Stream Corridor Protection Ordinance Update Page 1 of 2 Public Hearing Summary
Board and
Commission
Hearing Type Date Feedback Summary
Planning and
Transportation
Commission
Public
Hearing
May 13,
2026
The PTC recommended forwarding the draft ordinance to the City Council for consideration with several key modifications aimed at balancing riparian protection with residents' security and property rights. Influenced heavily by resident testimony regarding trespassing and fire hazards, the Commission prioritized immediate safety by removing the mandatory five-foot fence gap and slope stability requirements for fences in the Edgewood neighborhood.
To avoid forcing homeowners to hire expensive biologists, they rejected the staff's proposed "ephemeral stream" definition in favor of Alternative 4, which uses clear Residential Estate (RE) zoning as an objective trigger for reduced setbacks in developed hillside areas. Finally, the PTC requested technical refinements, including replacing colloquial terminology with precise land-use definitions and clarifying flood wall specifications, while protecting homeowners’ rights to plant non-invasive ornamental landscaping within their fenced yards.
Planning and
Transportation
Commission
(Item #3, starting
on Page 24)
Public
Hearing
August 27,
2025
The PTC unanimously voted to continue the Stream Corridor Protection Ordinance update to an uncertain date, requesting that staff return with a revised draft and additional data. While staff presented a revised draft featuring a 30-foot setback for the Urbanized Area, a 150-foot setback for the other two subareas, and various exemptions, the PTC raised significant concerns regarding the burden of the 30-foot urban setback compared to smaller regional standards and the impact of fencing replacement regulations on property owners. Additionally, the Commission supported exempting the Edgewood neighborhood entirely from the regulations and debated how to fairly apply the rules to residential lots west of Foothill Expressway without overly burdening residents.
Stream Corridor Protection Ordinance Update Page 2 of 2 Public Hearing Summary
Board and
Commission
Hearing Type Date Feedback Summary
Planning and
Transportation
Commission
Public
Hearing
October 9,
2024
Following extensive deliberation on the updated draft Stream Corridor Protection Ordinance, which incorporated feedback from their August 2024 study session, the PTC directed staff to conduct further public outreach to solicit community feedback before implementing any revisions. The PTC requested a revised ordinance focused on addressing key concerns, including proposed setback distances for different areas and creek types, the potential impact on existing structures, and the feasibility of the proposed exception process.
Planning and
Transportation
Commission
Study Session August 14,
2024
Staff conducted a study session with the PTC reviewing regional comparative analysis and key findings from the July 2024 Existing Conditions Report. Staff presented recommendations across five core topics (applicability, exemptions, setback distances, stream conditions, and the exception process), which the PTC generally supported while offering specific refinements. Notable feedback included exploring broader exemptions for multi-family and nonresidential developments, questioning the necessity of a proposed 40-foot urban setback compared to smaller regional standards, and advocating for a tiered, non-variance exception process modeled after neighboring frameworks like San Jose’s.
Architectural
Review Board
Information
Report
April 4,
2024
Information report submitted to Architectural Review Board to inform them that staff has started the effort and provide background.