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HEARING - Planning and Building Department, Planning Division, Long Range Planning Unit, recommending the Board consider the proposed amendments to Title 2 - Administration and Personnel and Title 130 - Zoning Ordinance of the El Dorado County Code and staff recommending the Board of Supervisors take the following actions as recommended by the Planning Commission (Commission) on June 26, 2025:
1) Find the Administrative Zoning Ordinance Update (AZOU) exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under Section(s) 15305 (Minor Alterations to Land Use Limitations) and 15061(b)(3) (General Rule) of the CEQA Guidelines;
2) Approve the AZOU to amend Title 2 (Administration and Personnel) and Title 130 (Zoning Code) of the El Dorado County Code (Attachments C and E); and
3) Direct staff to return to the Commission annually with proposed AZOUs.
FUNDING: General Fund.
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DISCUSSION/BACKGROUND
On December 15, 2015, (File No. 11-0356) the Board adopted a comprehensive update of the Zoning Ordinance, which became effective on January 15, 2016. After several years of implementing the 2015 Zoning Ordinance Update, there is a need to 1) address minor changes and text modification for clarity; 2) correct errors, ambiguity, or omissions; 3) ensure consistency; 4) address minor procedural changes that are not controversial or clarify industry practice, 5) amend state law requirements that allow or restrict by right uses; 6) incorporate Director Interpretations of various sections of the Zoning Ordinance that have not been appealed; 7) consolidate or renumber previously adopted zoning regulations included in the 2015 Zoning Ordinance Update; and/or 8) incorporate implementation measures outlined in elements of the General Plan.
On January 7, 2025, (Legistar file 24-2155) the Board approved a Resolution of Intention directing the Planning and Building Department, Planning Division, LRP to initiate the AZOU.
On June 26, 2025 (Legistar file 25-1064), the Commission held a public hearing to review the proposed amendments and make a recommendation to the Board. At the hearing, the Commission recommended the Board approve the AZOU as proposed with additional changes to Title 2 for consistency with the proposed Title 130 appeal timeline, and Title 130 including additional notification time for Development Agreement projects, and clarification of the appeals administrative process. The Commission also recommended that staff return on an annual basis with future AZOUs. Staff agrees with the Commission’s recommendation and recommends approval by the Board.
The proposed Ordinance(s) would be effective 30 days after final adoption by the Board.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board may choose not to approve this Ordinance amendment or suggest additional revisions to the Ordinance.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
See Discussion/Background above.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
County Counsel
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no change to Net County Cost associated with this item. Funding for the staff time associated with this Ordinance update has been included in the Fiscal Year 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 forward one (1) of each fully executed Ordinance copies to the Planning and Building Department, Planning Division, attention Chris Smith.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
N/A
CONTACT
Thea Graybill, Planning Manager
Planning and Building Department