Beaumont reviews draft comprehensive zoning code update; public review period to close March 17

Beaumont City Council reviewed a public-review draft of a comprehensive zoning code update at a March 13 workshop, hearing a presentation from the city's planning staff and consultants and directing staff to compile council comments for the next draft and upcoming public hearings.

The draft, prepared by Lisa Wise Consulting and presented by project manager Stefano Riccichi, is intended to implement the city’s 2040 general plan and related policy documents. The update would reorganize Title 17 into five divisions, add industrial design standards, revise parking requirements, create a tree-preservation process, add a minor use permit to streamline some approvals and propose overlays and map insets for downtown.

Officials and staff described the project as the culmination of a public-review period that began after an administrative draft and a planning commission study session. “We are happy to be here for the third study session for this project, and this is the city's comprehensive zoning code update,” Riccichi told the council as he opened the presentation. Staff said the public review period is scheduled to close March 17; after city staff consolidate comments the consultant expects about three weeks to prepare a public‑hearing draft for the planning commission and then city council.

What the draft would change - Industrial design standards: The draft adds building‑entrance orientation, facade‑transparency requirements, site‑aesthetics measures and additional landscaping, loading and employee‑break‑area standards for large industrial projects. The code would also allow interim uses for vacant industrial buildings such as farmers markets or temporary events.

- Parking and transportation demand management (TDM): The draft proposes moderate reductions in required parking for many uses, maximum parking limits in…