Planning Commission
MEETING DATE: 5/2/2018
Title
CASE NO. Zone Ordinance Amendment No. 18-001
APPLICANT: City of Cathedral City
LOCATION: Citywide
REQUEST: Amendment to Section 9.80.120 (Permitted Enclosures) of the Municipal Code that would allow alternative fencing materials.
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STAFF PLANNER:
Pat Milos, Community Development Director
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
That the Planning Commission adopt a resolution recommending that the City Council adopt an ordinance amending Chapters 9.80.120 (Permitted Enclosures) of the Municipal Code that would allow alternative fencing materials, and the associated exemption to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to section 15061(b)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines.
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FINDINGS:
APPROVAL AN EXEMPTION TO THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) based on the finding that the project is exempt pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3), the “General Rule” since it has been determined that it would have no impact on the environment.
APPROVAL OF ZONE ORDINANCE AMENDMENT NO. 18-001 is consistent with the intent of the Municipal Code and General Plan. This amendment promotes quality construction of fences and walls with a finished appearance consistent with the architecture of the main building.
BACKGROUND:
In 1984 the City Council adopted Ordinance 80 intended to implement the goals and policies of the general plan of the city of Cathedral City by preserving and enhancing the visual aspects of the city and to promote the orderly and attractive construction, and placement of accessory structures, regulate structure heights, yards, walls and fencing throughout the city of Cathedral City. The Ordinance has been amended twice since to keep it up to date, add detail and better define the purpose and intent of the code.
The City Council reviewed Cathedral City Municipal Code (CCMC) Chapter 9.80 "Accessory Structures, Structure Heights, Yards, Walls and Fencing" as it relates to walls and fencing in several study sessions in late 2015. During those sessions, the Council directed staff to present Chapter 9.80 to the Planning Commission for their review and feedback.
Subsequently, the Planning Commission discussed Chapter 9.80 at their February 17, 2016, regular meeting and proposed the following recommendation:
Staff continues to adhere to and enforce CCMC section 9.80 in its entirety and does not recommend standardizing other materials such as metal, vinyl, composite, etc. Additionally, staff continues to review proposed alternative materials (other than the standard block wall and/or tubular steel) on a case by case basis with the emphasis on consistency with the existing building architecture and consider the adoption of a policy or code amendment to provide an applicant with an appeal procedure similar to the current Administrative Design Review process utilizing the Architectural Review Committee for those cases where the applicant disagrees with staff's determination.
The City Council was presented with the Planning Commission's recommendation during a Study Session on March 23, 2016, and directed staff to process an amendment to the municipal code to describe the type of metal fencing material that would be allowed.
ANALYSIS:
Due to the length of time that has elapsed and difficulties defining the related technical terms, Staff would like to revisit the issue in a work session to reaffirm the City Council's direction.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS:
The Project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) per CEQA Guideline 15061(b)(3) on the grounds that it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that this zoning ordinance amendment may have a significant effect on the environment.
PUBLIC NOTIFICATION:
A public hearing notice was published in accordance with the City Municipal code and CEQA (see Attachment 2).
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1: Planning Commission Resolution
Attachment 2: Public Hearing Notice