RESOLUTION NO. ___
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
CATHEDRAL CITY RECOMMENDING THAT THE CITY COUNCIL
ADOPT THE COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT CODE UPDATE AND
FIND THE PROJECT EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFRONIA
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT
WHEREAS, the City of Cathedral City is required to maintain land use and development regulations that are consistent with its adopted 2040 General Plan; and WHEREAS, the City has undertaken a comprehensive update of the Cathedral City Development Code (“Development Code Update”) to modernize land use regulations, improve organization and usability, eliminate inconsistencies, streamline development review procedures, and implement the goals, policies, and programs of the Cathedral City 2040 General Plan; and
WHEREAS, the Development Code Update has been prepared through a multiyear public planning process involving review and input from the Technical Advisory Group, Steering Committee, Planning Commission, City Council, City staff, residents, property owners, stakeholders, and other members of the public; and WHEREAS, the proposed Development Code is organized into eight divisions:
introductory provisions, zoning district regulations and development standards, general development standards, standards for specific uses, subdivision regulations, application processing procedures, development code administration, and definitions; and WHEREAS, on September 9, 2026, the Planning Commission received a presentation providing an overview of the comprehensive Development Code Update, including the purpose of the update, community engagement process, organization of the proposed Development Code, and key changes incorporated into the Final Hearing Draft; and
WHEREAS, at its September 9, 2026 meeting, the Planning Commission requested additional information concerning specific policy, procedural, and implementation matters associated with the Development Code Update; and WHEREAS, at its September 30, 2026 meeting, staff responded to Planning Commission questions, providing supplemental research and analysis, and recommended adoption of the Development Code Update with staff-recommended clarifications; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to California Government Code Sections 65853 through 65857 and applicable provisions of the Cathedral City Municipal Code, the Planning
Commission is authorized to review proposed amendments to zoning regulations and make recommendations to the City Council; and
WHEREAS, notice of the public hearing was provided in accordance with applicable provisions of State law and the Cathedral City Municipal Code on September 9, 2026 and the Planning Commission conducted a duly noticed public hearing on September 30, 2026, at which all interested persons were provided an opportunity to be heard regarding the proposed Development Code Update; and WHEREAS, an Addendum to the Cathedral City General Plan Environmental Impact Report ("General Plan EIR") was prepared pursuant to Section 15164 of the State CEQA Guidelines to evaluate the environmental effects of the Development Code Update; and
WHEREAS, the Addendum evaluates whether implementation of the Development Code Update would result in new significant environmental impacts or substantially increase the severity of impacts previously identified in the General Plan EIR; and
WHEREAS, the Addendum concludes that the Development Code Update remains consistent with the development framework analyzed in the General Plan EIR and would not result in new or substantially more severe environmental impacts than those previously evaluated; and
WHEREAS, a draft City Council Ordinance adopting the Development Code Update is attached hereto as Attachment A and incorporated herein by this reference; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission has reviewed and considered the staff reports, Final Hearing Draft Development Code, comment tracking matrix, CEQA Addendum, public testimony, and the entire administrative record prior to taking action on this matter.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Planning Commission of the City of Cathedral City hereby recommends that the City Council take the following actions:
SECTION 1. FINDINGS.
The Planning Commission recommends that the City Council make the following findings based upon substantial evidence contained in the administrative record:
1. The Development Code Update is consistent with the Cathedral City 2040 General Plan.
Evidence: The Development Code Update serves as the primary implementation tool for the General Plan and establishes updated zoning regulations,
development standards, land use regulations, and administrative procedures that implement and further General Plan goals, policies, and programs relating to land use, housing, community design, economic development, mobility, and environmental stewardship.
2. The Development Code Update promotes the public health, safety, and welfare and provides a clear and efficient framework for development review and implementation.
Evidence: The Development Code consolidates and reorganizes development regulations into a comprehensive document consisting of eight integrated divisions, establishes updated development standards and application procedures, clarifies review authority responsibilities, and streamlines development review processes while maintaining appropriate oversight and public participation opportunities.
3. The Development Code Update incorporates clarifications and revisions resulting from the public outreach and review process.
Evidence: The Final Hearing Draft Development Code incorporates staff recommended revisions documented in the Comment Tracking Matrix, including updates to definitions, zoning district provisions, implementation procedures, similar-use determinations, administrative processes, corrections, and editorial refinements.
SECTION 2. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION
Based upon the foregoing findings and the entire administrative record, the Planning Commission hereby recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt an ordinance, substantially in the form presented in Attachment B and incorporated herein by this reference, approving and adopting the Development Code set forth in Attachment A;
2. Find that the Development Code has been appropriately evaluated through the General Plan EIR and Addendum and that no further environmental review is required pursuant to CEQA; and
3. Direct staff to file a Notice of Exemption pursuant to CEQA.
SECTION 3. PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS
Pursuant to its advisory role, and based upon the foregoing findings and the entire administrative record, the Planning Commission forwards the following recommendations to the City Council for consideration:
1. Direct staff to provide an annual report to the Planning Commission regarding Similar Use Determinations made pursuant to Division 1 (Section 9.10.40) for consideration of whether such determinations should be incorporated into future amendments to the Development Code;
2. Evaluate during future Development Code reviews whether museums remain an appropriate land use within residential zoning districts under Division 2 (Section
9.20); and
3. Direct staff and the City Council to evaluate and establish a process for making the services of a licensed architect available to the Planning Commission, as needed, including consideration of any necessary amendments to Chapter 2.29 (Planning Commission) of the Municipal Code. The Planning Commission further notes that Chapter 2.30 (Architectural Review Committee) is anticipated to be repealed through a future amendment to the Municipal Code.
