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Benicia planning commission recommends rezoning 2170 Columbus Parkway to allow up to 75 lower‑income units
Summary
After staff presented a general‑plan amendment and CEQA addendum for 2170 Columbus Parkway, the planning commission voted to recommend the rezoning to the City Council. The proposal would create a new Housing Opportunity (HOD) land use designation and an HC zone permitting up to 75 units per acre (up to six stories).
The Benicia Planning Commission voted to recommend that the City Council amend the general plan and municipal code to create a Housing Opportunity (HOD) land use designation and an HC zoning district for 2170 Columbus Parkway, a vacant site of just under 2.5 acres. Planning staff said the change is intended to satisfy housing element Program 2.04 by enabling capacity for an additional 75 lower‑income units.
"This program essentially requires the city to identify an additional, 75 lower income units on‑site suitable, to be zoned for that type of, housing use," Planning Manager Jason Haidt told commissioners during a staff presentation. Haidt and consultants said the proposal would permit up to 75 units per acre, a maximum floor area ratio of roughly 2.5 and building heights up to six stories in portions of a project while retaining setbacks, landscape standards and stepbacks toward the street.
Staff described an addendum to the housing element EIR that concluded the rezoning represents a minor change that does not trigger further environmental review at the general‑plan/zoning stage for the topics analyzed (air quality, traffic, etc.). Staff said the item will next be taken to the Airport Land Use Commission and then to the City Council for final action.
Commissioners asked about height, compatibility with surrounding development, and transportation impacts. Vice Chair and several commissioners stressed that actual project‑level design, parking, and traffic mitigation would be evaluated when a specific development application is submitted. Commissioner Catton asked, "Am I understanding what I'm reading here correctly that this would be buildings up to 6 stories high?" Staff responded that while nearby development is mostly three stories, special standards and stepbacks are proposed and the HC zone would allow up to six stories in places.
The commission moved to approve the amendment as presented; Commissioner Lyle made the motion and Commissioner Gilpin Hayes seconded. The roll call vote recorded Commissioners Catton, Gilpin Hayes, Gorman, Lyle and Slate as voting yes, and the commission forwarded the rezoning recommendation to the City Council.
The next procedural steps are review by the Airport Land Use Commission (staff noted a January 9 date) and a City Council hearing (staff indicated January 21). The planning commission record and the addendum will be submitted to HCD after local adoption.
