Cotati council adopts Santerra Way specific plan, certifies EIR; TOC analysis included for future rezoning

The Cotati City Council on a 4-0 vote certified the final environmental impact report (EIR) and adopted an update to the Santerra Way Specific Plan, setting land-use parameters and an implementation path for development near the Cotati smart train station.

The resolution, adopted as agenda item 12A, approves the updated Santerra Way Specific Plan and the EIR that analyzes the plan area plus additional parcels that would be eligible for future Transit‑Oriented Communities (TOC) rezonings under regional guidance from ABAG/MTC. The council’s action expands the plan boundary to include three additional parcels along East Cotati Avenue and directs staff to return with municipal‑code amendments needed for implementation.

Why it matters: the update replaces a 2001 plan intended for a different market and infrastructure era and is designed to guide development for roughly the next 20 years. The plan aims to make the station area more flexible for mixed use and housing while analyzing, in advance, potential environmental impacts should the city later rezone adjacent parcels to comply with TOC policies and retain access to regional One Bay Area Grant (OBAG) funding.

City staff and consultants said the update reflects market, regulatory and transit changes since 2001. Noah Hausch, director (staff), introduced the item and said ABAG/MTC’s TOC guidance prompted the city to add parcels within a half-mile…