Piedmont Council Adopts General Plan Amendment and Introduces Zoning Changes to Implement SB 9 and Recent Housing Laws

The Piedmont City Council on Aug. 4 adopted a general plan amendment to add a policy on tribal cultural resources and introduced ordinance amendments to chapters 17 and 19 of the Piedmont City Code to reflect recent state housing laws, including SB 9 and newer statutes affecting ministerial subdivisions. Planning Director Kevin Jackson and Senior Planner Pierce McDonald said the package clarifies procedures for ministerial permits under SB 9, codifies new state provisions for subdivisions and multi-unit projects under SB 684 and SB 1123, and updates the city’s definition of “footprint” to streamline review of solar equipment and residential batteries. Staff said changes reflect day-to-day implementation needs and conforming edits recommended by the Planning Commission. Councilmembers asked about parking and ADUs under the new rules. Staff reiterated the city’s existing SB 9 parking requirement of one space per unit and said the proposed interim amendments do not permit accessory dwelling units to be added ministerially on top of ministerial subdivisions allowed under SB 684/SB 1123. Staff said lots created under the subdivision provisions could be very small and that doubling up with ADUs could create unanticipated density. A public speaker urged the council to consider parking requirements’ effect on housing affordability and ownership paths for young residents. The council voted unanimously to adopt the general plan amendment (tribal cultural resources) and to accept the ordinances for first reading, with further hearing and study sessions on objective design standards planned at upcoming Planning Commission meetings and an August 21 open house at Veterans Memorial Building.