City of Cotati
Sonoma County, California
________________________________________________________________ 201 W. Sierra Ave, Cotati, CA 94931 | (707) 792-4600 | www.cotaticity.gov | @cityofcotati Transit Oriented Communities (TOC) and Santero Way Rezoning Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the TOC Rezoning project?
The TOC Rezoning Project is a proposal to change the zoning rules on certain properties within a ½ mile of the SMART train station with the goal to intensify land uses on these properties. This “intensification” is required to implement the following development standards:
Residential Density of 25-35 units per acre
Commercial Floor Area Ratio (F.A.R.) of 1.0-3.0
Parking maximum 1.5 spaces per residential unit and 4 spaces per 1000 commercial square feet Implementation of a number of policies regarding housing Protection, Production and Preservation (The Three P’s of Housing)
2. Why is the City doing this project?
The project is being initiated due to changes in the One Bay Area Grant (OBAG) requirements, which is one of the primary funding sources for City infrastructure improvements. Future OBAG funding cycles will prioritize investments in transit station areas and jurisdictions which are compliant with the TOC Policy. To ensure eligibility for OBAG funding and any other funding that may be linked to TOC Policy compliance, jurisdictions are being directed to demonstrate compliance prior to adoption of OBAG 4 (expected in 2026). The TOC land use policies are based on the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) Plan Bay Area 2050, the region’s long-range plan for transportation, housing, the economy and the environment. More information on the MTC Plan Bay Area 2050 and the Transit Oriented (TOC) Policy can be found on the MTC website https://mtc.ca.gov/planning/land-use/transitoriented-communities-toc-policy.
3. Will the project impact my home or residential property? Not directly. Properties currently developed with a residential unit (or units) may be exempted from the TOC policy changes, and the City intends to exempt all properties currently developed with homes, unless a property is specifically requested to be added.
4. Will the project impact my commercial property?
Yes, all properties currently zoned for commercial uses are proposed to be included in the TOC Rezoning. This would allow residential uses to be built along the existing commercial uses, and/or more commercial square footage to be constructed.
City of Cotati
Sonoma County, California
________________________________________________________________ 201 W. Sierra Ave, Cotati, CA 94931 | (707) 792-4600 | www.cotaticity.gov | @cityofcotati
5. What Properties are being included in the Rezoning?
Only properties within the half-mile radius of the SMART station are being considered for re-zoning to incorporate the TOC density and parking allowances. Of these properties, nearly all of them which are currently developed with residential units are being exempted from the proposed changes. This exemption will maintain the current zoning regulations and land use allowances on these properties currently developed with existing homes. Some of the parking and other housing supportive policies are proposed for implementation city-wide, primarily to ensure clear administrative guidance and application of these updated policies. In some instances, implementation of these changes are also seen as implementing prior commitments made by the City, including in the adopted Housing Element and fiscal year workplan for the Community Development Department.
6. What does all this really mean?
These proposed changes will not affect the current use of the properties proposed to be included but they will affect any future redevelopment by allowing more homes and/or commercial buildings to be constructed and more types of commercial activities to occur on these sites.
Cotati Projects in Progress Page
https://ca-cotati.civicplus.com/228/Projects-in-Progress Project Summary
https://ca-cotati.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/2742/TOC-Rezoning-Project-Summary?bidId= TOC Parcel Map
https://ca-cotati.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/2743/TOC-Parcels-Map?bidId= MTC TOC Policy Summary
https://ca-cotati.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/2744/MTC-TOC-Policy-Analysis?bidId= MTC TOC Policy Overview
https://ca-cotati.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/2745/MTC-TOC-Policy-Overview_October2024?bidId= Additional Questions or Concerns?
Contact:
Noah Housh
Community Development Director
City of Cotati
707-665-3635
[email protected]