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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-12-12 - ORDINANCES - MC-17-027 OTN SPECIFIC PLAN AMEND (2)ORDINANCE NO. 17-15 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING MASTER CASE 17-027, CONSISTING OF SPECIFIC PLAN AMENDMENT 17-001 (ZONING AMENDMENT), AMENDING THE OLD TOWN NEWHALL SPECIFIC PLAN THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA, CALIFORNIA, DOES HEREBY ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. FINDINGS OF FACT. The City Council does hereby make the following findings of fact: A. The City of Santa Clarita General Plan requires the implementation of the City of Santa Clarita Unified Development Code (UDC) to be in compliance with the Government Code of the State of California; B. The Old Town Newhall Specific Plan (ONSP) was adopted on December 22, 2005, to create a plan to revitalize Old Town Newhall by encouraging development and redevelopment on Main Street and throughout the ONSP area; C. The City of Santa Clarita (City) periodically prepares updates to the ONSP; D. The ONSP intended to create a pedestrian -oriented Arts and Entertainment District in the Urban Center Zone (Main Street area). As part of the Arts and Entertainment District, the ONSP contemplated the creation of a Parking Assessment District to fund two public parking structures. In anticipation of the Parking Assessment District and its associated structures, and in order to incentivize development, minimum parking requirements were eliminated for parcels located in the Urban Center Zone (Main Street area); E. The Parking Assessment District envisioned by the ONSP was never created due to lack of public support. An additional potential funding method for public parking was lost when the State of California eliminated Redevelopment Agencies; F. On March 6, 2017, the City commenced construction of a 372 -space public parking structure located at the northwest corner of Railroad Avenue and 9th Street, paid for by the City since the Parking Assessment District was never formed. The structure is necessary to accommodate parking needs in the Urban Center Zone (Main Street area) because minimum parking requirements do not exist in the Zone to support new development; G. On February 13, 2017, the City, as the applicant, initiated an application for Master Case 17-027, consisting of Specific Plan Amendment 17-001 to amend the ONSP (Project) to establish minimum parking requirements in the Urban Center Zone (Main Street area) within the ONSP area, and to make ancillary revisions to parking code language in other ONSP zones. A complete copy of the proposed amendments is incorporated to this Ordinance as Exhibit A; H. The proposed amendments would ensure that future (new) development in the Urban Center Zone (Main Street area) would provide its fair share of customer parking in terms of supply and/or cost; The proposed amendments would continue to provide a development incentive in the Urban Center Zone (Main Street area), when compared to other areas of the City, by allowing property and business owners to fully utilize their land for commercial purposes while providing for opportunities for off-site, shared parking; J. On March 9, 2017, staff met with the Downtown Newhall Specific Plan Ad Hoc Committee to discuss the proposed amendments and to receive feedback; K. On March 15, April 19, May 17, June 21, July 19, and August 16, 2017, staff met with the Old Town Newhall Association and solicited feedback and suggestions from members of the organization; L. On March 29, 2017, staff conducted a community workshop at the Old Town Newhall Library where staff received comments and suggestions on the proposed amendments; M. The application was deemed complete on April 12, 2017; N. The proposed amendments are consistent with, and further implement, the Goals and Policies of the City of Santa Clarita General Plan; O. The Planning Commission held a duly -noticed public hearing on June 6, 2017, at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall, 23920 Valencia Boulevard, Santa Clarita, California; P. At the public hearing described above, the Planning Commission considered the staff report, staff presentation, and public testimony on the Project, and in a unanimous 4-0 vote, approved Resolution P17-07 recommending the City Council adopt a Negative - Declaration and approve Master Case 17-027; Q. The documents and other materials that constitute the record of proceedings upon which the decision of the Planning Commission was based is the Master Case No. 17-027 project file, located within the Community Development Department, specifically in the custody of the Director of Community Development; R. On August 22, 2017, the City Council conducted a duly -noticed public hearing at City Hall, 23920 Valencia Boulevard, Santa Clarita, at 6:00 p.m. The public hearing was advertised in The Signal newspaper on August 1, 2017. S. At the City Council meeting of August 22, the City Council received a staff presentation summarizing the proposed Project, opened the public hearing, received public testimony regarding the Project, received further staff comments and answers to questions, continued the public hearing to a date uncertain and directed staff to conduct additional outreach to the Old Town Newhall business community and property owners, and return to the City Council