DATE: February 21, 2024
TO: CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION
FROM: ANDREA GILBERT, CITY PLANNER
SUBJECT
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A proposed amendment to Title 20 (Zoning) and Title 16 (Sign Code) of the Chino Municipal Code consisting of modifications and additions to Chapter 20.08 (Agricultural, Open Space, and Public Zoning Districts), Chapter 20.24 (Glossary) and Chapter 16.01 (General Provisions).
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RECOMMENDATION
Adopt Planning Commission Resolution No. PC2024-006, recommending the City Council approve PL23-0119 (Zone Ordinance Amendment).
BACKGROUND
Staff is proposing amendments to Title 20, Zoning, of the Chino Municipal Code. The proposed changes consist of modifications to Chapter 20.08 (Agricultural, Open Space, and Public Zoning Districts), and Chapter 20.24 (Glossary) to allow for Temporary Commercial Recreation facilities to be permitted in the General Agricultural (AG), and Open Space Natural (OS-2) zoning districts with the approval of a Special Conditional Use Permit (SCUP). Amendment to Title 16, Sign Code of the Chino Municipal Code are also proposed to exempt certain signs on City properties from sign regulations.
A summary of all the proposed Zoning Code and Sign Code changes are outlined in detail below. In addition, the draft ordinance (Ordinance No. 2024-004) identifying the new and/or moved text highlighted in red, and deleted text as bolded and strikethrough is attached as Exhibit “A”.
Summary of Amendments
Temporary Commercial Recreation
An amendment to the City’s Zoning Code is being proposed to allow for more recreational opportunities in the City’s open space areas on a temporary basis, subject to approval by the City.
Many cities allow for temporary commercial recreational facilities such as venues for live entertainment, outdoor festivals, large outdoor inflatable theme parks or obstacle courses on a temporary basis, mostly during the summer months. Currently, these types of uses are not listed in Chapter 20.08 of the Zoning Code as an allowed land use, meaning the City has no mechanism to approve this type of recreation.
One of the goals, policies and objectives identified in the City’s General Plan is to “Provide a wide range of recreational opportunities in Chino that will meet the changing needs of the City” (Goal PR-2). Within that Goal, Policy P1 states that “The City shall support and expand public activities and resources that enhance the City’s small-town feel such as cultural events, street fairs, parades, farmers market, outdoor concerts…”. Policy P2 states that “the City shall provide recreational programs and activities that are accessible and appealing to residents of all age groups, abilities and incomes levels”. To help implement the goals and policies by allowing temporary recreational opportunities in the City, Chapter 20.08 and Chapter 20.24 (Glossary) of the Zoning Code is proposed to be amended to allow for Temporary Commercial Recreation Facilities in the AG, and OS-2 zones with the approval of a SCUP, consistent with the approval process for permanent commercial recreation facilities. The AG and OS-2 zones are primarily located near the Prado Golf Course west of Euclid Avenue and South of Pine Avenue. The SCUP is a discretionary approval by the Planning Commission, which would allow for the implementation of various conditions to be applied to the temporary use. The conditions could include hours of operation, parking and traffic routing plans, noise mitigation, security and policing, etc.
Sign Code
An amendment is also proposed to the City’s Sign Code to exempt certain signs on City owned properties or facilities from sign regulations to allow for the installation of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations that include digital displays for advertisement. The charging stations are planned to be installed at a number of City parks and facilities and the displays on the charging stations are not intended to be readable from adjacent streets or private properties.
The use of EV vehicles within the City has expanded as EV vehicles have become more popular and readily available. Currently EV charging stations are located at some City facilities including City Hall and the Carolyn Owens Center for use by staff and the public. In an effort to expand the City’s EV charging infrastructure and make it more cost effective for residents and visitors, the City is aggressively looking to expand the number and locations of EV charging stations located on City properties and at City facilities. One way to make the use of charging stations more cost effective for use is to allow for advertising at EV charging stations. The intent of the displays at EV charging stations would be viewable for persons charging their vehicles and not intended to provide advertising visible from outside of the property the EV stations are located. The City is currently working with EV charging station vendors to determine the best EV charging station infrastructure plan for the City.
PUBLIC NOTICE
A notice was published in the hino Champion on February 10, 2024 and the City sent information out on the City’s social media platforms. The notice exceeds the legal noticing requirements and is adequate in scope for this project. No comments have been received to date.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The Zone Ordinance Amendment is exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3), Common Sense Exemption, in that it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility for this action to have a significant effect on the environment, individual development applications will be reviewed under CEQA as they are proposed, and the changes are consistent with the goals and policies of the General Plan.