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HEARING - Planning and Building Department, Planning Division, Long Range Planning Unit, recommending the Board consider adoption of the proposed El Dorado & Diamond Springs Design Standards and Guidelines (El Dorado & Diamond Springs DSG), and staff recommending the Board take the following actions as recommended by the Planning Commission on August 27, 2026:
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 A);
2) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign Resolution 170-2026, adopting the El Dorado & Diamond Springs DSG with administrative edits and modifications to the project goals (Attachment C); and
3) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign Ordinance 5271, adopting amendments to Title 130, Section 130.27.050.D of Article 2 (Zones, Allowed Uses and Zoning Standards), of the County Ordinance Code to implement the El Dorado & Diamond Springs DSG (Attachment E).
FUNDING: N/A
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
On June 3, 2008 (Legistar File 08-0754), based on strong community interest in enhancing the historic character of the El Dorado & Diamond Springs community, the Board adopted the Missouri Flat Design Guidelines to guide development along the Missouri Flat Road corridor.
On March 17, 2020 (Legistar File 20-0326), the Board directed the Long Range Planning Unit to initiate the customized multifamily and commercial design standards for the County’s Community Regions and Rural Centers, including the communities of El Dorado and Diamond Springs. On February 1, 2022 (File 22-0093), the Board approved a contract with Miniter Harnish to assist 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 to be adopted by December 2024 to address new state housing legislation and a desire to expedite the design standards; and after adoption of the Countywide interim design standards, 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 Countywide 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 was identified as the first set to be developed, followed by the remaining Community Regions, like the El Dorado & Diamond Springs DSG, and then Rural Centers.
In August 2025, the County began working with community members to develop the El Dorado & Diamond Springs DSG. In October, staff conducted a community tour with members of a Stakeholder Advisory Team (SAT) comprised of community residents and business/property owners and used their feedback, including a post-tour survey, to gather input on local design preferences and community concerns. Based on SAT feedback, the County released the first Administrative Draft in January 2026 and held two (2) community workshops, one in January and one in February 2026, to obtain feedback on that draft.
After the workshops, staff released a public draft to the community and internally to staff for a 30-day review period. Staff incorporated the additional feedback received, where appropriate, in the public hearing draft.
On August 27, 2026 (Legistar File 26-1264), the Commission held a public hearing to review the draft El Dorado & Diamond Springs DSG, proposed Zoning Ordinance amendments to implement the El Dorado & Diamond Springs DSG, and draft CEQA document. Prior to taking action, the Commission requested staff clarify how the El Dorado & Diamond Springs DSG would be applied to future development projects and the difference between ministerial, streamlined ministerial, and discretionary permit processing for projects subject to these standards. More information on this topic is included in the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) document (Attachment H).
The Commission recommended the Board approve the El Dorado & Diamond Springs DSG and associated documents as presented with administrative edits (grammar and formatting) and specified modifications to the project goals of the draft El Dorado & Diamond Springs DSG (page 6).
The Commission’s recommended edits have been incorporated into the proposed El Dorado & Diamond Springs DSG and appear in tracked-changes format (Attachment G). Key components of the El Dorado & Diamond 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). The El Dorado & Diamond Springs DSG and associated Zoning Ordinance amendments would be effective 30 days after adoption by the Board.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board may choose not to approve the El Dorado & Diamond Springs DSG and/or corresponding documents. If the Board does not approve the El Dorado & Diamond Springs DSG and implementing Zoning Ordinance amendment, the existing interim design standards would remain in place for the El Dorado & Diamond Springs Community Region.
The Board may also suggest additional revisions to the El Dorado & Diamond Springs DSG and/or corresponding documents.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
06/03/2008, Legistar File No. 08-0754;
03/17/2020, Legistar File No. 20-0326;
02/01/2022, Legistar File No. 22-0093;
07/23/2024, Legistar File No. 24-1158;
12/03/2024, Legistar File No. 24-1961; and
04/22/2025, Legistar File No. 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 El Dorado & Diamond Springs DSG and associated ordinance update has been included in the FY 2026-27 budget.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1) Clerk to obtain Chair’s signature on the original copy of the Resolution.
2) Clerk to obtain Chair’s signature on the original copy of the Ordinance.
3) Clerk to publish the Ordinance Summary to include the final Board vote within 15 days after Final Passage.
4) Clerk to send the full Ordinance to Municode for codification following adoption.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
N/A
CONTACT
Thea Graybill, Planning Manager, Long Range Planning Unit
Planning and Building Department