Agenda Report
Fullerton City Council
MEETING DATE: OCTOBER 3, 2023
TO: CITY COUNCIL / SUCCESSOR AGENCY
SUBMITTED BY: SUNAYANA THOMAS, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PREPARED BY: CHRIS SCHAEFER, AICP, PLANNING MANAGER
SUBJECT: PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO FULLERTON MUNICIPAL CODE TITLE 11 (ANIMAL CONTROL, WELFARE AND LICENSE REQUIREMENTS) AND TITLE 15 (ZONING ORDINANCE)
SUMMARY
The City of Fullerton proposes amending various sections of the Fullerton Municipal Code (FMC) to provide clarity for administration, revise the approval process for minor reviews, remove outdated references and bring the Code into compliance with State law.
RECOMMENDATION
Introduce the following Ordinances for first reading by title only and waive further reading of the ordinances.
ORDINANCE NO. XXXX – AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FULLERTON, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING SPECIFIED SECTIONS OF FULLERTON MUNICIPAL CODE TITLE 11 (CHAPTERS 11.01 AND 11.36) AND TITLE 15 (CHAPTERS 15.04 AND 15.17) PERTAINING TO ANIMAL KEEPING ORDINANCE NO. XXXX – An ordinance OF THE city council of the City of fullerton, california, amendING SPECIFIED SECTIONS OF FULLERTON MUNICIPAL CODE title 15 (CHAPTER 15.04 AND RELATED CHAPTERS OR SECTIONS, IF APPLICABLE) PERTAINING TO PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SCHOOLS
CITY MANAGER REMARKS
The City Manager defers to the Planning Commission recommendation.
PRIORITY POLICY STATEMENT
Not applicable.
FISCAL IMPACT
None.
DISCUSSION
Project Description
Staff requests amendments to the following Fullerton Municipal Code Chapters of Title 11 (Animal Control, Welfare and License Requirements) and Title 15 (Zoning Ordinance):
11.36 (Keeping of Livestock)
15.04 (Interpretations and Definitions)
15.17 (Residential Zone Classifications)
Background
The Planning Commission approved a Resolution of Intention to amend various sections of Title 11 (Animal Control, Welfare and License Requirements) and Title 15 (Zoning Ordinance) on July 21, 2023 to make the Municipal Code less confusing to administer, to address on-going issues and to make the Code compliant with current State law. The last major revision to the Code occurred in 2001. The following subheadings provide a brief description of the Code sections proposed for amendment with an analysis for the proposed modifications. Attachments 1 and 2 provide the full text of the proposed Code Amendments.
Chapter 11.36 (Keeping of Livestock)
Residential pet keeping trends and practices have changed in recent years and City codes require updates to reflect those changes. In particular, keeping pot-belly pigs as pets in residential zones has created challenges. City Council and staff have received multiple complaints over the past several months related to odors, flies and other related concerns. The Code, as currently written, allows residents in smaller single family zoned parcels to keep and maintain these animals. The proposed amendments address this concern and defer other related animal issues to State codified legislation.
Chapter 15.04.040 (Interpretations and Definitions)
FMC Chapter 15.04 provides definitions of “School, Private” and “School, Public.” The draft amendment looks at current best practices with respect to better defining these land uses to avoid ambiguities caused by potentially outdated definitions.
Planning Commission
The Planning Commission held a public hearing on July 19, 2023, to consider the request (Attachment 6). One speaker spoke in favor of the item. The Planning Commission unanimously voted to recommend City Council approval of the zoning amendments.
Environmental Review
The recommended action is exempt from further review per California Environmental Quality Act, Section 15061(b)(3).
Attachments:
Attachment 1 – Draft Ordinance No. XXXX
Attachment 2 – Draft Ordinance No. XXXX
Attachment 3 – Planning Commission Staff Report dated July 19, 2023 Attachment 4 – Planning Commission Resolution No. PC-2023-13 Attachment 5 – Planning Commission Resolution No. PC-2023-14 Attachment 6 – Planning Commission Minutes dated July 19, 2023 cc: City Manager Eric J. Levitt
Fullerton Municipal Code Title 11 and Title 15 Amendments October 3, 2023 - Page 2