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Page 1 of 9 <br />Item #5 <br /> CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT <br /> <br />August 19, 2025 <br />Community and Economic Development <br /> <br />TITLE: INTRODUCE AND WAIVE THE FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE <br />AMENDING CHAPTER 18 ZONING OF THE PLEASANTON MUNICIPAL CODE <br />(PMC) AND FINDING THAT SUCH AMENDMENTS ARE EXEMPT FROM THE <br />CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) UNDER GUIDELINES <br />SECTION 15061(B)(3) (COMMON SENSE EXEMPTION) AND AMENDING <br />CHAPTERS 18.08, 18.20, 18.40, 18.48, 18.84, 18.88, 18.92, AND TABLE <br />18.44.080 OF THE PMC TO: (1) MODIFY THE DEFINITION OF LIGHT <br />INDUSTRIAL; (2) ESTABLISH THE DEFINITION OF AN INNOVATION-BASED <br />BUSINESS (IBB); (3) MODIFY TABLE 18.44.080 TO PERMIT OR <br />CONDITIONALLY PERMIT IBBS IN VARIOUS COMMERCIAL, OFFICE, <br />INDUSTRIAL AND RELATED PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT (PUD) <br />DISTRICTS AND IN VARIOUS DISTRICTS OF THE HACIENDA PUD AREA; (4) <br />MODIFY THE DESIGN REVIEW REQUIREMENTS TO REDUCE THE LEVEL OF <br />DESIGN REVIEW FOR IBBS MAKING LIMITED BUILDING AND SITE PLAN <br />CHANGES; AND (5) MODIFY SPECIFIC AND RELATED DEVELOPMENT <br />STANDARDS FOR IBBS <br /> <br />SUMMARY <br />The proposed Ordinance would amend various chapters of the Pleasanton Municipal Code <br />(PMC) regarding “Innovation-Based Businesses” (IBBs) by defining them as a distinct use <br />category and providing tailored zoning requirements that will facilitate these high-value, <br />relatively low-impact industrial uses in appropriate locations. The proposed amendments have <br />been developed to advance Priority 5.0 of the City’s Economic Development Strategic Plan <br />(EDSP), which directs the City to identify zoning modifications that would help attract the Life <br />Sciences/Biotechnology sector and other target industries to Pleasanton. It also aligns to the <br />ONE Pleasanton Strategic Plan and the priority established in 2025 to focus on Economic <br />Development, including Strategic Plan Goal E, Strategy 4 to implement the EDSP. <br /> <br />Amendments are proposed to several chapters of the PMC to include: <br />1. An update of the definition of Light Industrial <br />2. The addition of a new definition for IBB <br />3. Modifications to PMC Table 18.44.080 to allow or conditionally allow IBBs in several <br />commercial, office, and industrial zones, including parts of the Hacienda planned unit <br />development (PUD) Area <br />4. Revisions to the Design Review requirements for IBB uses involving construction or <br />significant alteration of existing buildings; leased space in an already approved building; <br />or a permitted use. <br />5. Adjustments to related development standards for IBBs to provide more flexibility as to <br />building height, establish design requirements when located next to sensitive uses <br />Page 45 of 674