City of Sacramento
City Council - 5PM Report
915 I Street Sacramento, CA 95814
www.cityofsacramento.org
File ID: 2023-00115 3/7/2023 Consent Item 24.
2023 Planning and Zoning Work Program
File ID: 2023-00115
Location: Citywide
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution approving the 2023 Planning and Zoning Work Program.
Contact: Greg Sandlund, Planning Director, (916) 808-8931, [email protected], Community Development Department
Presenter: None
Attachments:
1-Description/Analysis
2-2022 Work Program Evaluation
3-Planning and Design Commission Comments on the Work Program 4-Resolution
5-Exhibit A - 2023 Planning and Zoning Work Program
Description/Analysis
Issue Detail: The Planning and Zoning Work Program is annually reviewed and updated by the Planning & Design Commission and the City’s Law & Legislation Committee. The work program is then adopted by the City Council each year in January using the following process. Due to unusually busy Commission hearings in recent months, this process has been delayed.
1. August/September Planning and Design Commission Meeting: During the Director’s report, staff will remind Commissioners to start thinking of their policy priorities.
2. September Planning and Design Commission Meeting: Staff presents the draft one-year work program, answers questions, and then receives comments and recommended policy initiatives.
3. November Planning and Design Commission Meeting: Staff presents the recommended work
File ID: 2023-00115 3/7/2023 Consent Item 24.
program with additional analysis on any commissioner-recommended policy initiatives. The report will indicate whether the current work program:
a. already encompasses the recommended policy initiatives; b. includes the recommended policy initiatives and what policy initiative may need to be postponed; or
c. does not include the recommended policy initiative for the coming year.
The Commission would then forward its recommendations to the City Council.
4. December Law and Legislation Committee: Staff presents the recommended work program highlighting the recommended changes by the Planning and Design Commission.
5. January City Council Meeting: Staff recommends the City Council adopt the Annual Planning Work Program that reflects recommendations from the Planning and Design Commission and Law & Legislation Committee.
An evaluation of how the 2022 Planning and Zoning Work Program was implemented can be found in Attachment 2. The 2023 Work Program can be referenced in Attachment 5.
Policy Considerations: The 2023 Planning and Zoning Work Program should reflect the goals of the 2035 General Plan.
GOAL LU 1.1 Growth and Change. Support sustainable growth and change through orderly and well-planned development that provides for the needs of existing and future residents and businesses, ensures the effective and equitable provision of public services, and makes efficient use of land and infrastructure.
GOAL LU 1.2 Sustainable Sacramento Strategy. Support statewide and regional efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, fund transportation improvements, and meet housing needs.
GOAL LU 2.1 City of Neighborhoods. Maintain a city of diverse, distinct, and well-structured neighborhoods that meet the community’s needs for complete, sustainable, and high-quality living environments, from the historic downtown core to well-integrated new growth areas.
GOAL LU 2.2 City of Rivers. Preserve and enhance Sacramento’s riverfronts as signature features and destinations within the city and maximize riverfront access from adjoining neighborhoods to facilitate public enjoyment of this unique open space resource.
GOAL LU 2.3 City of Trees and Open Spaces. Maintain multi-functional “green infrastructure” consisting of natural areas, open space, urban forest, and parkland, which serves as a defining physical feature of Sacramento, provides visitors and residents with access to open space and recreation, and is designed for environmental sustainability.
File ID: 2023-00115 3/7/2023 Consent Item 24.
GOAL LU 2.4 City of Distinctive and Memorable Places. Promote community design that produces a distinctive, high-quality built environment whose forms and character reflect Sacramento’s unique historic, environmental, and architectural context, and create memorable places that enrich community life.
GOAL LU 2.5 City Connected and Accessible. Promote the development of an urban pattern of well-connected, integrated, and accessible neighborhoods corridors, and centers.
GOAL LU 2.6 City Sustained and Renewed. Promote sustainable development and land use practices in both new development, reuse, and reinvestment that provide for the transformation of Sacramento into a sustainable urban city while preserving choices (e.g., where to live, work, and recreate) for future generations.
GOAL LU 2.7 City Form and Structure. Require excellence in the design of the city’s form and structure through development standards and clear design direction.
