Introduction of an Ordinance to Amend Implementing Zoning Ordinance to Add Chapter 7.120 Objective Design Standards
Summary
SCH Number
2024020233
Public Agency
City of Petaluma
Document Title
Introduction of an Ordinance to Amend Implementing Zoning Ordinance to Add Chapter 7.120 Objective Design Standards
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
2/7/2024
Document Description
The purpose of the Project is to supplement the existing objective standards within the City’s regulating documents including the Municipal Code, SMART Code, and Implementing Zoning Ordinance with objective standards that guide development within the requirements of State Law. The intent of adopting achievable, feasible, and implementable objective design standards is to ensure that qualifying residential development projects: 1) achieve satisfactory quality design in individual buildings and their sites, 2) are designed appropriately for the intended uses, and 3)are in harmony with other developments and their surroundings. The ordinance will amend the Implementing Zoning Ordinance to include standards that regulate site and building design for qualifying residential projects.
Contact Information
Name
Olivia Ervin
Agency Name
City of Petaluma Planning Division
Job Title
Principal Environmental Planner
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Name
Andrew Trippel
Agency Name
City of Petaluma Planning Division
Job Title
Planning Manager
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Address
Phone
Location
Coordinates
Cities
petalu, Petaluma
Counties
Sonoma
Regions
Citywide
Cross Streets
N/A
Zip
94952
Total Acres
N/A
Parcel #
N/A
State Highways
101, SR 116
Railways
SMART Railway
Airports
Petaluma Municipal
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Article 19: Section 21084, Class 15308; and Article 5: Section 15061(b)(3)
Reasons for Exemption
The Objective Design Standards Ordinance is exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines (Common Sense Exemption) because it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment. The project is also categorically exempt pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15308 (Actions by Regulatory Agencies for Protection of the Environment) as it involves adoption of Objective Design Standards that (1) increase bicycle connectivity, access, and parking, thereby reducing reliance on automobiles and associated vehicle emission; (2) preserve and enhance the existing aesthetic qualities of Petaluma through inclusion of standards related to fencing, screening, lighting, façade and entryway design, and building corner treatments; (3) prohibit planting of invasive species and artificial turf and reduce the use of landscaping chemicals in affordable housing developments; and (4) include a provision for inclusion of usable open space, thereby ensuring new qualifying residential developments include sufficient recreational areas. City Council approved the project on February 5, 2024.
County Clerk
Sonoma
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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