Agenda Item Wording:
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Ordinance Adoption - Second reading and adoption of Ordinance No. 2025-15 pertaining to the approval of Zoning Text Amendment No. 2025-04: A request by the City of Visalia to amend Visalia Municipal Code Title 17 (Zoning Ordinance), as to implement Program 2.7 for Missing Middle Housing, Program 3.17 for Planning for Large Sites, and Program 5.2 for Emergency Shelters, all contained in the City of Visalia 6th Cycle Housing Element. The regulations will apply Citywide to properties within the city limits of the City of Visalia. Environmental Status: The project is Categorically Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to Code of Regulations Section 15061(b)(3).
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Prepared by:
Brandon Smith, Principal Planner, brandon.smith@visalia.gov, (559) 713-4636;
Paul Bernal, Planning and Community Preservation Director, paul.bernal@visalia.gov, (559) 713-4025
Department Recommendation:
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the second reading of Ordinance No. 2025-15 for Zoning Text Amendment No. 2025-04, to establish and amend portions of Municipal Code Title 17 (Zoning Ordinance) pertaining to the implementation of Housing Element Implementation Programs 2.7, 3.17, and 5.2.
Executive Summary:
The first reading of Ordinance No. 2025-15 for Zoning Text Amendment (ZTA) No. 2025-04, approved by the City Council on December 2, 2025, assists in implementing three programs that were adopted with the 6th Cycle 2023-2031 Housing Element Update. Following the second reading and City Council adoption, Ordinance No. 2025-15 will go into effect 30 days following the December 15, 2025, meeting.
Background Discussion:
The proposed ZTA represents the second series of changes being undertaken to help fulfill the intended outcomes or objectives of the Housing Element (to help remove or overcome constraints to housing development). Specifically, this ZTA responds to aspects of three implementation programs that the Element identified to be completed by 2025.
The three implementation programs and the actions/objectives, as summarized from the Housing Element, are:
A. Amend residential development standards in the Zoning Ordinance to allow for and promote missing middle-density housing types (Portion of Program 2.7).
B. Adopt incentives to encourage the development of large Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) sites over 10 acres (Portion of Program 3.17).
C. Allow emergency shelters as a use permitted by right in a zone that is suitable for residential uses in compliance with Assembly Bill 2339 (Portion of Program 5.2).
The staff report from the first reading of Ordinance No. 2015-15 for ZTA No. 2025-04, included as an Attachment, provides full details on the specific changes being made to the Visalia Municipal Code to fulfill the implementation programs.
Fiscal Impact: None.
Prior Council Action:
• On December 2, 2025, the City Council voted 5-0 to introduce the first reading of Ordinance No. 2025-15, for the approval of Zone Text Amendment No. 2025-04. During the public hearing of the first reading, no public comments were received.
• On December 18, 2023, the City Council voted to adopt the 6th Cycle 2023-2031 Housing Element.
Planning Commission Review and Action:
On November 10, 2025, the Planning Commission voted 5-0 to recommend a modified approval of Zoning Text Amendment No. 2025-04. The modification was to expand the Emergency Shelter Overlay District to include sites citywide as discussed further above. There were no public comments given during the Planning Commission hearing. The modification made by the Planning Commission was the staff recommendation to the City Council for the first reading of Ordinance, which was approved by the City Council.
Alternatives: None.
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
I move to approve the second reading and adopt Ordinance No. 2025-15 for Zone Text Amendment No. 2025-04.
Environmental Assessment Status: The requested action is considered exempt under Section 15061(b)(3) of the State Guidelines for the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). A Notice of Exemption has been prepared for the project because Section 15061(b)(3) states that the project is exempted from CEQA if the activity is covered by the common sense exemption that CEQA applies only to projects that have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. Where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA. The proposed text amendments, which largely pertain to expanding the scope of residential uses which are already allowed within the city, and are responding directly to requirements under State law, will not have a significant effect on the environment.
CEQA Review: A Notice of Exemption has been prepared for the project because Section 15061(b)(3) states that the project is exempted from CEQA if the activity is covered by the common sense exemption that CEQA applies only to projects that have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment.
Deadline for Action: 12/15/2025
Attachments:
1. Ordinance No. 2025-15 for Zoning Text Amendment No. 2025-04
2. City Council staff report from 1st Reading of Ordinance No. 2025-15, December 2, 2025