Use Permit Requirements in the SC (Service Commercial) District
In the City of Concord, land uses within the SC (Service Commercial) district are categorized by the permit required for their establishment, where "UP" indicates that a Use Permit is required. Many uses in the SC (Service Commercial) district are permitted by right or require only a minor use permit; however, specific uses, such as certain recreational, institutional, and larger-scale commercial facilities, necessitate a formal Use Permit approved by the planning commission.
Use Permit Requirements for the SC (Service Commercial) District
To determine if a proposed land use in the SC (Service Commercial) district requires a Use Permit, one must consult the land use tables provided in the Development Code. In the City of Concord, an "UP" designation in the SC column of the land use tables signifies that a Use Permit, which requires planning commission approval, is mandatory for that specific use [Section 18.25.030].
The following land uses have been identified as requiring a Use Permit in the SC (Service Commercial) district:
| Land Use Classification | Permit Required |
|---|---|
| Bed and Breakfast Inn | UP |
| Single-Family, Detached – Small Lot Subdivision | UP |
| Group Housing | UP |
| Mobile Home Park | UP |
| Cultural Institution | UP |
| Golf Course, Country Club | UP |
| Residential Recreation Facility | UP |
| Religious Facility | UP |
| Elementary, Middle, Secondary Schools | UP |
| Utility Facility, Transmission Towers | UP |
| Adult Day Care Center | UP |
| Dealership – New | UP |
| Car Wash, Attended | UP |
| Car Wash, Unattended | UP |
| Gas Station | UP |
| Minor Repair | UP |
| Bank with Drive-Through Service | UP |
| Nursing Facility/Extended Care | UP |
| Fleet-Based Service | UP |
| Freight and Truck Terminal | UP |
| Industry, Heavy | UP |
| Self-Storage Facility, Mini-Storage | UP |
| Vehicle | UP |
| Towing Services | UP |
| Warehouse, with Outdoor Storage | UP |
| Mining and Quarrying | UP |
Note: This list is derived from the "Allowed Uses and Permit Requirements" tables for the Office and Commercial Districts (Chapters 18.40 and 18.25).
Permit Procedures for the SC District
When a use in the SC (Service Commercial) district is designated as "UP," the applicant must obtain a Use Permit in accordance with the procedures set forth in Chapter 18.435. The approval process for a Use Permit involves the following:
- Review Authority: Use Permits are reviewed and approved or disapproved by the planning commission at a public hearing [Section 18.435.030].
- Application Requirements: Applicants must file an application, including all information identified in the use permit application checklist on file with the planning division, and pay the required fees [Section 18.435.040].
- Findings: The planning commission may only approve a Use Permit after making specific findings, including that the proposed use is consistent with the general plan and that the design, location, size, and operating characteristics are compatible with existing and future land uses in the vicinity of the SC (Service Commercial) district [Section 18.435.060].
- Conditions of Approval: The planning commission may impose conditions related to the placement, height, nature, and extent of the use, as well as buffers, screening, and landscaping, to ensure the project remains compatible with the SC (Service Commercial) district standards [Section 18.435.060].
Sections Cited
- Section 18.25.030: Allowable land uses and permit requirements
- Section 18.435.010: Purpose (Minor Use Permits and Use Permits)
- Section 18.435.030: Review authority
- Section 18.435.040: Application
- Section 18.435.060: Findings and decision