HomeMy WebLinkAboutRESOLUTION 2025-167 N.C.S. 12/15/2025
Resolution No. 2025-167 N.C.S. Page 1 of 6
Resolution No. 2025-167 N.C.S.
of the City of Petaluma, California
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PETALUMA APPROVING THE
PREFERRED CITYWIDE LAND USE MAP AND ASSOCIATED LAND USE DESIGNATION
STANDARDS FOR PURPOSES OF INFORMING THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE DRAFT
GENERAL PLAN UPDATE AND ASSOCIATED ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
WHEREAS, the City of Petaluma’s existing General Plan 2025 was adopted in 2008 for a planning horizon
extending to 2025; and
WHEREAS, the City of Petaluma kicked off its General Plan Update project in 2021 with the formation of
the General Plan Advisory Committee (GPAC) and extensive public outreach and engagement; and
WHEREAS, discussions related to land use were first introduced during the initial community engagement
events that were held in the Fall of 2021; and
WHEREAS, these discussions informed the development of the Areas of Discussion Map which was
presented and discussed at the February 17, 2022, GPAC meeting; and
WHEREAS, the Areas of Discussion Map identified areas where land use was expected to change or be
enhanced based on existing conditions analysis, GPAC feedback, and community input during area meetings; and
WHEREAS, in August 2022, the Sustainable Design Assistance Team (SDAT) Published their Reimagining
Petaluma Report which introduced the 15-min city center concept and identified potential locations where land
uses could be modified to facilitate this vision; and
WHEREAS, the Reimagining Petaluma Report, while prepared outside of the City’s General Plan Update
contract with Raimi +Associates, has been a key component in developing the preferred Citywide Land Use Map
for Petaluma; and
WHEREAS, in September of 2022, the Existing Conditions Report on Land Use was published as part of the
General Plan Update and provided additional technical information on the City’s existing land use pattern that
was used to inform the development of the preferred Citywide Land Use Map; and
WHEREAS, another key component in the land use discussion and an important part of the General Plan
Update is the City’s 6th Cycle 2023-2031 Housing Element, which was adopted by the City Council in March of
2023 and later certified by the State of California in May of 2023; and
WHEREAS, also in 2023, Sea Level Rise and Flood Modeling was prepared as part of the General Plan
Update effort and has played an important role in the land use discussion and development of the preferred
Citywide Land Use Map; and
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WHEREAS, in November 2023 and February 2024 the GPAC discussed Areas of Change and land use
alternatives as part of the continuing land use discussion that in turn informed the development of the preferred
Citywide Land Use Map; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission held a study session in April 2024 to discuss and provide feedback
on the Areas of Change and land use alternatives; and
WHEREAS, the City Council also held a study session in April 2024 to provide feedback on the Areas of
Change and land use alternatives to ultimately inform development of the preferred Citywide Land Use Map; and
WHEREAS, in the Spring of 2024 the City released 13 policy frameworks that covered the key topics to be
addressed in the City’s General Plan Update and which were informed by the Existing Conditions Reports and
community feedback; and
WHEREAS, in June 2024 the Land Use Policy Framework was published, which clearly illustrated the Areas
of Change to focus the discussion of the development of the preferred Citywide Land Use Map; and
WHEREAS, the Framework also included draft land use policy to further complement the City’s land use
discussion; and
WHEREAS, to receive community feedback on the Land Use Policy Framework, the General Plan Team
held nine pop-ups at a variety of community events, provided an online portal, and held two community open
houses in the Fall of 2024; and
WHEREAS, the Land Use Policy Framework was presented to the Planning Commission for feedback at
their August 27, 2024 and September 10, 2024, meetings; and
WHEREAS, the GPAC provided additional feedback on the Land Use Policy Framework at their meetings
on September 19, 2024, September 26, 2024, and October 17, 2024; and
WHEREAS, a workshop was then held with the City Council on October 21, 2024, to report out on
community input and feedback from the Plannin g Commission and GPAC and to solicit input from the City
Council; and
WHEREAS, in January 2025 the GPAC met again to refine its land use recommendations based on
community input; and
WHEREAS, in early 2025 additional public outreach was conducted in partnership with community-based
organizations serving traditionally underserved and under-resourced populations; and
WHEREAS, the consolidated feedback from the public, Planning Commission, GPAC, and City Council was
incorporated into a series of recommended land use changes, including modifications to the Citywide Land Use
Map and the Land Use Designation Standards; and
