Vacant lot in Atascadero could get a car wash, 42 housing units

A long-vacant Atascadero property at the south end of town may soon get 42 new units of housing and a car wash.

Two developers are proposing the project, located on 5.25 acres at the intersection of El Camino Real and Principal Avenue across from Miner’s Ace Hardware. One developer would build the car wash, to be located on the corner of the intersection. The other developer would be responsible for the housing units, to be located behind the commercial property.

The city Planning Commission on Tuesday night recommended the City Council approve the amended project, according to Callie Taylor, a senior planner.

A mixed-use housing development has been in the works at the site since 2004, when the city first approved a 45-unit project, according to a city staff report. But that development was never built, and the city didn’t consider another proposal until 2015, when the car wash and 37 residential units were proposed.

“This is kind of one of those projects that’s been around for a long time and has gone through a lot of changes,” Taylor said.

A new developer, Barry Ephraim, since purchased part of the property and plans to build a combination of single-family detached units and attached triplex and live-work units, according to the staff report. Ephraim declined to comment on the project, citing the ongoing public review process.

The development would include 27 detached three- and four-bedroom units and three three-bedroom triplex buildings. One six-unit live-work building would pair housing with 400-square-foot office spaces.

City Council members will consider the project at an upcoming meeting.

This story was originally published December 8, 2017 at 8:00 AM with the headline "Vacant lot in Atascadero could get a car wash, 42 housing units."