Title
Use Permit Review for Smog Check Service at European Auto Repair - PLN12-0230 - 1928 High Street - Applicant: Irman Turanovic. Six- month review of a Use Permit for smog check service at 1928 High Street and consideration of business hours on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This project is categorically exempt from further environmental review pursuant to the CEQA Guidelines Section 15301, Existing Facilities.
Body
To: Honorable President and
Members of the Planning Board
From: Andrew Thomas
Assistant Community Development Director
Date: December 12, 2016
Re: Use Permit Review for Smog Check Service at European Auto Repair - PLN12-0230 - 1928 High Street - Applicant: Irman Turanovic. Six- month review of a Use Permit for smog check service at 1928 High Street and consideration of business hours on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This project is categorically exempt from further environmental review pursuant to the CEQA Guidelines Section 15301, Existing Facilities.
BACKGROUND
In January 2013, the Planning Board approved a use permit to add smog service to an existing auto repair business, which has been operating at 1928 High Street since 1951. The zoning ordinance requires a use permit for all business activity in Alameda not conducted within an enclosed building. A use permit was required for the smog service because the tail end of a car will remain outside the service bay during tailpipe emissions testing using a dynamometer (dyno).
During the consideration of the use permit, the neighborhood expressed concern over noise from the dyno, which is equipment used to run-up the engine in order to read emissions from the vehicle's tailpipe. As a result, the Planning Board required a review of the use permit six months after smog service commenced. The Planning Board also deferred consideration of the proposed Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. business hours until the six-month review (Exhibit 1). The purpose of th...
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