SALINAS PLANNING COMMISSION
RESOLTITION NO. 2022. 02
RDSOLUTION RECOMMENDING THE CITY COUNCIL ADOPT AN ORDINANCE AMENDING AN ORDTNANCE AMENDTNG SECTIONS 37-10.290 C.E"
DEFTNTTTONS), 37-10.430 c.S" DEFTNTTTONS), 37-30.60 (RESTDENTIAL LOW DENSTTY DTSTRTCT), 37-30.1 l0 (RES|DENTTAL MEDIt.IM DENSITy DTSTRTCTS),
37.30,I60 (RESIDENTIAL HIGH DENSITY DISTRICTS), 37.30.200 (COMMERCIAL DISTRICTS), 37-30.230 (MIXED USE DTSTRTCTS), AND 37-30.390 (PUBLTC/SEMIPUBLTC DTSTRTCT), AND ADDTNG SECTION 37-50.235 - SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY COLLEGE, DISTRICT HOUSING TO CHAPTER3T OF THE
MUNICIPAL CODE (ZONING CODE)
(zcA,-2002-002)
WHERf,AS, on November 7, 2006, the Salinas City Council. adopted Ordinance Number 2463 replacing the existing Zoning Code; and
WHEREAS. the Salinas City Council has amonded various provisions of Chapter 37 of the Salinas Municipal Code ("Zoning Code") fifteen times to allow for general changes. language clarificalion, and minor corrections; and
WHEREAS, in the last several years, the Salinas City Council consistent with the 2015 Housing Element has initiated several zoning code amendments to facilitate the production of housing to address Salinas' severe housing shortage; and WHEREAS, the City received funding tiom SB 2 to facilitate zone changes or zoning code amendments to increase available land for housing and on November 5,2019. the Salinas City Council adopted Ordinance Number 2624 allowing residential uses in the Public/Semipublic (PS) Zoning District subject to approval of a Conditional Use Permit; and WHEREAS. the City also adopted zoning code amendments to allow certain residential uses in the Commercial Thoroughfare (CT) Zoning District and expanded employee housing opportunities in the Residential Low Density (R-L) and Residential Medium Density (R-M) Zoning Districts; and
WHEREAS, the Salinas Union High School District (SUHSD) approached City staff regarding the possible acquisition of an empty apartment complex to provide affordable housing for teachers and other school employeesl and
WHEREAS, existing regulations restrict large employer housing and would not allow the school district to acquire property tbr this use: and
WHEREAS, the City is interested in advancing rhe Housing Element by enabling the school and communily college districts to facilitate affordable housing for school employees and the public consistent with the Teacher Housing Act of 201 6; and WHEREAS. on April 6.2022, at a duly noticed public hearing, the Salinas Planning commission recommended that the city council introduce and adopl Zoning code Amendmenl 2022-002. which amends Sections 37-10.290 ("E Definitions"). 37-30.420 ('.S Definitions.'), 37- Planning Commission Resolution 2022-
Zoning Code Amendment 2022-002
30.60 (Residential Low Density District). 37-30.1 l0 (Residential Medium Density District), 37-
30.160 (Residential High Density Distric0, 37-30.200 (Commercial Districts), 37 -30.240 (Mixed Use Districts) and 37-30.390 (Public/Semipublic District), and add Sec. 37-50.235 - School District and Community College District Housing to Chapter of the Salinas Municipal Code (Zoning Code); and
WHEREAS, on April 6,2022, the Salinas Planning Commission weighed the evidence presented at hearing, including the Staff Report which is on file at the Community Development ,-Department together with the record of environmental review and hereby finds that the following amendment will not have the effect ofreversing policies ofthe Salinas General Plan or other plans and policies previously adopted by the City Council and finds the project to be categorically exempt from the Califomia Environmental Quatity Act (CEQA), as tbllows:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE lT RESOLVED by the Salinas Planning Commission that the Commission recommends that the City Council find the project to be categorically exempt from the Califomia Environmental Quality Act and introduce and then adopt Zoning Code Amendment 2022-002: and
BE lT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Salinas Planning Commission adopts the fbllowing lindings as the basis for its determination, and that the foregoing recitations are true and correct, and are included herein by reference as findings:
l. The projecl has been found lo be a Class 5 Cotegorical Exemption pursuant lo Guidelines Section 15305 of the Guidelines to the California Environmental Quality Act (cEQA).
The proposed Zoning Code Amendment to amend Sections 37-10.290 ("8 Defrnitions"), 37 -30.420 ("S Definitions"), 37-30.60 (Residential Low Density District), 37-30.1l0 (Residential Medium Density District), 3 7-30.160 (Residential High Density District),37-
30.200 (Commercial Dislricts), 37-30.240 (Mixed Use Districts) and add Sec. 37-50.235 - School District and Community College District Housing to Chapter of the Salinas Municipal Code (Zoning Code) is categorically exempt from further environmental analysis per CEQA Guidelines Section 15305 (Minor Alterations in Land Use Limitations).
The proposed Amendment would not result in a significant environmental impact since it would only allow School Districts and Community College Districts to acquire, construct, rehabilitate, or preserve affordable rental housing for its staff or public. This use is consistent with the Teacher Housing Act of 2016.
