11040 Encanto, El Monte, CA 91731

Downtown Main Street Transit-Oriented District Specific Plan

This Chapter sets the regulatory and design framework for developers, designers, City staff, and review bodies to develop and implement projects as they proceed through the entitlement process. The provisions of this Chapter apply to building additions, exterior remodels, relocations, or new construction requiring a building permit within the Downtown Specific Plan.; Main Street (MS) Subarea, This subarea is the economic, cultural and historic heart of the city. It includes many existing mom-and-pop retail and dining establishments. Much of Main Street has been improved with wide sidewalks, street furnishings and pockets of enhanced landscaping. A network of alleys and paseos allow for access to/from parking areas and adjacent subareas. The subarea is envisioned to be revitalized with façade improvements and vertical mixed-use development with residential or office above retail and restaurants. Buildings up to 3 stories in height will line Main Street and buildings up to 4 stories in height will front along Valley Boulevard.; Zocalo (Z) Subarea, Zocalo means public square which is a term that characterizes the physical location of this subarea. Today this subarea mostly includes residential, retail and office uses that are linked to the Main Street Subarea via paseos, alleys and Lexington Avenue. One large centrally located parking area is utilized for Downtown events and provides parking for the businesses along Main Street. This Subarea is envisioned to transform underutilized parking areas into retail and housing opportunities centered around outdoor open space. This plaza will provide space for community arts and cultural events to occur. Artist live/work units and urban housing developments up to 5 stories in height will support Main Street retail uses a short walk away. Along Lexington Avenue, retail and professional offices will provide an extension of Main Street uses and support the surrounding residences with various job opportunities.; Station (ST) Subarea, This subarea embodies the transit-oriented elements of the Downtown Specific Plan. Broken into 2 areas, the Station Subarea includes the El Monte Metrolink Station and properties across the street from the El Monte Bus Station. Both transit stops are within a comfortable five- to ten-minute walking distance to downtown restaurants, shops and services. This subarea is envisioned to include a complementary mix of retail, urban housing and transit uses. Stand-alone multi-family residential uses such as townhomes, studio flats and apartments up to 6 stories will provide housing opportunities for transit users in close proximity to downtown.; Monte Vista (MV) Subarea,This subarea is located along the southern and northern edges of the Downtown Specific Plan and is comprised of office, residential and public uses including the El Monte United States Post Office which occupies a large portion of the subarea. The area contains downtown supporting uses and creates a buffer to surrounding residential uses. This subarea will be enhanced with street corridor beautification, mixed-use development and downtown entry treatments in key locations. New development is limited to a maximum of 4 stories to ensure an appropriate transition from the downtown core to areas outside the specific plan boundary.