On September 23, 2024, the Planning Commission will hold a special meeting and study session on chapters 3 to 6 of the Draft Moraga Canyon Specific Plan. The meeting agenda and staff report are posted on the City website at the following link:

https://piedmont.ca.gov/government/commissions___committees/planning_commission

On August 19, 2024, the City Council held a public meeting to consider the following:

The City Council considered a professional services agreement with a consultant team lead by Good Cities Co. to prepare objective design standards for the development of one to four residential housing units. The City Council approved the first reading of the professional services agreement.

The City Council held a separate study session during the public meeting to consider changes to the permitted and conditionally permitted commercial uses in Piedmont and the process that the City uses to consider new commercial uses and changes to existing commercial uses. No action was taken at the conclusion of the study session.

• Staff Report

• Presentation

Both agenda items were prepared for the purposes of implementing programs in the Piedmont 6th Cycle Housing Element.

On August 12, 2024, the Planning Commission is tentatively scheduled to hold two study sessions. The agenda, including ways to participate, is available here.

Moraga Canyon Specific Plan

The first study session will include a discussion about design standards to be included in the draft Moraga Canyon Specific Plan. Piedmont's 6th Cycle Housing Element (HE) provides the strategies that the City uses to increase housing production for the 2023-2031 planning period. HE program 1.L guides the City to consider residential development and other changes in Moraga Canyon.

• Study Session Staff Report

• Piedmont Housing Element Program 1.L Specific Plan

• MCSP Community Workshop Summary and Comments

• MCSP Compiled Public Comment

• City of Piedmont 6th Cycle Housing Element

• Presentation

Permitted Commercial Uses

The second study session will be about proposed changes to the regulations for conditional use permits and permitted commercial uses in Zone D in Piedmont. HE program 4.M directs the City to streamline review to facilitate residential mixed-use projects by right subject to objective standards. Currently, all new commercial uses in Piedmont require discretionary review by both the Planning Commission and City Council before they can open for business.

Planning & Building staff members sought community ideas and preferences about possible new permitted commercial uses in an online survey that ended on July 22, 2024.

• Conditional Uses Study Session Staff Report Survey Results

• Permitted Commercial Uses in Other Jurisdictions

• Presentation

On July 8, 2024, the Planning Commission held a study session on possible changes to regulations for conditional use permits and permitted commercial uses in Zone D in Piedmont. Public engagement for the possible Zoning Ordinance amendments is on-going, including a public opinion survey scheduled to conclude on July 19, 2024. Public hearings about the possible amendments are tentatively scheduled to begin in the fall.

• Staff Report

• Presentation

• Agenda

On July 1, 2024, the City Council considered proposed amendments to Chapter 17 of the Piedmont City Code to enact standards for emergency shelters, clarify provisions regarding the City Charter, and housekeeping/maintenance amendments to other sections. At the conclusion of the public comment portion of the hearing, the City Council approved the first reading of Ordinance N.S. 774.

The second reading is tentatively scheduled to occur at the City Council meeting on September 3, 2024.

The proposed amendments for emergency shelters and the City Charter provisions of the Piedmont City Code implement the 6th Cycle Housing Element. The 6th Cycle Housing Element was adopted by the City Council on March 20, 2023, and found to be in substantial compliance with Housing Element law by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) on November 9, 2023.

The meeting staff report is available here.

• Public Hearing Notice

• Presentation

On June 10, 2024, the Planning Commission will hold a public hearing to consider a recommendation to the City Council regarding the adoption of amendments to the Piedmont Zoning Ordinance, Chapter 17 of the Piedmont City Code. The proposed amendments include new development standards for emergency shelters meant to implement the Piedmont 6th Cycle Housing Element, as well as other important changes.

• Agenda

• Staff Report

• Public Hearing Notice

• Presentation

On May 20, 2024, the City Council will hear a presentation about the Housing Element Annual Progress Report and the resulting housing production. Piedmont's 6th Cycle Housing Element provides the strategies that the City uses to increase housing production and encourage new housing types for the 2023-2031 planning period.

The 6th Cycle Housing Element was adopted by the City Council on March 20, 2023 and found to be in substantial compliance with Housing Element law by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) on November 9, 2023.

The meeting agenda and staff report are available here.

