Council authorizes processing of two general‑plan amendment applications

The council authorized staff to further process two developer‑initiated requests to amend the city’s General Plan land‑use map, a procedural step that allows applicants to proceed to formal entitlement submittals and environmental review.

Warmington Residential asked to change a northeast Miller Avenue parcel from Planned Office to Urban 3 to accommodate 126 townhome units. Principal planner Ivan Flores said the site is primarily surrounded by residential uses and noted similar prior proposals for the parcel. Applicant representative Matthew (identified in staff materials and later at the podium) told council that prior attempts to develop office product failed due to grading and geology constraints and that residential infill better fits the adjacent neighborhood. The council voted unanimously (5–0) to authorize further processing; the vote does not approve a project or preclude conditions in later environmental review.

On a second application, Storm Properties sought to amend a light‑industrial parcel near Meers Avenue to Urban 4, enabling up to 24 units per acre and roughly 82 for‑sale townhomes. Staff noted nearby industrial uses and a mobile‑home park across the city line. Public commenter Laura Hunter urged rejection, saying the site adjoins industrial activities and raising environmental‑justice concerns about siting housing next to industrial emitters. The council authorized further processing after discussion; the motion passed 3–2.

Staff and the applicants emphasized that these authorizations only start a multi‑step process: full entitlement packages will include public noticing, environmental review under CEQA, site‑specific air and traffic studies as needed, and Planning Commission review before any final council decision.

Actions recorded: authorization to process Warmington Residential general‑plan amendment (motion approved 5–0); authorization to process Storm Properties general‑plan amendment (motion approved 3–2).