GOAL LU 2.8 City Fair and Equitable. Ensure fair and equitable access for all citizens to employment, housing, education, recreation, transportation, retail, and public services, including participation in public planning for the future.
Economic Impacts: The 2023 Planning and Zoning Work Program includes initiatives that will facilitate and promote sustainable and equitable economic development.
Environmental Considerations: The request for review and comment of the 2023 Planning and Zoning Work Program consists of an administrative activity, such as general policy making, and is not a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), per Guidelines Section 15378(b)(2).
Sustainability: The 2023 Planning and Zoning Work Program includes initiatives that will facilitate sustainable land use patterns and transportation options that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality, and mitigate impacts to our surrounding environment Commission/Committee Action: On December 1, 2022, staff received comments from the Planning and Design Commission on the 2023 Planning and Zoning Work Program, which can be found in Attachment 3. A summary of Commission feedback and staff responses can be found in Attachment 4. On January 12, 2023 the Planning and Design Commission voted to recommend the City Council approve the 2023 Planning and Zoning Work Program. Since that time, timelines in the Work Program have been revised to reflect the latest project status.
On February 7, 2023, the Law & Legislation Committee reviewed the 2023 Planning and Zoning Work Program and unanimously forwarded the Work Program to the City Council for approval with direction to pursue more aggressive EV parking requirement for new development beyond what is
File ID: 2023-00115 3/7/2023 Consent Item 24.
required in the California Building Code. The Work Program has been amended to include this new initiative.
Rationale for Recommendation: The development of an annual work program will help the Staff, Commission and City Council to collectively prioritize initiatives in light of competing interests and limited staff resources. Additionally, the 2023 Planning and Zoning Work Program will help to inform the public and decision makers about the work that is being done by City Planning Staff.
Financial Considerations: The 2023 Planning Work Program assumes the use of existing staff resources, multi-year operating projects, and secured grant funding. As proposed, the 2023 Planning and Zoning Work Program does not assume any additional general fund resources will be required.
Local Business Enterprise (LBE): Not applicable
2022 Work Program Evaluation
2022 continued to be an extremely busy year. There was also a higher-than-average vacancy rate with several staff members retiring or accepting other positions. Key positions such as the Zoning Administrator (Evan Compton), Associate Zoning Planner (Garrett Norman), Senior Climate Planner (Kai Lord-Farmer) were lost early in the year and are finally being filled. On a positive note, the City Council approved a new Senior Zoning Planner and Associate Housing Planner which is added to new positions that will be 100% focused on policy development.
The simultaneous development of the 2040 General Plan, Climate Action & Adaptation Plan (CAAP), and implementation of climate actions such as the New Building Electrification Ordinance, Dual Plumbing Ordinance, and Existing Building Electrification Strategy has placed significant demand on staff resources. During update of the 2030 General Plan (from 2004- 2009, that was essentially the singular policy initiative for Planning for over four years, and it did not include a climate action or adaptation plan. The City continues to grapple with both a Housing and Climate Crisis which obligates immediate action to increase the construction of affordable housing and advance climate actions prior to the adoption of the CAAP.
