ORDINANCE NO. MC-1670
1 ORDINANCE NO. MC-1670
ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO, CALIFORNIA,
APPROVING GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT 25-02
CHANGING THE GENERAL PLAN LAND USE
DESIGNATION FROM COMMERCIAL TO MULTIFAMILY RESIDENTIAL AND DEVELOPMENT CODE AMENDMENT 25-07 (ZONING MAP AMENDMENT)
CHANGING THE ZONING DESIGNATION FROM
COMMERCIAL OFFICE (CO) TO RESIDENTIAL
MEDIUM (RM) FOR ASSESSOR PARCEL NUMBERS
0148-303-21, -22, -24, AND -26; AND AMEND THE SAN
BERNARDINO DEVELOPMENT CODE TO ALLOW
PLANNED RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS (PRD) TO
ESTABLISH PROJECT-SPECIFIC DEVELOPMENT
STANDARDS, INCLUDING SETBACKS BETWEEN
STRUCTURES, AND SITE COVERAGE STANDARDS IN
LIEU OF FIXED NUMERICAL DEVELOPMENT
STANDARDS WITHIN PLANNED RESIDENTIAL
DEVELOPMENTS PURSUANT TO A MITIGATED
NEGATIVE DECLARATION.
WHEREAS, the City of San Bernardino, California (“City”) is a chartered city and municipal corporation, duly organized under the California Constitution and laws of the State of California; and
WHEREAS, General Plan Amendment 25-02 and Development Code Amendment 25-07 (Zoning Map Amendment) constitute a portion of the Little Mountain Planned Residential Development Project ("Project"); and
WHEREAS, General Plan Amendment 25-02 is a request to amend the General Plan Land Use designation from Commercial to Multi-Family Residential pursuant to Mitigated Negative Declaration and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program; and WHEREAS, Development Code Amendment 25-07 (Zoning Map Amendment) changes the zoning designation from Commercial Office (CO) to Residential Medium (RM) for Assessor Parcel Numbers 0148-303-21, -22, -24, and -26; and amends the San Bernardino Development Code to allow Planned Residential Developments (PRDs) to establish project-specific development standards, including setbacks between structures, and lot coverage standards in lieu of fixed numerical development standards within planned residential developments; and WHEREAS, pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”; Public Resources Code, Section 21000 et seq.), Section 21067, and State CEQA Guidelines (California Code of Regulations, Section 15000 et seq.), Section 15367, the City of San Bernardino is the lead agency for the Project; and
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2 WHEREAS, City staff determined that pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 15073, preparation of a Mitigated Negative Declaration was the appropriate environmental review procedure under CEQA, because all potential significant impacts of the Project can be mitigated to a level of less than significant; and
WHEREAS, a Mitigated Negative Declaration (“MND”) and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (“MMRP”) were prepared for the Project; and WHEREAS, on July 22, 2026, pursuant to Section 19.44.030 (Project Review) of the City of San Bernardino Development Code, the Development and Environmental Review Committee reviewed the application and forwarded General Plan Amendment 25-02 and Development Code Amendment 25-07 (Zoning Map Amendment) to the Planning Commission for consideration; and WHEREAS, on August 11, 2026 the Planning Commission of the City of San Bernardino held a duly noticed public hearing to consider public testimony and staff’s report. At the public hearing there was no opposition to the Project and after the public comment session, the Planning Commission deliberated and a motion was made by Commissioner Carlone, seconded by Commissioner Quiel, to approve staff’s recommendation to forward an approval recommendation of the Project, to the Mayor and City Council. The motion was approved unanimously per Resolution 2026-024; and
WHEREAS, notice of the September 16, 2026 public hearing for the Mayor and City Council's consideration of this proposed Ordinance was published in The Sun newspaper on September 5, 2026, and was mailed to the owners and tenants of property located within 1,000 feet of the subject property in accordance with Development Code Chapter 19.52 (Hearing and Appeals); and
WHEREAS, at the public hearing conducted by the Mayor and City Council, no additional information submitted to the City Council has produced substantial new information requiring substantial revisions that would trigger recirculation of the Addendum or additional environmental review under State CEQA Guidelines Section 15088.5; and WHEREAS, at the public hearing conducted by the Mayor and City Council on September 16, 2026 there was no opposition to the Project; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the requirements of Chapters 19.42 (Development Code Amendments) and 19.50 (General Plan Amendments) of the City of San Bernardino Development Code, the Mayor and City Council have the authority to take action on General Plan Amendment 25-02 and Development Code Amendment 25-07 (Zoning Map Amendment).
THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO DO ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The above recitals are true and correct and are incorporated herein by this reference.
