REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Study Session on the Zoning Code Update
Report
COUNCIL PILLAR
Engagement and Transparency
BACKGROUND
The Community Development Department has been working with Mintier-Harnish, the City's Zoning Code Update consultant, since late 2017 to prepare a comprehensive update to the City of Santa Clara 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 process is to develop 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.
Overarching goals of the Zoning Code Update include:
* Simplification and modernization
* Implementation of and consistency with the City's General Plan
* Creation of new mixed-use zoning districts for commercial corridors
* Creation of new Office/R+D districts that support employment uses
* Integrating Specific Plan zoning districts
* Implementing specific actions called out in the City's Housing Element
* Integrating pro-housing changes as required by State law
DISCUSSION
The City Council has had opportunities periodically throughout the preparation of the Zoning Code Update to provide input on the overall structure, contents and objectives for the update. This City Council study session is intended to be an opportunity for the City Council to become familiar with the final draft of the Zoning Code Update before it is brought forward to the City Council for adoption later this year. The following discussion summarizes the key changes and concepts being brought forward through the Zoning Code Update.
Organization of the Code
The draft updated Zoning Code has been organized and formatted for clarity and ease of use. One significant change in organizational structure is to move from a nested or cumulative approach to zoning districts to an organization where the contents of each zoning district is self-co...
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