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Recommendation to receive supporting documentation into the record, conclude the public hearing, deny the appeal, and uphold the Planning Commission decision to approve a Conditional Use Permit for a check cashing use located at 4200 Atlantic Avenue. (District 8)
DISCUSSION
On October 15, 2009, the Planning Commission voted 5-2 to approve a Conditional Use Permit request for a check cashing use located within a multi-tenant commercial building at 4200 Atlantic Avenue (Exhibit A - Planning Commission Staff Report). The project was appealed on October 21, 2009 (Exhibit B - Appeal). The appellants contend that the existing exterior canopy is compromised and the signage is excessive and unacceptable. Planning staff met with the applicant and appellants in an attempt to find a solution to the signage issue, and no agreement could be made. To address the issues with the signage, staff added condition of approval, No. 12, requiring that all signage be modified/replaced to the satisfaction of the Director of Development Services. The building was also cited by Code Enforcement for illegal signage and a compromised canopy.
The applicant is requesting approval of a Conditional Use Permit to legalize the business.
The payday advance business consists of a 242-square-foot customer waiting area with approximately 1,000 square feet of office (Exhibit C - Plans & Photographs). The business has been operating at the current location since 2005. The Police Department has reviewed the request and has no objection to approval.
Check cashing uses were reviewed last year by staff during a one-year moratorium. The moratorium was approved to address a proliferation of check cashing uses throughout the city. The proliferation issue was reviewed by staff and it was determined that there were over 106 illegal check cashing businesses citywide. This finding led the City Council to deny the proposed extension of the one-year moratorium and instead directed staff to bring all ill...
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