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WHEREAS, in March of 2025, a Briefing Book for the Recommended Land Use Alternatives was publicly
released; and
WHEREAS, three workshops were held with City Council on March 3, 2025, April 14, 2025, and June 16,
2025 to receive City Council input prior to developing the preferred Citywide Land Use Map for final approval
as part of the General Plan Update; and
WHEREAS, the preferred Citywide Land Use Map is the culmination of this four-year process and includes
final modifications to address City Council feedback; and
WHEREAS, in order to verify that the proposed land use pattern for the City’s growth over the planning
period is consistent with the community’s vision and does not result in unintended consequences counter to
community values, three technical analyses were prepared to evaluate the impact of the preferred Citywide Land
Use Map on the City’s fiscal health, water and wastewater capacity, and transportation network; and
WHEREAS, a Preliminary Transportation Evaluation was prepared by Fehr & Peers and concludes that the
proposed land use changes, transportation policies, and active transportation investments are expected to reduce
vehicle miles traveled, shift more trips to sustainable modes, and improve access to daily destinations; and
WHEREAS, a Fiscal Impact Analysis was prepared by Strategic Economics and finds that growth associated
with the preferred Citywide Land Use Map is projected to generate a likely neutral or minor gap in the annual net
revenue at final full build out based on an increase in housing development and Petaluma’s residential population;
and
WHEREAS, a Water Supply and Wastewater System Evaluation was prepared by EKI to evaluate capacity
under full build out of the preferred Citywide Land Use Map and concluded that the City is projected to have
sufficient water capacity to meet anticipated demand under normal year and multiple dry year conditions and that
the wastewater treatment plant is also projected to have sufficient capacity; and
WHEREAS, the preferred Citywide Land Use Map was reviewed by the GPAC at their meeting on November
13, 2025; and
WHEREAS, the preferred Citywide Land Use Map was reviewed by the Planning Commission at a special
meeting on November 20, 2025; and
WHEREAS, the preferred Citywide Land Use Map along with recommendations from a majority of the
GPAC and the Planning Commission and including individual parcels outside of the Areas of Change requested
by property owners was presented to the City Council for consideration at a duly noticed public meeting on
December 15, 2025; and
WHEREAS, on August 8, 2025, the City issued a Notice of Preparation for the Environmental Impact Report
(EIR) that will be prepared for the General Plan Update and held a scoping meeting on August 21, 2025 to provide
an opportunity for members of the public to learn about the environmental review process and provide verbal
comments on the scope of the environmental review for the General Plan Update; and
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WHEREAS, a combined Senate Bill 18 (SB 18) and Assembly Bill 52 (AB 52) Notification Letter was sent
to the Federated Tribes of Graton Rancheria on March 27, 2024; and
WHEREAS, in compliance with SB 18, a list of tribes was requested from the Native American Heritage
Commission on November 27, 2024, and SB 18 Notification Letters were sent to Guidiville Rancheria, Lytton
Rancheria, and Pinoleville Pomo Nation on December 26, 2024; and
WHEREAS, on April 5, 2024, the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria requested consultation on the
project and City staff are actively engaged with the Tribe on relevant topics; and
WHEREAS, no other requests for consultation were received; and
WHEREAS, upon City Council approval of the preferred Citywide Land Use Map, the EIR will analyze
growth and development under build out of the preferred Citywide Land Use Map as the Preferred Alternative;
and
WHEREAS, the approval of the preferred Citywide Land Use Map is exempt from the California
Environmental Quality Act under CEQA Guidelines Section 15262 Feasibility and Planning Studies because the
approved map will be analyzed through the preparation and certification of an Environmental Impact Report that
fully discloses and evaluates environmental impacts of the General Plan prior to its adoption and the current
approval does not have a legally binding effect on later activities; and
WHEREAS, approval of the preferred Citywide Land Use Map is also exempt from CEQA pursuant to the
commonsense exemption CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) as approving the land use map is an
administrative activity that has no potential for resulting in physical change in the environment, in that this
resolution will merely provide a basis for completing the technical studies and environmental review analysis
associated with the General Plan Update project consistent with CEQA requirements.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of Petaluma as follows:
1. The above recitals are hereby declared to be true and correct and are incorporated into this resolution as
findings of City Council.
