Summary

Planning Commission meeting summary

San BernardinoJan 14, 20263 min read

At a glance

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The Planning Commission approved several land-use changes, including an alcohol license upgrade for an existing gas station, an amendment to alcohol-sale rules at a convenience store, a revocation tied to a former motel-to-care-facility conversion, a 106-unit affordable housing project, and a setback variance for a single-family home. Commissioners also rejected a citywide ban on short-term vacation rentals and asked staff to return with a regulatory approach instead.

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What this means

The commission approved an alcohol license upgrade for an existing gas station convenience store and approved changes to operating rules for another convenience store that sells beer and wine. It also revoked a prior permit for the former Motel 6 care-facility conversion after the applicant said the site was being vacated, and approved a 106-unit affordable housing project on N. Meridian Avenue, though two commissioners voted no over utility and design concerns. The commission approved a setback and lot-coverage variance for a single-family home on West 6th Street and Pico Avenue. In the biggest policy decision, commissioners denied a citywide ban on short-term vacation rentals and directed staff to bring back a regulatory process instead.

Key decisions

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Approved minutes from the October 13, 2025 and November 10, 2025 meetings.
Approved Conditional Use Permit 25-11 and Public Convenience or Necessity 25-06 to upgrade an existing gas station from a Type 20 to a Type 21 alcohol license.
Approved Conditional Use Permit 25-17 to modify alcohol-sale operating conditions at 510 N. Waterman Avenue.
Denied Development Code Amendment 25-09, which would have banned short-term vacation rentals and considered a transient occupancy tax for them.
Approved Development Code Amendment 25-11 updating accessory dwelling unit standards to comply with state law.
Approved revocation of Conditional Use Permit 25-05 for the former motel conversion project at 1960 Ostrems Way.
Approved Subdivision 25-05 and Development Permit Type-P 25-08 for a 106-unit affordable housing project on N. Meridian Avenue.
Approved Variance 25-01 allowing reduced setbacks, reduced driveway depth, and increased lot coverage for a single-family home.
Directed staff to return with a regulatory process for short-term vacation rentals instead of a ban.

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