The Ripon Planning Commission approved a major site plan permit Monday to expand an existing facility to about 1,315 square feet on to an existing warehouse/shop area.

The site is located at 511 S. Stockton Avenue in an area zoned for light industrial.

Dan Van Vuren, the applicant for the project that calls for an insulated new building – more on that – has been using the front office of the former home to Steve’s Mobile Sunscreens for his crop insurance business.

“He doesn’t do any of his work from there,” said Wes Van Vuren, who was representing his brother.

Planning Director Ken Zuidervaart said that the site was originally converted from a personal storage shop into a commercial business in 2015.

Steve’s Mobile Sunscreens purchased the property and added 984 square feet of office space on to the front of the existing shop on the property.

“The 2015 property improvement included the office expansion, landscaping, fencing and on-site parking to accommodate the new commercial use. Since that time, the property has sold and is currently being used once again for personal use/storage,” Zuidervaart said in his report.

He noted that the reason for this project to come before the commission was due to the reduced side setback. Approval from both the Ripon Consolidated Fire District and the Planning Commission was necessary.

As for the exterior of the new warehouse/shop building addition, Zuidervaart said that it will be a metal building, matching the existing metal building on site.

“The front of the building (office portion) will remain unchanged, and is currently stucco with a cornice adorning the roofline,” he said, pointing out this new addition wouldn’t affect the existing landscaping on site.

The applicant plans to use the upgraded building for personal use. The Van Vurens have enjoyed using the space to work on their cars. “This is a hobby shop for us,” Wes Van Vuren said.

Access to the site would remain unchanged, featuring one commercial driveway approach from South Stockton Avenue.

Parking, in addition, will be more than adequate.

Zuidervaart said the site currently contains four parking spaces along with one more exterior parking space being added.

Plans call for three additional indoor parking spaces, bringing the total on-site spaces to eight parking spaces.

Earlier, a meeting was held with the project review committee and the applicant to review the project and discuss concerns and conditions of approval. Those comments and conditions were then incorporated into the staff report.