FROM:
Planning Department
TITLE:
Title
Master Case No. 26-0011 and Municipal Code Amendment No. 26-0002: Fontana Municipal Code amendments to Chapter 30 to modify standards for outdoor dining and parking standards in the downtown core, make revisions to the No Net Loss program, add definitions to differentiate vehicle parking from storage, clarify timing of entitlement applications, and modify the definition of accessory land uses, pursuant to a categorical exemption from the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) in accordance with CEQA Guidelines Sections 15060(c), 15378, and 15061(B)(3).
End
RECOMMENDATION:
Based on information on the staff report staff recommends that the Planning Commission adopt Resolution No. PC 2026-___; and,
1. Determine that the Ordinance is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Sections 15060(c), 15061(B)(3) (the common-sense exemption), and 15378 and Sections No. 3.01, 3.22, and 10.59 of the 2019 Local Guidelines for Implementing CEQA, in that the activity is covered by the general rule that CEQA applies only to projects which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment where it can be with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA; and,
2. Approve a resolution recommending that the City Council adopt an Ordinance for Municipal Code Amendment (MCA) No. 26-0002 to amend Chapter 30 of the Municipal Code.
APPLICANT:
City of Fontana
8353 Sierra Avenue
Fontana, CA 92335
LOCATION:
Citywide
REQUEST:
Municipal Code Amendment (MCA) No. 26-0002 to amend multiple sections of the Zoning and Development Code, to revise standards for outdoor dining, and parking standards in the downtown core, make adjustments to the No Net Loss program, add definitions to differentiate vehicle parking from storage, clarify timing of entitlement applications, and modify the definition of accessory land uses.
PROJECT PLANNER:
Cecily Session-Goins, Associate Planner
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
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 help streamline zoning and facilitate the development process.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
The City initiated Municipal Code Amendment No. 26-0002 to update Chapter 30 (Zoning and Development Code) as summarized below; a detailed list of the proposed amendments is provided within Exhibit “A” of the Planning Commission Resolution provided as Attachment No. 1.
ANALYSIS:
Outdoor dining in the downtown core - Modification of standards for outdoor dining in the public right-of-way in the downtown core to including minimum pedestrian path width, design standards, and permit requirements.
Parking standards in the downtown core - Modification to eliminate parking requirements for retail, entertainment and restaurant uses in the downtown core that are within 400 of City-owned public parking lots or structures.
No Net Loss Program adjustments - Modifications to the No Net Loss Program to reduce the maximum number of units allowed to be included in the unit bank and replacing a required agreement with a memorandum to memorialize the use of units from the bank by development projects. Additional modifications include the elimination of the minimum development site size, the inclusion of the Form-Based Code zone in the allowable zoning districts where the banked units may be used, and providing proportional reductions of certain development standards to incentive the use of the unit bank.
Vehicle parking and storage - Addition of definitions for vehicle parking and vehicle storage to differentiate between the uses, which will provide clarity and uniformity in application by staff and applicants.
Application timing - Modification to entitlement processing timelines to clarify that entitlement applications that have not been deemed complete within 180 days will be closed/withdrawn.
Accessory and principal use definition - Modification of the definition of accessory and principal land uses to provide an objective proportion as it relates to floor or site area, which will provide clarity and uniformity in application by staff and applicants.
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.
MOTION:
Approve staff’s recommendation
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment No. 1 - Planning Commission Resolution/Exhibit A
Attachment No. 2 - Notice of Exemption
Attachment No. 3 - Public Hearing Notice