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Planning Commission recommends City Council approve zoning change for Western Road property in Ward 4
Summary
Commissioners recommended approval of a zone change from SF‑3 to SF‑8 for a 0.83‑acre parcel at 900 Western Road, aligning the parcel’s zoning with adjacent SF‑8 properties and enabling potential subdivision; commissioners noted neighborhood concerns about tree preservation and lot configuration.
The Planning Commission unanimously recommended that City Council approve a zoning map amendment changing a 0.83‑acre parcel at 900 Western Road from SF‑3 (three units per acre) to SF‑8 (eight units per acre). The change would allow smaller single‑family lots consistent with adjacent SF‑8 zoning to the north and south.
Staff presentation and public comment
Jeff Foster, associate planner, explained the site history: a circa‑1940 single‑family residence on an underutilized lot adjacent to Panther Valley Estates. Foster said SF‑8 zoning is already present on many nearby parcels and that the requested change would not conflict with the master plan land‑use designation for single‑family neighborhood. He noted Ward 4 NAB comments asking for preservation of mature trees and care for drainage and easements.
Heidi Schenk, a nearby resident and Panther Valley neighbor, presented a slide showing potential lot configurations and said she feared narrow "spaghetti lots" and drainage impacts in the part of the parcel where an irrigation ditch and easement exist. The applicant’s representative said the owner intends to explore options but that additional detailed subdivision proposals would come back to the commission as required.
Commissioner discussion and action
Commissioners noted that a zone change is a map amendment and that specific development proposals (tentative maps, subdivision layouts) would be reviewed later and could be conditioned. Commissioner comments encouraged the applicant to preserve mature trees where possible; the applicant’s representative said the owner intends to try to preserve vegetation.
Motion and next steps
A motion to recommend City Council approve the zoning map amendment (case LDC25‑0024) passed unanimously. Staff said the item will go to City Council for final action; neighborhood outreach and any future tentative map would be subject to additional public review and engineering review at the building permit stage.
Ending
The Commission’s recommendation does not authorize immediate redevelopment; it changes the allowable zone and leaves specific lot layouts and infrastructure requirements to later discretionary review and public notice.
