80A - JOINT PH - TRANSIT ZONING CODE, FINAL EIR, SPECIFIC PLAN ETC. - ORIGINAL PACKET PROVIDED TO COUNCIL

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Transit Zoning Code /Proposed Development May 27, 2010 Page 7 The code allows for greater flexibility of parking provision by using the concept of shared parking for non - residential uses and establishes parking ratios by district with less emphasis on establishing parking by use. Finally, the code establishes detailed development standards for building and parking location, building massing and open space. It also regulates building architecture through standards and guidelines. The Transit Zoning code provides explicit requirements and direction for developers. In doing so, it provides developers with greater certainty, including fewer discretionary actions. The Transit Zoning Code also provides a framework for the development of compact, transit - oriented development that contains a mix of residential, commercial and professional uses in order to address the City's and the region's goals of providing sites for housing in already urbanized locations that are adjacent to transit, thereby reducing vehicle trips and related greenhouse gas emissions, as well as stimulating investment in underutilized land, and improving the jobs /housing balance within the City. The Transit Zoning Code area is ideally located for increased growth by its proximity to major transit systems and its adjacency to existing residential communities and an established gridded street network. The proposed Transit Zoning Code supports the existing transportation network, and creates amenity - enriched connections between the Government Center and Rail Station, and improves area -wide walkability. The Transit Zoning Code also plays a critical role in achieving targets under SB 375, California's Sustainable Communities and Climate Protection Act. To encourage affordable housing within the project area, the TZC provides parking and private open space incentives that result in additional developable area. This could translate into additional units or open space. The City will also be working to study the potential for additional affordable housing programs, which could include expanded opportunities to apply the provisions of the State's Density Bonus Ordinance or establish an inclusionary housing program. The City will also be moving forward with the implementation of its recently approved and certified Housing Element, which includes many provisions aimed at stimulating the supply of affordable housing. The adoption of new zoning is often misinterpreted as being the same as the approval of a development project. As a point of clarification, zoning, in and of itself, does not require property owners to redevelop their properties. Indeed, with the exception of the Agency -owned parcels that would be developed under the Developer Project, all properties within the Transit Zoning Code area may not change. The new standards would only apply if the private property owner wished to redevelop their property. Most of the new zones provide for very similar uses to those that exist today. For those properties where the new zones would be very different from the existing zones, such as the Industrially -zoned properties, overlay zones were created in order to allow these uses to continue without becoming non - conforming uses. With the exception of the Developer Project and other minor Agency sponsored projects, there are no other proposals for new projects within the project area.