The Santa Rosa Planning Commission on Dec. 11 approved a conditional use permit for the Lago Fresca Apartments, a 50-unit multifamily project at 2445 Summerfield Road and 4744 Hoenn Avenue, voting 7-0 to adopt the resolution recommended by staff.

Planning staff told commissioners the project includes four deed-restricted very-low-income units, 63 on-site parking spaces, and requests two concessions and five waivers under state density bonus law. Staff recommended approval after finding the project consistent with the general plan and housing element and concluding the proposal qualifies for a CEQA infill exemption. "The project is providing 63 parking spaces on-site," staff said in the project overview, and noted the development had received density bonus approval from the planning and economic development director.

Neighbors and business owners who spoke during the public hearing urged the commission to deny the permit or seek additional studies. Janice Carmen, who said she grew up on Summerfield Road, criticized requested setback waivers and said the corner was "a safety issue about having it too close to the street." Property owner Kashi Ghazag told commissioners the traffic analysis was flawed because it used early-COVID data and urged the city to "throw it in the garbage." Other residents cited recent pedestrian collisions near the corridor, school traffic and limited existing parking.

Supporters, including Stephanie (no last name provided), deputy director at Generation Housing, urged approval. "This is responsible, well-located infill housing that aligns with the city's adopted housing goals and with the state's direction to build homes near services and transit," she said.

City staff and consultants responded that the traffic engineering division reviewed the study and required mitigations. The traffic representative described requested safety measures such as a new crosswalk with a flashing beacon, striping changes and sight-distance improvements. Assistant Fire Marshal Mike Johnson said evacuation systems and early-notification tools have improved since the 2017 Tubbs fire, allowing for staged evacuations of adjacent zones.

Staff provided unit mix details at the hearing: 16 one-bedroom units, 21 two-bedroom units, four two-bedroom townhouse apartments, four three-bedroom townhouse apartments and five four-bedroom flats, for a total of 50 units. Housing staff also explained the affordability terms: "The gross rent for a 1-bedroom unit under that tier of affordability is $1,510 and the gross rent for a 4-bedroom at this project would be $2,039," Angela Morgan, program specialist in the city's Housing and Community Services Department, said, noting those are gross rents before utility allowances.

The applicant described a parking-management program that assigns one placarded space per tenant, offers additional spaces for rent and provides an on-site parking manager for enforcement. The applicant said 44 trees would be removed and approximately 47–48 boxed replacement trees planted, with an in-lieu fee for remaining trunk inches.

Commissioners acknowledged concerns raised in public comment but said the record did not contain substantial evidence to deny the waivers or concessions required by state density bonus law. Commissioner Sisco moved to approve the resolution; Commissioner Pardo seconded. Commissioners Carter, Sisco, Horton, Pardo, Sanders, Vice Chair Duggan and Chair Weeks all voted "aye," and the motion passed 7-0.

The chair said the decision is final unless an appeal is filed with the city clerk within 10 calendar days under zoning code section 20-62.03. The design review board will review project design next week as a separate step.