Staff backs 12‑month extension for The Cottage at 31791 Los Rios Street

Graham Aber, staff, told the meeting the item was a request for a 12‑month time extension to the site plan review and administrative approval for a 980‑square‑foot single‑story commercial building with a 345‑square‑foot porch and a 636‑square‑foot outdoor dining area at 31791 Los Rios Street.

"This concludes my presentation. I'll be happy to answer any questions," Aber said after summarizing staff's review and recommendation. Aber told the meeting staff found no substantial changes to the approved plans and recommended extending the approvals for an additional 12 months, with the extended expiration date given in the record as 07/15/2027. Staff also cited the California Environmental Quality Act exemption, Section 15303 (Class 3, new construction), in support of the finding.

Douglas Duhart, agent with 3 D Advisors LLC representing River Street Ranch LLC, asked the body to approve the extension for the project called The Cottage. He said the property owner needs more time because the intended use is changing from food service to retail and the owner is working to find a tenant and complete design edits. Duhart noted building plans had been submitted in late June and a second plan check was recently completed.

There were no members of the public who spoke on the item. The chair closed the public hearing, and staff indicated concurrence with the conditions and that the administrator will approve the staff recommendation and conclude the public hearing, effecting a 12‑month extension (recorded in the staff report as expiring 07/15/2027).

The record contains inconsistent case references: the presentation initially identified the project as SPR26‑002 but later staff language in the report references SPR24‑002 and AA24‑011. The transcript does not resolve which case number is authoritative; the record should be checked with planning staff for the official case identifiers before any legal or permit reliance.