REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action to Waive Second Reading and Adopt Ordinance No. 2070 to Amend Title 18 ("Zoning") of the Santa Clara City Code (the Zoning Code "Cleanup" Ordinance), Including Changes to Single-Family Setbacks to be Consistent with the City's Adopted Residential Design Guidelines.
Report
BACKGROUND
At the July 16, 2024 Council meeting, proposed Ordinance No. 2070 was passed for the purpose of publication. Pursuant to City Charter Sections 808 and 812, a summary of proposed Ordinance No. 2070 was published to the Santa Clara Weekly on August 14, 2024, and copies were posted in three public places.
DISCUSSION
As a follow-up to the January 9, 2024 adoption of the Zoning Code Update, the proposed ordinance makes "clean-up" amendments to the Zoning Code Update, such as correcting section numbers and cross-references. The ordinance also establishes zoning standards for the operation of mobile food vendors on private property, changes single-family second-story front and side setbacks (also known as stepbacks), changes the residential side corner lot setback from 5 feet to 10 feet, clarifies the height limit for accessory dwelling units (ADUs), and requires that upper-story ADU windows facing neighboring properties have a minimum 5-foot sill height to support privacy.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
As a part of the Zoning Code adoption process, the City prepared and the Council adopted an Addendum to the 2010-2035 General Plan Environmental Impact Report (EIR). In taking this action the Council determined that the proposed General Plan Amendments and adoption and implementation of the Zoning Code Update 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 or the Zoning Code Update that would cause new or substantially more severe significant impacts; and, that there is no new information of...
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