Title
HEARING - Planning and Building Department, Planning Division, Long Range Planning Unit, recommending the Board consider adoption of the proposed Shingle Springs Design Standards and Guidelines (Shingle Springs DSG), and staff recommending the Board take the following actions as recommended by the Planning Commission on December 11, 2025:
1) Adopt the Addendum to the County 2015 Targeted General Plan Amendment and Zoning Ordinance Update Final Environmental Impact Report, certified in December 2015 (State Clearinghouse 2012052074) (Attachment E);
2) Authorize the Chair to sign Resolution 046-2026 to adopt the Shingle Springs DSG with clarifications to Section 2.4 and Figure 3 regarding the ministerial permit process as recommended by the Commission (Attachment D); and
3) Approve Ordinance 5256 to amend applicable sections of Article 2 (Zones, Allowed Uses and Zoning Standards), Article 4 (Specific Use Requirements), and Article 5 (Planning Permit Processing) of the Zoning Ordinance to update the requirements for County design oversight and CEQA review related to implementation of the Shingle Springs DSG (Attachment C).
FUNDING: N/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 customized multifamily residential and commercial design standards project for the County’s Community Regions and Rural Centers. On February 1, 2022 (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 October 31, 2024 (Legistar file 24-1865), the Commission reviewed the countywide interim design standards for commercial, multifamily and mixed-use projects and implementing Zoning Ordinance amendments and recommended the Board approve the draft standards and proposed Zoning Ordinance amendments as presented by staff. The Commission also requested staff return to the Commission with an update on the process/progress of implementing the interim design standards prior to the end of 2025.
On December 3, 2024 (Legistar file 24-1961), the Board adopted the countywide interim community design standards for commercial, multifamily, and mixed-use development within Community Regions and Rural Centers as recommended by the Commission, but removed the Commission’s recommendation for an implementation status update prior to the end of 2025, making such an update unnecessary.
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 was 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 an additional 30-day review period. Staff incorporated all feedback received into the draft document as appropriate.
On December 11, 2025 (Legistar file 25-1987), the Commission held a public hearing to review the draft Shingle Springs DSG (Attachment F), proposed Zoning Ordinance amendments to implement the Shingle Springs DSG, and draft CEQA document. The Commission recommended the Board approve the Shingle Springs DSG and associated documents as presented with clarifications to the permitting process for new construction (Section 2.4 and Figure 3 of the Shingle Springs DSG) to include language clearly defining “ministerial” and emphasizing that all ministerial reviews must comply with all County ordinances.
The Commission’s recommended edits have been incorporated into the Board Hearing Draft Shingle Springs DSG (Attachment G). The Shingle Springs DSG and associated Zoning Ordinance amendments would be effective 30 days after adoption by the Board.
Key components of the Shingle Springs DSG include community history and how to apply the document (Sections 1-2), required architectural styles (Section 4), use-specific regulations (Sections 5-7), and a photo glossary (Section 8).
ALTERNATIVES
The Board may choose not to approve the Shingle Springs DSG and/or corresponding documents. If the Board does not approve the Shingle Springs DSG and implement Zoning Ordinance amendments, the existing interim design standards would remain in place for the Shingle Springs Community Region.
The Board may also suggest additional revisions to the Shingle Springs DSG and/or corresponding documents.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
03/17/2020, Legistar file 20-0326;
02/01/2022, Legistar file 22-0093;
07/23/2024, Legistar file 24-1158;
12/03/2024, Legistar file 24-1961; and
04/22/2025, Legistar file. 25-0372
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
County Counsel
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no change to Net County Cost associated with this item. Funding for the staff and consultant time associated with the Shingle Springs DSG and associated ordinance update has been included in the FY 2025-26 budget.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1) Clerk to obtain Chair’s signature on the original copy of the Ordinance.
2) Clerk to obtain Chair’s signature on the original copy of the Resolution.
3) Clerk to forward one (1) fully executed copy of the Ordinance to the Planning and Building Department, Planning Services, attention: Chris Smith.
4) Clerk to forward one (1) fully executed copy of the Resolution to the Planning and Building Department, Planning Services, attention: Chris Smith
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
N/A
CONTACT
Thea Graybill, Planning Manager, Long Range Planning Unit
Planning and Building Department