The following is a list of key accomplishments in 2022:
• Community Ambassador Program Launched 2/22/22
• State Prohousing Designation Received 2/24/22
• Graduated the 20th Class of the Planning Academy Completed 5/17/22 • Web-Based Land Inventory (Housing Element Program) Completed 4/1/22 • Dual Plumbing & Onsite Non-Potable Water Systems Study Completed 6/29/22 • North Sacramento Land Use & Historical Context Report Completed 6/24/22 • Preliminary Public Review Draft Climate Action Plan Released 7/1/22 • Community Working Draft Stockton Blvd Plan Released 7/18/22 • 3-Year Report Back on Reduced Impact Fee Program for Affordable Dwelling Units Completed 8/9/22
• City Council Workshop on Carbon Neutrality Completed 8/16/22 • Convened a seven month 14-member Technical Panel to develop the Infeasibility Waiver Guidance Document for the New Building Electrification Ordinance Completed 8/22/22
• Urban Agriculture Incentive Zone Re-Launched 9/6/22 • Applied for Green Means Go grant for underground utilities needed to support priority affordable housing projects
Completed 9/15/22 & 10/27/22
• Launch of Housing Development Toolkit Launched 9/13/22 • Launch ADU Resource Center Launched 9/27/22
• Release of Preliminary Public Review of CAAP’s Adaptation Section Released 10/31/22
• New Building Electrification Ordinance and Infeasibility Waiver Guidance Document Adopted 11/29/22
• Financing Strategy Reduced Impact Fee Program for Affordable Dwelling Units Approved 12/6/22
• Alternate Water Systems (Dual Plumbing) Ordinance
Adopted 12/13/22
• Initiated several priority projects in 2022, including:
o Existing Building Electrification Strategy
o Forward Together – Marysville and Del Paso Blvd Action Plan o Missing Middle Housing Study
o Mixed Income Housing Ordinance Review
Work that was not anticipated in the 2022 Work Program:
• Urban Agriculture Incentive Zone
• Digital Kiosk Research
• Green Means Go Grant Applications
• Initial Planning Framework for 102 Acre Meadowview City-owned Site
Work that was not accomplished as intended in the 2022 Work Program:
• Permitting Requirements for Special Needs Housing – Title 17 Updates • Affordable Housing & Infill Development Educational Campaign (Housing Element Program)
o Delayed until after the adoption of the 2040 General Plan due to other City Council priorities and current staff capacity.
• Density Bonus/Floor Area Ratio Ordinance Update
o The Density Bonus Ordinance will be delayed until after the adoption of the 2040 General Plan due to other City Council priorities and current staff capacity. Until the Ordinance is updated project applicants will default to the State requirements. • Age-Friendly Action Plan
o The Age-Friendly Action Plan will delayed until after the adoption of the 2040 General Plan due to other City Council priorities and current staff capacity. • Revisions to Parking Requirements
o A request for proposals will be released in 2022 for consultant support. Project implementation has been delayed due to a focus on other City Council priorities such as climate action and the completion of the 2040 General Plan. o In light of the Council-approved strategy of permitting a greater variety of housing types, significant concerns about parking impacts and other workload impacts have delayed implementation of this initiative. It is now an adopted Housing Element program and will be considered in conjunction with other initiatives (e.g.
Missing Middle Housing Study, etc.).
• Citywide Rezone Program for consistency with General Plan and Housing Element o Needs to follow the adoption of the 2040 General Plan. • Update to Telecommunication Requirements
o Delayed due to staff turnover in 2022.
• Update to Sign Code
o Delayed due to staff turnover in 2022.
• 2022 Code Bundle Amendments
o Delayed due to staff turnover in 2022.
Planning and Design Commission Comments
on the Planning and Zoning Work Program
The following is a summary of comments and questions received during the December 1, 2022 Commission meeting on the initial draft Planning and Zoning Work Program.
1. When will the permit ready ADU plans be available?
Staff Response:
The plans were released to the public in January 2023.
2. What are digital kiosks? Are they related to the digital pylon signs in the City?
Staff Response:
Digital Kiosks are signs often placed in sidewalks at a pedestrian level that can provide wayfinding services, event information, private advertising, and other services. Staff is currently researching best practices and lessons learned from other cities.
3. How can we help small businesses through the development process?
Staff Response:
Staff is looking at a process to help CORE applicants with site selection, and should generally be sensitive to the capacity, time, and resources of small business owners.
Planning staff is coordinating with Convention and Cultural Services Department to discuss ways to assist with due diligence for artists, musicians, and other place makers to select properties that are built appropriately for the use.
4. Are we trying to create cultural districts, leverage state resources, and build community engagement around cultural districts?
Staff Response:
The draft 2040 General Plan will include policies supporting the development of art districts, affordable residential enclaves for artists and their families, as well as anti- displacement strategies.
5. The Age Friendly Action Plan has been delayed. What is the percentage of those who qualify for AARP Community Living? If it is a significant percentage, should it be prioritized?
