Agenda Item Wording:
title
Ordinance Adoption - Public hearing and first reading of Ordinance No. 2026-04 to amend Visalia Municipal Code Title 16 (Subdivisions) to implement a streamlined process for small and simple maps.
body
Agenda Date: 06/01/2026
Prepared by:
Jarred Olsen, AICP, Principal Planner, jarred.olsen@visalia.gov, (559) 713-4449
Paul Bernal, Planning and Community Preservation Director, paul.bernal@visalia.gov, (559) 713-4025
Department Recommendation: Staff recommends that the Visalia City Council hold a public hearing, receive a presentation and staff report, and introduce the first reading of Ordinance No. 2026-04 amending Visalia Municipal Code Title 16 (Subdivisions) as detailed in the attached Ordinance No. 2026-04, and summarized in the staff report below.
Summary:
Since staff last discussed this item with Council on March 2, 2026, Council directed staff to initiate the subdivision ordinance amendment and to study what streamlining 20% of the lots (from 6%) would look like in terms of a dwelling unit threshold. Staff determined that increasing the threshold from 6% to 20% would result in a doubling of the previously proposed streamlining threshold of 80 lots to 160 lots. Staff conducted outreach with the local Building Industry Association and the reception was positive. The proposed ordinance amendment also contains some housekeeping items to reflect department practice. On May 11, 2026, staff presented the ordinance changes including the 160-lot/unit threshold to the Planning Commission who voted unanimously to recommend approval of the ordinance, subject to an 80-lot/unit threshold.
Please note as provided in the proposed motion(s), the City Council can elect to retain the 80-lot/unit threshold as recommended by Planning Commission or establish the 160-lot/unit threshold as initially presented by Planning staff to the Planning Commission.
Background Discussion:
This request, to amend the Subdivision Ordinance to streamline smal...
Click here for full text