After Three Decades, Alhambra City Council Adopts New Zoning Code

What Does Alhambra’s New Zoning Code Mean for the City?

After more than a year of public hearings, deliberation, revisions, and updates, the Alhambra City Council has finally adopted a new Zoning Code thanks to the hard work of residents, city planners, council members, and the many others who dedicated their time and effort to this massive undertaking.

The new Zoning Code was officially adopted on January 22, when the Alhambra City Council held a second reading, and all voted in favor, ushering in the first comprehensive Zoning Code update in 34 years.

“We ended up with a great version of the Zoning Code,” said Mayor Ross Maza. “And we’ll be looking at this on a yearly basis and can tweak it as needed.”

“We’re finally getting to the end of a very long, exhausting process. It’s just been a massive amount of work,” said Lewis McCammon, a resident who contributed to the updated plan, at the January 22 meeting. “It’s amazing it has been done with such amazing accuracy,” he added.

While most of the single-family home zoning remains as it has been, the new code focuses on introducing flexibility to encourage creative and adaptable development that can respond effectively to changing needs and trends, including the construction of state-mandated housing units. Simultaneously, a focus on user-friendliness aims to make the Zoning Code accessible to all stakeholders, from seasoned developers to residents.

The new plan encompasses several significant initiatives aimed at shaping the urban landscape of Alhambra, including the augmentation of building heights and the promotion of new construction projects. One key aspect of the plan is to increase height restrictions to 75 feet, allowing for the construction of buildings up to 10 stories tall. Additionally, the plan calls for expanding the Downtown Central Business District, stretching its boundaries eastward to include Granada Avenue. This expansion aims to enhance the city's economic and commercial hub.

Additionally, the plan suggests a notable shift in the land-use policy by advocating for residential development on major commercial thoroughfares throughout Alhambra. This strategic move seeks to create a more dynamic and integrated urban environment, fostering a mix of residential and commercial spaces. The plan aims to promote a diverse and vibrant cityscape by allowing residential development in traditionally commercial areas.

The new Zoning Code will guide Alhambra’s growth for the next few decades. Visit alhambracodeupdate.com to see the latest updates.

What is a Zoning Code?

Zoning codes are legal documents that cities use to determine what type of structures can be constructed and where. A city divides land into "zones," which each have its own set of regulations for new development.