Walnut Creek's Planning Commission will consider a new animal daycare building and a citywide sign ordinance rewrite when it meets Thursday, Sept. 10.
The seven-member commission, chaired by Pamela Nieting, will hold public hearings on a proposed 12,577-square-foot facility for Joybound and a full update to the city's sign rules. The meeting begins at 6 p.m. in the Council Chamber at 1666 North Main St.
Joybound's new building
Joybound, the Walnut Creek animal rescue nonprofit formerly known as Tony La Russa's Animal Rescue Foundation, wants to build a single-story facility at its 1.54-acre campus at 2890 Mitchell Drive. The organization says its existing programs have reached maximum capacity, according to the city's project page.
The new building would add indoor and outdoor play and agility yards, pet exercise and training space, and additional dog kennels. The project also calls for covered dog runs, new landscaping, site lighting and additional surface parking.
Commissioners will weigh four entitlements: a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) to expand Joybound's existing "cultural institution" use, design review for the new building, a sign ordinance exception and a tree removal permit covering 10 trees on the site.
Before voting on those permits, the commission must adopt an Initial Study and Negative Declaration. That finding would determine the project would not cause significant environmental harm. The city posted a draft of that study and a Notice of Intent on July 27, according to the meeting agenda.
The project applicant is John Parezo of JPA Strategies Group. Interim Principal Planner Simar Gill is the city's staff contact.
When the organization rebranded from ARF in February 2024, CEO Susan Lee Vick told Walnut Creek Magazine the new name "reflects our longstanding commitment to supporting strong human-animal bonds to bring greater health and happiness to dogs, cats, and their human families."
Sign ordinance overhaul
The second hearing covers a citywide update to Walnut Creek's sign ordinance, Municipal Code Title 10, Chapter 8. The city's stated goals are to address current trends in signage, support economic development and balance flexibility with a consistent community look.
The Design Review Commission held a study session on the draft update on July 1. No action was taken. The Planning Commission will now review the proposed changes, gather public feedback and send a recommendation to the City Council, which will take up the ordinance at a date not yet set.
The city has not released the full draft ordinance text.
How to weigh in
Written comments must reach the city by 4 p.m. Sept. 10 to be included in the official record. Residents can email [email protected] or mail comments to City of Walnut Creek, Attn: Planning Commission, 1666 North Main St., Walnut Creek, CA 94596.
The meeting will also be livestreamed on the city's website and YouTube channel, and broadcast on Comcast Channel 28, Rossmoor Channel 1082, Astound Channel 31 and AT&T U-verse Channel 99.
The commission's next regular meeting is Thursday, Sept. 24, at 6 p.m.
