Residential Land Use

Low Density Residential

The Low Density Residential (LDR) category allows traditional single-family homes, with one dwelling permitted per legal lot. Residences in this category consist generally of single-family, detached houses with private yards. The permitted density is 0 to 8 dwelling units per acre. The average population density is 27 persons per acre.

Additional permitted uses include religious and educational institutions, group homes, and community care facilities, consistent with zoning ordinance regulations.

Medium Density Residential

The Medium Density Residential (MDR) category provides for moderate density housing either as attached or detached units at a density range of zero to 16 units per acre. Such housing can include private and common open space. The average population density is 53 persons per acre.

Additional permitted uses include religious and educational institutions, group homes, and community care facilities, consistent with zoning ordinance regulations.

High Density Residential

The High Density Residential (HDR) category allows a broad range of dwelling unit types which may be attached or detached. The residential units consist typically of apartments, condominiums, and townhomes built at a maximum density of 25 units per acre. The average population density is 84 persons per acre.

Additional permitted uses include religious and educational institutions, group homes, and community care facilities, consistent with zoning ordinance regulations.

Commercial Land Uses

To allow for diversity and flexibility in commercial development, the Land Use Policy Map shows only one commercial land use category. Zoning districts are used to differentiate among the various commercial focus areas addressed in this Element.

Commercial

The Commercial (C)category provides opportunities for a broad range of retail and service commercial and professional office uses intended to meet the needs of Monterey Park residents and businesses, as well as regional shopping demand. Commercial development largely is located along major thoroughfares and the freeway corridors. The maximum permitted Floor Area Ratio (FAR) for Commercial uses varies depending upon location. Figure LU-3 identifies FAR subareas, with corresponding FAR limits detailed in Table LU-1. The zoning ordinance will continue to define FAR standards more specifically for each commercial zoning district, using a sliding scale that ties the maximum permitted FAR to lot size.

Table LU-1 Commercial Subareas: FAR & Heights Limits

OII/Edison - Maximum FAR and building heights for the OII / Edison subarea shall be as prescribed in the precise plan set forth by Measure G approved by Monterey Park voters.

Additional permitted uses include religious and educational institutions, group homes, and community care facilities, consistent with zoning ordinance regulations.

Mixed Use

Mixed use represents a new land use concept in Monterey Park. The concept provides for the integration of commercial, office, and residential uses within a specific geographic area. Uses may be mixed vertically, with residential dwellings above street-level office and retail businesses, or side by side, with residences and commercial development mixed along a city block.

Downtown Mixed Use

The Downtown Mixed Use (MU I) category applies both to Downtown and the North Atlantic area (see Figure LU-2) and provides opportunities for complementary service and retail commercial businesses, professional offices, and residential uses to locate within the city's core business districts. A broad range of commercial and residential uses can be established within areas designated MU I, either within the same building or building complex, or side by side on separate legal parcels.

• Allowable residential uses include those identified in the High Density Residential category.
• Residential projects must be combined with a commercial use; no stand-alone residential development is permitted. Also, no residential use shall be permitted on the ground floor at the street frontage.
• Residential densities may be constructed up to 30 units per acre. Permitted commercial uses include retail, service, office, and entertainment and dining establishments.
• Businesses shall be oriented toward the street to encourage and facilitate pedestrian access.
• Uses specifically prohibited include vehicle sales, service, and repair businesses; wholesaling activities; warehousing and storage facilities; bars not associated with a restaurant; and medical facilities.
• Additional uses considered appropriate include religious and educational institutions, group homes, and community care facilities.

Permit Intensity

With regard to permitted intensity, three sub-districts apply:.

• North Atlantic corridor
• Downtown Core
• Areas surrounding Downtown adjacent to established residential neighborhoods

These sub-districts, identified on Figure LU-3 (PDF), shall have the intensity limits set forth in Table LU-2. The zoning ordinance will continue to define FAR standards more specifically

Table LU-2 MU I Subareas: Fare & Height Limits

Additional Subareas Limits

• Projects that integrate commercial and residential uses may receive up to a 0.25 FAR bonus.
• Buildings up to 130 feet are permitted within 200 feet of Hellman Avenue.
• Other bonuses may be granted for provision of affordable housing, as described in the Housing Element.

