Commission approves Omar’s Exotic Birds for Geronimo Road plaza

The Planning & Transportation Commission voted to approve a conditional use permit allowing Omar’s Exotic Birds to operate a pet-store, grooming and short-term boarding business at 25800 Geronimo Road in a business-park zone.

Omar Gonzales, owner and president, said his company has served southern Orange County for decades and that operations are routinely inspected by the Orange County Health Department: "We are inspected... every 6 months by the Orange County Health Department," he told the commission. Gonzales also described sanitary measures and controls used in prior locations.

Staff recommended approval, noting the suite was previously a beauty salon and that the proposed use will operate entirely indoors, with hours from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Staff noted conditions requiring the business meet city noise and sanitation standards and said that parking impacts are expected to be less intensive than the prior use.

Commissioners asked technical and operational questions — including about the business door remaining closed for boarding operations and disease-control procedures — and staff and the applicant confirmed animal-services and public-health inspection regimes will apply. With no public opposition present, the commission approved the CUP and welcomed the business to Mission Viejo.