Planning Commission
MEETING DATE: 12/6/2017
Title
CASE NO. General Plan Amendment No. 17-001, Change of Zone No. 17-002, Specific Plan Amendment No. 07-001B
APPLICANT: 101223289 Saskatchewan LTD, David Turner/City of Cathedral City
LOCATION: North of Interstate 10 (Assessor Parcel Nos. 660-390-024, 659-230-003, -004 and -039).
REQUEST: To correct an inadvertent change of the general plan and zoning designations for portions of the subject property that occurred during the adoption of the North City Specific Plan (SP 07-001). The general plan designation will be reverted to I (Industrial) from OS-P (Open Space-Public) and the zoning designation will be reverted to I-1 (Light Industrial) from OS (Open Space).
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STAFF PLANNER:
Robert Rodriguez, Planning Manager
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
APPROVE an exemption to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section No. 15061(b)(3).
ADOPT A RESOLUTION RECOMMENDING THAT THE CITY COUNCIL ADOPT an ordinance approving General Plan Amendment No. 17-001, Change of Zone No. 17-002 and Specific Plan Amendment No. 07-001B.
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FINDINGS:
APPROVAL OF AN EXEMPTION TO THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) based on the finding that the project is exempt pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3), the “General Rule”, as it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that General Plan Amendment No. 17-001, Change of Zone No. 17-002 and Specific Plan Amendment No. 07-001B may have a significant effect on the environment.
APPROVAL OF General Plan Amendment No. 17-001, Change of Zone No. 17-002 and Specific Plan Amendment No. 07-001B, subject to the following findings:
1. The general plan and zoning designations for the subject property were inadvertently changed during the adoption of the North City Specific Plan (Specific Plan No. 07-001).
2. The proposed General Plan Amendment and Change of Zone will return the subject parcels to their original general plan designation of I (Industrial) and zoning designation of I-1 (Light Industrial).
3. The proposed General Plan Amendment, Change of Zone and Specific Plan Amendment are consistent with the vision, goals and policies of the North City Specific Plan (Specific Plan No. 07-001).
4. The proposed General Plan and Specific Plan Amendments were circulated in compliance with SB18 and no significant issues were identified requiring consultation.
BACKGROUND/ANALYSIS:
A Tentative Parcel Map (TPM 30726) for the subject property was approved by the City on September 28, 2005 for a future industrial development (see Attachment 2). At the time of approval, the property was designated in the General Plan as I (Industrial) with a zoning designation of I-1 (Light Industrial). In the intervening years, the Tentative Parcel Map received multiple map extensions, and a Final Parcel Map was recently approved by the City.
In 2007, the City began the process to develop a specific plan (North City Specific Plan) for the entire area north of Interstate 10 within the City boundary including recently annexed land. As the Tentative Parcel Map was located within this area, the owners participated in the community and stakeholder meetings with City staff, to ensure their project would be part of the new specific plan. In July 2009, the North City Specific Plan was approved by the City Council (Ordinance 680).
Earlier this year, the current owners of the property began working with the City to finalize the Tentative Parcel Map. At that time, it was discovered that a portion of the property was changed to land use designation of open space during the adoption of the North City Specific Plan. On July 6, 2017, the applicant submitted applications for a General Plan Amendment and Change of Zone.
As shown on the attached maps (see Attachment 3 - 6), the affected property is only a small portion of the total property. Additionally, the applicant is requesting that a portion of the affected property be reverted to the Industrial designation. The remaining portion will remain as Open Space as no structures are planned for this area.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS:
In accordance with Senate Bill 18, the project proposal was sent to California Native American tribes on August 17, 2017 for review and comment. Letters were received from three tribes indicating no further consultation was needed.
The project is Categorically Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15061 (b)(3), as it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that General Plan Amendment No. 17-001, Change of Zone No. 17-002 and Specific Plan Amendment No. 07-001B may have a significant effect on the environment.
PUBLIC NOTIFICATION:
This public hearing and the environmental determination were noticed in accordance with the City Municipal Code, State Law and CEQA.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1: Applicant’s Letter
Attachment 2: Tentative Parcel Map Approval Documents
Attachment 3: Current General Plan Designation
Attachment 4: Proposed General Plan Designation
Attachment 5: Current Zoning Designation
Attachment 6: Proposed Zoning Designation
Attachment 7: Planning Commission Resolution
Attachment 8: Public Hearing Notice