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Petaluma council adopts housing-element zoning amendments amid parking concerns (6–1)
Summary
On second reading the council adopted zoning changes to implement the city's sixth-cycle housing element, allowing certain residential care uses in mixed-use zones and updating parking and design standards; the ordinance passed 6–1 with Vice Mayor DeCarly voting no.
The Petaluma City Council on Feb. 23 adopted zoning text amendments intended to implement Program 7 of the city’s sixth-cycle housing element, including changes to allowable land uses, parking and objective design standards.
Staff said the amendments add residential care facilities as an allowable use in defined zones, update parking requirements and incorporate objective design standards that apply to ground-floor street-front interactions. Emmanuel Ursu, principal planner, told council the staff report included additional clarifications about parking metrics to address concerns raised during the introduction.
Public comment raised parking adequacy questions. Shantel Rogers said a specific Spirit Living Riverfront project had used an umbrella parking study and a shuttle service in its proposal; she urged the city not to treat that project as a blanket model for all similar developments. "That project was apparently not evaluated individually to determine adequate parking spaces," she said, urging reconsideration of the approach used to set future parking requirements.
Council discussion touched on design standards and the ability of site-plan review and objective standards to ensure walkability, entry design and appropriate street-level interaction. Supporters emphasized the need for more housing options, including residential care facilities, to meet community needs.
Barnacle moved adoption on second reading; the motion carried 6–1 (DeCarly voted no). Staff said objective design standards and site-plan review remain tools the city can use to refine building details and protect pedestrian access and neighborhood character.
Next steps: implementation through the planning and building permit process; staff will track impacts on parking and design as projects come forward and counsel suggested considering additional objective-design updates based on community feedback.
