Cotati City Council
Agenda Staff Report
Item type: CONSENT CALENDAR (ACTION)
To: City Council
Subject: SECOND READING OF A DRAFT ORDINANCE TO AMEND
CHAPTERS 17.22, 17.30, 17.42, AND 17.62 OF THE COTATI
MUNICIPAL CODE
Date: June 10, 2025
Written by: Noah Housh, Director of Community Development Recommendation
It is recommended by the Community Development Department and the Planning Commission that the City Council conduct the second reading of a draft ordinance amending Cotati Municipal Code (CMC) Chapters 17.22 Allowable Land Uses, 17.30 Standards for All Development and Land Uses, 17.42 Standards for Specific Land Uses, and 17.62 Permit Review and Decisions to correct errors, streamline permitting processes, establish consistency with state law, and allow flexibility in the development of residential accessory equipment, structures and fences, citywide.
Background
On May 27, 2025, the City Council considered, introduced and conducted the first reading of the “code clean-up” ordinance.
Analysis/Discussion
During their May 27, 2025, consideration of the ordinance, the City Council identified some changes be made to the ordinance. Specifically, the Council directed additional language be included in Section 17.30.042 regarding the installation of mechanical equipment to ensure noise impacts are minimized. Further, staff has clarified Section 17.30.030 language around fencing height allowances to ensure clear implementation of the proposed changes.
Additional changes which were discussed regarding telecommunication facilities and minor variance thresholds will be brought before the Council at a future date as part of a separate ordinance.
Financial Considerations
There are no identified unanticipated general fund budget impacts associated with the drafting, consideration and adoption of the proposed ordinance.
Environmental Issues
The potential impacts of the proposed project were analyzed and addressed to a less-thansignificant level in the Cotati General Plan Update EIR (SCH# 2013082037), which was certified by the Cotati City Council on March 24, 2015, and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15183 allows a streamlined environmental review process for projects that are consistent with an existing zoning, community plan or general plan policies for which an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) was certified. As noted, the proposed project is consistent with the land use designations and densities established by the Cotati General Plan, for which an EIR was certified.