Staff Response:
It is estimated that 15% of Sacramento’s population is 60 or older and that the fastest growing age group is 60-64. Although the Age-Friendly Action Plan has been delayed until after the adoption of the 2040 General Plan and Climate Action and Adaptation Plan, the public review draft of the 2040 General Plan, anticipated for the 1st quarter of 2023, will include policies that focus on the needs of Sacramento’s older and aging populations. For more information, here is a link to the webpage about Sacramento’s Age-Friendly Action Plan and AARP’s Network of Age-Friendly Communities: http://www.cityofsacramento.org/Community- Development/Planning/Major-Projects/General-Plan/About-The- Project/Age_Friendly
6. What does the Alternative Water Systems Ordinance do?
Staff Response:
Beginning July 1, 2023, the Ordinance would require new large commercial (nonresidential) development over 10,000 square feet to install separate additional piping systems that could be utilized for the reuse of gray water for end uses such as subsurface irrigation, or toilet and urinal flushing. The staff report summarizing the new ordinance can be found here.
7. When is application period for planning academy?
Staff Response:
Applications are open on Monday, December 5 and accepted until January 30.
More information can be found here.
8. Regarding the City-owned, 102-acre site near Meadowview, what type of community engagement will the City be providing?
Staff Response:
Research will be presented to Council in the Spring of 2023. Council will then provide direction on future land uses in a subsequent meeting. Between those meetings staff will help facilitate engagement with people who had engaged in the 2022 listening sessions as well as other interested community members.
9. When we are looking at taking away parking minimums near transit, how are we reconciling existing needs for parking versus potentially needing less in the future?
Staff Response:
Management of existing parking resources more efficiently can create more capacity while helping to reduce demand by facilitating improved pedestrian and bike connections. Even though parking minimums cannot be required near transit stations developers more often than not provide more than the minimum.
10. Are there ways to require more parking near transit but then set it up to be reused later when parking is not needed as much?
Staff Response:
Recently adopted state law makes requiring more parking near transit very difficult to do. However, reuse of underutilized parking lots is already possible in such instances, particularly because of the reduced parking requirements for existing uses.
11. Now that the ad hoc committees are no longer permitted, how can commissioners participate in update of the Parking Code?
Staff Response:
As with other high level policy changes, staff will be working with the full Commission to get input throughout the key phases of the project.
12. Will there be outreach and will there be an opportunity for a commissioner to participate?
Staff Response:
Community engagement will occur throughout the Parking Code Update. Less than a quorum of the commission may participate in upcoming community outreach meetings regarding the Parking Code Update provided the members do not discuss these topics with other commissioners outside of a Commission meeting. Commissioners would be acting in their individual capacity as opposed to representing the Commission.
13. Can a temporary subcommittee be established? What is the process for establishing a subcommittee?
Staff Response:
Considerations for Establishing a Subcommittee:
The Subcommittee would need to be established by the City Council The Chair of the Commission would appoint members of the subcommittee as part of an agendized meeting.
A Subcommittee is intended to be permanent/ongoing.
The City Clerk’s Office would need to identify resources to staff the committee as well as find time and facilities for regular meetings.
Meetings would be agendized, open for public comment, and Planning staff would develop the reports.
Subcommittee discussion, conduct, and procedures would be the same as that of the Commission
To date, no subcommittee has been established or proposed The process of creating a subcommittee must be facilitated by City staff and would include action by:
o The Planning and Design Commission (recommendation)
o The Council’s Personnel and Public Employees Committee (recommendation)
o The City Council (adoption)
At this time, staff is not recommending the establishment of a subcommittee on Parking for the following reasons:
The Parking Code Update will include community engagement and meetings with the Planning and Design Commission during all phases of the project. The Parking Code Update is expected to be completed by the end of the year, whereas a subcommittee is intended to be a permanent, Council-appointed subcommittee.
The redundance of work for Planning and City Clerk staff to prepare for and facilitate the Subcommittee meetings would be an unanticipated draw on City staff resources
Staff is happy to meet with commissioners to discuss policy initiatives outside of the Commission meetings consistent with the Brown Act.
RESOLUTION NO. 2023-_____
Adopted by the Sacramento City Council
APPROVING THE 2023 PLANNING AND ZONING WORK PROGRAM
BACKGROUND
A. On August 13, 2020 the Planning and Design Commission received various recommendations from an Ad Hoc Committee, one of which included how the Commission and the City Council could establish/prioritize policy focus areas and action items.
