Beaumont — The City Council opened a public hearing on Dec. 2 to consider a comprehensive update to Title 17 (the zoning code) intended to modernize development regulations, implement the Elevate Beaumont 2040 general plan, and streamline permitting.

City staff and consultants from Lisa Wise Consulting outlined major reorganizations of the code into five divisions, consolidation of use categories, new industrial design standards, updates to accessory dwelling unit provisions, and clarified tree-preservation language. Consultants said the public hearing draft also lowers thresholds that trigger planning commission review — commercial and mixed-use projects would require planning commission review at 10,000 square feet (reduced from 25,000), and industrial projects at 20,000 square feet (reduced from 50,000).

Consultants and staff stressed that the draft relies on the general plan EIR and that staff and the planning commission had recommended that no further environmental review is required. Council members asked about notification procedures if a new daycare locates downtown after removal of a 1,000-foot buffer, how stakeholder outreach (Chamber, BIA) had been handled, tree removal permitting tied to building and grading permits, and whether certain commercial uses should be phased out of the downtown by sunset provisions. Staff explained that the public hearing process includes radius notification to affected properties, that the city had engaged business groups through the Chamber of Commerce, and that a tree removal permit remains required where there is no development proposal.

After discussion, Council voted by roll call to hold the public hearing, waive the first reading, and approve by title only the comprehensive update to Title 17 and the associated zoning map; staff and consultants will prepare any final edits in the errata sheet for the second reading.