Redwood City Planning Commission Study Session on Housing Element Zoning Amendments - June 21, 2022

The Redwood City Planning Commission held a study session on June 21, 2022, to discuss proposed zoning code and map amendments associated with the 2023-2031 Housing Element Update. The session focused on three categories of amendments: facilitating missing middle housing in multifamily districts, streamlining residential development, and increasing densities in mixed-use districts. No action was taken; the commission provided individual comments and feedback.

Study Session on Proposed Zoning Amendments

Staff presented proposed changes to address the city's Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) target. Key proposals included:

• Missing Middle Housing: In R-2, R-3, R-4, and R-5 districts, staff proposed removing barriers such as minimum lot area and width requirements that have prevented duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes. Over 75% of existing lots were found to be too small or narrow under current rules. Proposed changes would base density on General Plan density rather than lot size, reduce parking from 2 spaces per unit to 1, allow tandem parking, and eliminate additional open space requirements for extra bedrooms.

• Streamlining Residential Development: Staff proposed ministerial approval for 100% affordable housing and other residential projects meeting CEQA exemptions, and allowing care facilities (senior and general residential care) in R-2 through R-5 districts, with skilled nursing care in R-4 and R-5.

• Mixed-Use District Density Increases: Proposed increases of 20 dwelling units per acre in all mixed-use districts (e.g., MU-C from 60 to 80 du/acre, MU-N from 40 to 60, MU-T from 20 to 40 base). To accommodate, height limits would increase by 10-25 feet for residential projects, side and rear setbacks would be simplified, and guest parking would be eliminated. A minimum of 50% residential floor area would be required for mixed-use projects.

Staff posed specific questions to the commission regarding concerns or recommendations on each category.

Key Outcomes

• No formal votes or decisions were made. The study session was for discussion and feedback only.
• The commission provided individual comments and questions to staff. Specific commissioner comments were not recorded in the provided materials.
• The next steps include further refinement of the amendments and eventual environmental review before formal adoption.