East Garvey Mixed Use

The East Garvey Mixed Use (MU II) category is established to encourage neighborhood revitalization and better integration of complementary commercial and residential uses, and to provide private property owners with expanded opportunities for development of underutilized parcels.

Allowable residential uses include those identified in the High Density Residential category, at a maximum density of 12 units per acre where no commercial development is provided as part of the same project. If a development project includes residential and commercial uses within the same building or as an integrated development, up to 30 units per acre are permitted.

• Permitted commercial uses shall include retail, service, office, entertainment, and dining establishments.
• Businesses should be oriented toward the street to encourage and facilitate pedestrian access.
• Uses specifically prohibited include vehicle service and repair businesses; wholesaling activities; warehousing and storage facilities; and bars not associated with a restaurant.
• Vehicle sales businesses must conform with minimum lot size requirements and performance standards set forth in the zoning ordinance.
• Additional uses considered appropriate include religious and educational institutions, group homes, and community care facilities.
• Commercial development shall not exceed an FAR of 0.50, although a density bonus of up to 0.25 can be granted for projects that integrate commercial and residential uses.

Baltimore Avenue Mixed Use

The Baltimore Mixed Use (MU III) category applies to the Baltimore Avenue area north of Garcelon Avenue (as shown on Figure LU-2) and provides opportunities for complementary service and retail commercial businesses, professional offices, and residential uses. A range of commercial and residential uses can be established within areas designated MU III, either within the same building or building complex, or side-by-side on separate legal parcels.

• Allowable residential uses include those identified in the High Density Residential category.
• Residential uses may be stand-alone uses or may be combined with commercial uses.
• Residential uses may be constructed up to a density of 25 units per acre.
• Commercial uses may be stand-alone uses or may be combined with residential uses.
• The commercial uses within MU III provide opportunities for a range of retail and service commercial and professional office uses intended to meet the needs of Monterey Park residents and businesses.
• The maximum permitted FAR is 0.65 and the maximum building height is 55 feet.
• The Zoning Ordinance will continue to define FAR standards more specifically for this mixed use district.

Employment / Technology Uses

Historically, industrial uses in Monterey Park consisted of heavier manufacturing operations. During the latter two decades of the twentieth century, these types of industries migrated from the Los Angeles basin, often to overseas locations. Replacement businesses ranged from high technology research and manufacturing to wholesale warehousing. Monterey Park's goal is to attract to these former industrial areas new businesses that provide jobs and generate tax revenues.

Employment / Technology

This land use category permits commercial, light manufacturing, research and development, and professional office uses in business park settings and as individually developed lots.

• On properties owned by government agencies, government-related uses are conditionally acceptable.
• Educational facilities considered appropriate include technical schools and similar facilities supporting businesses within the district.
• Warehousing, freight terminals, and heavy manufacturing are expressly prohibited, and wholesaling activities are permitted only on a limited, restricted basis, as defined by zoning regulations.

The maximum permitted FAR is 0.65, with the zoning ordinance establishing specific FAR ranges and maximums for individual zoning districts.

Public Facility

The Land Use Element provides one land use category to accommodate public facility uses, which are defined as uses directly related to a legitimate governmental or quasi-governmental activity or function.

• Public Facilities (PF) - The Public Facilities category is established to provide areas throughout the city for a variety of public, quasi-public, and institutional facilities. The primary land uses permitted within this category include:
• Public buildings, including but not limited to, City Hall, public libraries, and police and fire stations
• Quasi-public facilities such as public utility facilities, water wells, reservoirs, and similar uses
• Institutional uses such as public and private schools
• Utility easements
• Within utility easements, private nursery operations can be allowed consistent with provisions set forth in the zoning ordinance.

For each type of development, zoning ordinance regulations control the maximum permitted intensity of development. For uses with habitable structures, the FAR shall not exceed 0.75. Where a use does not include a habitable structure, such as a utility transformer station or water well housing, no FAR regulation applies.

Open Space

All public parks and city-owned recreational facilities are included in the Open Space (OS) category. While parks represent the primary permitted use, permitted recreational facilities include public gymnasiums, multi-purpose community buildings, child care centers for city-supported programs, and similar uses of a public-serving nature. No intensity restriction applies to the Open Space category.