HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026/07/14 City Council Ordinance 996 ORDINANCE NO. 996
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROHNERT PARK,
CALIFORNIA AMENDING ROHNERT PARK MUNICIPAL CODE (RPMC)
CHAPTER 17.10 TO INCREASE THE MINIMUM DENSITY ON CERTAIN LOW-
INCOME HOUSING ELEMENT SITES TO ENSURE CONSISTENCY WITH THE
HOUSING ELEMENT AND COMPLY WITH STATE HOUSING LAW
WHEREAS,the California Legislature has found that"California has a housing supply
and affordability crisis of historic proportions (Government Code Section 65589.5.); and
WHEREAS, to comply with State Housing Element Law, the City adopted its Housing
Element 2023-2031 on January 23, 2023, which was subsequently certified in compliance with
State Housing Element Law on March 20, 2023; and
WHEREAS, the Housing Element identifies a series of sites intended to accommodate
the City's lower-income Regional Housing Needs Allocation(RHNA); and
WHEREAS, Government Code section 65583.2(h)(2)requires that sites rezoned or
identified to accommodate lower-income households meet a minimum density standard
applicable to the jurisdiction, which is a minimum of 20 units per acre for the City of Rohnert
Park; and
WHEREAS, the proposed amendments ensure compliance with State Law, including
Government Code Section 65583.2(h)(2), and consistency with the adopted Housing Element;
and
WHEREAS, the proposed changes to the municipal code are consistent with the goals,
policies, and implementation measures in the General Plan and necessary to comply with state
law; and
WHEREAS, on May 28, 2026, the Planning Commission held a public hearing, at which
time interested persons had an opportunity to testify either in support or opposition to the
proposal; and
WHEREAS,the Planning Commission reviewed, considered the proposed amendments,
and voted to adopt a resolution recommending adoption of an Ordinance codifying the proposed
amendments to the municipal code; and
WHEREAS, on June 23, 2026,the City Council held a public hearing at which time
interested persons had an opportunity to testify either in support or in opposition to the proposal;
and
WHEREAS, the City Council has reviewed and considered all public testimony,the
Planning Commission recommendation, and the information contained in the Staff Report and
Presentation.
NOW, THEREFORE,BE IT ORDAINED that the City Council of the City of Rohnert
Park as follows:
Section 1. Recitals. The above recitations are true and correct.
Section 2. CEQA. Changes to Title 17 (Zoning) which implement the City's adopted
Housing Element, including changes to certain allowed land uses and permitting levels, are
statutorily exempt pursuant to Public Resources Code 21080.085, which exempts rezoning that
implements the schedule of actions contained in an approved housing element pursuant to
Government Code Section 65583(c).
Additionally, these amendments are consistent with the Negative Declaration adopted with the
City's Housing Element on January 24, 2023 (SCH#2022110553).
Additionally, this amendment is made to comply with State law, which the City must already
implement. The changes also include technical corrections and minor changes. These changes are
exempt under the "common sense exemption" in CEQA Guidelines section 15061(b)(3) as it can
be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that would have a significant effect on the
environment.
Section 3. Findings. The City Council hereby makes the following findings pursuant to
Rohnert Park Municipal Code Section 17.25.073, with respect to adoption of this resolution:
1. That the proposed amendments to the Municipal Code are consistent with the General Plan.
Criteria Satisfied. The proposed amendments to the municipal code are consistent with the
General Plan and Housing Element goals of supporting housing development and streamlining
approval procedures. Specifically,the amendments support Goal HO-1 (New Housing
Development), Policy HO-1.1 (Adequate Inventory of Residentially Zoned Land), Policy HO-1.5
(Clear Development Standards and Approval Procedures), HO-1.0 (Sites to Meet RHNA), and
Policy CD-7.5 (Address Regional Housing Needs) by codifying minimum density requirements
for the City's lower-income RHNA sites, Therefore, the project is consistent with this finding.
2. That the proposed amendment to the Zoning Ordinance will be beneficial to the public
health, safety or welfare.
Criteria Satisfied. The proposed amendments to the municipal code are intended to address
public health, safety and welfare concerns created by the statewide housing crisis and to ensure
consistency with State law. The changes will help improve community health outcomes,
enabling the development of affordable housing closer to job centers, parks, and schools, and
reducing homelessness by expanding the availability of lower-income rental units. A
development project is not currently proposed, so there are no project specific health or safety
considerations at this time. Furthermore, at the time a specific development project application is
received, the City's standard process includes review to ensure that public health, safety, and
welfare standards are achieved (such as adequacy of public services,public utilities, and
emergency access). Therefore, the project is consistent with this finding.
3. That with the proposed zoning and/or amendment adequate and available sites remain (refer
to the quantified housing objectives in the city's housing element of the general plan) to
mitigate the loss of residential density on the subject property to accommodate the city's 'fair
share"regional housing needs used by the State Department of Housing and Development in
determining compliance with Housing Element Law pursuant to Government Code Section
65863(b).
Criteria Satisfied. The proposed amendments would increase the minimum density on certain
housing sites in compliance with Housing Element Law, to ensure identified sites are adequate
and available to accommodate the city's "fair share" regional housing needs. The proposed
Ordinance No.996
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amendments do not create any loss of residential density, but rather serve to implement the
City's housing goals and compliance with the Housing Element and State law. Therefore, the
project is consistent with this finding.
Section 4. Addition of Section 17.10.025. The City Council hereby adds Section 17.10.025
to the Rohnert Park Municipal Code as follows:
17.10.025 —Minimum Residential Density for Lower-Income RHNA Sites
Notwithstanding any other provision in this Title,pursuant to Government Code Section
65583.2(h)(2), the minimum residential density of any site designated to accommodate
the City's lower-income Regional Housing Needs Allocation shall be 20 units per acre.
For the City's 2023-2031 Housing Element,this includes Sites#9 and#10 as shown on
Figure 11-12 of the City's adopted Housing Element.
Section 5. Severability. The City Council hereby declares that every section, paragraph,
sentence, clause and phrase of this ordinance is severable. If any section, paragraph, sentence,
clause or phrase of this ordinance is for any reason found to be invalid or unconstitutional, such
invalidity, or unconstitutionality shall not affect the validity or constitutionality of the remaining
sections, paragraphs, sentences, clauses, or phrases.
Section 6. Effective Date. The ordinance shall be in full force and effective 30 days after its
adoption and shall be published and posted as required by law.
Section 7. Publication. The City Clerk is directed to cause this ordinance to be published in
the manner required by law.
This ordinance was introduced by the City Council of the City of Rohnert Park on June 23, 2026
and DULY AND REGULARLY ADOPTED this July 14, 2026 by the following vote:
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ATTEST: Lmily a born, Mayor
Sylvia opez Cuevas, City Clerk
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Mil belle M. Kenyon, City Attorney
Ordinance No.996
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