25-096
SUBJECT: General Plan Amendment #24-17, Zone Change #436, Site Utilization Plan Revision #19 to Planned Development #4, Site Utilization Plan Revision #14 to Planned Development #42, and Site Utilization Plan Revision #8 to Planned Development #46 - , initiated by the City of Merced, to change the General Plan and Zoning designations for thirty (30) sites totaling approximately 94.96 acres. The general plan amendment and zone change of these sites is necessary to accommodate the Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) shortfall. The RHNA shortfall is the remaining RHNA once planned and approved units (pipeline projects) and projected ADU development is considered. Pursuant to California Housing Law, the City must demonstrate the availability of enough sites (with appropriate zoning) to allow for the development of the RHNA shortfall. **PUBLIC HEARING** ACTION: PLANNING COMMISSION: Recommendation to City Council Approve/Disapprove/Modify 1) Environmental Review #24-42 (General Plan EIR Addendum) (Sites A through DD) 2) General Plan Amendment #24-17 (Sites A through DD) 3) Zone Change #436 (Sites A through V) 4) Site Utilization Plan Revision #19 to P-D #4 (Site W) 5) Site Utilization Plan Revision #8 to P-D #46 (Site X) 6) Site Utilization Plan Revision #14 to P-D #42 (Sites Y, Z, AA, BB, CC, & DD) CITY COUNCIL: Approve/Disapprove/Modify 1) Environmental Review #24-42 (General Plan EIR Addendum) (Sites A through DD) 2) General Plan Amendment #24-17 (Sites A through DD) 3) Zone Change #436 (Sites A through V) 4) Site Utilization Plan Revision #19 to P-D #4 (Site W) 5) Site Utilization Plan Revision #8 to P-D #46 (Site X) 6) Site Utilization Plan Revision #14 to P-D #42 (Sites Y, Z, AA, BB, CC, & DD) SUMMARY The City of Merced’s 6th cycle Housing Element update includes a commitment to rezone sites to accommodate the City’s share of the regional housing need pursuant to State law. Thirty (30) sites were considered for rezoning. Ultimately, Planning staff is recommending approval of the changes in land use designation and rezone of twenty-seven (27) sites (totaling 89.13 acres), dispersed across the City to allow for increased housing density. RECOMMENDATION Planning staff recommends the Planning Commission recommend approval to the City Council of the Addendum to the General Plan Environmental Impact Report (EIR) (Environmental Review #24-42) for Sites A through DD, General Plan Amendment #24-17 for Sites A through DD with the exception of Sites G, R and S (totaling 5.83 acres) which are recommended for denial, Zone Change #436 for Sites A through V with the exception of Sites G, R and S which are recommended for denial, Site Utilization Plan Revision #19 to Planned Development #4 for Site W, Site Utilization Plan Revision #8 to Planned Development #46 for Site X, and Site Utilization Plan Revision #14 to Planned Development #42 for Site Y (as modified herein) and Sites Z, AA, BB, CC, and DD. Planning Commission Options The Planning Commission will be holding a public hearing and voting separately on the above applications for each individual site. The Planning Commission has the option to recommend approval or denial of the proposed General Plan and Zoning changes for each of the thirty (30) sites. For those Planning Commissioners who may have a conflict of interest regarding any of the sites, the Planning Commissioner will need to recuse himself when that site’s public hearing is called and exit the Chambers for the duration of that item. City staff will be providing guidance to the Commission regarding these conflicts prior to the meeting. There may be suggestions from the public regarding rezoning additional sites. Because of the public noticing requirements, the Planning Commission cannot take any action on such rezones, but can recommend to the City Council that staff be directed to consider additional sites in the future. The same can be said for recommending programs, like making residential uses allowed uses in commercial zones and other suggestions that may be raised at the hearing(s).
- Committee
- Planning Commission
- Introduced
- January 21, 2025
- On agenda
- February 5, 2025