ATHERON GENERAL PLAN
PROPOSED TEXT AMENDMENTS
JULY 24, 2024
(Text in Red reflects changing to existing (Black) text.) Introduction
I. Purpose
California Government Code Section 65300 requires that the General Plan be comprehensive, internally consistent and long-term. Although it is required to address the issues specified by State law, the General Plan may be ultimately organized in a way that best suits Atherton. The Plan should be clearly written, available to all those concerned with the community’s development and easy to administer. This document supersedes the previous General Plan, adopted in 2002. The Housing Element, however, was independently updated in 2007, and 2014, and 2015. The Town’s Sixth Cycle Housing Element for 2023 through 2031 was, as adopted by the Town on March 18, 2015 January 31, 2023, updated on XXXXX, XX, 2024, and certified by the California State Department of Housing and Community Development remains in effect.
II. General Plan Content
Housing Element. The Housing Element is intended to provide for the maintenance and development of housing for Town residents. It is completed pursuant to Government Code Section 65585 et seq, which also requires the Housing Element be updated periodically. It contains analyses of existing housing stock, existing and projected housing needs and quantifications of the number of housing units that may be developed, preserved and improved through its policies and actions. The Housing Element covers the Planning period 2014 to 2022 2023-2031.
Atherton General Plan – Proposed Text Amendments – July 2024
Land Use Element
II. Background Information
Residential Land Uses
The Single Family, Low Density designation is applied to all residential lands in Atherton. This land use density is intended to minimize environmental damage to sensitive, scenic and open space areas. The conventional single-family detached home is the standard structural type planned for these areas. Additional uses that may be allowed include accessory dwelling units and other compatible uses identified in the Town’s Municipal Code.
Multifamily uses are allowed only within the designated Multifamily Residential Overlay, as shown in Figure LU-1, and included in the 2023-2031 Housing Element.
Development of these sites must comply with the standards identified in the Town’s Municipal Code with the building intensity and population density summarized in Table LU-1.
…
Table LU-1: Residential Building Intensity and Population Density Residential
Land Use
Category
Building
Intensity
(Units per Net
Acre)
Minimum Lot
Area per
Dwelling
(Square Feet)
Population
Density
Zoning Reference FAR
Single Family,
Low Density
1 43,560 3 R-1A 18%
3 13,500 9 R-1B 20-32%
Multifamily
Overlays
10 Depends on
underlying
Zoning
District
10* RM-10
50%**
and 50%
Lot
Coverage
20 20* RM-20 No FAR;
50% Lot
Coverage 40 40* RM-40
*Based on development of 1 acre lot.
**FAR my increase through incentives to locate parking below grade and sculpt/lower rooflines.
III. Goals, Objectives, Policies and Actions
Policy LU-1.4: Structures higher than 34 feet shall be prohibited.
Atherton General Plan – Proposed Text Amendments – July 2024
Existing Figure LU-1
Revised Figure LU-1
Atherton General Plan – Proposed Text Amendments – July 2024
Noise Element
Table N-2: Land Use Compatibility for Community Environments Land Use Category Community Noise Exposure
Levels Ldn
Residential – Low Density,
Single Family Homes,
Multifamily Overlay Housing
Normally Acceptable
Conditionally Acceptable
Normally Unacceptable
Unacceptable
60 dBA or less
60-65 dBA
65-75 dBA
>75 dBA
Schools, Libraries, Churches
Normally Acceptable
Conditionally Acceptable
Normally Unacceptable
Unacceptable
60 dBA or less
60-70 dBA
70-80 dBA
>80 dBA
Playgrounds and Neighborhood
Parks
Normally Acceptable
Normally Unacceptable
Unacceptable
70 dBA or less
70-75 dBA
>75 dBA