Title
PLN26-0422 – Downtown Commercial Zoning Text Amendment - Public Hearing to consider a Resolution recommending that the City Council adopt Zoning Text Amendments to the Community Commercial (C-C) Zoning District, North Park Street Gateway (NP-G) Zoning District, and related sections in the municipal code to clarify, simplify, and streamline the entitlement processes for retail, personal service, office, and other commercial uses as part of a vacancy reduction strategy for the Park Street and Webster Street commercial corridors. CEQA Determination: Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines sections 15183, the proposed zoning text amendments are consistent with the 2040 General Plan Environmental Impact Report certified pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act on November 30, 2021 (State Clearinghouse #2021030563).
Body
To: Honorable President and Members of the Planning Board
From: Abby Thorne-Lyman, Acting Director of Planning, Building and Transportation
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
On July 13, 2026, the Planning Board held a workshop for the Downtown Commercial Zoning Text Amendment project, where staff introduced a plan to simplify and streamline entitlement processes for commercial uses in the Park and Webster Street corridors and allow more uses by right. The staff report for the July workshop linked below describes the context and need for the zoning text amendments and identifies key issues that the Planning Board considered. The Board held a public hearing, discussed the options, and provided feedback.
Staff have taken that feedback and drafted zoning text amendments for the Planning Board to consider. The proposed amendments are described in detail in the summary provided as Exhibit 1, which outlines the current regulations, the proposed changes, and comments received. The complete zoning text amendments in strikeout/underline format can be found in Exhibit 2.
Staff recommend that the Board adopt a resolution endorsing the amendments for City Council...
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