City to hold special Planning Commission meeting on Capitola Mall zoning Nov. 19; town hall set Nov. 20

City of Capitola planning staff announced at the Nov. 6 Planning Commission meeting that the commission will hold a special session on Nov. 19 to focus on the Capitola Mall and associated zoning code updates, and that the City Council will host a town hall on Nov. 20 at New Brighton Middle School to present project updates and gather public input.

Planning staff said the draft zoning updates for the Capitola Mall will be released in draft form the Friday before the Nov. 19 meeting; staff urged the public to review the materials and attend. The director noted the city's housing element requirements have prompted changes that would increase maximum allowed building height in the mall area to 75 feet and raise floor‑area ratio standards to 2.0 (excluding garages); staff framed the Nov. 19 session as the first time commissioners will see a draft ordinance following prior work sessions and public outreach.

Staff encouraged public participation and said both the special meeting and the Nov. 20 town hall will be recorded and posted for later viewing.