FROM:
Planning Department
TITLE:
Title
Master Case No. 23-090 and Municipal Code Amendment No. 23-003 - Fontana Municipal Code amendments to Chapter 30 (Zoning and Development Code), pursuant to a categorical exemption in accordance with CEQA Guidelines section 15301.
End
RECOMMENDATION:
Based on the information in the staff report staff recommends that the Planning Commission adopt Resolution PC No. 2023-___; and,
1. Determine that this Ordinance is categorically exempt pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (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. 23-003 to amend Chapter 30 of the Municipal Code.
APPLICANT:
City of Fontana
8353 Sierra Avenue
Fontana, CA 92335
LOCATION:
Citywide
REQUEST:
A Municipal Code Amendment (MCA) No. 23-003 for amendments to Chapter 30 that will modify multiple sections, including modification of appeal hearing timeframes, addition of language to provide for minor and major planned unit developments (PUDs), modification of language related to open space requirements, modification of garage door design requirements; inclusion of language to reduce landscape setback requirements to accommodate bus turn outs and deceleration lanes, addition of language to streamline development standards within Medium Density Residential (R-2) and Multiple Family (R-3) zoning districts, and additional recreational facilities options within the Multi-Family Medium/High Density (R-4) and Multi-Family High Density Residential (R-5) zoning districts.
PROJECT PLANNER:
Salvador Quintanilla, Senior 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 development processes.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION/ANALYSIS:
The City initiated Municipal Code Amendment No. 23-003 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 (Attachment No. 1).
Section 30-30: Hearing date and notice: Amendments to provide additional time to schedule appeal hearings. Current language requires that appeal hearing dates be set for between 30 and 60 days, which does not always provide sufficient time to provide the necessary reports for Planning Commission and City Council. This amendment provides additional time.
Division 24: Planned Unit Development (PUD): Amendments to encourage the development of infill sites in the (Medium Density Residential (R-2) zoning district by providing flexibility and streamlining the existing development standards. The new language will provide flexibility and opportunities for development of in-fill sites in particular, and would be subject to enhanced architecture, landscaping and on-site improvements to contribute to the character of the existing neighborhood.
Section 30-417: Setback requirements: The Development Code does not currently provide a landscape setback that acknowledges requirements for projects adjacent to bus turn out or deceleration lanes; the proposed language will provide a development standard to accommodate conditions when a bus turn and/or deceleration lanes need to be constructed adjacent to a proposed development, thus providing for more orderly site planning.
Section 30-430: Uses Permitted: This amendment will provide for Planned Unit Developments distinguishing between a Major and Minor PUD within the permitted uses table for the residential zones.
Section 30-434: Residential development standards in R-E, R-1, R-2, R-3, and R-PC: This amendment will provide for development standards in the residential zones and add language to be consistent with the proposed language of the PUD.
Section 30-435: Plotting and design criteria: The amendment would clarify garage door design requirements.
Section 30-444: Additional development standards in R-2 and R-3 zoning districts: This section will be amended to allow developers to streamline certain developments for multi-family development within the R-2 zoning district. The amendment will simplify the permitted uses table and the developments standards for the R-2 and R-3 zone, allow smaller housing products and allow more variety of housing types within the R-2 and R-3 zoning districts.
Section 30-451: (R-4 and R-5) Recreational Facilities: This amendment will provide the Planning Commission with the ability to consider additional options when reviewing proposed amenities.
In summary, the proposed amendments are proposed in order to provide flexibility in, and streamlining of, the City’s Municipal Code.
MOTION:
Approve staff recommendation.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Planning Commission Resolution/Exhibit A
2. Notice of Exemption
3. Notice of Public Hearing