2. This resolution approves the preferred Citywide Land Use Map (Exhibit 1) and associated Land Use
Designation Standards (Exhibit 2) for purpose of informing the development of the Draft General Plan Update
and is categorially exempt pursuant to CEQA Guideline Sections 15262 and 15061(b)(3).
3. The City of Petaluma’s General Plan 2025, including the adopted Land Use Map and designation standards,
remains in effect and is not superseded or amended by the approval of the preferred Citywide Land Use Map
and associated Land Use Designation standards for purposes of the General Plan Update.
4. Changes to land use designations for the following properties shall be included in the preferred Citywide Land
Use Map:
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a. 921 Transport Way (APN 007-391-032) to Business Park
b. 705 North Webster (APNs 006-371-002, 006-441-020, 006-371-039) to Education
c. Portion of Redwood Business Park 2, including 5301 Old Redwood Highway (APN 047-360-026),
5341 Old Redwood Highway (APN 047-360-025), 1400 North McDowell (APN 047-360-029),
1420 North McDowell (APN 047-360-028) and common parcel (APN 047-360-030) to Step-
Down Mixed Use
d. Cinnabar Avenue (APN 048-142-009) to Maker/Microbusiness
5. The approved Land Use Designation Standards shall include the Station Mixed Use (ST-MU) designation and
including the following standards:
a. Intent/Description: Very high density mixed-use development adjacent to the transit hubs like
SMART stations
b. Allowed Uses: Standalone commercial, standalone residential, and horizontal mixed use
are not allowed. Vertical mixed use is required.
c. Min Density: 60 du/ac re
d. Max Density: 125 du/acre
e. Max FAR: 5.0
f. Max Height (stories):8
g. Max Height (feet): 90
h. Stepdowns & Stepbacks: n/a
i. Min Ground Floor Active Use: 0.25 FAR
6. The preferred Citywide Land Use Map shall include designation of Station Mixed Use on the SMART owned
parcel adjacent to the downtown SMART station at 315 East D Street (APN 007-131-003).
7. The following properties located in the Downtown SMART Station Area of Change shall be changed to Urban
Core Mixed Use on the preferred Citywide Land Use Map:
a. Haystack Properties, including APN 007-143-014, 007-143-015, 007-143-003, 007-143-004, 007-
143-008, and 007-143-007
b. CVS Properties, including 007-072-004, 007-072-010, 007-072-019, 007-072-039, 007-072-040,
and 007-072-042,
c. Approximately the eastern half of the Golden Eagle Shopping Center (APN 007-142-026)
8. The Lucky shopping center located in the Petaluma North Area of Change, including the following properties,
shall be changed to Urban Corridor Mixed Use on the preferred Citywide Land Use Map:
a. 1096 Petaluma Blvd N (APN 150-011-018)
b. 1080 Petaluma Blvd N (APN 150-011-020)
c. 1060 Petaluma Blvd N (APN 150-011-015)
d. 1026 Petaluma Blvd N (APN 150-011-019)
e. 1000 Petaluma Blvd N (APN 150-011-014)
f. 900 Petaluma Blvd N (APN 150-011-021)
9. Add a policy to the Land Use Element and an associated footnote on the Land Use Designation Standards to
prohibit 100% standalone residential development on sites identified in General Plan as Town Center or
Neighborhood Centers (15-minute activity centers).
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10. This resolution shall take immediate effect upon adoption by the City Council.
Under the power and authority conferred upon this Council by the Charter of said City.
REFERENCE: I hereby certify the foregoing Resolution was introduced and adopted by the
Council of the City of Petaluma at a Regular meeting on the 15th day of December
2025, by the following vote:
Approved as to
form:
__________________________
City Attorney
AYES: McDonnell, Barnacle, Cader Thompson, Nau, Quint, Shribbs
NOES: DeCarli
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
ATTEST: ______________________________________________
City Clerk
______________________________________________
Mayor
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