REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action to Waive Second Reading and Adopt Ordinance No. 2066 amending Title 18 of the Santa Clara City Code to Implement the Zoning Code Update Including Changes as Recommended by the Planning Commission.
Report
BACKGROUND
At the December 19, 2023 Council meeting, proposed Ordinance No. 2066 was passed for the purpose of publication. Pursuant to City Charter Sections 808 and 812, a summary of proposed Ordinance No. 2066 was published to the Santa Clara Weekly on January 3, 2024, and copies were posted in three public places.
DISCUSSION
The proposed ordinance is a comprehensive update to the City of Santa Clara Zoning Code as set forth in Santa Clara City Code Title 18 (Zoning Code). This is the first comprehensive update of the current Zoning Code since it first came into effect in 1969. The goal of the Zoning Code Update is to create a more up-to-date, readable and relevant Zoning Code that better aligns with the City’s General Plan and which fully aligns with recent changes in State law. The new Code will create new mixed-use zoning districts for commercial corridors, create new Office/R+D districts that support employment uses, integrate Specific Plan zoning districts, and implement specific actions called out in the City’s Housing Element.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The City prepared an Addendum to the 2010-2035 General Plan Environmental Impact Report (EIR), which concluded that the proposed General Plan Amendments and adoption and implementation of the Zoning Code would not result in a substantial change to the General Plan that would require major revisions to the previous EIR; that there is no substantial change in circumstances as a result of modifications to the General Plan that would cause new or substantially more severe significant impacts; and, that there is no new information of substantial importance that identifies new or more intense significant impacts than those identified in the General Plan EIR.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact to the City other than administrative staff time and consultant time involved in preparing the Zoning Code Update and this report.
COORDINATION
This report was coordinated with the Community Development Department.
PUBLIC CONTACT
The adoption of the ordinance is the last step in a five-year process of extensive community engagement. Beginning in 2018, and continuing through 2023, the City conducted a multitude of community meetings and study sessions to discuss topics for change within the Zoning Code, both in-person and online. The City also posted a draft of the Zoning Code Update on the City’s website for several months in 2022, and responded to hundreds of comments received from interested residents and businesses.
A summary of proposed Ordinance No. 2066 was published to the Santa Clara Weekly on January 3, 2024, and copies were posted in three public places and made available for public inspection at the City Clerk’s Office.
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Waive Second Reading and Adopt Ordinance No. 2066 amending Title 18 of the Santa Clara City Code to implement the Zoning Code Update including changes as recommended by the Planning Commission.
Staff
Reviewed by: Glen R. Googins, City Attorney
Approved by: Jōvan D. Grogan, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Ordinance No. 2066 (Intro)