Title
Hearing to consider adoption of the Shingle Springs Design Standards and Guidelines (Shingle Springs DSG) and Zoning Ordinance amendments to implement the Shingle Springs DSG. Staff recommends the Planning Commission (Commission) forward the following recommendations to the Board of Supervisors (Board): 1) Adopt the Addendum to the County 2015 Targeted General Plan Amendment and Zoning Ordinance Update Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR), certified in December 2015 (State Clearinghouse No. 2012052074) (Legistar Attachment A); and 2) Approve the Shingle Springs DSG and associated minor Zoning Ordinance amendments to implement the Shingle Springs DSG as presented, based on the Findings in Attachment A.
Body
DISCUSSION/BACKGROUND
In 2012, members of the Shingle Springs community created the Shingle Springs Community Alliance (SSCA) to advocate for community-based building and site design for the Shingle Springs Community Region through presentations to the Board and a design preference survey.
On March 17, 2020 (Legistar File 20-0326), in response to the interest for community-based design standards for Shingle Springs and other communities, the Board directed the Long Range Planning Unit to initiate the customized multifamily residential and commercial design standards project for the County’s Community Regions and Rural Centers. On February 1, 2022 (Legistar File 22-0093), the Board approved a contract with Mintier Harnish to assist staff with this effort.
On July 23, 2024 (Legistar File 24-1158), the Board directed staff to prepare countywide interim design standards for commercial, multifamily, and mixed-use projects by December 2024 in response to new state housing legislation and a strong desire to expedite the design standards, and to return by March 2025 with a revised contract scope to develop permanent community-based design standards that are based on and refined from the interim design standards.
On December 3, 2024 (Legistar File 24-1961), the Board adopted interim community design standards for commercial, multifamily, and mixed-use development within Community Regions and Rural Centers that will remain in effect until permanent standards are adopted.
On April 22, 2025 (Legistar File 25-0372), the Board approved a revised contract with Mintier Harnish consistent with the Board’s direction. The updated scope focused on customizing permanent community design standards based on the adopted interim standards and incorporating new state law requirements. The Shingle Springs DSG were identified as the first set to be developed followed by the remaining Community Regions and then Rural Centers.
In Summer 2025, staff held two community workshops to obtain feedback on an Administrative Draft of the Shingle Springs DSG. After the workshops, staff released a Preliminary Public Draft to the community, Tribes, professional organizations, and internally to staff for a 30-day review period. Staff incorporated the feedback received on the Preliminary Public Draft, where appropriate, and that feedback is included in the version under consideration by the Commission. A summary table outlining feedback and recommended revisions is included as Legistar Attachment D.
The Shingle Springs DSG is included as Legistar Attachment C. The proposed Zoning Ordinance Amendments required to implement the Shingle Springs DSG are included as Legistar Attachment B. Both the Shingle Springs DSG and associated Zoning Ordinance amendments would be effective 30 days after final adoption by the Board.
CONTACT
Thea Graybill, Planning Manager, Long Range Planning Unit
Planning and Building Department