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Santa Fe Springs council approves zoning and general-plan changes to broaden services and clarify floor-area standards
Summary
The council unanimously approved a zoning code amendment to allow barbershops and beauty salons in limited and all manufacturing zones and a General Plan amendment to change certain floor area ratio references from ‘maximum’ to ‘typical’ to provide flexibility for industrial and low-trip uses.
The Santa Fe Springs City Council unanimously approved two planning items Wednesday that staff said will expand where everyday personal-care services can operate and add flexibility to floor area ratio (FAR) references in the General Plan.
Item 8: zoning code amendment Staff presented a proposed amendment to Santa Fe Springs Municipal Code section 155.181 to allow barbershops and beauty shops in limited manufacturing and all manufacturing zones; the Planning Commission reviewed the change on April 13 and unanimously recommended approval with no public comment. Assistant City Manager Nicholas Raso told the council the purpose is to improve access to everyday services for residents and employees in predominantly industrial areas. The council moved approval (motion by Martin; second by Rodriguez) and, after a voice vote, the item passed.
Item 9: General Plan amendment (floor area ratio clarification) Staff also proposed a General Plan amendment to change certain FAR references from "maximum" to "typical" for commercial and industrial categories, a modification staff said would accommodate modern industrial and low-trip-generating uses such as multi-story mini-warehouse facilities and automated operations while relying on existing zoning standards for compatibility. The Planning Commission had unanimously recommended approval at an April 2026 hearing; no public speakers appeared at this council hearing. Councilmember Rodriguez moved the item and Councilmember Mora seconded; the council approved the amendment by voice vote.
Consent calendar The council approved the consent calendar (items 10—18), which included items for the Public Finance Authority, Water Utility Authority and Housing Successor, in a single unanimous motion.
What changed and why it matters City staff said the zoning and General Plan changes are intended to reduce barriers for low-trip industrial uses and make basic services such as barbershops easier to open in industrial areas, which staff argued will help employees and residents access services without traveling to commercial corridors.
Votes at a glance Item 8 (zoning code amendment): motion moved and seconded; voice vote in favor, approved. Item 9 (General Plan FAR clarification): motion moved and seconded; voice vote in favor, approved. Consent calendar (items 10-18): approved by voice vote.
Next steps Staff indicated the actions follow Planning Commission recommendations and that implementation will proceed through standard zoning and permit processes; no additional CEQA documentation was requested because staff stated the project is exempt from CEQA.
