|
Title:
|
SUBJECT: Zoning Ordinance Amendment #23-02, initiated by the City of Merced, involves various changes to the Merced Zoning Ordinance (Title 20 of the Merced Municipal Code) which would add Section 20.08.060 (Small House, Small Lots), modify the existing Chapter 20.42 (Accessory Dwelling Units) and Chapter 20.56 (Density Bonus) to comply with current State law and modify Merced Zoning Ordinance Sections 20.08-1 (Permitted Land Uses in the Residential Zoning Districts) and Section 20.90.020 (Definitions). **PUBLIC HEARING**
ACTION: PLANNING COMMISSION:
Recommendation to City Council
1) Environmental Review #23-24 (General Rule Exemption)
2) Zoning Ordinance Amendment #23-02
CITY COUNCIL:
Approve/Disapprove/Modify
1) Environmental Review #23-24 (General Rule Exemption)
2) Zoning Ordinance Amendment #23-02
SUMMARY
The Merced City Council and the City of Merced have identified housing as a main priority and recently adopted Pro-housing Policies and are working towards a State Pro-housing...
|
Planning Commission Staff Report
Report Prepared by: Leah Brown, Management Analyst, Development Services Department
Title
SUBJECT: Zoning Ordinance Amendment #23-02, initiated by the City of Merced, involves various changes to the Merced Zoning Ordinance (Title 20 of the Merced Municipal Code) which would add Section 20.08.060 (Small House, Small Lots), modify the existing Chapter 20.42 (Accessory Dwelling Units) and Chapter 20.56 (Density Bonus) to comply with current State law and modify Merced Zoning Ordinance Sections 20.08-1 (Permitted Land Uses in the Residential Zoning Districts) and Section 20.90.020 (Definitions). **PUBLIC HEARING**
ACTION: PLANNING COMMISSION:
Recommendation to City Council
1) Environmental Review #23-24 (General Rule Exemption)
2) Zoning Ordinance Amendment #23-02
CITY COUNCIL:
Approve/Disapprove/Modify
1) Environmental Review #23-24 (General Rule Exemption)
2) Zoning Ordinance Amendment #23-02
SUMMARY
The Merced City Council and the City of Merced have identified housing as a main priority and recently adopted Pro-housing Policies and are working towards a State Pro-housing Designation. To address the City's Pro-housing strategy, updates to the City's Zoning Ordinance have been proposed to facilitate the production of housing that encourages affordability by design, expansion of housing choices, and increased flexibility for housing options and development.
The Proposed Zoning Ordinance Amendment #23-02 seeks to support the City Council's direction to provide increased housing choices and update the Merced Zoning Ordinance to be in compliance with current State law and address the City's Pro-housing strategy.
After this amendment was publicly noticed, staff determined that the Tiny Homes on Wheels Villages section would be removed from consideration at this time.
RECOMMENDATION
Planning staff recommends that the Planning Commission recommend approval to the City Council of Environmental Review #23-24 (General Rule Exemption) and Zoning Ordinance Amendment #23-02 (including the adoption of the Draft Resolution at Attachment A of Staff Report #23-647), subject to the findings/considerations in Exhibit A of the Draft Resolution.
Body
DISCUSSION
Project Description
Zoning Ordinance Amendment #23-02, initiated by the City of Merced, would amend the City's Zoning Ordinance (Title 20 of the Merced Municipal Code) to facilitate the City's housing goals. This Zoning Ordinance Amendment proposes amending several sections related to housing in the Merced City Zoning Ordinance. These proposed amendments would apply to any new development as applicable, pursuant to the provisions contained therein.
The ordinance changes are detailed in the Draft Ordinance at Attachments B and C of Staff Report 23-647 as follows:
1. 20.08 - amends Table 20.08-1 within Chapter 20.08 to identify additional permitted uses and note the additional regulations on multiple-family residential.
2. 20.42 - amends existing Chapter 20.42 (Accessory Dwelling Units) to comply with current State law and allow for Tiny Homes on Wheels as a form of detached ADUs.
3. 20.56 - amends existing Chapter 20.56 (Density Bonus) to comply with current State law.
4. 20.90.020 - adds and revises definitions to the Merced Zoning Ordinance to facilitate the amendments listed above.
Background
The Merced City Council and the City of Merced have identified housing as a main priority and recently adopted a Pro-Housing Strategy. In an effort to address the City's Pro-Housing Strategy, updates to the City's Zoning Ordinance have been proposed to facilitate the production of housing that encourages affordability by design, expansion of housing choices, and increased flexibility for housing options and development.
Zoning Ordinance Amendment #23-02 does not relate to any physical development and, therefore, will not result in a physical change to the environment. The approval of the proposed changes to the Merced Zoning Ordinance identified in the Draft Resolution #4120, does not approve a specific project, but rather clarifies or creates a path forward for different housing developments as identified to create more affordability and variety in housing options within the City of Merced. Any individual project would be subject to review pursuant to the provisions of the Merced Municipal Code and any applicable State Law.
Findings/Considerations
Please refer to Attachment B of the Draft Planning Commission Resolution.
ATTACHMENTS
A) Draft Planning Commission Resolution #4120 with Findings
B) Draft Ordinance for ADU's
C) Draft Ordinance for Density Bonus
D) General Rule Exemption (Environmental Review #23-24)
E) Presentation