El Cajon planners recommend zoning and downtown-plan updates to align with new state housing laws, allow two small bars

The El Cajon Planning Commission on a unanimous voice vote recommended that the City Council approve a package of zoning-code amendments and updates to Specific Plan No. 182 to implement recent state housing laws and downtown policy changes.

Staff told the commission the changes respond to state requirements and local direction. "Any 10-unit infill housing project now would be approved by staff," said the staff member presenting the update, describing a ministerial review process for small infill projects and an administrative map-approval step by the city engineer. The proposal would codify that ministerial process while keeping the city—s existing development and design standards in place.

The draft amendments would also adjust ADU rules in multifamily zones to reflect new state law that allows expanded ADU capacity on multi-unit properties, and would remove the city's authority in some cases to require replacement parking. Staff noted building officials may permit previously unpermitted ADUs when no life-safety issues are found; inspectors can expose interior elements and require plans to verify safety.

In the downtown master plan, staff proposed striking the prohibition on blinking or flashing string lights (making lights static in color rather than animated) and clarifying window-display rules to maintain a 36-inch pedestrian clearance and visibility into storefronts. The package also includes an allowance, by conditional-use permit review, for up to two new on-sale alcohol outlets classified as small-scale bars in designated frontages on East Main Street and nearby streets. "The proposal would allow up to two bars," the staff member said, adding the city—s police department reviewed the plan and recommended the smaller size limit to reduce potential impacts.

Commissioners raised concerns about public perception and potential safety consequences. One commissioner urged adding language to the commission—s recommendation to council emphasizing a desire not to see an increase in downtown crime and suggesting CUPs include operational conditions addressing calls for service. Another commissioner said while the media had characterized the change as "bars, bars, bars," the proposal is limited to two neighborhood-scale outlets.

Staff recommended forwarding the amendments to council with the planning commission—s recommendation; Commissioner (speaker 4) moved to adopt a resolution recommending council approval and to note the commission—s concerns about crime rates. Commissioner (speaker 5) seconded. The commission then instructed staff to include that advisory language to council and to proceed with the recommendation.

The zoning updates also contain non-housing items: removal of a sunset for an emergency housing pilot at Meridian Baptist Church; a change to allow temporary food-distribution events in commercial zones under a temporary-use permit (two events per calendar year without a CUP; a third event would require a conditional-use permit); and voluntary provisions for clean-air parking and transportation demand management in certain mixed-use areas.

The planning commission's recommendation now goes to the City Council for final action. If council approves the ordinance updates, some of the changes (for example, ministerial review thresholds and ADU allowances) will alter which projects require public hearings and which can be approved administratively.

The commission closed the public hearing on the item and moved the recommendation to council; staff will follow up with exhibits and the council report as part of the ordinance-adoption process.