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Atascadero staff outline zoning-code reorganization tied to general-plan update; no action taken
Summary
City staff and consultant presented a reorganization of the zoning code to implement the new general plan, improve clarity, and streamline entitlements. The council received the update, asked questions about heritage-tree permits, the Design Review Committee, and noticing radii, and provided no formal direction.
City planning staff and consultant MIG gave an informational presentation Feb. 10 on a comprehensive zoning-code rewrite that implements the city's draft general plan, reorganizes code chapters and articles for clarity, and formalizes entitlement and noticing procedures.
Consultant Genevieve said the update has three objectives: (1) align zoning districts with general-plan place types; (2) make the code easier to use by reorganizing chapters and using clearer language; and (3) streamline entitlement processes and align the fee schedule. The draft structure consolidates topics into fewer chapters with an added "article" level for better organization and slotting of future amendments.
Key procedural proposals include codifying ministerial zoning clearances for business licenses, aligning the fee schedule with different review levels, formalizing temporary-use permit procedures, requiring heritage/native-tree permit review through planning commission for recommendation (rather than jumping to council), and standardizing entitlement expirations to two years. Staff proposed a procedure to notice projects by mailing within a standard radius (300 feet) with discretion to expand for larger projects or unique circumstances; staff noted some zones already use wider radii (for example, 1,000 feet in large-lot RS areas).
Council members asked where specific-use standards (cannabis, adult-oriented businesses) will appear (staff said Chapter 4 for use-specific standards and Chapter 3 for cross-cutting development standards), requested clarity on the DRC's role (some said the committee's role has shrunk and deserves review), and asked staff to codify notice discretion to ensure neighborhoods likely to be affected receive mailings. Staff confirmed the draft preserves current review authorities but organizes processes and that no action was required tonight; the item was a receive-and-file study session.
Ending: Council accepted the update with questions and no formal action; staff will continue the zoning-code work and return with subsequent study sessions and drafts as the general-plan process continues.
