make it difficult to determine with certainty where the boundary occurs between the commercial <br />and residential area to the east, in relation to the subject property. The Metro Plan (Page II-G-2) <br />indicates that land use designations shown on the diagram are depicted at a metropolitan scale. It <br />is to be used with text and local plans and policies in providing direction for local decision making, <br />such as the requested zone change. In the absence of more specificity such as clear physical <br />referents on the Metro Plan land use diagram, further interpretation based upon analysis of the <br />applicable refinement plan is required. The more detailed subarea plan diagram and text of the <br />River Road Santa Clara Urban Facilities Plan (RRSC) are discussed below under the approval <br />criterion at EC 9.8865(2). <br />The applicant did not address any Metro Plan policies in the application materials; however, there <br />are several policies that appear relevant and provide general support for the requested zone <br />change: <br />Economic Element <br />B.2 Encourage economic development, which utilizes local and imported capital, <br />entrepreneurial skills, and the resident labor force. <br />8.11 Encourage economic activities, which strengthen the metropolitan area's position as a <br />regional distribution, trade, health and service center. <br />8.29 Encourage the expansion or redevelopment of existing neighborhood commercial <br />facilities as surrounding residential densities increase or as the characteristics of the <br />support population change. <br />As noted by the applicant, the intent of this re-zone is to allow a commercial use to move into an <br />existing vacant commercial building. The proposed C-2 zoning allows for a greater range of <br />economic activities than the existing C-1 zone, which can generally encourage economic <br />development consistent with these policies. <br />Transportation Element <br />F.3 Provide for transit-supportive land use patterns and development, including higher <br />intensity, transit oriented development along major transit corridors and near transit <br />stations; medium- and high-density residential development within X mile of transit <br />stations, major transit corridors, employment centers, and downtown areas; and <br />development and redevelopment in designated areas that are or could be well served by <br />existing or planned transit. <br />River Road is well served with two bus routes providing transit service, consistent with this polic <br />The proposed zone change is consistent with the Metro Plan. <br />Hearings Official Decision (Z 11-5) <br />374