Public Review Drafts of Zoning Code Updates

2024 Zoning Code Updates

The City is currently working on updates to the Capitola Zoning Code and Zoning Map to implement the requirements of the Housing Element.  

The Planning Commission will review the first draft of the zoning code amendments and zoning map amendments on Thursday, August 15, 2024, at 6 pm.  The Planning Commission agenda packet with the staff report and attachments will be published on Friday, August 9, 2024 (link). 

2024 Zoning Code Amendments (link)

2024 Zoning Map Amendments (link)

Summary Table of Zoning Map Amendments

The first topic of discussion on the August 15th Planning Commission meeting will be amendments to the Residential Multifamily (RM) Subzones (Capitola Municipal Code Section 17.16 Residential Zoning Districts) and the rezoning of the existing RM Subzones. 

Why is the City amending the multifamily district? 

The proposed amendments are in response to the City of Capitola Housing Element Program 1.6 which requires the City to assess the maximum densities allowed in the RM Subzones and to determine if higher densities can help facilitate multi-family development in Capitola. Program 1.6 also requires the City to assess the RM development standards, such as setbacks and height standards, to identify if amendments are needed to reduce constraints on housing production. 

What amendments are proposed to the development standards of the RM zone? 

The draft code amendments include changes to the RM Zone development standards including height, setbacks, building coverage, and parking (See table 17.16-4 on page 18/306).  

How will the multifamily district be rezoned?

Currently, the RM Zone is divided into three subzones: Residential Multifamily Low (RM-L) with a maximum allowed density of 10 dwelling units per acre (du/ac);  Residential Multifamily Medium (RM-M) with a maximum density of 15 du/ac; and Residential Multifamily High (RM-H) with a maximum density of 20 du/ac. The draft amendments organize the RM zone to create five subzones, including RM-10 (max 10 du/ac), RM-15 (max 15 du/ac), RM-20 (max 20 du/ac), RM-30 (max 30 du/ac), and RM-40 (max 40 du/ac). 

Why is the City rezoning the multifamily district?

There are currently many properties within the RM subzones that were developed at higher density than currently allowed.  To address this issue, the non-conforming properties will be rezoned so the existing developments comply with the maximum density of the subzone. 

There are also properties within the Multifamily Zone that could accommodate additional housing.  Some properties are proposed to be rezoned to support housing production in Capitola, consistent with the General Plan Housing Element. 

What other topics related to housing are included in the Zoning Code Amendments?

Addition housing element topics for the zoning code update include the affordable housing overlay, new opportunities for missing middle housing and alternative housing types, corner duplexes, lot consolidations, requirements for replacement housing, decreased parking requirements, housing on education and religious sites, density bonus, emergency shelters, low barrier navigation centers, transitional housing, supportive housing, employee housing, large residential care facilities, reasonable accommodations, and daycares.  

Are there topics in the Zoning Code Amendments that do not relate to housing? 

Additional topics in the Zoning Code amendments not related to the housing element include modifications to the design permit process, curb cuts, opaque windows, location of retail cannabis establishments, first-floor office space, ADUs, Flatwork, upper-floor decks, signs, historic preservation, permit time limits and extensions, home occupation, wireless facilities, garage setbacks, and definitions. 

Has the public been notified of the zone changes and code amendments? 

Extensive public outreach was completed ten days before the August 15th Planning Commission meeting.  Postcards were sent to all property owners within 300 feet of a property proposed for rezoning.  Public notices were placed on properties within the areas identified for rezoning. Also, public notice was included in the Santa Cruz Sentinel.  

When will the Planning Commission and City Council meet to discuss the Amendments? 

The following table includes the anticipated meeting dates for the Zoning updates. 

How Can I participate in the discussion? 

The public is welcome to attend the Planning Commission and City Council meetings and make comment during the public comment period.  If you are unable to attend the meeting, you can submit written comment to the Planning Commission through email to planningcommission@ci.capitola.ca.us or by sending a letter to City Hall Planning Commission, 420 Capitola Avenue, Capitola, CA 95076.  We encourage you to send emails and letters at least 24 hours in advance of a meeting to ensure the Commission and Council have time to read them. 

Monarch Cove Inn Update to the Capitola Zoning Code, Zoning Map, and General Plan Land Use Map

Monarch Cove Inn: The item is scheduled to go before the City Council on August 25, 2024 at 6 pm. 

The City received a rezone application for the Monarch Cove Inn property which includes amendments to Chapter 17.28 Visitor Serving Overlay, the General Plan Land Use Map, and the Zoning Map.  The request is to rezone the Monarch Cove Inn property from the Visitor Serving zoning district to Single-Family zoning district with the Visitor Serving Overlay.  This change went before the Coastal Commission during the 2021 update for certification and was not approved.  A subsequent request was submitted to the Coastal Commission in 2023.  The request was to maintain the Monarch Cove Inn as Visitor Serving and rezone the inland parcels of the Monarch Cove Inn to single-family.  The updated rezone was conditionally certified by the Coastal Commission in 2024.  The City Council must accept the Coastal Commission changes in order for them to take effect.  The Monarch Cove Inn Amendments is scheduled for City Council review on August 22, 2024, at 6 pm in Capitola City Council Chambers.  The staff report and attachments will be available online at the following link on Friday August 16, 2024.