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Commission appoints two members to development-code steering committee; outlines public engagement plan
Summary
The planning commission selected Chair Malecoff and Commissioner Mead for the steering committee to guide the city’s development-code (zoning code) rewrite, set a meeting schedule and discussed public engagement, Brown Act constraints and monthly reporting back to the commission.
The Cathedral City Planning Commission appointed two commissioners to serve on the steering committee for the city’s development-code update and clarified how the committee will interact with staff and the public.
Staff presented the scope and schedule for the development-code project, which the department is calling a “development code” to emphasize facilitating development as well as regulation. Cynthia Schultz, associate planner, said the consultant-led project kicked off Jan. 23 with an 18–24 month target for drafting and adoption. The process will include stakeholder interviews, a technical advisory group (staff-led), a steering committee (community leaders and officials), public workshops, walking tours and online engagement. The steering committee will meet six times (one in person, five virtual) beginning in March and will set high-level policy direction while the technical advisory group (TAG) will review draft language and handle detailed technical review.
Vice Chair Lee moved to appoint Chair Malecoff and Commissioner Mead to the steering committee; the motion was seconded by Commissioner Mead and passed (recorded tally 4 in favor, 1 opposed). Commissioners discussed Brown Act constraints on cross-communication among members of different advisory bodies and staff emphasized the role of public workshops and design tours to gather broader input. Staff also said the commission would have multiple opportunities to review drafts during public hearings before materials go to City Council.
Commissioners suggested regular agenda items to receive updates from steering-committee representatives and ways for other commissioners and the public to participate in walking tours, workshops and topic-specific breakout meetings. Staff said outreach would include stakeholder interviews, design tours scheduled for mid‑March and a February 26 public workshop to kick off modernization efforts.
Why it matters: rewriting the zoning/development code is a major, citywide undertaking that will determine standards for land use, design, housing and environmental requirements for years to come. The steering committee and TAG structure set expectations for policy direction versus technical review, and staff emphasized anticipated public engagement and regular reporting back to the commission.
