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Commission declines to refer proposed RS‑4000 single‑family zone to council
Summary
After discussion, the commission voted 5-0 to receive and file a staff report on a proposed RS‑4000 single‑family residential zone and take no further action, meaning staff will not be directed to prepare zoning changes or an environmental review absent a council referral.
The Planning Commission voted 5-0 to receive and file a staff report and take no further action on a commissioner’s request to pursue a new RS‑4000 single‑family residential zone.
Advanced Planning Manager Sabrina Chan summarized the city’s existing zoning framework (32 zones) and said the city’s general plan and zoning map are already applied to all properties. Chan cautioned that creating a new RS‑4000 zone in an otherwise built‑out city could create legally nonconforming lots and would require a detailed assessment of impacts, significant community engagement, and CEQA review. Chan noted that under Policy 6.02 of the city’s policy and procedure manual, the commission cannot direct staff to establish city policy or allocate staff resources; a majority vote is required to refer such a request to the City Council for consideration.
Commissioner Chauhan explained his intent: to provide an option that would allow smaller single‑family lot development in the future if land becomes available and to offer builders an alternative to the existing RS‑5000 and RS‑6500 zones. Commissioners discussed constraints: limited vacant land in the city, existing tools (area development plans, ADUs, specific plans) and the limited gain in density compared with RS‑5000 for many lots. Staff said a CEQA analysis for rezoning or an ADP typically requires consultant work and cited an approximate order‑of‑magnitude cost of about $100,000 for environmental analysis in comparable cases.
Mayor Frank Aurelio Yokoyama addressed the commission during public comment to thank commissioners and staff; no other public commenters spoke on the zoning proposal. Commissioner Al moved to receive and file the report and take no further action; Vice Chair Reyes seconded. Roll‑call votes were all yes and the chair announced the motion passed 5‑0.
Why it matters: The commission’s action stops short of asking staff to draft a new zoning designation or to prepare any CEQA analysis; it leaves the proposal available to be referred later by the commission to the City Council if a majority vote supports that step or if circumstances (for example, newly available land) change.
