- Elizabeth Larson
- Posted On
Lakeport Planning Commission moves AutoZone store proposal forward
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport Planning Commission on Wednesday night approved plans for a new AutoZone auto parts store in the city.
AutoZone proposes to build the 7,842-square-foot retail building on a one-acre parcel at 301 and 401 Industrial Ave. that would be created by dividing up the overall eight-acre property, owned by Napa resident Sam LaMonica.
In unanimous votes the commission approved a tentative parcel map to create four new parcels – two of which already have buildings on them – and rezoned the property where the AutoZone store would be located from industrial to major retail.
Other approvals covered a lot line adjustment with 292 Industrial Ave., architectural and design review for the AutoZone building and a mitigated negative declaration which it recommended the city council also approve.
The commission did not support a variance to allow AutoZone to exceed the maximum amount of signage permitted by an additional 85 square feet.
Among the conditions the commission imposed was a lowering of light standards from 25 to 18 feet to be in compliance with general plan specifications, a requirement for a new street light and a recommendation – at the request of Big Valley Rancheria – that AutoZone enter into an agreement with the tribe for cultural resources monitoring during the project construction.
City Community Development Director Kevin Ingram explained during the discussion that the tribe hadn't been noticed of the project when it was submitted two years ago – which was before his tenure which the city, which began a year ago this month – and he apologized for that oversight.
The Pier 1900 Homeowners Association also had submitted an email to the city raising concerns about a culvert emptying into its lagoon, and asking that the AutoZone project include a new catch basin.
However, Ingram said staff was not suggesting that requirement, explaining that the project would significantly improve drainage off the site, and that the culvert issues likely were from further upstream on an unnamed creek in that area.
Ingram thanked LaMonica and project engineer Bob Eynck for their patience, explaining to the commission that the project application had been submitted more than two years ago. “They kind of fell victim to some staffing changes,” he said, noting that the project went through the hands of four planners and three city engineers.
Regarding controversy about locating an auto parts store closely to others already in existence – including O'Reilly Auto Parts and Napa Auto Parts stores – Ingram said the city's zoning ordinance doesn't address that issue, and he said some other industries, like fast food and auto malls, tend to cluster together.
He said he has a conversation with the owner of the Napa Auto Parts-Lake Parts store, who had concern about the corporation coming into the city because the AutoZone in Clearlake pushed out the Napa Auto Parts store there.
In comments made to the project engineer, the commission noted that the applicants had gone “several extra miles” on the studies and had created a well-done document.
Commissioner Ken Wicks Jr. asked why AutoZone had chosen the particular parcel where it wanted to build versus others that already were appropriately zoned.
Eynck said AutoZone does a lot of research for its projects. “They're very excited about coming into Lakeport,” he said, explaining that the company feels that property “is a very good location for them.”
Asked by Commissioner Harold Taylor if there would be a problem with not allowing for a larger sign size, Eynck said he would have to take it back to AutoZone, but he believed something could be worked out.
Taylor asked if the proposed sign for the Lakeport store is similar to the one at the Clearlake store. Eynck said yes, and Taylor replied that the Clearlake sign stands out, and a larger one wouldn't be needed.
Commissioner Suzanne Russell added that in the proposed location, the sign would be noticed, and she felt having a larger sign would be overkill.
Ingram added there had been some confusion for the applicant regarding total signage size, as they didn't know they could have two building-mounted signs. He said staff clarified that for them, and he thought that should help address the sign matter.
Batsulwin Brown, tribal historic preservation officer for Big Valley Rancheria, said the tribe had received last-minute notice of the project, otherwise it would have had more suggestions.
Brown said the entire city of Lakeport is within the tribe's primary aboriginal boundaries, and if human remains were discovered during construction Big Valley would be the most likely human descendants. He said the tribe's input on the project is meant to strengthen the protection of cultural resources.
Based on the letter submitted to the city, the tribe's key recommendations are as follows:
– AutoZone shall enter into a cultural resources protection agreement with the tribe to provide for monitoring of resources during any ground disturbing activities;
– A qualified archaeologist must be present during excavation and removal of ground materials beyond 18 inches below the existing ground level;
– If human remains are discovered, all work must immediately cease, the coroner must be contacted and the Native American Heritage Commission must be notified. Work may resume outside of the burial location with concurrence of the tribe's historic preservation officer, qualified archaeologist and project manager.
Brown said during the discussion that there is always the possibility of finding burial grounds close to the water in the city boundaries.
The firm that did the report for AutoZone, he added, didn't send any letters to the tribe about the project, with Ingram adding they were supposed to do that.
Wicks asked who would be responsible for the archaeology. Ingram said AutoZone would need to pay for an archaeologist.
In other news the commission approved minor revisions to the zoning ordinance to improve city procedures including streamlining the permitting process and working to ensure increased notification to those impacted by projects.
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