B. On January 19, 2021 the City Council approved the first Planning and Zoning Work Program.
C. On January 12, 2023 the Planning and Design Commission forwarded the 2023 Planning Work Program to the City Council for adoption.
D. On February 7, 2023 the Law & Legislation Committee forwarded the 2023 Planning Work Program to the City Council for adoption.
E. The 2023 Planning Work Program reflects the goals of the 2035 General Plan and the adopted Vision and Guiding Principles of the 2040 General Plan Update.
F. The development of an annual Planning Work Program will help the Staff, Commission, and City Council to collectively prioritize initiatives considering competing interests and limited staff resources.
BASED ON THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THE BACKGROUND, THE CITY COUNCIL RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The City Council hereby approves the 2023 Planning and Zoning Work Program.
Table of Contents:
Exhibit A – 2023 Planning and Zoning Work Program
2023 Planning and Zoning Work Program
1 Total Full Time Equivalent Staff (FTE) Available: 13 FTE Long Range
2.25 FTE Zoning
(1 FTE = 1750 work hours per year) Q1: January – March ‘23; Q2: April – June ‘23; Q3: July – September ‘23; Q4: October – December ‘23 Project Estimated
Hours (Within
Time Period)
Reason for Being
in the Work
Program
Level of Outreach
(High/Med/Low)
Commission/Council Milestones
2040 General Plan
• Climate Action and
Adaptation Plan
o Vulnerability
Assessment
• Environmental Justice
• Land Use
• Mobility
• 10 Community Plans
Master Environmental Impact
Report
2,625
City Policy to
update the General
Plan every five
years.
High
Public Review Draft Review Begins – Q1
Adoption Hearings – Q4
Mixed Income Housing
Ordinance Review
600 Housing Element
Implementation
Program
High Draft Report – Q1
Stakeholder Engagement – Q1 & Q2
Final Report – Q2
Adoption Hearings – Q3
Permitting Requirements for
Special Needs Housing – Title
17 Updates
200 Housing Element
Implementation
Program
Medium PDC & L&L Workshop – Q2
Adoption Hearings – Q3
Density/Floor Area Ratio Bonus
Ordinance Update
320 State Mandated &
Housing Element
Implementation
Program
Medium Review comment on Public Review Draft –
Q3
Adoption Hearings – Q4
2023 Planning and Zoning Work Program
2 Affordable Housing & Infill
Development Educational
Campaign
240 Housing Element
Implementation
Program
High Commission Update on Housing Element
Implementation Program – Q3
Ordinance Updates to Comply
with State Legislation
680 State Mandated Medium Commission Hearing – Q2
Council Hearing – Q3
SB 9 Permanent Ordinance 240 State Mandated Medium Outreach & Analysis – Q2
Updates to Title 17 & Design Standards –
Q3
Adoption Hearings – Q4
SB 1383: Solid Waste Code
Amendments
160 State Mandated High Commission – Q2
Council – Q3
Age-Friendly Action Plan 320 Council Directed Medium Community Engagement – Q3
Final Plan and Public Hearings – Q4
2040 General Plan and CAAP
Implementation and
Monitoring/Reporting
1,750 Council Directed Medium TBD
2021-2029 Housing Element
Program Implementation,
Housing Policy Working Group
& Annual Report
575 Council
Directed/State
Mandated
Medium Program Implementation – Q1 – Q4
Report submitted to State – Q2
Citywide Rezone Program for
consistency with General Plan
and Housing Element.