Categorical Exemption:
Planning Commission Resolution 2022-
Zoning Code Amendment 2022-002
I - The Amendment is consistent with the Salinas Generol Plan and other plans and policies adopted by the Solinas City Council,
The proposed Amendment would not result in uses inconsistent with any land use designation. It would allow School Districts and Community College Districts to acquire, construct, rehabilitate, or preserve affordable rental housing for its staffor public. This use is consistent with the Teacher Housing Act of 2016. The Zoning Code Amendment (ZCA 2022-002) would be consistent with General Plan Goal LU-l by providing housing for school/community college employees to "achieve a balance of land uses to provide for a range of housing, jobs, libraries. and educational and recreational facilities that allow residents to [ive, work, shop. leam, and play in the community''. ZCA 2022-002 is also consistent with General Plan Policy LU-1.2 which states "provide a plan fbr land uses thal includes the capacity to accommodate growth projected for 2020 and beyond" and Policy LU3.8 to "encourage the production of housing that meets the needs of agricultural and other essential workers within the community. Multipte studies including UC Berkety, Temer Center for Housing lmovation have identified lack of affbrdable housing for teachers and educational employees as a cause for worker shortages in Califbmia schools.
Allowing this use. will enable school districts to meet the housing needs of this essential workforce.
2. The Amendmenl will nol have the effect of reversing the policies of the Solinas Generol Plan, any applicable Specijic Plan, ond other plans and policies adopted by the Salinas City Council.
ZCA 2022-002 will not reverse existing policies, because the proposed changes would be consistent with the General Plan. The proposed amendment is in substantial conformance with the purposes, intent. and provisions of the General Plan. [n fact, the proposed amendment actually advances multiple provisions in the Land Use and I{ousing Elements.
As stated above, the proposed Amendment would be consistent with General Plan Policy LU-3.8 which encourages "the production ofhousing that meets that needs ofagricultural and other essential workers within the community". ZCA 2022-002 will not only help stabilize the educational workforce, but it will ensure that we have the staff to prepare the nexl generation of Salinas' workforce in our schools and Hartnell Community College.
WHEREAS, the Salinas City Council adopts the following findings, as set forth in Zoning Code Section 37-60.1120, as the basis for its introduction and adoption of the proposed Zoning Code Amendment:
Zoning Code Amendment 2021-005:
As outlined in ZCA 2022-002, school district or community college housing involving construction or rehabilitation would be subject to the underlying zoning district development regulations and design standards. This provision has been added as a footnote for every relevant use table. As a result, ZCA 2022-002 would be consistent with the General Plan and Zoning Code.
Planning Commission Resolution 2022-
Zoning Code Amendment 2022-002
The proposed Amendment is also consistent with multiple policies in the Housing Element such as Policy H-1.7, which states "ensure that new residential development and reuse/revitalization projects are compatible with surrounding neighborhoods by requiring new developments to comply with the City's Zoning Code development regulations and design standards". As stated above, a lootnote would be added to ensure that school district and community college district housing comply with the underlying zoning regulations.
ZCA 2022-002 would also advance Poticies H- I .8 and H- l .9 by reducing "municipal constraints to the production, maintenance, and development ofdecent, safe housing" and encouraging the "development ofhigher density apartments... in areas that are near major transit corridor...and near to key destinations (parks, schools, childcare. stores, healthy food options, employment, social services, and healthcare)". 'fhis amendment would eliminate the zoning code barrier that restricts school districts and community college districts from facilitating the development ofteaefier and school/college employee housing.
ZCA 2022-002 would allow for the potential development ofaffordable housing on school sites and other key destinations.
The amendment also would promote Policies H-1.12 by continuing "to create affordable housing through innovative solutions for financing with multiple funding sources and affordable housing partners including local, private, state, and federal sources". The school and community college districts have a variety ol available funding sources including bonds that can be a mechanism to support affordable housing for teachers and staff. This is one of the reasons for the Teacher Hosing Act of 201 6. Finally, ZCA 2022-002 would further Policy H-3.8, which aims to support collaborative partnerships of nonprofit organizations, alfordable housing developers, major employers, and market-rate housing developers to expand affordable housing opportunities for those working the City of Salinas and surrounding areas". When the City has lirst approached by the Salinas Union High School District, staff was excited about the opportunity to facilitate this type of collaboration by eliminating a restriction that would prevent the district from acquiring or developing new affordable housing units. However, recognizing many residents' concern that employers may purchase occupied rental units and create displacement, ZCA 2022- 002 includes requirements for notification and relocation assistance to mitigate potential impact should this occur in the tuture.
3. The Amendment woultl nol create an isolaled districl unreloled lo adjacent zoning districts.
The proposed establishment of this Ordinance will not create any additional zoning districts
4. The Cily has the copability lo provide public utililies, roads, and services to serve lhe uses allowed by the proposed omendment.
Salinas is an urbanized area and public infrastructure is presently in place to serve most uses. The proposed Amendment would not create the need for additional infrastructure.
Planning Commission Resolution 2022-
Zoning Code Amendment 2022-002
PASSED AND APPROVED this 6th day of April2O22, by the following vote:
AYES: Chairperson Meeks, Commissioners Griffin, Gonzalez, and McKelvey Daye
NOES: None
ABSTAIN None
ABSENT: Commissioners Donohue. Farias. and Manzo
THIS IS TO CERTIFY that the foregoing is a full, truq and correct copy of a Resolution ofthe Planning Commission ofthe City of Salinas. that said Resolution was passed and approved by the affirmative and majority vote of said Planning Commission at a meeting hetd on April 6. 2022, and that said Resolution has not been modified. amended, or rescinded, and is now in full force and effect.
SALINAS NN G COMMISSION
Date 4
ssntan
Secretarv