SECTION 4. CERTIFICATION.
The Secretary of the Planning Commission shall certify to the adoption of this Resolution and transmit this Resolution, together with all supporting documentation, to the City Council for consideration.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this 30th day of September, 2026, by the Planning Commission of the City of Cathedral City, California.
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Danielle Mead, Chair
ATTEST AND APPROVED AS TO CONTENT:
Mark E. Muenzer, Director of
Community and Economic
Development/Secretary to the
Planning Commission
APPROVED AS TO LEGAL FORM:
Stephanie Gutierrez
Deputy City Attorney
ATTACHMENT A: Draft City Council Ordinance
ATTACHMENT B: Comprehensive Development Code Update
ATTACHMENT A
DRAFT CITY COUNCIL ORDINANCE
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
CATHEDRAL CITY, CALIFORNIA, REPEALING AND REPLACING
TITLE 9 (PLANNING AND ZONING) OF THE CATHEDRAL CITY
MUNICIPAL CODE WITH THE COMPREHENSIVE CATHEDRAL CITY
DEVELOPMENT CODE, FINDING THE PROJECT EXEMPT FROM THE
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA), AND MAKING
RELATED FINDINGS
WHEREAS, the City of Cathedral City has adopted the Cathedral City 2040 General Plan to guide future growth and development within the City; and WHEREAS, the Development Code serves as the principal regulatory tool for implementation of the General Plan; and
WHEREAS, the City has undertaken a comprehensive Development Code Update to modernize and reorganize its land use and development regulations, improve clarity and usability, streamline development review procedures, and ensure consistency with the General Plan; and
WHEREAS, the Development Code Update has been developed through an extensive public planning process involving the Technical Advisory Group, Steering Committee, Architectural Review Committee, Planning Commission, City Council, City staff, residents, community stakeholders, and members of the public; and WHEREAS, the proposed Development Code consists of eight divisions addressing introductory provisions, zoning districts regulations and standards, general development standards for specific land uses, subdivision regulations, application processing procedures, development code administration, and definitions; and WHEREAS, an Addendum to the General Plan Environmental Impact Report was prepared pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15164 to evaluate the environmental effects of the Development Code Update; and
WHEREAS, the Addendum concludes that implementation of the Development Code Update would not result in new significant environmental effects nor substantially increase the severity of impacts previously analyzed in the General Plan EIR; and WHEREAS, on September 30, 2026, the Planning Commission of the City of Cathedral City conducted a duly noticed public hearing and adopted Resolution No. _____ recommending City Council approval of the Development Code Update; and
WHEREAS, notice of the City Council public hearing was provided on __________ in accordance with applicable provisions of the California Government Code and Cathedral City Municipal Code; and
WHEREAS, the City Council conducted a duly noticed public hearing on __________ at which all interested persons were afforded an opportunity to be heard concerning the proposed Development Code Update.
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CATHEDRAL CITY DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. CEQA DETERMINATION
The City Council finds that the Development Code Update has been evaluated pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act through the Addendum to the General Plan Environmental Impact Report prepared in accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15164. The City Council further finds that the Development Code Update would not result in new significant environmental impacts or substantially increase the severity of impacts previously identified in the General Plan EIR and that no subsequent or supplemental environmental document is required.
SECTION 2. FINDINGS
Based upon substantial evidence contained in the administrative record, the City Council makes the following findings:
A. The Development Code Update is consistent with the Cathedral City 2040 General Plan.
Evidence: The Development Code Update implements the goals, policies, and programs of the General Plan through updated zoning regulations, development standards, land use regulations, subdivision provisions, and administrative procedures designed to guide future development consistent with the City's adopted planning framework
B. The Development Code Update promotes the public health, safety, and welfare.
Evidence: The Development Code establishes a clear, comprehensive, and modern regulatory framework governing land use, site development, housing, circulation, economic development, community design, and environmental protection, thereby promoting orderly growth and protecting the public interest.
C. The Development Code Update improves administration of the City's land use regulations.
Evidence: The Development Code consolidates development regulations into a single integrated document, modernizes review procedures, clarifies permit requirements and decision-making authority, and streamlines development review processes while preserving appropriate public review and oversight.
SECTION 3. MUNICIPAL CODE AMENDMENT
Based upon the foregoing findings, the City Council hereby repeals Title 9 (Planning and Zoning) of the Cathedral City Municipal Code in its entirety and adopts the "Cathedral City Development Code (Title 9)," attached hereto as Exhibit A and incorporated herein by this reference, as the City's comprehensive zoning and development regulations.
SECTION 4. SEVERABILITY
If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase, or portion of this Ordinance is for any reason held invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this Ordinance.
The City Council declares that it would have adopted this Ordinance and every section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase, and portion thereof irrespective of the fact that any one or more portions may be declared invalid.
SECTION 5. PUBLICATION
The City Clerk shall cause the adoption of this Ordinance to be published and processed in accordance with California Government Code Sections 36933 and 36937 and any other applicable provisions of law.
SECTION 6. EFFECTIVE DATE
This Ordinance shall become effective thirty (30) days following its adoption.
INTRODUCED AND APPROVED FOR FIRST READING this ___ day of ____________, 2026.
ADOPTED AND APPROVED FOR SECOND READING this ___ day of ____________, 2026.
ATTACHMENT B
DEVELOPMENT CODE UPDATE