2025 Specific Plan amendments

Windy Hill Property Ventures is proposing to amend the Specific Plan to modify land uses allowed along Santa Cruz Avenue within the Downtown/Station Area “Main Street” Overlay (“Main Street Overlay”) land use designation. The Main Street Overlay land use designation is generally located along Santa Cruz Avenue between University Drive to the west and Merrill Street to the east. The Main Street Overlay currently promotes a retail emphasis by limiting non-retail ground floor uses on Santa Cruz Avenue. The proposal would also modify the definitions of certain land use classifications applicable throughout the entire Specific Plan area.

Current status

The requested amendments are scheduled to be heard at the May 18, 2026 Planning Commission meeting. Following this meeting, the project is tentatively scheduled for a City Council hearing for final action on June 23, 2026.

Proposed Amendments

The proposed amendments to the Specific Plan include the following modifications:

    Land Use Current Proposed
Animal Clinics and Hospitals Not permitted Use permit required
Animal Retail Sales and Service  Permitted when less than 5,000 s.f.; use permit required when 5,000 s.f. or greater  Permitted
Banks and Financial Institutions Not permitted Use permit required
Business Services Not permitted Use permit required
Offices, Business and Professional Permitted when no greater than one-half the base or public benefit bonus floor area ratio (FAR) and upper floors only

 

Permitted when no greater than one-half the base or public benefit bonus floor area ratio (FAR) and upper floors only

 

Additionally, existing buildings could be permitted no greater than two-thirds the public benefit bonus FAR, limited to the rear half of the ground floor and/or on the second floor, not containing ground-floor frontage on Santa Cruz Ave., and not increasing the overall square footage of the building; required to obtain a use permit and provide a public benefit.

 

Offices, Medical and Dental Permitted when no greater than one-third the base or public benefit bonus floor area ratio (FAR) and upper floors only

 

Permitted when no greater than one-half the base or public benefit bonus floor area ratio (FAR) and upper floors only.

 

Additionally, existing buildings could be permitted no greater than two-thirds the public benefit bonus FAR, limited to the rear half of the ground floor and/or on the second floor, not containing ground-floor frontage on Santa Cruz Ave., and not increasing the overall square footage of the building; required to obtain a use permit and provide a public benefit.

 

Personal Improvement Services Permitted on upper floors only

 

Permitted
Personal Services, General Permitted on upper floors only Permitted 

 

Modifications are also proposed to the following land use classifications, which would apply across the entire Specific Plan:

  • Business Services: Requested modifications would broaden the definition to include businesses that primarily provide goods and services to the public;

  • Personal Improvement Services: Proposed modifications would involve the removal of a spa use;

  • Personal Services – General: Proposed modifications would allow nail salons, as well as spa services (non-surgical and minimally-invasive cosmetic and aesthetic services, such as injectables, laser treatments, skin rejuvenation, and body contouring), therapeutic massage services, and biometric screening;

  • Personal Improvement Services: Proposed modifications would involve the removal of a therapeutic massage services use.

 

Contact us

Matt Pruter
Associate Planner
Email

650-330-6703