REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Study Session on the Zoning Code Comprehensive Update
Report
BACKGROUND
The Community Development Department is preparing a comprehensive update to the City of Santa Clara Zoning Code. The City of Santa Clara's current Zoning Code has not been comprehensively updated since it first came into effect in 1969. For this study session, staff will provide an overview on the current status of the Zoning Code Update and provide an opportunity for the City Council to provide input on the scope and identify key issues.
DISCUSSION
On November 16, 2017, the City hired a consultant, Mintier Harnish, to work on updating the City's Zoning Code. The goal of the Zoning Code Update process is to develop a more up-to-date, readable and relevant Zoning Code that better aligns with the City's General Plan.
On November 14 through 16, 2017, the City of Santa Clara Zoning Code Update consultants conducted interviews with key community and industry leaders, stakeholders, and City staff, to gather feedback on key issues and opportunities for the Code update. The interviews included 22 participants. The input provided during these interviews helped provide a starting point for the Zoning Code Update. The stakeholder interview process identified the following major objectives for the Zoning Code Update:
? Simplification and modernization
? Streamline the multiple appeals process
? Create an overlay zoning district for the Old Quad neighborhood
? Consider potential form-based design elements
? Integrate Specific Plan zoning districts
? Improve the Architectural Committee process
? Improve the Minor Modification process
Additional information will be provided to the City Council at the study session to support the discussion.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This is an information report only and no action is being taken by the City Council and no environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") is required at this time. The Comp...
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