Public Correspondence
Conditional Use Permit Streamlining
Attachment 2
1 Jones, Jessica
From: Julian Meisler
Sent: Friday, January 16, 2026 7:02 AM
To: Jones, Jessica
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Streamlining permit
Good morning,
I’m a 25-year Santa Rosa resident and want to express my support for streamlining. We have to find ways to make downtown more inviƟng and prosperous. I hope this goes through.
Is there a way to find out what is next for the closed third street cinema? It offers a huge opportunity to bring people in as a music venue that could serve as an anchor in downtown. If not music, then something!
Thank you,
Julian Meisler
Sent from my iPhone
1 Jones, Jessica
From: Lindsay Massey
Sent: Friday, January 23, 2026 10:18 AM
To: Jones, Jessica
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Conditional use permit streamlining Hi Jessica
I am happy to hear the city is working on streamlining the conditional use permit process. I currently have an application in for one, and if there is any way to help streamline that process I would certainly love to know. In my case, I have a corner property so the application is for a tall street side fence at my own property. I regularly deal with planning and building permits in various jurisdictions for my clients, I understand the need for them and respect the process, but I have to say in this case it is bordering on the absurd. I am told the application process is going to take at least 3 months and the fees for the permit (over $3000) is half as much as the cost of the fence itself. There is something inherently wrong with the system for it to take that long and that expensive for a very simple, uncontroversial residential fence permit. Added injury is that the portal system or staff did not notify me when fees were due, so apparently the application may have been stalled for a while, and I was completely ignorant. So clearly there is plenty of room for improvement.
Some suggestions:
• First review the fee schedule and make sure the fees are in proportion to the work proposed
• Other jurisdictions for items like this allow the homeowner or representative to contact their neighbors, and provide signatures
2 to show they have no objection as a means to quickly satisfy that element of the permit process.
• Improve communication -- both proactively making it more apparent what forms are needed at the start of the application process, and certainly making sure the applicant is aware of anything needed on their end
Thanks and I am truly glad that the city is being responsive and attempting to improve the system
Lindsay Massey
--
Lindsay Massey Architect
Santa Rosa, CA
www.LindsayMasseyArchitect.com
1 Jones, Jessica
From:
Sent: Friday, January 30, 2026 7:22 AM
To: Jones, Jessica
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Permits and zoning
We do not want streamlining ...
What we want is NO high rise apartments
NO new building without improving infrastructure
NO new building unless ALL tenants can be parked on site NO new building unless the increase in traffic is addressed with proper turn lanes NO new building unless the streets around are freshly paved and widened NO solar power farms put on the ground. ALL solar should go over parking lots and roofing
There should be some kind of cap put on rents in our local area. Kids cannot afford to move out. Building more apartments at 2500$+ a month for a one bedroom is NOT helping anyone ....
Thanks for reading,
Jake
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February 2, 2026
City of Santa Rosa
Planning & Economic Development Department
Santa Rosa, CA
Dear Planning Commissioners:
On behalf of the North Bay Leadership Council (NBLC), I am writing to express our support for the City of Santa Rosa’s proposed Conditional Use Permit (CUP) streamlining initiative.
NBLC is a coalition of business and civic leaders dedicated to promoting sound public policy that strengthens the North Bay economy, supports employers and workers, and removes unnecessary barriers to growth.
Streamlining the CUP process aligns directly with NBLC’s priority focus on improving the region’s business climate by reducing avoidable costs, delays, and regulatory complexity.
Creating more efficient and predictable permitting pathways will make it easier for businesses to locate, expand, and reinvest in Santa Rosa supporting job creation, commercial revitalization, and long-term economic resiliency.
In a region where affordability and high operating costs already pose challenges for employers, thoughtful reforms that reduce friction in local permitting processes are essential. Santa Rosa’s efforts to modernize its CUP framework demonstrate leadership and responsiveness to the needs of the business community while maintaining appropriate safeguards for land use decisions. These reforms will not only reduce direct costs and time commitments for applicants but also improve the overall business climate; an outcome that will benefit the broader North Bay economy.
We strongly encourage the Planning Commission to adopt the proposed streamlining measures and to continue engaging with the business community as these important zoning code amendments move forward. NBLC stands ready to support implementation and partnership opportunities that further advance economic development in Santa Rosa and across the North Bay.
Thank you for your leadership and commitment to fostering a more efficient and business - friendly regulatory environment.
Sincerely,
Joanne Webster
President & CEO
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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KARLEEN ARNINK-PATE
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REIDE BAXTER
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ISAAC GRADMAN
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DR. DAVID KLEIN, MBA
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Buck Institute for Research on Aging
MICHELLE OXFORD
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Sutter Health
ALLISON SCHUTTE
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JOANNE WEBSTER
President & CEO
KATE MURRAY
CAO
1 Jones, Jessica
From: Troy Warren
Sent: Wednesday, March 11, 2026 11:53 AM
To: Jones, Jessica
Subject: [EXTERNAL] CUP streamlining feedback
Hello Jessica,
Just wanted to let you know that I fully support streamlining for CUPs. I have some commercial property I want to develop, and making the plan review and permiƫng process more efficient and less costly would be greatly beneficial to me. Thumbs up!
I’ll aƩend the meeƟng tomorrow at city hall.
Thank you.
Troy Warren
From: Charles Evans
To: PLANCOM - Planning Commission; Jones, Jessica
Subject: [EXTERNAL] CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT STREAMLINING Date: Wednesday, March 11, 2026 4:24:58 PM
Attachments: PastedGraphic-1.tiff
Members of the Planning Commission and Ms Jones,
I welcome the proposed changes, and believe that they will go a long way in making this easier and less expensive for both the landlords and the business owners.
I have managed several industrial properties in the IL zone [Piner Road] for the past twenty five years.
During that time I have assisted several of my tenants in securing zoning clearances and use permits for their various business operations.
Most of these operators have very little experience with permitting and zoning issues. Most are on tight budgets because they are either starting a new business or moving their existing business to a new location. Accordingly, money is an issue and time is an issue.
I support all of the proposed changes to the various Industrial Zone designation, and have a couple of suggestions:
Please consider adding the following to the last bullet point in the list of
(2) Wholesaling and Distribution establishments [pg 92] in the Draft Amendments:
Adding the following:
Stores primarily selling ….
Paint [example: Sherman Williams]
Tile and stone finishes [example: DalTile]
Major home appliances [example Asians/Airport Appliance] Furniture [example: Scandinavian Design]
Mattress [example: Sleep World]
These are all stores that generally have either customer showrooms and samples with larger warehouse area for storage and shipping, or require a large area for storage, like furniture. As such, they all that generate low traffic and parking requirements on a ‘per square foot’ of building area basis.
Respectfully submitted,
Charles Evans