Earlier this week, the Planning Commission heard two new items of business, which include:

A zone text amendment for the development standards and the review process for the single family residence zone

This amendment would revise existing development standards and implement new standards relating to the construction of developments that fall within the single family residence zone (or R1 – click here to view the city’s zoning map). These stronger standards – which you can view here – provide more specificity, including height restrictions on single-story structures, guidelines on garages, landscaping and entryway structures among others. These code amendments address concerns expressed by residents, the Design Review Commission and the Planning Commission on the issue of mansionization.

These changes would also amend how developments are reviewed for design purposes, which incentivizes small-scale development while ensuring that property owners have the ability to propose larger projects that are subject to review by the Design Review Commission.

The commission recommended approval by a vote of 5-0. This item will be considered by the City Council on October 3, 2017.

Prohibition of commercial marijuana activities and regulations on the personal cultivation of marijuana 

This zone text amendment is written in response to California Proposition 64 (or the Adult Use of Marijuana Act), which legalizes the recreational use of marijuana by adults ages 21 and over and allows for the personal cultivation of up to six plants. Staff is proposing a zone text amendment that would amend the municipal code to prohibit all nonmedical cannabis activity to the full extent authorized by AUMA to the city. The proposed ordinance would also impose restrictions on personal growth, including a ban on outdoor cultivation.  

The commission recommended approval by a vote of 4-1. This item will be considered by the City Council on October 3, 2017. 

You may view the full agenda here.