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ZOA No. 2010-02 <br />November 8, 2010 <br />Page 2 <br />supplies where the storage and display of said equipment and supplies may occur both within a <br />structure, as well as in an outdoor yard area associated with said structure. This definition would <br />apply to any equipment rental yard permitted in any zone (Exhibit 1). <br />The second component of the requested action would establish operational standards for equipment <br />rental yards in C2 zones in order to address noise, light and vibration; require adequate screening of <br />the yard when it abuts residential property; prohibit the stacking of equipment or display of equipment <br />above 10 feet in height; require that all business operations occur on site and not in the public right-of- <br />way; restrict hours of operation; and ensure that all required landscape setbacks, parking spaces and <br />drive aisles are kept free of equipment display and do not impede on-site circulation (Exhibit 1). <br />These operational standards, if approved, would only apply to equipment rental yards located in the <br />C2 - General Commercial zone and would not affect equipment rental yards in the Industrial zones. <br />Operational standards for all uses, including equipment rental yards in the Industrial zones have <br />already been established. <br />Properties having the C2 - General Commercial zoning designation are generally located along major <br />thoroughfares that serve as commercial corridors. It is often the case that such properties are <br />immediately adjacent to residentially zoned properties. Both the General Plan and the SAMC <br />address the need to buffer residential neighborhoods from any nuisance activities that may be <br />generated by adjacent commercial operations. Operational standards and landscape buffers are two <br />examples of ways in which the code seeks to minimize such impacts. As it is currently written, <br />equipment rental yards in the C2 zone are excluded from having to operate entirely within an <br />enclosed building, creating the potential for outdoor business operations to impact adjacent residential <br />properties. The adoption of operational standards as described above would be consistent with the <br />City's existing policies discouraging commercial intrusion into residential neighborhoods. <br />CEQA Compliance <br />In accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act, the recommended action is exempt from <br />further review pursuant to Section 15061 (b) (3) of the CEQA Guidelines. This exemption is allowed <br />when the activity, in this case the recommendation of adoption of the ordinance, follows the general <br />rule that CEQA only applies to projects which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the <br />environment. The establishment of a definition and operational standards for equipment rental yards <br />will not have a significant effect on the environment. A Notice of Exemption (Environmental Review <br />No. 2010-134) will be filed for this project. <br />Karen Haluza, AICP <br />Planning Manager <br />KH:jm <br />WSW ReporWZOA 2010-02 Equipment Rental Standards, pc