City Council
MEETING DATE: 1/24/2018
TITLE:
Title
General Plan Amendment No. 17-001, Change of Zone No. 17-002, Specific Plan Amendment No. 07-001B
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FROM:
Robert Rodriguez, Planning Manager
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Staff recommends the City Council approve an exemption to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section No. 15061(b)(3); and approve the first reading of an ordinance, by title only, approving General Plan Amendment No. 17-001, Change of Zone No. 17-002 and Specific Plan Amendment No. 07-001B.
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BACKGROUND:
A Tentative Parcel Map (TPM 30726), and the associated Mitigated Negative Declaration, for the subject property was approved by the City Council 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 inadvertently changed to a 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 (with the City sponsoring the Specific Plan Amendment).
The Planning Commission considered the item at their regularly scheduled meeting on December 6, 2017 and voted unanimously 4-0 to adopt the Resolution recommending that the City Council approve the General Plan Amendment, Change of Zone and Specific Plan Amendment.
DISCUSSION:
The Tentative Parcel Map (TPM 30726) encompasses 18.72 acres of property zoned Light Industrial (I-1), with most of the property located on the west side of Date Palm Drive. The portion of the property that was inadvertently changed to Open Space represents only a small portion of the total property, approximately 2.76 acres. This includes 1.73 acres west of Date Palm Drive and 1.03 acres east of Date Palm Drive (see Attachments 3 and 5).
However, the applicant is requesting that only a portion of this property, approximately 1.41 acres, be reverted to the Industrial (I) General Plan designation and Light Industrial (I-1) zoning designation. This includes .38 acres west of Date Palm Drive and 1.03 acres east of Date Palm Drive. The remaining portion will remain as Open Space as no structures are planned for this area (see Attachments 4 and 6).
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS:
At the time that the Tentative Parcel Map was approved, an Initial Study was completed in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) analyzing the anticipated environmental impacts stemming from the land division for industrial development. Staff determined that with the implementation of appropriate mitigation measures, impacts to the environment would be reduced to less than significant levels. As a result, a Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) was approved.
This request is to fix an error that was made in the North City Specific Plan process and would revert the land use designation and zoning for a small amount of land to what was analyzed in the MND for the Tentative Parcel Map. This request is not associated with a development permit or the construction of any structures. If the Tentative Map is finaled, additional environmental analysis and reports/studies would be required for any development permit such as a Conditional Use Permit or Design Review application, as required by the approved MND for the map. If the Tentative Parcel Map is not finaled, the EIR for the North City Specific Plan would also require additional environmental review to be conducted before any development permit is issued. Therefore, this project, if approved, would not have a significant effect on the environment, and is considered Categorically Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3).
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.
PUBLIC NOTIFICATION:
This public hearing and the environmental determination were noticed in accordance with the City Municipal Code, State Law and CEQA.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no direct fiscal impact related to this action.
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: Proposed Ordinance
Attachment 9: Public Hearing Notice