Village zoning change approved

In an effort to make zoning appropriate for individual unincorporated communities rather than have one-size-fits-all zoning for the entire unincorporated area, the County of San Diego created village zoning. The Fallbrook Revitalization Plan approved in 2003 was the county’s first village-specific zoning and included the V1, V2, V3, V4, and V5 designations.

A change of name was required for the Fallbrook zones when the San Diego County Board of Supervisors approved village plans for Alpine and Ramona on July 30, although the zoning regulations themselves for Fallbrook were not affected. The ordinance wording changes also revised some “village regulations” references to note specific Fallbrook village regulations while other wording covers village regulations for all unincorporated communities with village-specific zoning.

The adoption of the entire package was on a 4-1 Board of Supervisors vote with Bill Horn opposed due to concern about regulations in Alpine and Ramona. Horn was supportive of the change in the Fallbrook zoning classifications. “I have no problem with that regardless of the outcome of the vote,” he said.

The village zoning in Fallbrook’s business district and its corresponding regulations are intended to promote and preserve the village character, create a pedestrian-friendly environment for residents and visitors, and encourage the growth of Fallbrook’s art industry. Uses which were in effect prior to the 2003 adoption of Fallbrook’s village zoning are allowed to continue in those locations.

Fallbrook’s V1 zoning classification name was changed to FB-V1. The Village 1 zone in Fallbrook is intended to encourage primarily retail businesses fronting a pedestrian-oriented street. The regulations allow residential dwelling as a secondary use.

The V2 zone classification name was changed to FB-V2. The Village 2 area is intended to serve as a buffer between the retail-oriented V1 zone and the more industrial V3 zone. In addition to uses allowed under FB-V1 zoning, the Village 2 area also allows more intensive civic and automotive service uses, and residences are allowed as a co-principal use subject to limitations.

The Village 3 area whose classification name was changed from V3 to FB-V3 is intended to provide opportunities for clean industry and manufacturing, including art creation. All FB-V1 and FB-V2 allowed uses are also permitted in areas with FB-V3 zoning, as are manufacturing and other general industrial uses if the activity is indoors and meets noise and other limitations. The FB-V3 zoning also allows service-oriented civic and commercial uses which are more intense than what is allowed in the Village 1 and Village 2 areas. Residential use in FB-V3 areas is allowed if it can be shown to be compatible with the adjacent commercial and industrial uses.

The zoning for the Village 4 area whose classification was changed from V4 to FB-V4 is similar to the V1 zoning but allows for more automotive-oriented uses and a flexible front yard setback.

The intent of the Village 5 area whose zoning name changed from V5 to FB-V5 is principal and dominant administrative office and professional service uses. Residential uses are allowed, and development shall have a scale and appearance compatible and complementary to adjacent residential uses. Uses which generate high volumes of vehicular traffic are prohibited.