SUBJECT: Public Hearing - General Plan Amendment #25-0001, Zone Change #25-0002, and Environmental Review #25-0006, Initiated by Stonefield Home, Inc., Applicant for TRS Enterprises, Inc., Property Owner. The General Plan Amendment Would Amend the General Plan Land Use Designation from Neighborhood Commercial (CN) to Low Density Residential (LD), and the Zone Change Would Change the Zoning Designation from Neighborhood Commercial (C-N) to Low Density Residential (R-1-5) for an Approximate Five (5) Acre portion of a Larger Site to Allow for the Development of Approximately Twenty-Seven (27) Single-Family Lots, Previously Approved for this Site, by Tentative Subdivision Map #1263 (“Crossing at River Oaks”). The Subject Site is Generally Located on the South Side of E. Childs Avenue, Approximately 780 Feet East of the Intersection of E. Childs Avenue and Coffee Street REPORT IN BRIEF Considers changing the General Plan land use designation from Neighborhood Commercial (CN) to Low Density Residential (LD), and the zoning classification from Neighborhood Commercial (C-N) to Low Density Residential (R-1-5), including the Environmental Review and Legislative Action Agreement for an approximately 5-acre site. The subject site is generally located south of East Childs Avenue, approximately 780 feet east of the intersection of E. Childs Avenue and Coffee Street. In 2004, the City approved a housing subdivision on the project site as part of the “Crossing at River Oaks” development, which included 277 single-family homes. However, the site was never properly rezoned from commercial to residential. Despite this, the project has continued to receive permits to develop homes within this site. This General Plan Amendment and Zone Change is being requested to address the missing entitlements and ensure that the lots/homes are no longer classified as legal non-conforming. A legal non-conforming status can create challenges for homeowners, such as difficulties in expanding their homes, or refinancing their properties. Approving this General Plan Amendment and Zone Change would formally designate the site as residential, bring the subdivision into full compliance, and complete the approval process originally initiated in 2004. RECOMMENDATION City Council - Adopt a motion: A. Adopting Resolution 2025-50, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Merced, California, approving Environmental Review #25-0006 (Categorical Exemption) for General Plan Amendment #25-0001 and Zone Change #25-0002 for approximately 5.0 acres of land generally located on the south side of East Childs Avenue, approximately 780 feet east of Coffee Street, and approving General Plan Amendment #25-0001 for the same property changing the General Plan designation from Neighborhood Commercial (CN) to Low Density Residential (LD);and, B. Introducing Ordinance 2579, An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Merced, California, amending the official Zoning Map by rezoning approximately 5.0 acres of land generally located on the south side of East Childs Avenue, approximately 780 feet east of Coffee Street, from Neighborhood Commercial (C-N) to Low Density Residential (R-1-5); and, C. Approving the Legislative Action Agreement and authorizing the City Manager to execute the necessary documents.

Public Hearing Item Passed Introduced July 9, 2025

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Committee: City Council/Public Finance and Economic Development Authority/Parking Authority
Requested by: Development Services Department
Introduced: July 9, 2025
On agenda: July 21, 2025
Passed: July 21, 2025