REPORT TO PLANNING COMMISSION
SUBJECT
Title
Public Hearing: Request to Initiate Rezoning of 908 Fremont Street
Report
REPORT IN BRIEF
Project: Request to Initiate Rezoning of 908 Fremont Street
Owner/Applicant: Todd and Kristy Rosenbaum
General Plan: Very Low Density Residential
Zoning: Downtown Commercial (CD)
Site Area: 0.27 acres
Existing Site Conditions: Single-family residence and garage
Surrounding Land Uses
North: Single-family residential
South: Single-family residential
East: Single-family residential
West: Single-family residential
Issues: Consistency with the City’s Zoning Ordinance and General Plan.
Staff Recommendation: Adopt a resolution of intention to rezone
BACKGROUND
Todd and Kristy Rosenbaum, owners of 908 Fremont Street (APN: 269-16-032), submitted a letter to the Planning Division requesting that the Planning Commission initiate a rezoning of their property. The property is currently zoned Downtown Commercial (CD), and they are requesting that the property be rezoned to Single Family Residential (R1-6L), which would be consistent with the improvements on their property, and would be the same zoning designation as the surrounding neighborhood.
The subject property and portions of the surrounding neighborhood were rezoned to CD in the late 1950s and early 1960s to facilitate the City’s vision for an urban downtown. The urban downtown envisioned did not come to fruition and the properties that were rezoned did not default to their prior zonings, though they were never redeveloped. The 2010 General Plan land use classification for this property was designated Very Low Density Residential.
DISCUSSION
The owner’s intent for the requested rezone is to establish a zoning district for the property consistent with the existing single-family residential use. Residential uses are not permitted in the CD zoning district. Rezoning to the R1-6L district would facilitate single family residential use of the site consistent with neighboring uses, and allow for expansion of the existing single-family use and future construction of an accessory dwelling unit. Rezoning of this property would bring consistency with General Plan.
Conclusion:
The property has been used for residential purposes for more than 50 years. Initiation of the rezoning to R1-6L would authorize processing of the zone change which is necessary for the preservation and enjoyment of the property and is compatible in density and character with the surrounding neighborhood.
FISCAL IMPACT
Initiation of the rezoning by the City would eliminate payment of the filing fee by property owner. There is minimal impact to the City for processing the requested application other than administrative staff time and expense and can be absorbed under the current budget.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15301 (Class 1 - “Existing Facilities”) as the activity consists of the permitting of existing private structures involving negligible or no expansion of use beyond that existing at the time of the City’s determination.
COORDINATION
This report has been coordinated with the City Attorney’s Office.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public notices are not required for this item.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Adopt a resolution of intention to rezone the property at 908 Fremont Street from the Downtown Commercial (CD) zoning district to the Single-Family (R1-6L) zoning district.
Staff
Prepared by: Rebecca Bustos, Associate Planner
Reviewed by: Diana Fazely, Deputy City Attorney
Approved by: Reena Brilliot, Planning Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Request Letter for Rezoning
2. Resolution