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Commission approves Eastern Neighborhoods code cleanup to fix mapping and flex-space rules
Summary
The Planning Commission unanimously approved a package of technical corrections and limited substantive clarifications to the Eastern Neighborhoods planning code and zoning maps, including rules enabling ground-floor "flex" spaces subject to conditions and agency sign-off.
The Planning Commission voted July 21 to approve a department-sponsored ordinance that compiles technical corrections to the Eastern Neighborhoods plan and clarifies code language on so-called "flex" spaces.
Staff planner Steve Wertheim told commissioners the original Eastern Neighborhoods ordinance adopted in late 2008 spanned about 1,830 pages and included errors and omissions identified during implementation. The cleanup package contains two principal types of changes: editorial and reference fixes, and narrow substantive clarifications that better reflect the original plan's intent without making policy changes.
Among the items called out by staff were map corrections to reflect condo conversions that occurred after drafting, and explicit code language to enable mixed-use "flex" spaces in certain circumstances. Under the clarified rules, a flex space can permit residential and limited nonresidential uses in a single ground-floor unit provided the space is treated as residential for controls and fees, nonresidential activity is limited to the ground floor, and other agencies (Department of Building Inspection, Fire Department) and the commission may require conditions at approval.
Commissioners commended staff for compiling the long list of corrections and the commission approved the ordinance unanimously.
