Planning commission recommends council approve fourth amendment to Historic Downtown Upland Specific Plan

The Planning Commission on April 22 recommended that the City Council approve Amendment No. 4 to the Historic Downtown Upland Specific Plan, a text amendment aimed at refining development standards and definitions for downtown land uses. Staff presenter Joshua Winter said changes target the Citrus Transportation District and include height limits within 50 feet of 9th Street (maximum two stories or 30 feet), a 20‑foot required front setback along 9th, prohibition of driveway/garage access from 9th Street, and design standards favoring Craftsman‑style details to maintain compatibility with nearby single‑family homes.

The amendment also adds or clarifies definitions for "unique retail" (specialty, locally produced or handcrafted goods), distilleries/breweries (land‑use standards and administrative use permit requirements), and a narrowed "light industrial" definition with recommended administrative use permit review to limit truck activity and incompatible manufacturing. Restaurants and bars will be distinguished by license type and food‑sales thresholds; administrative vs. conditional use permit triggers are clarified for live entertainment.

Staff recommended the amendment be found exempt from CEQA under the common‑sense exemption for text amendments with no associated physical development. After public comment was opened and noting no testimony was submitted, Commissioner Steedon moved and the commission voted 7‑0 to recommend council approval and find the action exempt from CEQA.