6.7. FAIR OAKS BOULEVARD CORRIDOR PLAN

The Fair Oaks Boulevard Corridor Plan was adopted in 2011 to help guide the revitalization and enhancement of Fair Oaks Boulevard, between Oak Avenue and Marshall Avenue, and Manzanita Avenue between the Boulevard and Winding Way. This three-mile stretch of Fair Oaks Boulevard and Manzanita Avenue is Carmichael’s economic and social center. Since its early days as the main street for Carmichael Colony, the Boulevard has provided a wide range of community services, including discount retailing, auto repair, convenience commercial centers, and food. Over time, the street also became a regional road, and has several generations of older commercial development that cannot compete with large contemporary commercial centers.

The corridor planning area also includes a Special Planning Area (SPA) for the Main Street District. The following regulations are intended to supplement the SPA regulations and implement the principles of the Fair Oaks Boulevard Corridor Plan at a district level. These regulations will help transform this Section of Fair Oaks Boulevard and Manzanita Avenue into a vibrant mixed-use commercial and residential district with a mix of commercial and residential uses.

The boundaries of the Fair Oaks Boulevard Corridor Planning Area are shown in Figure 6-1.

Relating to East Fair Oaks Boulevard, Manzanita and South Gateway Districts of the Fair Oaks Boulevard Corridor Planning Area.

6.7.3.A. Permitted Land Uses

Land uses permitted within the East Fair Oaks Boulevard, Manzanita and South Gateway Districts of the Fair Oaks Boulevard Corridor Planning Area shall be those uses permitted in the underlying zoning district, except as set forth in Section 6.7.3.A.1 through 6.7.3.A.10, and shall conform to the development standards as set forth in this Code. The following uses, if otherwise permitted in their respective zoning district, shall require a Conditional Use Permit from the Planning Commission:

1. Liquor Store.

2. Check Cashing Stores.

3. Tobacco Shop.

4. Gun shop-Gunsmith.

5. Storage Building-Mini.

6. Machine Shop, Photographic Processing Plant-wholesale Facility, Building Trades Service Yard and Workshop.

7. [DELETED 06-11-2026]

8. Recycling Centers.

9. Tattoo Parlors.

10. Pawn Shops.

6.7.3.B. Development Standards

1. All development projects, including land use entitlements and building permits for new and renovation construction, proposed within the East Fair Oaks Boulevard, Manzanita, and South Gateway districts of the Fair Oaks Boulevard Corridor Plan shall be subject to the County’s Design Review program, per Section 6.3.2 of this Code. Although not mandatory, projects outside of the Main Street District are encouraged to, and may at applicant’s option, follow any or part of the development and design standards contained in the Fair Oaks Boulevard Corridor Plan.

2. Development projects proposed within the East Fair Oaks Boulevard, Manzanita and South Gateway districts of the Fair Oaks Boulevard Corridor Plan may, at the applicant’s option, utilize the alternative development and design standards, as described in the Fair Oaks Boulevard Corridor Plan instead of the development and design standards contained in this Code. The County DRA is authorized to approve any projects pursuant to Section 6.7.3.B.1 or pursuant to the development standards and design concepts as described in the Corridor Plan. Any projects that include residential components which exceed certain intensity requirements of the Fair Oaks Boulevard shall be forwarded to the Planning Commission or appropriate hearing body for final review and approval, as described in the Review Process for the Main Street District SPA.

   • a. Regardless which development and design standards are used, multifamily residential projects on parcels rezoned by the County to satisfy the Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) for lower income households (as listed below) shall be developed at a minimum density of at least 22.5 dwelling units per acre. The project may be developed at the maximum density specified in the Fair Oaks Boulevard Corridor Plan or at the maximum density of the underlying zoning district, whichever is greater.

     • i. The parcels rezoned by the County to satisfy RHNA are as follows:

       1. APN 260-0310-025-0000

3. When major new development or major redevelopment of a site occurs, improvements in the public right-of-way and/or landscape setback areas shall conform to the streetscape design concepts and principles in Section 2.6 of the Fair Oaks Boulevard Corridor Plan.

4. General nonconforming, remodeling and demolition of nonconforming uses within the East Fair Oaks Boulevard, Manzanita and South Gateway Districts shall be dictated by the following provisions: Nonconforming use in an existing building (use/business previously permitted by right requires Conditional Use Permit pursuant to this ordinance). The use/business may continue to operate indefinitely, or the same type of business/use may reoccupy the premises, as long as the vacancy period does not exceed 18 months for properties located in the East Fair Oaks Boulevard, Manzanita and South Gateway Districts. Extensions of the vacancy period may be approved by the Planning Commission.

Figure 6-1: Fair Oaks Boulevard Corridor Plan Boundaries