Santee council introduces zoning changes to industrial uses, coffeehouse and animal‑care rules; staff to return for second reading Aug. 27

SANTEE, Calif. — The Santee City Council on Aug. 13 introduced an ordinance amending Title 13 (zoning) to modernize industrial‑use definitions and clarify when accessory uses require a conditional use permit.

Principal planner Madeline Mattson told the council the amendment adds definitions for “coffeehouse,” “distillery,” “winery,” “premises” and “establishment,” clarifies distinctions between permitted uses and conditional uses, consolidates duplicate categories and removes outdated references. Staff recommended the council introduce the ordinance and set a second reading and adoption for Aug. 27, 2025.

Why it matters: The revisions are intended to update the municipal code to reflect current business models and to reduce ambiguity about accessory uses in industrial zones. Planner Madeline Mattson said the update is intended to align the municipal code with prior council interpretations and to make the code clearer for applicants and staff.

Public comment and council edits: Public speaker Carl Constantino questioned time windows applied to some service and animal‑care uses in industrial zones; he suggested that uniform 8 a.m.–6 p.m. windows may be overly restrictive and that limits should be tied to complaints or specific facilities. A frequent public commenter using the name Truth raised similar clarity concerns about the distinction between “coffeehouse” and “coffee shop.” Several council members and staff discussed food-service language and animal care hours. On the record, council members asked staff to remove the phrase “premade sandwiches” from the coffeehouse definition and to adjust exterior animal‑care operation hours; the council adopted the item on first reading with those corrections and scheduled second reading and adoption for Aug. 27.

Details: Staff said delicatessens and limited accessory uses would still be allowed in certain industrial areas but that a full restaurant use remains prohibited in industrial zones without a commercial designation. For animal‑care facilities with outdoor exercise areas, staff initially recommended 8 a.m.–6 p.m. as an as‑of‑right window (with other hours available via conditional use permit); council discussion favored a broader daytime window (discussion ranged around 7 a.m.–7 p.m.) and directed staff to reflect the council’s preference in the returned draft.

Next steps: The council introduced the ordinance and voted unanimously to proceed to a second reading and adoption on Aug. 27, 2025. Staff will return with a revised ordinance text reflecting the two corrections discussed on the record and will provide the ordinance packet for the second reading.