1,200 2040 GPU &
Housing Element
Implementation
Program
High Initiated and Conduct Consistency
Analysis– Q3
Community Outreach – Q4
Existing Building Electrification
Strategy
875 Council Directed &
2040 GPU Key
Strategy
High
Electrification Pathway Public Input – Q1
Adoption of Electrification Pathway – Q2
Onsite Water Reuse Study &
Alternate Water Systems (Dual
Plumbing) Ordinance
200 Council Directed High Ordinance Implementation – Q1
Missing Middle Housing
Analysis and Development &
Design Standards
1,200 Grant Funded &
2040 GPU Key
Strategy
High
Outreach & Analysis – Q1
2023 Planning and Zoning Work Program
3 Updates to Title 17 & Design Standards –
Q3
Adoption Hearings – Q4
Revisions to Vehicle and
Bicycle Parking Requirements
875 Planning and
Design Commission
Directed; Housing
Element
Implementation
Program; 2040
GPU Key Strategy
High Community engagement on draft
framework– Q2
Public Review Draft – Q3
Forward Recommendation to Council – Q4
Adoption – Q4
Stockton Blvd Specific Plan &
Implementation
1,750 Council Directed High Draft Plan/EIR – Q2
Adoption – Q4
Implementation – Ongoing
River District Specific Plan
Update
1,750 Council Directed Medium Release RFP for consultant support – Q1
Project Initiation – Q2
Draft Plan – TBD
Forward Together –
Marysville/Del Paso Blvd
Action Plan
1,750 Council Directed High Public Review Draft – Q1
Final Plan – Q2
Implementation – Ongoing
City-owned 102 Acre Site 875 Council Directed High Consultant Begins Work – Q1
Opportunities & Constraints Analysis – Q1
Council Update – Q1/Q2
Other Neighborhood
Development Action Team
(NDAT) Plans and Initiatives
1,750 Council Directed High Ongoing
2023 Planning and Zoning Work Program
4 • Implementation Grant
Program
• West Broadway
Specific Plan
Implementation
• Community Education &
Training
• Community
Ambassador Program
(Culturally-Sensitive &
In-Language
Engagement)
• Other NDAT Plans &
Initiatives
Planning Academy 580 Council Directed Medium Q1 – Q2
Fee Management (HIF, HTF,
CCIF, Zero Dollar Fee for
Affordable Housing)
340 Council Directed Low N/A
Other Ongoing Tasks (i.e.
Floodplain Management, CIP
Consistency, etc.)
240 Council Directed Low Annual Staff Reports to Commission and City Council
Cannabis Code Amendments
based on Office of Cannabis
Management Study
450 Council Directed High Commission – Q2
Council – Q3
Digital Kiosk Research and
Sign Ordinance Amendments
450 Law & Legislation
Committee Directed
Medium Committee Workshop – Q1
Adoption Hearing – Q2
Increased EV Charging
Requirements for New
Development
TBD Law & Legislation
Committee Directed
Medium Committee Workshop – Q2
North Sacramento Zoning
Changes
320 Council Directed Medium Research/Analysis Q1
Adoption Hearings Q3
Planning Counter Support 820 Operational
Requirement
Low N/A
2023 Planning and Zoning Work Program
5 Green Means Go
(Infrastructure Grant Program)
160 Grant Opportunity Low Grant implementation & reporting - Ongoing LEAP Grant Stormwater
Drainage Basin Modeling
80 Grant Funded &
Housing Element
Program
Low Completion of Modeling – Q2
Telecommunication Regulation
Updates
150 Staff Initiated Low Commission Hearing – Q4
Council Hearing – Q4
2023 Code Bundle
Amendments
260 Staff Initiated Low Commission Hearing – Q3
Council Hearing – Q4
Sign Code Ordinance Overhaul 800 Staff Initiated Medium Commission Workshop – Q4
Total Long Range Hours 20,735 (11.8
FTE)
Total Zoning Hours 3,850 (2 FTE)
Total FTE Required 14.04 (Total
Hours/1750)
Potential Future Initiatives
Project Estimated
Hours (Within
Time Period)
Reason for Being
in the Work
Program
Level of Outreach
(High/Med/Low)
Commission/Council Milestones
Entertainment Overlay/District
• Sound attenuation
standards
• Standard conditions
250 Staff Initiated Medium TBD
Lighting Standards for
Buildings
TBD Staff Initiated
2023 Planning and Zoning Work Program
6 Review of CPTED design
review and conditions to
address privacy and profiling
concerns.
TBD Commissioner
Initiated
Central City Specific Plan TBD City Policy to
update the Specific
Plan every five
years.
High 2025
65th Street Specific Plan TBD High 2025