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Council approves Title 19 amendments to implement 'residential readiness' program, update ADU rules and allow low‑barrier navigation centers
Summary
The council voted 7–0 to approve staff’s recommended code amendments (Code Amendment 25‑01) to Title 19 to align Chico's zoning and ADU rules with state law, add a land‑use category for low‑barrier navigation centers, and expand density bonus incentives.
Senior Planner Kelly Murphy presented council with a package of code amendments to Title 19 described as the second phase of the city’s Residential Readiness program. Murphy said the changes are intended “to ensure consistency with state housing law, implement pro housing policies, and address actions from the 02/2022 housing element.”
The amendments add a new land‑use category and application procedures for low‑barrier navigation centers to comply with Assembly Bill 101, which requires jurisdictions to allow such centers in specified zoning districts. Murphy also explained changes to Chico’s accessory dwelling unit (ADU) regulations to reflect several recent state laws: Senate Bill 1211 (raising the maximum number of ADUs on multifamily properties in some circumstances), AB 1033 (clarifying sale of ADUs in community land trust or similar models), AB 976 (removing owner‑occupancy requirements) and AB 1332 (requiring local preapproved ADU programs). Murphy noted the city already operates a preapproved ADU program.
Murphy said proposed amendments to Chapter 19.62 (density bonus law) are intended to expand incentives available to affordable housing projects and to make Chico more competitive for state housing funds and pro‑housing designation by the California Department of Housing and Community Development.
The staff report said the changes are exempt from CEQA under the common‑sense exemption (CEQA §15061(b)(3)) because the amendments do not authorize or propose specific construction. The Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval and staff made two minor edits to the commission’s draft: clarifying “CMD” as Chico Maintenance District and retaining the rooming and boarding houses category — though staff recommended deleting the latter as outdated and difficult to enforce.
Two speakers supported staff’s recommended deletions and the Residential Readiness approach. Planning Commissioner Ann Biker Kaufman said she had mistakenly proposed retaining the rooming and boarding language at the commission level and now supports the staff recommendation; Jacqueline (Jackie) Chase of Smart Growth Advocates said the amendments encourage equitable, climate‑friendly infill housing in the urban core.
Councilmembers asked technical questions about definitions and parking exemptions for ADUs. Murphy said the current ordinance is in compliance with state parking laws, and that standard exemptions (for example, projects within a half‑mile of transit) remain available.
Council action: Council introduced and approved the ordinance package (Code Amendment 25‑01 / Attachment B, staff recommendation) by roll call vote, 7–0. The city attorney and staff will prepare final ordinance language and any clerical code references noted by CalHDF for subsequent adoption steps.
Murphy and Community Development Director Sherry Marmato remained available for follow‑up and staff said they will resubmit the ordinance for final certification of consistency with state law after the clerical updates are completed.
