PLNP2023-00206 Design Review Administration Update

The project consists of a Zoning Ordinance Amendment (ZOB) to amend Chapter 6 of the Sacramento County Zoning Code (Zoning Code) and Chapter 1 or the Countywide Design Guidelines. The proposed amendments generally fall under the four topics found below: • Simplify Zoning Code Section 6.3 and the Countywide Design Guidelines have been reorganized and simplified to provide clarity while navigating the administrative requirements of the Design Review Program. • Exceptions The list of exceptions in Zoning Code Section 6.3 is proposed to be expanded to narrow the scope of projects that would require Design Review. • Levels of Review The levels of Design Review have been amended to ensure consistency between discretionary and non-discretionary projects. • Approving Authority Roles The proposed amendment further defines and restructures the role of the Design Review Administrator (ORA) and the Design Review Advisory Committee (DRAC). The proposed amendments generally fall under the three categories found below: 1) Minor Clarifications - Proposed changes to the Zoning Code and Countywide Design Guidelines that result in short text amendments that are of minor consequence. These changes fix typographical errors, codify accepted staff practice, codify minor Planning Director's interpretations, and generally do not represent changes from existing practices. 2) Major Clarifications - Proposed changes to the Zoning Code and the Countywide Design Guidelines that result in text amendments that are longer or affect more frequently used procedures than those specified in "1 ". These changes solidify interpretations of standards but are still generally not major changes from existing practices. These changes do not result in intensification of land use compared to uses already permitted by right within respective affected zoning districts. 3) Minor Policy Updates - Proposed changes to the Zoning Code that result in policy changes to procedures that are of relatively minor consequence. This involves minor changes to sections of the Zoning Code that are used somewhat frequently or major changes, up to complete elimination, of outdated or obsolete sections of the Code. This also includes the codification of informal historical policies that are generally noncontroversial.