Clearlake planning commission approves permit for Redwood Street tire shop, requires parking plan

The Clearlake Planning Commission on May 12 approved Conditional Use Permit CUP 2026-03 to allow an automobile tire shop at 3510, 3511 and 3520 Redwood Street, with a condition that the applicant submit a parking plan for review and approval by the planning director prior to operation.

Staff presented the project and introduced the applicant, Muhammad Satire. The applicant purchased the property in February 2026; the CUP focuses on three parcels (3511, 3510 and 3520). According to the staff presentation, 3511 would serve as the customer showroom and retail space, 3510 would contain tire mounting, storage, a restroom and an employee break room, and 3520 would contain three service bays (two lifts and an alignment rack). Staff said the rear building is accessed by a single driveway and that Public Works requires an all‑weather surface for a portion of that access.

Staff reported existing nonresidential parking on site totals seven spaces and that no ADA stall was currently shown on the plans. Under the citys code for light automotive service, staff said the use requires four base spaces plus one additional space per service bay; with three bays and the two one‑bedroom dwellings on site, staff recommended planning staff calculate a total of nine spaces including one ADA‑van‑accessible stall. Staff recommended adding a condition requiring the applicant to submit a parking plan within 30 days for review and approval by the planning director addressing circulation, striping and signage, and that the approved plan be implemented and maintained for the duration of the use. A staff member stated, "The applicant shall submit a parking plan for review and approval by the planning director."

Commissioners questioned whether sidewalk, curb and gutter work could be deferred and whether bonds or other assurances are used to guarantee completion. Staff replied that the curb, gutter and sidewalk improvements would be required prior to operation and that engineering drawings are in progress; the staff presentation also noted the project was described in the record as exempt from "SQA" as an existing structure with negligible changes. Commissioners discussed coordination with nearby projects (a gas station/charging project and an existing body shop) and city capacity and funding to construct frontage improvements.

The commission also discussed parking calculations and the presence of two one‑bedroom dwellings on site. Staff said the commission could require additional parking or accept shared parking assumptions, and that a conservative requirement would be as many as 11 spaces if dwellings were treated with two spaces each. The applicant told the commission that customer transactions would occur at the 3511 showroom and that staff would move vehicles to the rear bays (3520) for service.

A motion to approve CUP 2026-03 including the staff parking condition passed on a roll call vote (Commissioners Counts, Silva, Williams, Vice Chair English and Chair Smallley each recorded an "I"). The motion was recorded as approved by the Planning Commission.

Next steps: the approved CUP includes the parking plan requirement and the condition that required curb, gutter and sidewalk improvements and ADA parking be provided prior to operation; the staff report listed options to adopt or deny resolution PC 202605 or return the matter to staff.