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Council keeps Cañada College multifamily overlay but narrows Lot 1 to protect adjacent neighbors
Summary
After intense objections from neighbors who share a property line with Cañada College, the council kept the college overlay in the ordinance but directed objective design standard changes: a roughly 110-foot setback from the adjacent residential property line and a 30-foot height limit on the nearest college lot; the zoning ordinance introduction passed 5—1.
The council considered expanding an existing multifamily overlay on the Cañada College campus so portions of the campus could accommodate higher-density housing (the college's facilities master plan identifies two on-campus areas). Neighbors who share the property line with the campus (Godisha Drive and Somerset residents) urged removing or relocating the Lot 1 overlay because it sits above private backyards and, as mapped, would allow a relatively tall building close to homes.
After extensive public comment and architectural input urging sloping height limits and stepped setbacks, councilmembers negotiated a compromise. They directed staff to revise the objective design standards so that Lot 1 (the parcel closest to neighborhood backyards) carry a substantial buffer measured from the property line (the council landed on roughly a 100'110-foot setback measured from the adjacent residential property line) and to lower the height limit at Lot 1 to 30 feet (from the 40-foot standard in the draft). Council left the overlay at Lot 2 intact; councilmembers said Lot 2 is more remote from private yards and can accommodate greater height without the same neighborhood impact.
Council then introduced a single zoning ordinance that rezones the three campus and private parcels (Cañada College overlay update, 773 Canada Road and Raimondo Drive) and asked staff to reference the parcel-level objective design standards in the ordinance. The motion to introduce the ordinance passed 5 yes, 1 no. Councilmembers said the college's facilities master plan guided the overlay mapping but emphasized that college projects still must comply with the town's objective design standards and building and fire codes; staff said project-level permits and any design deviations would be addressed as applications are filed.
