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Council introduces ordinance to amend Promenade Shops plan development to broaden allowable uses
Summary
After a public hearing and recommendation by the Planning Commission, the council voted 5-0 to introduce an ordinance amending the Promenade Shops plan development map and find the change exempt from further CEQA review under Section 15061(b)(3). The property owners, Grupe Huber, said they hope the change will help fill vacancies.
The Manteca City Council, after a public hearing on Aug. 19, introduced an ordinance to amend the planned development overlay for Promenade Shops at Orchard Valley to consolidate and broaden allowable uses on several building sites and to update plan references.
Senior Planner Dave Ruby summarized the change as a rearrangement of four defined land-use categories (restaurant, general retail, office/retail and fitness) into a consolidated map intended to increase tenancy flexibility consistent with the site's commercial mixed-use zoning. "The proposed modification consolidates certain allowable uses already indicated on several buildings," Ruby said.
Fritz Huber, representing the new owner Grupe Huber, told the council the ownership group had been working with city staff to make the center more marketable and thanked planning staff for their responsiveness. "We've announced new tenants and we have several more in the works," Huber said.
A resident speaker urged retention of certain use restrictions — specifically limits on nightclubs, bars and tobacco sales — citing the nearby Veritas Elementary School. City staff and the applicant noted that even if some uses would become allowable under the amendment, uses such as bars or nightclubs would still require discretionary approvals like conditional-use permits and therefore additional review.
The Planning Commission had recommended that the council find the project exempt from further environmental review under Section 15061(b)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines (the "common-sense" exemption) and adopt the ordinance. On the council floor Vice Mayor Halford moved to waive first reading by substitution of the title and introduce the ordinance; Council Member Moriwick seconded. The motion carried 5-0.
The amendment does not change the plan development boundary or the design standards (architectural, landscaping, lighting and parking) attached to the existing development standards. Staff said the change is intended to increase flexibility for prospective tenants while maintaining the development standards already in place.
Next steps: staff will finalize ordinance language and return it for a second reading and formal adoption at a future council meeting.