• Staff Report

• Presentation

On May 13, 2024, the Planning Commission held a study session related to implementation of the Housing Element, including proposed amendments to the Zoning Ordinance.

• Planning Commission Agenda and Staff Report

• Presentation

Piedmont's 6th Cycle Housing Element provides the strategies that the City uses to increase housing production and encourage new housing types for the 2023-2031 planning period.

The 6th Cycle Housing Element was adopted by the City Council on March 20, 2023 and found to be in substantial compliance with Housing Element law by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) on November 9, 2023.

The City Council will consider the approach for the Moraga Canyon Specific Plan at a regular meeting on Monday, March 18, 2024:

City Council Agenda Item: Moraga Canyon Specific Plan

• Agenda

• Staff Report
  

The City Council will hold a study session on the preparation of the Moraga Canyon Specific Plan on Friday, March 1, 2024:

City Council Study Session: Moraga Canyon Specific Plan
Friday, March 1, 2024, 10 am to 12 noon
Piedmont Center for the Arts, 801 Magnolia Avenue

• Presentation Slides
  

At a special meeting on January 29, 2024, the Planning Commission held a public hearing to consider a recommendation to the City Council regarding the 2023-2031 Housing Element Implementation Environmental Impact Report (EIR), the Draft General Plan Amendments, and the Draft Zoning Ordinance Amendments. The agenda was posted to the Government section of the City of Piedmont website on January 12, 2024. The public hearing notice was published in The Piedmonter newspaper on January 12, 2024, and the notice can be accessed by clicking here.

• Staff Report, including attachments

• General Plan Amendments Presentation Slides

• Zoning Code Amendments Presentation Slides

• EIR Presentation Slides

• Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR), including comments, responses to comments, revisions, and MMRP, published January 12, 2024

• Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR), published November 3, 2023

  • Appendix A, NOP and NOP Responses

  • Appendix B, Special Status Species in the Vicinity of Piedmont

  • Appendix C, Historical Resources Evaluation - Piedmont Corp Yard

  • Appendix D, Energy Calculations

  • Appendix E, GHG Emissions Modeling Results

  • Appendix F, Noise Modeling Results and Vibration Calculations

  • Appendix G, Congestion Management Analysis

  • Appendix H, Assembly Bill 52 Correspondence

  • Appendix I, Emergency Evacuation Time Assessment

The 2023-2031 Housing Element Implementation EIR consists of the DEIR and the FEIR, combined. The FEIR contains the public comments received on the DEIR, as well as the responses to comments, revisions and changes, and the mitigation monitoring and reporting program (MMRP).

The City Council will hold a study session on the Moraga Canyon Specific Plan on Monday, January 22nd:

City Council Study Session: Moraga Canyon Specific Plan
Monday, January 22nd, 6pm
Piedmont Community Hall, 711 Highland Avenue
Agenda | Staff Report

The Planning Commission will hold a study session regarding the Draft EIR, the Draft General Plan Amendments and the Draft Zoning Ordinance Amendments. The Planning Commission will also hear an informational report about preparation of a Moraga Canyon Specific Plan. The agenda is posted, including posted to the Government section of the City of Piedmont website here.

• Agenda

• Staff Report for Amendments to General Plan and Zoning Code

• Presentation on Amendments to General Plan and Zoning Code

• Staff Report for Preparation of a Moraga Canyon Specific Plan

• Presentation for Moraga Canyon Specific Plan

At its regular meeting on December 18, 2023, the City Council held a study session on the following:

• An introduction to Draft General Plan Amendments necessary for consistency with the adopted 6th Cycle Housing Element;

• An introduction to Draft Zoning Ordinance revisions to implement Housing Element programs; and

• An introduction to the Draft EIR for the 2023-2031 Housing Element Implementation Project.

The City Council agenda is posted to the Government section of the City of Piedmont website here.