SECTION 2. Compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act. The City Council having independently reviewed and analyzed the record before it, including the adopted ORDINANCE NO. MC-1670
3 Mitigated Negative Declaration and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program, and written and oral testimony, and having exercised their independent judgment, finds that there is no substantial evidence supporting a fair argument that approval of the Project will result in a significant effect on the environment.
SECTION 3. Findings of Fact – General Plan Amendment 25-02 Finding No. 1: The proposed amendment is consistent with the General Plan.
Finding of Fact: The proposed amendment will change the General Plan Land Use Designation from Commercial to Multiple-Family Residential for the entirety project site containing approximately 5.82 acres. The MultipleFamily Residential General Plan Land Use Designation is intended to provide for the residential uses to meet the housing demand of current and future residents. The proposed amendment will allow for the development and establishment of a Planned Unit Development comprised of one hundred sixty-eight (68) detached single-family dwellings, which is consistent with the existing single-family residential developments within the project area. Therefore, the proposed project is consistent with the following General Plan goals and policies:
General Plan Land Use Element Policy 2.2.1: Ensure
compatibility between land uses and quality design through adherence to standards and regulations in the Development Code and policies and guidelines in the Community Design Element.
General Plan Land Use Element Goal 2.4: Enhance the
quality of life and economic vitality in San Bernardino by strategic in-fill of new development and revitalization of existing development.
General Plan Community Design Element Goal 5.4: Ensure
individual projects are well designed and maintained.
Finding No. 2: The proposed amendment would not be detrimental to the public interest, health, safety, convenience, or welfare of the City.
Finding of Fact: The proposed amendment will not be detrimental to the public interest, health, safety, convenience, or welfare of the City in that the proposed amendment to change the General Plan Land Use Designation of the entirety of the project site from Commercial to Multiple-Family Residential will facilitate the development and establishment of a Planned Unit Development comprised of one sixty-eight (68) detached single-family dwellings consistent with the existing surrounding single-family residential developments. The project site is generally flat, with access from N.
Miramonte Drive and N. Little Mountain Road, can be fully served by utility providers, and will not result in the need for the excessive provision ORDINANCE NO. MC-1670
4 of services. Additionally, any potential impacts created by the proposed amendment have been addressed in the Draft Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration and appropriate mitigation measures have been included within the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program.
Finding No. 3: The proposed amendment would maintain the appropriate balance of land uses within the City.
Finding of Fact: The proposed amendment would result in the entirety of the project site having the Multiple-Family Residential General Plan Land Use Designation, which will allow for the development and establishment of a Planned Unit Development comprised of sixty-eight (68) detached singlefamily dwellings. The subject property is located adjacent to an existing single-family residential neighborhood.
Therefore, the proposed change from Commercial to Multiple-Family Residential for the project site would allow the proposed project to be harmonious to existing residential uses, thereby providing for an appropriate balance of land uses within the City.
Finding No. 4: The proposed plan shall ensure development of desirable character which will be compatible with existing and proposed development in the surrounding neighborhood.
Finding of Fact: The project site is currently comprised of four (4) parcels that is proposed to be subdivided into one sixty-eight (68) single-family residential lots and common open spaces to correspond to the proposed Planned Unit Development. There are no physical constraints on the site, such as steep slopes or watercourses.
SECTION 4. Findings of Fact Development Code Amendment 25-07:
Finding No. 1: The proposed amendment is consistent with the General Plan.
Finding of Fact: The proposed amendment will rezone the site from Commercial Office (CO) to Residential Medium (RM) for four (4) vacant parcels totaling approximately 5.82 acres; and amend the standard in Chapter 19.04 (Residential) for Planned Residential Development, (Section N: 2 and 5) to allow Planned Residential Developments (PRDs) to establish projectspecific setbacks, including between structures, and site coverage in lieu of fixed numerical standards (Exhibit C); a PRD may establish alternative setbacks, including between structures, subject to approval of the review authority. All setbacks and separations shall comply with applicable standards of the California Building Standards Commission and the County Fire Code, as determined by the City of San Bernardino Building Official and County Fire Department, and shall be sufficient to ensure emergency access, and life safety. With the approval of DCA 25-07 (ZMA) the density of the project would conform to the Residential Medium (RM) standards.
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5 Therefore, the proposed project is consistent with the following General Plan goals and policies:
General Plan Land Use Element Policy 2.2.1: Ensure
compatibility between land uses and quality design through adherence to standards and regulations in the Development Code and policies and guidelines in the Community Design Element.
General Plan Land Use Element Goal 2.4: Enhance the
quality of life and economic vitality in San Bernardino by strategic in-fill of new development and revitalization of existing development.
