Mega service station on acaville Planning Commission horizon

Mega service station on city's horizon

By Jennifer Gentile//Staff Writer

Article Launched: 01/16/2007 06:38:52 AM PST

After putting off the item since October, the Vacaville Planning Commission finally will hear a proposal tonight for an eight-pump service station at Peabody Road and Hume Way.

The proposal for a ARCO/BP station, which includes a 3,600- square-foot convenience store and car wash, would complete the Orchard Supply Hardware Plaza. The plan features access from both Hume Way and Peabody Road.

City staffers are recommending approval of a conditional use permit and affirmation of a past environmental assessment for the project. A conditional use, as explained in a city staff report, is a use that "requires a higher level of review ... to ensure that they will be compatible with surrounding land uses."

The report also notes the Vacaville Police Department opposes the sale of alcohol at the proposed convenience store. Seven other locations reportedly are selling alcohol within a quarter-mile of the site, which is also close to Will C. Wood High School and within a high-crime reporting district.

In its lengthy list of approval conditions, staff recommends against alcohol sales there and mandates providing at least 20 parking spaces. The original plan calls for 15 spaces, and planning staffer Peymand Behvand said the requirement can be met by amending the design or reaching an agreement with other property owners in the complex.

The commission will also hear a proposal to construct an 8,250-square-foot industrial building on a half-acre parcel. The structure would be built in the Maris Industrial Park at 57 Commerce Place.

The building is "speculative," according to a city staff report, meaning that the number and kind of tenants is undetermined. Most of the industrial park is developed and it is occupied by offices, auto repair shops and industrial service operations.

Property owners within 600 feet of the site were notified, and to there has been no feedback.

According to a city staff report, the property came under new ownership in early 2006. The new owner was told the project had expired and he needed a new design review approval before building permits were issued.

As a condition of approval, the applicant must provide one parking space per 750 square feet of manufacturing floor space plus an additional parking space

The final item on tonight's agenda concerns Browns Valley Cleaners on E. Monte Vista Avenue, which has painted its roof-mounted equipment to blend with the building's decorative trim and features. The height of this equipment is greater than what was approved by the city previously and now shows above the parapet wall.

The equipment is high enough above the wall, according to staff, to need additional screening. The commission should require the applicant to use roof screens, construct higher parapets or switch out the equipment, according to written recommendation included in the planning agenda packet. The Planning Commission meets at 7 p.m. in the City Council chamber, 650 Merchant St.

Jennifer Gentile can be reached at vacaville@thereporter.com.