San Rafael's Zoning Administrator will decide on five permit applications at a public hearing Wednesday, Aug. 19, at 10 a.m. in City Hall's third-floor meeting room.

The hearing is the city's first active public land-use forum since at least late July, after the Planning Commission canceled meetings on both July 28 and Aug. 11.

The agenda, posted Wednesday by the Planning Division, includes two items in the Canal area's industrial/office district, two downtown applications and one residential variance.

All five items require decisions.

The highest-profile item for the downtown corridor: an applicant at 1118 Fourth Street is seeking a Use Permit and a Public Convenience or Necessity determination for a California ABC Type 64 license, which would allow alcohol service at an existing theater. The Type 64 is a specialty license for on-site alcohol at performing arts venues.

Also downtown, an applicant at 55 Shaver Street wants a Use Permit for a specialized education and training facility exceeding 2,000 square feet across three existing suites, plus a parking modification. An Instagram post from the Helix Adult Academy, which offers classes for neurodivergent adults, identifies 55 Shaver Street as its location.

In the Canal's Core Canal Industrial/Office District, a food service establishment is proposed at 76 Belvedere Street, and a general office and financial services use is proposed at 95 Belvedere Street, Suite 1.

The lone residential item: a homeowner at 94 Deer Park Avenue seeks a variance to build an addition filling an existing front portico that encroaches into the front yard setback.

Community and Economic Development Director Micah Hinkle's Planning Division posted the agenda Wednesday. Decisions made by the Zoning Administrator can be appealed to the Planning Commission within five business days, with a $350 fee for non-applicants.

Residents can attend in person at 1400 Fifth Ave., San Rafael, join via Zoom (Meeting ID: 822 9447 3066) or call in at (669) 444-9171, according to the city's meeting page. The Planning Division can be reached at (415) 485-3085 or [email protected].