically exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act, Section 15303, New Construction, Class 3(a), one single-family residence. Class 3(a) consists of construction and location of a limited number of new, small facilities or structures. Examples of this exemption include one single-family residence, or a second dwelling unit in a residential zone. In urbanized areas, up to three single-family residences may be constructed or converted under this exemption. The project will involve the construction of a new single-family residence in a residential location. None of the exceptions set forth in CEQA Guidelines Section 15300.2 which would preclude the use of this exemption are applicable. PC26-010 ▶ jump to 137:49
5. AMENDMENT TO THE SAN PABLO ZONING CODE, SECTION 17.32.030.B, RESIDENTIAL USES ALLOWED, EXCEPTIONS; SECTION 17.34.030.B, COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL USES ALLOWED, EXCEPTIONS; SECTION 17.36.030.B, PUBLIC AND SEMI-PUBLIC DISTRICTS ALLOWED, EXCEPTIONS; AND SECTION 17.38.050, AIR QUALITY AND HEALTH RISK OVERLAY DISTRICT, OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE TO ALLOW FOR RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT AND SENSITIVE USES, INCLUDING SCHOOLS, DAY CARE FACILITIES, HOSPITALS, AND PARKS OR PLAYGROUNDS TO BE LOCATED IN THE AIR QUALITY HEALTH RISK OVERLAY DISTRICT (D3) SUBJECT TO CERTAIN CONDITIONS. CEQA: This amendment to the San Pablo Zoning Code was previously evaluated in the Addenda to the 2030 General Plan EIR (certified on April 18, 2011) prepared for the General Plan Update 2035 (adopted on July 7, 2025), which found that there would not be any new or additional significant environmental impacts due to adoption of the General Plan Update. This amendment is also exempt from CEQA pursuant to Pub. Res. Code section 21080.085 which states that CEQA does not apply to a rezoning that implements Housing Element actions. Finally, the ordinance is also categorically exempt from the provisions of CEQA, in accordance with Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) because it can be seen with certainty that there is no potential for causing a significant effect on the environment because it consists of minor changes to land use regulations that do not, on their own, impact the environment. Any projects proposed pursuant to the changes proposed would be separately evaluated for their environmental impacts. PC26-009 ▶ jump to 153:17
6. RESOLUTION APPROVING MAJOR DESIGN REVIEW AND CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO DEVELOP A 4.86-ACRE PARCEL INTO A PUBLIC PARK BY THE CITY OF SAN PABLO, TO BE KNOWN AS “MCNEIL PARK” LOCATED IN THE I - INSTITUTIONAL ZONING DISTRICT, LOCATED AT 2600 MORAGA ROAD, SAN PABLO, APN: 416-140-053, ALONG WITH A FINDING THAT THE PROJECT IS EXEMPT UNDER CEQA GUIDELINES SECTIONS 15304 AND 15332 CEQA: The McNeil Park project (previously called the SPARC project) has been determined to be categorically exempt pursuant to Sections 15304 and 15332 of the State CEQA Guidelines. Section 15304 exempts from environmental review “minor public or private alterations in the condition of land, water, and/or vegetation which do not involve removal of healthy, mature, scenic trees except for forestry and agricultural purposes.” The Project would involve alteration of the site from an empty lot with demolition debris to a park, including grading, new landscaping, and minor trenching and backfilling where the surface is restored. The Project would not remove any mature trees; the trees within and adjacent to the Project site would be preserved in place. The project would also be categorically exempt under Section 15332, Infill Development Projects, in that it is consistent with general plan and zoning designations; is located within city limits on a site of no more than five acres and is substantially surrounded by urban uses; has no value as habitat for endangered, rare or threatened species; would not result in any significant effects relating to traffic, noise, air quality, or water quality; and can be served by all required utilities and public services. PC26-012 ▶ jump to 187:24
7. CONSIDERATION OF A VARIANCE TO ALLOW A SIGN FACE CHANGE WITH A DIGITAL DISPLAY OF FUEL PRICES ON AN EXISTING OFF-SITE HIGHWAY-ORIENTED PYLON SIGN LOCATED AT 2526 SAN PABLO DAM ROAD, SAN PABLO, APN: 417-042-033. PC26-013 ▶ jump to 206:05
24 2026 CALENDAR
8. 2026 CALENDAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETINGS PC26-011 ▶ jump to 206:14
26 SELECTION OF CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR ▶ jump to 207:53
27 STAFF UPDATES ▶ jump to 209:58
28 COMMISSIONER UPDATES ▶ jump to 210:52
29 ADJOURNMENT ▶ jump to 211:10