Recommendations
Rocklin Zoning Ordinance and Map Update
Agenda
▪ Project Overview
▪ Recommendations
Memo
▪ Comments/Feedback/
Questions
▪ Next Steps
Project Overview
Project Introduction
Comprehensive update of the Zoning Ordinance (Title 17 of the Rocklin Municipal Code) and Zoning Map:
▪ Streamlined and transparent in its administration and decision-making processes
▪ Promote economic development and high-quality design
▪ Provide flexibility
▪ Intuitive, contains graphics, and is user-friendly
▪ Consistent with State and federal law
What is Zoning?
Zoning is the body of regulations
that establish what can be built
on a property, how it can be used,
and what type of review process
is required.
▪ By law, zoning is required to
be consistent with the
General Plan
Components
Zoning districts
▪ Reflect General Plan Land Use Designations
Use regulations
▪ Which uses are permitted/prohibited
▪ Specific use standards to address land use compatibility Development and design standards
▪ Reflect the desired character of the community
Administration and review procedures
▪ Permit processes, decision-making bodies, public notice Definitions
Process Overview
We are here
Recommendations Memo
What We Heard
General Themes
▪ Simplify the regulatory framework, particularly related to General Development Plans
▪ Incorporate flexibility
▪ Revise standards to accommodate contemporary land use and development ▪ Streamline the review process
▪ Adjust review bodies to reflect significance of project ▪ Empower staff to make decisions, reduce reliance on City Council review What We Found
Topic Areas
▪ Ordinance Usability
▪ Development Standards
▪ Review Processes
▪ Compliance with State and Federal Law
Ordinance Usability
A well organized code is easy to use, navigate, and understand Rocklin’s Zoning Code is complex…
▪ Information is difficult to find
▪ Planned Development and General Development Plans have created multiple ‘mini’ zoning codes
▪ Some regulations are redundant or duplicated
▪ Undefined land uses
▪ Unclear definitions and rules of measurement
▪ Underutilized tables
Ordinance Usability
Develop a New Format and Organization
▪ Delete unnecessary or obsolete sections
▪ Organize sections from those most
frequently referenced to the least
▪ Simplify regulations and procedures
▪ Provide clear definitions and rules of
measurement
▪ Utilize tables and cross-references
Ordinance Usability
Integrate General Development
Plan standards into zoning
district regulations
Ordinance Usability
Update and Define Land Uses Regulated by the
Zoning Ordinance
▪ Define every use regulated by the Ordinance
▪ Group uses based on common characteristics
▪ Broaden categories to allow future classification of
unanticipated uses
▪ Reflect contemporary land uses
▪ Eliminate obsolete uses and allow flexibility for
changing nature of uses
▪ Ensure all zoning districts allow appropriate uses
Development Standards
Development standards help the City achieve high-quality design in community spaces and neighborhoods. Issues include:
▪ Outdated standards do not reflect current context, development trends, or design preferences such as infill, townhome, and small lot development
▪ Inflexible standards can lead to a large number of requests for exceptions and overuse of Planned Development
Development Standards
Update development standards to reflect
contemporary development patterns
▪ Adjust setbacks, lot size, lot coverage to
accommodate small lot, townhome, mixed-use
and mixed-density development
Provide certainty and allow flexibility
▪ Menu of options to comply with a design principle
▪ Additional provisions for waivers and exceptions
Development Standards
Update decades old parking regulations
▪ Reduce minimum parking requirements
▪ Reflect current development types on contexts such as infill and redevelopment, mixed-use, and higher-density residential development ▪ Enable consideration of parking reductions
▪ Reductions for proximity to transit service, or for bicycle parking, motorcycle parking, and shared parking
▪ Do not require additional parking for change of use
▪ Facilitate re-use of existing buildings
The quantity, location, and
appearance of parking greatly
influences the character of
development.
Review Processes
Administrative provisions establish the
procedures through which the City achieves
General Plan goals and policies
▪ Clear, predictable procedures can
promote desired development and fosters
transparency
▪ Vague, confusing procedures frustrate
developers and community members alike,
and hinders the City’s ability to attract
investment
Review Processes
Review Procedures Can:
▪ Promote the type of development a community desires by providing a clear, predictable path to project approval Review Procedures Should:
▪ Provide certainty in the review process
▪ Build in flexibility to meet needs of individual projects ▪ Offer opportunities to request relief
Review Processes
Adjust Review Thresholds
▪ Reflect issues of community concern,
General Plan direction, and objective
design and development standards
Clarify City Council’s Role as Legislative Body
▪ City councils establish policy and adopt ordinances
▪ Planning Commissions, department heads, other bodies typically review projects for consistency with adopted policies and ordinances
▪ In Rocklin, City Council currently reviews individual projects due to outdated thresholds for ‘significance’
▪ Leading to increased review times and reduced predictability, barriers to economic development
▪ Enable Planning Commission review of individual projects, with opportunity for appeal to City Council
“Over-the-counter”
Staff Approval
City Council
Approval
Ex. Business License Other Projects Ex. General Plan
Amendment
Complexity of Project
Review Processes
Establish a Minor Use Permit Process
▪ For uses that are limited in scope and impacts but currently require a hearing ▪ Subject to public notice and decision by Director
▪ May be appealed to Planning Commission
▪ Similar in concept to process in the BARRO Zone, refined based on lessons learned
Clarify Review Procedures
▪ Consolidate and clarify procedures and approval criteria for all review processes State and Federal Law
▪ Housing
▪ SB9 – Duplexes and ‘Urban Lot Splits’
▪ SB330 – Housing Crisis Act
▪ Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)
▪ Affordable Housing
▪ Housing for Persons with Disabilities
▪ Manufactured Housing
▪ Adult Oriented Businesses
▪ Cottage Food Operations
▪ Emergency Shelters
Certain State and federal laws limit the City’s authority to regulate certain types of development, including:
▪ Transitional and Supportive Uses
▪ Family Day Care Homes
▪ Processing and Review Procedures
▪ Religious Uses
▪ Signs
▪ Solar Energy Systems
▪ Telecommunications
▪ Water Conservation and Landscaping
Discussion
Topic Areas
▪ Ordinance Usability
▪ Development Standards
▪ Review Processes
▪ Compliance with State and
Federal Law
Next Steps
▪ Outline for an updated Zoning Code
▪ Preliminary Draft Regulations
Stay Involved
Project Website
Access upcoming meetings, project documents, and more.
www.rocklin.ca.us/zone-rocklin
Email:
[email protected]
Comments/Feedback/Questions
Next Steps
Participate
▪ Visit www.rocklin.ca.us/zone-rocklin for project
information, participation opportunities, sign up for project updates, and provide input.