ZONING ORDINANCE
AMENDMENT
#22-01
(Residential,
Commercial,
P-D’s, Interface, etc.)
City Council Meeting—August 15, 2022
Kim Espinosa, Planning Manager
• In September 2021, City Council gave direction to
streamline the production of housing in the City,
especially affordable housing.
• In April 2022, City Council adopted a Regional
Housing Needs Allocation Unit Production Plan to
support the production of affordable housing.
• City will be embarking on major updates to the
General Plan, Housing Element, and Zoning
Ordinance in 2022-23.
• In the meantime, minor changes could be made
to streamline housing production and clean-up
various provisions to conform with State law
through this amendment.
BACKGROUND
OVERVIEW
Ch # Chapter Title Overview of Proposed Changes
20.08 Residential
Zoning Districts
Allows duplexes by-right in R-1 zones & amends the design standards (including parking) for duplexes; Allows a variation in lot dimensions for all R-1 districts, not just R-1-6; Clarifies definition of “driveway length;” Allows exceptions for R-1-5 design standards via a Minor Use Permit; and Removes the outdated provisions for “Guest Houses.”
20.10 Commercial
Zoning Districts
Changes in level of approval required for various land use categories in Commercial districts; Addition of residential densities to Commercial districts
20.20.020 Planned
Development
Zoning Districts
Minimum size for Residential P-D’s from 1 acre to 10,000 square feet & for P-D’s from 5 to 3 acres; Establishes default land uses and design standards from the Zoning District matching the General Plan designation; and Allows some approvals via Minor Use Permit instead of a Site Plan Review Permit
OVERVIEW (CONT.)
Ch # Chapter Title Overview of Proposed Changes
20.32 Interface Regulations Changes requirement for Site Plan Review Permits to Minor Use Permit and reduces the number of “Low
Impact” (now only R-1) and “High Impact” (now only
commercial and industrial) zones.
20.38 Parking and Loading Parking for accessory dwelling units and duplexes to be reduced to 1 per unit with exceptions per State law
20.46 Residential Design
Standards
Allows exceptions to be granted through the Minor Use
Permit process; Allows “non-wood or fire-retardant-
treated shingles”; and Allows roof-mounted air
conditioners with screening.
20.68.050 Permit Requirements--Site
Plan Review
Removes references to Interface Regulations for Site
Plan Review Permits
20.90 Glossary Clarifies definitions of “Group Housing” and “Residential Care Facilities” regarding “Recovery Residences”
On July 6, 2022, the Planning Commission
held a public hearing and, by a 6-0-1 (6
ayes, 1 absent) vote, Recommended to
the City Council Approval of:
1) Environmental Review #22-22
(Categorial Exemption)
2) Zoning Ordinance Amendment #22-01
with 1 minor modification to MMC
20.46.020(E) regarding wood shake
shingles
PLANNING
COMMISSION
ACTION
CITY COUNCIL
ACTION
After the Public Hearing, the City Council should
adopt a motion:
A. Adopting a Categorical Exemption
(Environmental Review #22-22); and,
B. Introducing Ordinance ___, an Ordinance of
the City Council of the City of Merced, CA,
Amending Section 20.08 (“Residential Zoning
Districts”, 20.10 ("Commercial Zoning
Districts"), Section 20.20.020 (“Planned
Development Zoning Districts”), Section 20.32
(“Interface Regulations”), Section 20.38
(“Parking And Loading”), Section 20.46
(“Residential Design Standards”), Section
20.68.050 (“Permit Requirements—Site Plan
Review Permit”), and 20.90 (“Glossary”) of
the Merced Municipal Code
QUESTIONS?