-Colony Square-

LOCATION MAP & EXISTING SITE

The Colony Square Development is located on the City’s primary corridor: El Camino Real. The site is zoned Downtown Commercial and lies within the Downtown Revitalization Plan. The existing site includes a vacant land and is surrounded by a movie theater and 13,000 square-feet of retail space. 

HISTORY & BACKGROUND

The applicant has worked diligently with staff and the DRC on crafting the site plan and architecture. The architecture, landscaping, and signage is consistent with the intent of the Master Plan of Development. The proposed project continues to accomplish the project objectives including:

• Implementing the General Plan and Downtown Revitalization Plan;
• Maximizes the property’s potential in manner consistent with the General Plan;
• Broadens the City’s tax base by providing local and regional tax generating uses through Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT);
• Maximizes the economic viability of the vacant site;
• Provides necessary adequate infrastructure and public amenities;
• Locates a commercial project at the new Centennial Bridge landing to connect the theater to the Sunken Gardens, consistent with the Downtown Revitalization Plan.

The mixed-use project consists of:

• 67 residential units
• 58,250 square-feet of retail/restaurant space
• An 89 room hotel (total square-feet: 61,550)
• A 10 Screen (35,000 square-feet) movie theater

RENDERINGS & CONSTRUCTION DRAWINGS

RECORDS

In August 2005, the Planning Commission approved a mixed-use Master Plan of Development for the Colony Square project (CUP 2004-0127). The project was considered a major cornerstone of the Atascadero Downtown Revitalization Plan, including additional density of retail, restaurants, a movie theater, residential presence, and a mid-block pedestrian connection through Atascadero Creek to connect with the Sunken Gardens.

In 2015, the L-shaped property between El Camino Real and the former City Hall as well as the existing theater and restaurants were sold to a new owner. The new owner has been working with City staff and the project architect to explore ways to develop the L-shaped site for optimum use. With construction of the Centennial Bridge now connecting the site to the Sunken Gardens and the new City parking lot on Lewis Avenue, the applicant was compelled to move forward and has submitted an amendment to add a boutique hotel with restaurant spaces on the subject parcel.

The Atascadero Design Review Committee reviewed a preliminary concept plan for the proposed hotel on October 11, 2017, and then reviewed an updated design and parking study on April 11, 2018. The Committee recommended minor architectural changes which were incorporated into the current proposal. The DRC recommended drop off areas and valet services be provided for the hotel. The Porte-cochere drop off area was added, as well as condition of approval that the owner obtains an agreement for offsite parking for the hotel valet service.

The proposed Conditional Use Permit Amendment is in substantial conformance with Certified Mitigated Negative Declaration 2005-0020, approved for the original Colony square project on August 16, 2005. The project size, overall design, and location of the buildings are in substantial conformance with the 2005 CEQA analysis. The original Mitigation Measures are included in the attached resolution without changes.

Staff Reports

CEQA Mitigation Measures - 2005

Design Review Committee – 4/11/2018

Planning Commission – 5/15/2018

THINKING BIG? LET US HELP YOU!

For more information about development opportunities in Atascadero, contact Community Development Director Phil Dunsmore at 805-470-3488.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SITE LIST

Public input throughout this process is key in developing a plan that reflects the vision of the Atascadero community.  We want our community's input! 

We will be outside City Hall at Colony Days again this year and want to hear from you!

Please see the Exising Conditions Assesment for the latest update (September 2019)

The City of Atascadero is currently developing a corridor plan to identify future improvements and land uses along El Camino Real.  The City has been awarded a Caltrans Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant to complete this study, and the Planning consultant, PlaceWorks, has been contracted to develop the plan. The goal is to provide the City with a blueprint and the tools to transform the existing auto-oriented, regional corridor into a multi-modal economic hub.

El Camino Real is the central spine of the City, and has a significant bearing on the overall image, identity, and economic health of Atascadero.  It is the main north-south thoroughfare; and the primary access to services, the downtown core, and surrounding neighborhoods. Recent investment within the downtown, upcoming development and new businesses, and the Downtown Traffic Calming study provide solid groundwork from which to envision and develop the concepts for a vibrant corridor overall.

Across the nation, past development and investment patterns have stripped corridors of their role as vital areas connecting and creating community. These in-between spaces of a city that connect activity centers are typically overlooked as places for community connection and new market opportunities. As a result, long-neglected corridors across the country are plagued with haphazard development patterns and underutilized uses.

The seven mile stretch of El Camino Real which runs through Atascadero suffers from many of these same issues. The corridor serves as a local collector and regional pass-through arterial. It has an underutilized mix of auto-oriented strip retail, office, and traditional anchor-based commercial centers. It is often observed that the El Camino corridor lacks a sense of place and does not have the characteristics of a “destination.” Yet the corridor also contains many uses that represent the heart of the community - a historic downtown core, the Sunken Gardens park, and a mix of entertainment, restaurant and retail uses which are valued by the community. The challenge along the El Camino corridor is to define an innovative but realistic set of recommendations to produce a new vision to move El Camino Real into the future and enable it to function as an active, well-utilized, balanced, and employment generating corridor.

During this planning study, existing land uses and zoning along the corridor will be analyzed and recommendations provided to enhance key commercial areas and compliment adjacent uses. By improving transportation options and facilitating commercial growth, the City hopes to grow its employment and economic base and acquire a healthier jobs to housing balance. Now is this time to look comprehensively at the overall El Camino Real corridor, bring together previous planning and recent investment throughout the corridor, and create a unique sense of place within the heart of the Atascadero community.

