Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use Zoning topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Modesto council approves higher residential densities, allows duplexes citywide in R‑1 zones
Summary
The City Council certified a programmatic EIR and approved changes to the Modesto Urban Area General Plan and municipal code to raise density caps for R‑1, R‑2 and R‑3 zones and allow duplexes on all R‑1 lots; council approved motions 6‑0.
The Modesto City Council on June 10 certified a programmatic environmental impact report and approved amendments to the Modesto Urban Area General Plan and Title 10 of the Modesto Municipal Code to raise allowed residential densities and allow duplexes on all lots in the R‑1 (low‑density residential) zone.
City planning staff said the changes increase the density caps to 10.9 dwelling units per acre in R‑1 (from 7.5), 22 du/acre in R‑2 (from 14.5) and 45 du/acre in R‑3 (from 29) and would implement programs from the city’s recently adopted housing element. The change to R‑1 would allow duplexes citywide in R‑1; existing development standards — maximum 50% lot coverage, a maximum of two stories or 30 feet in height (whichever is less), 15‑foot front setbacks, 5‑foot side setbacks and 10‑foot rear setbacks — would remain in place, staff said.
The amendments follow a programmatic environmental impact report (PEIR) prepared to update the city’s prior master EIR and to bring the city’s CEQA analysis into alignment with current methodology, including a vehicle‑miles‑traveled analysis. Staff said the PEIR and staff report include a redline of the proposed municipal code changes and recommend findings and a statement of overriding considerations under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
The planning commission considered the item on May 5 and voted 6–2–0 to forward it to council. On June 10 the council voted 6–0 to approve the resolution amending the general plan and certifying the final EIR. The council then separately voted 6–0 to introduce and waive first reading of the zoning ordinance amendments to Title 10.
Council members who spoke in support described the amendments as a tool to better use existing urban land and to implement the housing element adopted by the council on Dec. 5, 2023. A small number of public commenters asked technical questions about street widths and parking; staff responded that new development must meet city street standards and existing parking requirements.
The council also continued a separate hearing to June 24 at staff’s request to resolve outstanding information with the Salida Fire District.
The adopted motions were procedural approvals necessary to implement the zoning changes; additional project‑level approvals for specific developments will still require separate permits and environmental review where applicable.
