Council agrees to rehear car‑sales and repair permit at 1856 Lincoln Avenue after public input

The Calistoga City Council voted Feb. 27 to rehear a Planning Commission decision that approved an automobile sales and repair use permit at 1856 Lincoln Avenue. Councilmember Gift initiated the request, citing concerns that the community had not had sufficient opportunity to weigh in and noting gateway and character concerns for the town.

Several members of the public, including property owner Martin Lauber, business representatives and nearby residents, urged the council to expedite any rehearing because the business had already invested in the site. Supporters argued the property has long-standing precedent for vehicle-related uses. Online speaker Eric Lundquist and others urged staff to check consistency with the General Plan land-use designation and with the sign code; Lundquist said the community commercial land-use designation does not explicitly list auto dealerships as an allowed use and requested staff examine sign and trail connectivity issues.

City staff told the council that if the council votes to rehear the matter it will be a de novo hearing: the council would consider the conditional use permit as if it had not been heard previously, evaluate consistency with the General Plan and zoning ordinance, and apply design guidelines and development regulations. Staff cautioned that scheduling will be subject to required notice periods, newspaper publication cycles and staff capacity.

Councilmembers voted in favor of proceeding with the appeal and scheduling a future public hearing. The council’s direction was procedural: it did not signal support for or opposition to the Planning Commission’s underlying decision, only that the matter would be noticed and reconsidered by the council at a future date. Staff will prepare the public-notice materials, environmental/consistency analysis and a full staff report for that hearing.