REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action to Waive Second Reading and Adopt Ordinance No. 2086 amending the zoning code to create the El Camino Real Zoning districts.
Report
BACKGROUND
At the May 19, 2026 Council meeting, proposed Ordinance No. 2086 was passed for the purpose of publication. Pursuant to City Charter Sections 808 and 812, a summary of proposed Ordinance No. 2086 was published to the Santa Clara Weekly on June 3, 2026, and copies were posted in three public places.
DISCUSSION
On May 19, 2026, the Santa Clara City Council adopted the El Camino Real Specific Plan and made associated amendments to the General Plan. The Specific Plan provides for the redevelopment of the 3.2-mile El Camino Corridor with up to 4,400 residential units with supportive commercial uses on approximately 250 acres. The Council simultaneously introduced Ordinance No. 2086 to create five new zoning districts, which correspond to five new General Plan land use designations. The ordinance also establishes development standards for those zoning districts, resolves potential conflicts with other chapters of the City Code, and specifies affordability requirements for residential projects in those districts.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
An Environmental Impact Report (EIR) was prepared for the El Camino Real Specific Plan and related approvals (the "project") in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The EIR analyzes program-level impacts of the El Camino Real Specific Plan and the proposed ordinance. It is intended for the EIR to be used by developers as a starting point for the environmental clearance of their individual development proposals, which will further facilitate redevelopment of the area. The Council certified the EIR at the May 19, 2026 meeting.
FISCAL IMPACT
As part of the adoption of the FY 2022/23 and FY 2023/24 CIP Budget in June 2022, $1.0 million was appropriated for the El Camino Real Specific Plan project. The City Council approved the c...
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