Commission approves preliminary plan for 7165 Industrial Park Boulevard, emphasizes masonry and screening

Applicant Carmen Protopapa presented a preliminary plan to build multiple light-industrial buildings at 7165 Industrial Park Boulevard, describing six buildings of about 12,000 square feet with 1,500-square-foot units intended for contractors and storage. "We'd like to build six um 12,000 square foot buildings," Protopapa said.

Staff provided a list of conditions for a preliminary approval and commissioners raised several design and code concerns: the neighborhood street features masonry-fronted buildings and the commission emphasized masonry consistent with design guidelines; one commissioner flagged an apparent discrepancy between the listed building height (35 feet) and a plan page showing 34 feet and asked the applicant to clarify. Commissioners also questioned parking — noting handicap and bicycle parking requirements — and required architectural screening for roof- or ground-mounted equipment.

Commissioners advised the applicant to consider masonry at grade around all faces or at least on street-facing elevations to prevent maintenance damage and to break up long blank walls that will face potential future development. The commission approved the preliminary site plan with 10 conditions; staff will work with the applicant on final masonry extent, parking layout, equipment screening and other conditions noted in the staff report.