Santee, California Development News

Santee Council Approves General Plan Amendment and Zoning Changes, Opting for Minimal Density Increase

The city council considered a General Plan Amendment (GPA) to update the land use element, a Zoning Ordinance Amendment (ZOA) to implement the updated land use element, and certified the Environmental Impact Report (EIR). The update, last comprehensive in 2003, aims to align the city with state requirements, regional goals, and set a long-term vision. The process involved extensive public engagement, resulting in updated goals and policies. Key changes include community hub and corridor overlays to encourage mixed-use development, a change in land use designation for the City Hall site, and the addition of an airport land use compatibility chapter. Four alternatives were presented, with the council ultimately favoring Alternative 4, which updates goals and policies, adds the airport land use chapter, and includes minor cleanup language without changing existing land use designations or development standards. This alternative avoids triggering Measure R, which requires voter approval for density increases.