General Plan Community Design Element Goal 5.4: Ensure
individual projects are well designed and maintained.
Finding No. 2: The proposed amendment would not be detrimental to the public interest, health, safety, convenience, or welfare of the City.
Finding of Fact: The proposed amendment will not harm the public interest, health, safety, or welfare of the City. Rezoning the site from Commercial Office (CO) to Residential Medium (RM) will enable a Planned Unit Development allocating units to our RHNA numbers and available housing stock.
Updating the City of San Bernardino Development Code to allow Planned Residential Developments (PRDs) to use project-specific setbacks and site coverage—rather than fixed standards—aligns with industry practices and supports increased density. Safety will be ensured through case-by-case review by the Fire Department and Building and Safety, with measures such as fire-rated walls and interface plans.
Finding No. 3: The proposed amendment would maintain the appropriate balance of land uses within the City.
Finding of Fact: The proposed amendment would result in the entirety of the project site having the Residential Medium (RM) Zoning District Classification to allow for the development and establishment of a Planned Unit Development comprised of sixty-eight (68) detached single-family residences. The subject property is located adjacent to an existing singlefamily residential neighborhood. Therefore, the proposed change from Commercial Office (CO) to Residential Medium (RM) for the project site would allow the proposed project to be harmonious to existing residential uses, thereby providing for an appropriate balance of land uses within the City.
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6 Finding No. 4: The subject parcels are physically suitable (including, but not limited to, access, provision of utilities, compatibility with adjoining land uses, and absence of physical constraints) for the requested land use designation and the anticipated land use development.
Finding of Fact: The project site is currently comprised of four (4) parcels that is proposed to be subdivided into one sixty-eight (68) single-family residential lots and common open spaces to correspond to the proposed Planned Unit Development. Utilities are available directly from Little Mountain drive.
There are no physical constraints on the site, such as steep slopes or watercourses.
SECTION 5. General Plan Amendment 25-02 a request to amend the General Plan Land Use designation from Commercial to Multi-Family Residential pursuant to Mitigated Negative Declaration and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program and Development Code Amendment 25-07 (Zoning Map Amendment) changing the zoning designation from Commercial Office (CO) to Residential Medium (RM) for Assessor Parcel Numbers 0148-303-21, -22, -24, and -26; and amends the San Bernardino Development Code to allow Planned Residential Developments (PRDs) to establish project-specific development standards, including setbacks between structures, and lot coverage standards in lieu of fixed numerical development standards within planned residential developments, attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference as Exhibit A and Exhibit B, is hereby approved.
SECTION 6. Certification. City Clerk of the City of San Bernardino shall certify to the adoption of this Ordinance and cause publication to occur in a newspaper of general circulation and published and circulated in the City in a manner permitted under Section 36933 of the Government Code of the State of California.
SECTION 7. Notice of Determination: The Planning Division of the Community and Development and Housing Department is hereby directed to file a Notice of Determination with the County Clerk of the County of San Bernardino within five (5) working days of final project approval certifying the City’s compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act in approving the Project.
SECTION 8. Severability: If any section, subsection, subdivision, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase of this ordinance, or any part thereof, is for any reason held to be unconstitutional, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portion of this Ordinance or any part thereof. The City Council hereby declares that it would have passed each section, subsection, subdivision, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more section, subsection, subdivision, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase be declared unconstitutional. If for any reason any portion of this ordinance is found to be invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the balance of this ordinance shall not be affected.
SECTION 9. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall take effect thirty (30) days after its adoption.
ORDINANCE NO. MC-1670
7 APPROVED and ADOPTED by the City Council and signed by the Mayor and attested by the City Clerk this 7
th day of October 2026.
Helen Tran, Mayor
City of San Bernardino
Attest:
Telicia Lopez, CMC, City Clerk
Approved as to form:
Albert Maldonado, City Attorney
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8 CERTIFICATION
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO ) ss
CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO )
I, Telicia Lopez, CMC, City Clerk, hereby certify that the attached is a true copy of Ordinance No. MC-1670, introduced by the City Council of the City of San Bernardino, California, at a regular meeting held the 16th day of September 2026. Ordinance No. MC-1670 was approve passed and adopted at a regular meeting held the 7
th day of October, 2026 by the following vote:
Council Members: AYES NAYS ABSTAIN ABSENT
SANCHEZ
IBARRA
FIGUEROA
SHORETT
KNAUS
FLORES
ORTIZ
WITNESS my hand and official seal of the City of San Bernardino this 8th day of October 2026.
Telicia Lopez, CMC, City Clerk