FROM:
Planning Department
SUBJECT:
Title
Master Case (MCN) No. 25-0025 - Municipal Code Amendment (MCA) No. 25-0006: For amendments to the Fontana Municipal Code to amend multiple sections of Chapter 30 (Zoning and Development Code) relating to parking requirements in the Sierra Core District of the Form-Based Code, minimum dimensions for private open space in the Form-Based Code, minimum width of rowhouses in the Form Based Code, minimum queuing and study requirements for drive-through restaurants, screening requirements for mechanical/utility equipment, and to eliminate redundant code language, pursuant to Section 15378 of the State of California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, section No. 3.22 and 3.07 of the 2019 Local Guidelines for Implementing CEQA.
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RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
1. Determine that this Ordinance is not a project pursuant to Section 15378 of the State of California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, Section No. 3.22 and 3.04 of the 2019 Local Guideline for Implementing CEQA, because it does not have potential for resulting in physical change in the environment, directly or indirectly, and it can be determined with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have significant effect on the environment and is therefore not subject to CEQA; and
2. Read by title only and waive further reading of and introduce Ordinance No. 1970, an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Fontana approving Master Case No. 25-0025 and Municipal Code Amendment No. 25-0006 to amend multiple sections of Chapter 30 (Zoning and Development Code) relating to parking requirements in the Sierra Core District of the Form-Based Code, minimum dimensions for private open space in the Form-Based Code, minimum width of rowhouses in the Form Based Code, minimum queuing and study requirements for drive-through restaurants, screening requirements for mechanical/utility equipment, and to eliminate redundant code language; and the reading of the title constitutes the first thereof.
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COUNCIL GOALS:
• Promote economic development by pursuing business attraction, retention, and expansion.
• Promote economic development by establishing a quick, consistent development process.
• Promote economic development by being business friendly at all levels and striving to constantly improve the city's competitiveness.
• Provide a diverse range of housing types and levels of affordability while addressing homelessness in the community by construction of affordable high-quality multi-family housing.
• Provide a diverse range of housing types and levels of affordability while addressing homelessness in the community by promoting diverse range of housing projects and levels of affordability.
DISCUSSION:
Background:
The Planning Commission reviewed Master Case No. 25-0025 and Municipal Code Amendment No. 25-0006 during its May 7, 2025, meeting. At the conclusion of the hearing, the Planning Commission adopted Resolution PC No. 2025-015 to recommend approval of Municipal Code Amendment No. 25-0006 to the City Council.
Analysis:
The City of Fontana Zoning and Development Code regulates the development of commercial, industrial, and residential projects. Staff conducts ongoing reviews of the municipal code to determine where language within the code would benefit from updates, clarification, and/or redefinition to the help streamline zoning and facilitate the development process.
Form-Based Code - Parking in Sierra Core District: Modifications to allow certain commercial land uses within 400 feet of a City-owned parking facility to be exempt from parking standards.
Form-Based Code - Private Open Space: Modifications to allow greater flexibility in the provision of private open space for residential units by reducing the minimum dimensions while maintaining the minimum area to be provided per unit.
Form-Based Code - Building Standards: Amendments to development and design standards for rowhouse building types to allow for greater flexibility while maintaining high design standards.
Drive-Thru Restaurants: Modifications to standards pertaining to drive-thru restaurants related to queuing and studies to provide for flexibility related to operators.
Mechanical/Utility Equipment Screening Requirements: Amendments to the screening requirements for mechanical/utility equipment to authorize the Director of Planning to waive certain equipment screening requirements based on infeasibility.
Redundant Language in the Form-Based Code: Amendments to remove redundant language in the Form-Based Code related to building types and districts in which they are allowed.
In summary, the proposed amendments will provide for flexibility and streamlining of the city’s Zoning and Development Code to facilitate desirable development within the city.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None
MOTION:
Approve staff’s recommendation.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment No. 1 - Ordinance No. 1970
Attachment No. 2 - Planning Commission Packet
Attachment No. 3 - Draft Planning Commission Minutes - 5/6/25
Attachment No. 4 - Notice of Exemption
Attachment No. 5 - Public Hearing Notice