Title
Staff Report for Discussion on Updating the Zoning Code
Staffreport
SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff requests direction from the City Council regarding updates to the Zoning Code, specifically initiating a comprehensive update to modernize the City's Zoning Code, and to integrate new, updated, and ongoing policy issues. Although the City conducts regular updates to the Zoning Code, it has not initiated a truly comprehensive update for the purpose of modernizing its organization and layout since 1989. A comprehensive update would focus on reformatting and clarifying existing provisions to be more user-friendly, implementing recent City initiatives, such as the proposed Bayfair TOD Specific Plan, and to address public comments and regulatory updates regarding the Professional Office or P-zoning district, short-term rentals, accessory dwelling units, telecommunications, and sustainable landscaping, amongst others.
An alternative to a comprehensive update could be a targeted Zoning Code update, which would focus on one or a few specific initiatives described above. Tonight, staff seeks City Council direction on how to proceed regarding the aforementioned recommendations.
BACKGROUND
The Zoning Code is the primary tool of implementation for the General Plan, the comprehensive policy guide for the City, as well as specific plans such as the Downtown Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Strategy and the proposed Bayfair TOD Specific Plan (which is tentatively scheduled for City Council consideration at its February 20, 2018 regular meeting). The City's power to implement planning is granted by the State Constitution; the Legislature regularly passes legislation that affects the Zoning Code.
The original Zoning Code was adopted in 1961; it consisted of one chapter within the Municipal Code. The City's first major modernization effort began in February 1989, a three-year process that resulted in the establishment of a "hearing draft" of the Zoning Code in 1...
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