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ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION <br />6.A -53 <br />State Guidelines for the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) provide a <br />Categorical Exemption (Class 5, Section 15305 of the Guidelines) for: <br />"minor alterations to land use limitations... that do not result in changes in <br />land use or density." <br />Staff believes that this provision is applicable to the ordinance amendments, as <br />all of the proposed revisions comprise minor alterations to limitations outlined in <br />the Zoning Ordinance, and no changes in land use or density are proposed <br />(excepting the theater use in the CBR district). Additionally, the types of <br />development that would occur under these provisions are generally exempt from <br />CEQA review as they are either ministerial in nature (arbors and trellises) or are <br />categorically exempt, such as single - family residences. Other changes include <br />new or revised definitions or clarifications of current provisions, rather than <br />changes that might allow increased development and resultant environmental <br />impacts. <br />Two proposed modifications that warrant discussion are the proposed revisions <br />to parking standards in the third group of amendments, and permitting theater <br />uses in the CBR zone in the fourth ordinance. The parking revisions are a minor <br />alteration in the current standards, resulting in criteria that have generally been <br />found to be sufficient in other cities, by local studies, and by traffic engineering <br />criteria. And the environmental impacts of potential theater uses in the CBR <br />zone have been analyzed in the adopted Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for <br />the Downtown Cinema Project. <br />Staff therefore believes that no further environmental review is needed for the <br />proposed ordinance amendments. <br />CONCLUSION <br />Staff believes that the proposed ordinance amendments are necessary to: <br />• allow for minor landscape structures in setbacks; <br />• modify residential height standards; <br />• update parking requirements for medical offices and research and <br />development uses; <br />• accommodate theaters in the CBR zone; and <br />• provide for child day care facilities throughout the City, consistent with State <br />law. <br />Staff believes these changes will result in a more usable and readable code, and <br />has included graphics where appropriate to assist with. understanding of these <br />provisions. <br />IC <br />