The City has been a member of Tree City USA since 1989, working to preserve beautiful native trees within the City of Atascadero. Below is some information in regards to our efforts to protect and replant native trees.

The City of Atascadero protects 12 different native tree species, listed below.

For access to Atascadero's official Native Tree Ordinance, view our municipal code here.

Want help identifying a native tree?

Click here for a Native Tree Identification Table.

Looking for a quick guide on permit information and FAQ's? 

Click here for a Native Tree Regulation handout.

Looking to develop on a property with native trees?

Click here for a guide on how to install tree protection fencing to save our beautiful trees!

Looking for a general overview of all native tree regulations?

Click here to view the Native Tree Handbook.

The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requires state and local agencies to assess the environmental impacts of certain projects, and notify the public of those impacts prior to approving the projects. Some projects may be “categorically exempt” from CEQA because of their size or nature, or because there is no reasonable possibility that they will significantly affect the environment.  Article 19 of the CEQA Guidelines lists the types of projects that are normally exempt.

Thank you for visiting the City of Atascadero's Climate Action Planning page. Please find information below on the City's efforts to comply with California guidelines on climate action planning and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emmissions reductions, and publicy available resources for related efforts.

Electic Vehicle Charging Stations (EVCS):

In compliance with Assembly Bill 1236, the City has adopted and published resources to ensure expidited permits for Electric Vehicle Charging Stations (EVCS):

• Electric Vehicle Charging Station Expedited Permit Ordinance

• Plug-In Electric Vehicle Charging Station Infrastructure Permitting Checklist

• Electric Vehicle Charging Station Guidelines (Residential)

• Electric Vehicle Charging Station Guidelines (Commercial)

Atascadero Climate Action Plan:

• 2014 CAP

Previous Documents:

 Climate Action Planning To be Discussed at Atascadero Design Review Committee

On Thursday, August 16 at 3:30 pm, the City of Atascadero’s Design Review Committee will be holding its first steering committee meeting to discuss the Countywide Climate Action Plan, also known as the Central Coast Greenhouse Gas Planning project. The purpose of the Countywide Climate Action Plan is to assist cities in San Luis Obispo County in developing strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions consistent with the requirements of State’s “AB-32” requirements.

In March 2012, the Atascadero City Council agreed to participate with the San Luis Obispo Air Pollution Control District in a countywide grant to prepare a Climate Action Plan “toolbox.”  This toolbox of possible greenhouse gas reduction measures will be prepared by a consultant, who would quantify the reduction potential and fiscal impact of each potential measure.  Each of the six participating San Luis Obispo County cites would be able to choose measures from the toolbox to complete their own individual Climate Action Plans. 

The Atascadero City Council has appointed the City’s Design Review Committee to act as a steering committee during the Climate Action Planning process.  This existing review committee is made up of two Planning Commissioners, two City Council members and one at-large member.  The Committee’s meetings are always open to the public. 

Next week the Climate Action Plan consultant will be making a presentation to the Atascadero steering committee in order to layout the project objectives, outline the process to expect as we move forward and answer any questions that the Committee or the public may have.  The Committee will provide the consultant and City staff direction on the preparation of the toolbox and Atascadero’s individual Climate Action Plan.    

Additional information about the Central Coast Greenhouse Gas Planning project can be found at www.CentralCoastGHGPlanning.com.  Any information specific to the Atascadero oversight committee meetings will be posted on the City’s Design Review Committee website the week of the meeting.  The Atascadero Climate Action Plan oversight committee will meet on Thursday, August 16, 2012 at City Hall, Council Chambers, 6907 El Camino Real, Atascadero, at 3:30 P.M.

If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact the City of Atascadero Community Development Department at 470-3448.

NEW! OUTDOOR USE PERMIT APPLICATION

Applications:

Applications for entitlement projects can be downloaded from the link below. Planning entitlements include Conditional Use Permits (CUPs), Planned Developments (PDs), Lot Line Adjustments (LLA), lot splits, subdivision maps, parcel maps, General Plan Amendments (GPAs), etc. If you have questions in regards to requirements for a specific planning entitlement, please contact the Planning Department and speak to a planner at (805) 461-5035.

Planning Applications are accepted through appointment only, Monday-Friday from 9:00-a.m.-12:00 pm. and 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.  Please call (805) 461-5035 to set up an appointment.

Planning Application

Planning Checklists

Fees:

Fees for applications are due, in full, at the time of permit submittal. Frequently, the department is asked what is covered in the Planning Fees. Our fees cover Planning Staff's time to review and process an application, which typically include Staff's time to review a project against local, state and federal law, the composition of a staff report, and a public hearing. The more complicated the entitlement project, the higher the fee is.

Please contact the Planning Department at (805) 461-5035 to learn more about fees.

Zoning Ordinance:

The City's rules and regulations are contained in the Municipal Code, Title 9, known as the Zoning Ordinance. These rules govern how, what, and where you can develop your property. The City attempts to keep this information as updated as possible. Please click on the links provided below:

Title 9 Zoning Ordinance

Residential Uses Matrix

Non-Residential Uses Matrix 

Land Use Descriptions

For more information visit our Frequently Asked Questions

The City of Atascadero supports environmentally friendly construction projects. 

Paint Colors

Awnings

Signs

Outdoor Seating

Acccessories

Case Studies

Appendix A