PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The applicant is proposing to subdivide an existing 1.37 acre parcel into two parcels. One parcel would be a .81 acre lot parcel, the second parcel would be a .56 acre lot parcel. One buildable lot would be created where presumably a single family dwelling could be built.

SITE DESCRIPTION: The subject parcel in total is approximately 1.37 acres in size and the topography of the parcel is flat.  The subject property has an existing single family dwelling and proposes to keep the existing home. The properties located North, East, West, and South of the subject parcel are also rural residential.

Scenic Highway: No

Seismic: No

Fire Hazard: High Fire Severity Area

Floodplain:  Zone X (outside the 500 year flood) and a very small portion of the driveway is in AE.

Archaeological Sensitivity: Low Sensitivity.

Kit Fox Habitat: Within Impact Fee Area

Other Endangered or Sensitive Species:  None known

Soils: AnB, RsD2

PLANNING AND ZONING: The General Plan designates the property as Residential Mixed (RM) by the County Zoning designates the property as Rural Residential (RR). The RR zone is intended to provide areas of mixtures of housing and limited agricultural uses. The single-family dwelling is the primary use while agricultural uses are intended to be of secondary importance. No new buildings are being proposed at this time; however the creation of a buildable lot would presume a future single family dwelling and improvements.

STAFF ANALYSIS: The proposed project will subdivide an existing 1.37 acre parcel into two parcels. The existing parcel is a non-conforming flag-shaped parcel, however the split will not create multiple non-conforming parcel. Instead, one conforming parcel will be created and the size of the non-conforming flag-shaped parcel will be reduced.

One buildable lot would be created by this project. The proposed project will be served by Hollister City Sewer and Sunnyslope Water District. Both sewer and water would be provided reducing the minimum building size from one acre to one-half acre. The proposed project is consistent with both the County Zoning Ordinance and General Plan in that it promotes and provides a mixture of housing with the single-family dwelling being the primary use.

ENVIRONMENTAL EVALUATION: An Initial Study and Negative Declaration were prepared for the project. The public review period on the environmental document began on May 17,2016 and ended on June 9, 2016. No comments were received as a result of circulation of the initial study.

Staff recommends that the Planning Commission approve MS 1236-16  along with the CEQA Findings, Amendment Findings and Conditions of Approval.