2016 Zoning Amendments 

What Made Shadeland’s Vision Possible

One of Walnut Creeks’s ongoing strategic priorities is to create and sustain a strong local economy, and one of the best ways to achieve this initiative is to support Shadelands as a world-class district that attracts diverse and innovative businesses, enhances property values, and enriches the lives for business owners, customers, and visitors. In 2016, the Walnut Creek City Council adopted zoning amendments that the Shadelands Steering Committee proposed, which allowed greater zoning flexibility.

The dynamic and diverse businesses coming to Shadelands—and those that are here and expanding in Shadelands—represent job creation and career creation for today’s workforce and for generations to come. Shadelands is home to businesses that want to attract and retain employees; entrepreneurs who want to start a business in a creative and energized environment; and workers looking for jobs and careers in engineering, finance, tech, manufacturing, education, sports, the arts, professional services, and health fields.

The zoning amendments offer opportunities to create incentives for the types of development the community desires, while ensuring the new development remains compatible with adjacent residential neighborhoods. They also recognize the importance of allowing employment-generating uses in Shadelands to flourish, while reimagining the district for new and future technologies and a younger workforce.

Zoning Amendment Highlights

  • Hotels are permitted (rather than prohibited) upon the approval of a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) by the Planning Commission.

  • Skilled nursing facilities with a typical stay of 30 days or less, but no more than 100 days, are permitted (rather than prohibited) upon approval of a CUP.

  • Nurseries remain prohibited under the new Business Park Zoning District regulations, as they are considered a retail use. However, horticultural uses, which include the growing of plants, trees, and such, as well as indoor cultivation of edible plants, are permitted (allowing wholesale and some limited retail sales).

  • Schools, public and private, are permitted (rather than prohibited) upon the approval of a CUP

  • Artists’ studios are permitted only if conducted entirely within a building. If the use includes outdoor use, then it is permitted upon approval of a CUP.

  • Eating and drinking establishments, health clubs, banks, personal improvement services and personal services are permitted uses, unless within and completely occupying a freestanding building, in which case approval of a CUP is required.

  • Retail uses accessory to the primary use are permitted, unless within and completely occupying a freestanding building. In that case, approval of a CUP is required, and a finding that the retail use is accessory to the primary use must be made.

  • Craft wineries and breweries (and other forms of alcohol production) are a subset of the Custom Manufacturing use. There are some limitations to the location (entirely within a building) and volume of small-scale production.

  • Limited industry uses are permitted with no restrictions on floor area devoted to manufacturing uses, provided they are accessory to the business and professional offices or commercial research and development services uses. If manufacturing is the primary function, the use requires approval of a CUP.