HomeMy WebLinkAbout101-Staff Report.pdf SARATOGA CITY COUNCIL
MEETING DATE: June 1, 2011 AGENDA ITEM:
DEPARTMENT: Community Development CITY MANAGER: Dave Anderson
PREPARED BY: Christopher Riordan, AICP DIRECTOR: Christopher Riordan, AICP
SUBJECT: General Plan Amendment Clarifying Scope of the Commercial Residential
Land Use Designation and Amending the Land Use Map to Designate the
Property at 22480 & 22490 Mt. Eden Road as Residential Hillside
Conservation (RHC)
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Staff recommends that the City Council accept the recommendations of the Planning
Commission, waive the first reading, and approve the attached resolution amending the General
Plan Land Use Element to:
1) Clarify the permitted locations of high density mixed-use projects in the Commercial
Residential land use designation;
2) Adopt the General Plan amendment amending the Land Use Map to designate the
property at 22480 and 22490 Mt. Eden Road as Residential Hillside Conservation (RHC)
as directed by Council at its April 20, 2011 meeting;
3) Make no change to the shared parking regulations for mixed-use developments; and
4) Make no change to the allowable percentage of residential floor area in mixed-use
developments.
REPORT SUMMARY: At their July 21, 2010 Joint Meeting, the City Council and the Planning Commission discussed
policy issues arising from a proposed citizens’ initiative including a City Council sponsored
measure and proposed zoning code and General Plan amendments. At the meeting and at the
City Council Retreat held January 28, 2011 the City Council directed the Planning Commission
to review and make recommendations regarding (a) a General Plan Amendment to clarify that
previously approved density increases apply only to the existing C-N(RHD) zoning district; and
(b) Zoning Amendments concerning mixed use projects.
The Commission reviewed the proposed amendments to the General Plan Land Use Element and
the Mixed Use Development Standards during a March 23rd
, 2011 Study Session. The
Commission also reviewed the proposed amendments during a May 11, 2011 Public Hearing and
made the following recommendations to City Council:
General Plan: Description of the Commercial Retail Land Use Designation
The Commission discussed the proposed changes to the description of the Commercial Retail
Land Use Designation and recommended that the text be modified to include the proposed
changes thereby limiting the commercial area near Lawrence Expressway and Prospect Road as
the only Commercial Residential (CR) land use designation suitable for the high density mixed
use development and for emergency shelters, transitional housing, and supportive housing for
individuals and families allowed in the C-N(RHD) zoning district.
General Plan: Modification of Table LU-1 (Land Use Categories) The Commission discussed the proposed changes to General Plan Land Use Table LU-1 and
recommended that the table be modified to change the description of the Commercial Retail (CR)
land use category to state that high density mixed use development and for emergency shelters,
transitional housing, and supportive housing for individuals and families (as allowed by the C-
N(RHD) zoning district) are appropriate only in the commercial area near Prospect Road and
Lawrence Expressway.
Zoning Code: Mixed Use Density The Commission discussed the proposed changes to City Code Section 15-58.020(c) which
would remove the Planning Commission’s discretion to allow the residential floor area of a
mixed-use project to exceed 50 percent of a projects total floor area on projects with more than
four residential units. The Commission stated that the proposed changes were not good policy
and recommended that the existing text of City Code Section 15-58.020(c) not be modified.
Zoning Code: Shared Parking for Mixed Use Project The Commission reviewed the proposed changes to City Code Section 15-58.020(d) which
would remove the Planning Commission’s discretion to allow shared parking between the
commercial and residential uses of a mixed-use project on projects with more than four
residential units. The Commission recommended that the existing text of City Code Section 15-
58.020(d) not be modified.
Further details regarding these matters are included in the Planning Commission staff report on
the items which is attached.
The attached resolution would implement the Planning Commission’s recommendation. It also
amends the Land Use Map to designate the property at 22480 and 22490 Mt. Eden Road as
Residential Hillside Conservation (RHC) as directed by Council at its April 20, 2011 meeting.
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION:
The proposed amendments and additions to the City Code are Categorically Exempt from the
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guideline section
15061(b)(3). CEQA applies only to projects which have the potential of causing a significant
effect on the environment. Where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the
activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to
CEQA.
FISCAL IMPACTS:
There are no negative fiscal impacts associated with the proposed ordinance.
CONSEQUENCES OF NOT FOLLOWING RECOMMENDED ACTION: The General Plan and City Code would remain unchanged.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION:
Decline to adopt the proposed ordinance and provide staff with direction.
FOLLOW UP ACTION: Schedule the ordinance for a second reading and adoption on the consent calendar at the next
regular Council meeting. This ordinance or a comprehensive summary thereof shall be published
in a newspaper of general circulation of the City of Saratoga within 15 days after its adoption.
ADVERTISING, NOTICING AND PUBLIC CONTACT:
Pursuant to Government Code 54954.2, this item was properly posted as a City Council agenda
item and was included in the packet made available on the City’s website in advance of the
meeting. A copy of the agenda packet is also made available at the Saratoga Branch Library each
Monday in advance of the Council meeting.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution Amending the General Plan Land Use Element
2. Staff Report for May 11, 2011 Planning Commission Public Hearing
3) Draft Action Minutes from the May 11, 2011 Planning Commission Hearing