Click the links below to access the staff report and presentations:

• Staff Report for December 18, 2023

• Presentation Part 1 - General Plan Amendments

• Presentation Part 2 - Zoning Code Amendments

• Presentation Part 3 - Draft Environmental Impact Report

At its regular meeting, the Planning Commission held study sessions on the following:

• Draft Zoning Ordinance revisions to implement Housing Element programs

• Draft General Plan Amendments necessary for consistency with the adopted 6th Cycle Housing Element

• The Draft EIR for the 2023-2031 Housing Element Implementation Project

Access the agenda by clicking here:

• Agenda

Access the staff report and presentation for the Zoning Code Amendments by clicking here:

• Zoning Code Amendments Staff Report

• ZC Presentation 12-11-2023

Access the staff report and presentations for the General Plan Amendments and DEIR by clicking here:

• General Plan Amendments and DEIR Staff Report

• GPA Presentation 12-11-2023

• DEIR Presentation 12-11-2023

Access the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) by clicking here:

• www.piedmontishome.org/housing-element-update

Access the proposed General Plan Amendments by clicking here:

• Part 3 Land Use Element

• Part 4 Transportation Element

• Part 5 Natural Resources and Sustainability Element

• Part 6 Environmental Hazards Element

• Part 7 Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Element

• Part 8 Design and Preservation Element

• Part 9 Community Services and Facilities Element

On November 20, 2023, the City Council is expected to receive an informational report on the Housing Element Implementation Plan status. On the Thursday preceding the meeting, the meeting agenda will be posted, including posted to the Government section of the City of Piedmont website here.

• Staff Report

• Presentation

On November 15, 2023, the Recreation Commission will hold a regular meeting and hear a presentation from Planning & Building Director Kevin Jackson about the preparation of a proposed Moraga Canyon Specific Plan.

• Press Release

• Staff Report

• Presentation

On November 13, 2023, the Planning Commission will hear a presentation about the new housing programs, General Plan amendments, and zoning changes envisioned in the 6th Cycle Housing Element and under development by City staff. Public comment is welcomed and encouraged. No action is scheduled to be taken at this meeting.

• Agenda

• Staff Report

• Presentation

On November 1, 2023, the Park Commission held a regular meeting and heard a presentation from Planning & Building Director Kevin Jackson about the preparation of a proposed Moraga Canyon Specific Plan.

• Agenda

• Staff Report

• Presentation

Moraga Canyon Specific Plan

Neighborhood Meeting

Planning & Building staff and JZMK Architects hosted a listening session of the neighboring residents of the Moraga Canyon Specific Plan (MCSP) Area. Activities during the event encouraged neighbors to share ideas for development in Moraga Canyon. The slide presentation is linked below (large file size - thank you for your patience).

• MCSP Neighborhood Meeting Slides

On October 9, 2023, the Planning Commission will hear a presentation about the new housing programs, General Plan amendments, and zoning changes envisioned in the 6th Cycle Housing Element.

• Staff Report

• Presentation

On September 5, 2023, the City Council will hold a public hearing to consider amendments to the Piedmont City Code and the City of Piedmont Design Guidelines to implement Housing Element programs, including a multifamily objective design standards (MODS) program, and accessory dwelling unit (ADU) incentives program.

The proposed amendments to the Piedmont City Code include amendments to Division 17.38, Accessory Dwelling Units, of Chapter 17, Planning and Land Use, including new incentives for rent-restricted ADUs for applicants using new City-approved plans for ADUs.  The proposed amendments to the Piedmont City Code also include the establishment of a new Division 17.67, of Chapter 17, Planning and Land Use to establish procedures and standards for ministerial review of multifamily and mixed-use building types, and other conforming changes. 

Proposed amendments to the City of Piedmont Design Guidelines include: (1) new objective standards for architectural elements to be used by City staff to review development applications for multifamily and mixed-use building types; (2) pre-approved plans for accessory dwelling units (ADUs); (3) renaming the City of Piedmont Design Guidelines as to “Piedmont’s Design Standards and Guidelines”; and (4) other conforming changes.

• Public Hearing Notice

• Staff Report and Attachments

• Attachment G Planning Commission Staff Report and Draft Amendments

• Attachment C Redline Edits to City Code

On August 14, 2023, the Planning Commission will hold a public hearing to consider draft amendments to the Piedmont Municipal Code and City of Piedmont Design Guidelines to implement Ministerial Design Review processes, Piedmont Multifamily Objective Design Standards (MODS), and an ADU Incentives program consisting of pre-approved plans. These amendments were developed to implement the Piedmont 6th Cycle Housing Element.

For more information, visit the City of Piedmont website here.

• Agenda

• City Code and Design Guidelines Amendments Staff Report

• Attachment C to Staff Report

• Public Hearing Notice