CITY OF PACIFICA
PLANNING COMMISSION
2024 ANNUAL REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
The Planning Commission is submitting the following summary of work for calendar year 2024.
I. Planning Commission Membership in 2024
Commission Members Term Expires
Samantha Hauser, Chair 2028
Alex Ferguson, Vice Chair 2026
Lauren Berman 2027
Daniella Devine 2027
James Godwin 2026
Chris Redfield 2028
Greg WrightA 2025
II. Planning Commission Activity Report
In 2024, the Planning Commission held 14 regular meetings and 3 special meetings. In 2024, the Planning Commission heard 15 development-related applications including:
o A Temporary Use Permit to maintain a temporary structure enclosing Ocean Shore Railroad Car No. 1409 and perform restoration work on the railroad car o A Use Permit and Temporary Use Permit for modifications to the existing outdoor commercial operation at the Taco Bell Cantina
o A Coastal Development Permit and Tree Permit for bicycle and pedestrian improvements on several public rights-of-way within the City o A Coastal Development Permit approving an SB 9 Urban Lot Split and Residential Development Permit in the coastal zone
In addition, the Commission heard and acted on applications for single-family dwellings for new construction and modifications to existing structures. The Commission also received and filed Administrative Coastal Development Permits (CDPs) for accessory dwelling units in the coastal zone approved ministerially by the Community Development Director. For comparison, the Planning Commission heard 12 development-related applications in 2021, 11 in 2022, and 9 in 2023.
A Commissioner Greg Wright ended his service on the Planning Commission on November 4, 2024, when he was elected to City Council. The City Council appointed Commissioner Marjory Davis to replace him in March 2025. The Planning Commission also considered and provided recommendations to the City Council on the 2023-2031 Housing Element Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration and on a Rezoning, and the former Rockaway Quarry Reclamation Plan, which included a Development Plan, Specific Plan, Quarry Use Permit, Variance, Tree Permit, and Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR).
The Planning Division received 24 new discretionary permit applications in 2024. For comparison, the Planning Division received 20 new discretionary permit applications in 2023, 16 in 2022, 25 in 2021, and 16 in 2020. These include all types of entitlement applications including new developments, conditional uses in existing structures, and modifications to existing structures. Of note, these applications also included 1 preliminary application submitted under Senate Bill 330 (SB 330), 1 annual review, and 3 Administrative CDPs for accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in the coastal zone, which requires the Community Development Director’s report out to Planning Commission for filing. -
III. Summary of Significant Items Heard by the Commission Recommended approval of the 2023-2031 Housing Element Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration
Discussed the Objective Design Standards
Approved the Sharp Park Priority Development Area (PDA) Pedestrian Improvement Project Denied a motion recommending certification of the Rockaway Quarry Reclamation Plan Project Final EIR, associated findings of fact, Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP), and did not recommend that the City Council approve the Rezoning, Development Plan, Specific Plan, Quarry Use Permit, Variance, and Tree Permit applications.
IV. Planning Commission Five-Year Hearing Summary:
Year
New or
Continued Public
Hearings Held
Speakers on
Topics Not on
Agenda
Number of Residential
Dwelling Units Approved
by Commission
New Commercial
Floor Area Approved
(Sq. Ft.)
2020 22 9 24 4,684
2021 19 32 1 0
2022 17 16 21 3,165
2023 13 15 71 0
2024 17 11 8 0
V. Community Development Department Building Permit Activity:
Year Permits Issued Inspections
Residential
Valuation
Commercial
Valuation
2018 1,530 4,731 $19,013,200 $3,408,096
2019 1,587 5,147 $19,793,920 $5,965,473
2020 1,416 3,419 $16,882,230 $1,308,107
2021 1,591 3,908 $40,720,764 $1,807,197
2022 1,521 4,250 $34,548,886 $11,788,746*
2023 1,609 4,022 $24,514,500 $2,101,931
2024 1,355 3,506 $15,397,313 $ 14,467,420
* Includes Civic Center renovation valued at approximately $8,000,000 VI. Community Development Department Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Building Permit Activity:
Year Permits Issued
2021 40
2022 28
2023 17
2024 20
VII. City Council Strategic Plan Strategies Involving Planning Commission Goal 1: Enhance organizational and fiscal stability.
o Strategy C: Prioritize implementation of the Economic Opportunities Study. Goal 3: Prioritize protection and development of affordable housing. o Strategy A: Complete the Housing Element Update.
o Strategy B: Update the Short-Term Rental Ordinance.
o Strategy C: Prioritize Housing Element program implementation. Goal 4: Pursue climate change adaptation and mitigation. o Strategy C: Update Pacifica’s Local Coastal Plan and improve communications and collaboration with the California Coastal Commission.
Attachment 1
Planning Commission Project Approvals (2024)
Residential Project Approvals
Project Name/Address Number of New Dwelling Units
Approved by Planning
CommissionB
204 Olympian Way 1 accessory dwelling unit
330 feet east-northeast of the intersection of Rockaway Beach Avenue and Bay View Road (APN 022-062-550)
1 single-family dwelling unit
1 accessory dwelling unit
327 Beaumont Boulevard (APN 009-037-470) 1 single-family dwelling 20 Carmel Avenue (APN 016-031-030) 1 accessory dwelling unit Olympian Way (APN 023-037-030), approximately 1,450
feet northwest of the intersection of Olympian Way and
Grand Avenue - Pedro Point - Shelter Cove
Urban Lot Split and 2 single-family
dwelling units
1080 Valencia Way (APN 023-152-180) N/A, addition to a single-family residence
175 Olympian Way (APN 023-038-380) 1 accessory dwelling unit Commercial Project Approvals
Project Name/Address Commercial Floor Area Approved
by Planning Commission
(Sq. Ft.)
Ocean Shore Railcar No. 1409 located at 1910 Francisco
Boulevard (APN 016-060-100)
N/A, maintain temporary enclosed
structure previously approved by
Planning Commission
Former Olympian Gas Station soil remediation system
demolition located at 1518 Francisco Boulevard
(APN 016-021-260)
N/A
Taco Bell Cantina outdoor seating and temporary outdoor dining tent located at 5200 Coast Highway
(APN 022-191-190)
N/A, no permanent extension of floor
area
Anchor Inn located at 500 San Pedro Avenue
(APN 023-073-190) N/A, annual review
100 Eureka Square (APN 016-220-140) N/A, existing space B Accessory dwelling units requiring an Administrative CDP are approved ministerially by the Community Development Director and reported to the Planning Commission. The Planning Commission received and files the approval.