HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Commission 2013-02-26 #3Community Development Department
✓ '�j MEMORANDUM
DATE: February 26, 2013
TO: Chair Paul, Planning Commissioner
FROM: Kraig Tambornini, Senior Planne
SUBJECT: Progress Update of Z010-001 Phase II Zoning Amendments
On June 21, 2010 the City Council adopted a collective group of amendments to Title 14 —
Zoning (Ord. 1882) as a general `clean-up' of the provisions and to respond to changes in State
Law, citywide budget cuts resulting in reductions in Community Development Department staff,
and in order to streamline and modify certain types of discretionary permit review, broaden
interpretations and promote re -tenancy of commercial vacancies (ZO09-001). When staff
presented these amendments it was noted that further amendments would be forthcoming. The
second phase of amendments were' planned and initiated to further update the zoning
provisions and discretionary review requirements
The purpose of this memorandum is to provide the Planning Commission with an update on the
scope and progress made on the phase II amendments. Phase II includes amendments to the
San Rafael Municipal Code, Title 14 and Title 17 to address the following:
i) Implement policies contained in the General Plan including implementation of the
new Sustainability Element policies and changing wetland regulations to respond
to amendments to the Conservation Element;
ii) Respond to new requirements of State Law including Cottage Foods Industry
and Federal Telecommunications Act pertaining to wireless antenna facilities;
iii) Downgrade existing levels of discretionary review, and;
iv) Add standards to codify existing zoning interpretations.
V) Implement the recently adopted Housing Element and State law requirement for
City's to identify certain locations where establishment of shelters may occur by
right, without Use Permit.
The draft amendments do not propose any changes to City policies or regulations that would
materially alter the existing land use classifications and development intensity. The zoning
regulations currently being considered for amendment are as follows:
➢ Chapter 14.03: Add Residential and Commercial Land Use Definitions for "multi -family
residential" and "food service establishment" to provide more distinction between similar
land uses listed in the zoning ordinance land use tables.
➢ Chapter 14.12: Revisions to the Hillside Overly (-H) District to codify policies that have
routinely been applied to projects through implementation of the Hillside Design
Guidelines Manual with regard to layout and design of guest parking and required
parking in hillside areas.
➢ Chapter 14.13: Revisions to the Wetland Overlay District to be consistent with
amendment to the General Plan Conservation Element Policy CON -3 (Unavoidable
Filling of Wetlands) that provides greater options for wetland fill and replacement, and
overall to improve the text language of this Chapter for easier interpretation.
Community Development Department
MEMORANDUM
Chapter 14.16: Various amendments are being considered to the Site & Use
Regulations:
o Accessory Structures - Provide new standards for placement of residential and
commercial accessory structures.
o Emergency Shelters — Add new standards in compliance with the Housing
Element and State Law to permit• establishment of shelters by right in certain
locations.
o Fences — Update the regulations to allow existing non -conforming fences to be
replaced.
o Home Occupations — Incorporate the California Homemade Food Act.
o Kiosks — Downgrade the level of review required for a commercial kiosk from
Zoning Administrator to Administrative only (currently allowed by policy since
1998 for food and beverage carts).
o Light & Glare Standards — Apply minimum standards for controlling light and
glare city-wide (currently only applied through design review).
o Small Wind Energy Systems — Establish standards to regulate design and
placement of wind energy systems on public and private property to support
installation and minimize the potential safety and aesthetic impacts, in
compliance with the Sustainability Element policies.
o Wireless Telecommunications Facilities — Downgrade the review hierarchy and
revise submittal requirements in order to help streamline review and encourage
stealth design options.
Staff anticipates that it will obtain additional direction from the City Council and present draft
edits to the Design Review Board and Planning Commission n the next few months.