BusHsgDev Highlights 2011 1013 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

File Number: 11 -326 1985 Planned Development to add additional assembly space as well as study areas and offices. 5. Review and Prioritization of Current Projects and Initiatives Community Development Director Sims discussed the need to prioritize the work of the Committee in light of recent interest from the public and the Council to address a variety of planning and zoning issues ranging from allowing certain types of animal husbandry in residential zones (e.g.: raising of chickens and bees) to providing more flexibility in applying inclusionary housing requirements on small housing developments. He further noted that many of these initiatives are more complicated than they might seem and require a good deal of staff analysis at a time when staff resources are stretched to the limit. It is particularly challenging in the Planning Division and in Business Development. Sims also noted that the City and Redevelopment Agency are mandated to engage in certain regional planning activities, special unanticipated reporting requirements and other unfunded mandates imposed by the State in recent years. He also noted that staff has found sections in the Zoning Code and Municipal Code that should be reviewed and modernized. Sims mentioned that staff was in the process of preparing a priority listing of current projects and various planning and zoning initiatives for discussion at the next Committee meeting with the goal of obtaining Council input on which initiatives are most important. The Committee briefly discussed the projects and asked staff to specifically focus on the regulation of assembly uses in the industrial areas and the fining of illegal uses. The Committee agreed with the need to prioritize and requested that staff provide a more comprehensive list of the current work program at the Committee meeting in November. 6. Public Comments: Scott Terry of the Broadmoor Garden Exchange spoke in favor of amending the Zoning Code to allow urban farming. Wafaa Aborashed expressed concern about the City's level of review regarding new businesses in West San Leandro from a health impact standpoint. 7. Committee Member Comments: Councilmember Gregory stated that he was happy to see members of the public engaged in the matters of this Committee. He also discussed the work of the Greenbelt Alliance, the importance of the development of the Kaiser northern parcel retail center, and complimented staff on the "San Leandro - Creating Great Places" map. 8. Adjourn: The meeting adjourned at 5:05 p.m. City of San Leandro Page 3 Printed on 11/15/2011