when outreach had been completed; T. On November 28, 2017, the City Council continued the duly -noticed public hearing at City Hall, 23920 Valencia Boulevard, Santa Clarita, at 6:00 p.m. The public hearing was advertised in The Signal newspaper on November 7 and 18, 2017. U. At the November 28 City Council meeting, the City Council received a staff presentation summarizing the proposed Project and the additional public outreach requested by City Council, and in the public hearing, received public testimony regarding the Project, received further staff comments and answers to questions, and closed the public hearing; V. The City Council conducted a first reading of an Ordinance for the ONSP amendments on November 28, and passed the Ordinance to a second reading on December 12, 2017; W. The documents and other materials that constitute the record of proceedings upon which the decision of the City Council is based is the Master Case 17-027 project file, located within the Community Development Department, specifically in the custody of the Director of Community Development. SECTION 2. CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT FINDINGS. Based upon the foregoing facts and findings, the City Council hereby finds as follows: A. An Initial Study and Negative Declaration for the Project has been prepared in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (Exhibit B and Exhibit C); B. The Initial Study has been circulated for review and comment by affected governmental agencies and the public, and all comments received, if any, have been considered. The Negative Declaration was posted and advertised on May 16, 2017, in accordance with CEQA. The public review period was open from May 16, 2017, through June 6, 2017; C. There is no substantial evidence the Project will have a significant effect on the environment. The Negative Declaration reflects the independent judgment of the City; D. The necessary Native American Tribal Consultation required by Assembly Bill 52 as part of the CEQA process concluded on March 20, 2017, prior to the release of the Initial Study for public comment; E. The documents and other materials which constitute the record of proceedings upon which the decision of the City Council is based is the Master Case 17-027 project file, located within the Community Development Department, specifically in the custody of the Director of Community Development; and F. The City Council, based upon the findings set forth above, hereby finds the Negative Declaration for this project has been prepared in compliance with CEQA. SECTION 3. GENERAL FINDINGS FOR SPECIFIC PLAN AMENDMENT 17-001 LZONING AMENDMENT. Based on the above findings of facts, recitals, and the entire record, including, without limitation, oral and written testimony and other evidence received at the public hearings, reports and other transmittals from City staff to the City Council, and upon studies and investigations made by the City Council, the City Council finds as follows: A. The proposal is consistent with the General Plan. The Project is consistent with the General Plan because the proposed amendments are contained entirely within the existing ONSP area, which is shown on the City's General Plan map. The amendments are also consistent with encouraging the economic development of the Old Town Newhall area by permitting property owners the continued opportunity to fully develop their land, while encouraging a pedestrian -oriented Main Street environment within the Urban Center Zone (Main Street area) by establishing minimum parking requirements that can be used to calculate fair -share parking supply or costs (a Parking in Lieu Fee) for future parking facilities on or adjacent to Main Street. B. The proposal is allowed within the applicable underlying zone and complies with all other applicable provisions of the UDC. The amendments would apply minimum parking requirements to properties in the Urban Center Zone (Main Street area). The established Old Town Newhall parking incentive of one parking space for the first 1,500 square feet of new non-residential/commercial development would be used. For new non-residential/commercial uses in excess of 1,500 square feet, a ratio of 1:350 (one parking space for each 350 square feet of new non- residential/commercial space) would be used beyond the initial Newhall parking incentive. Ancillary text revisions would be made to clarify parking language in the Urban General 1, Urban General 2, and Corridor Zones, without changing how parking is calculated in those zones. The proposed amendments would not change the character or the established land use patterns on Main Street, thus supporting the provisions of the ONSP document that envision a pedestrian -oriented Arts and Entertainment District with off-site parking. C. The proposal will not endanger, jeopardize, or otherwise constitute a hazard to the public convenience, health, interest, safety, or general welfare, or be materially detrimental or injurious to the improvements, persons, property, or uses in the vicinity and zone in which the property is located. Nothing contained in the proposed amendments would endanger, jeopardize, or otherwise constitute a hazard to the public because the changes would implement minimum parking requirements for future (new) development. Any new parking spaces or facilities constructed or otherwise provided by the proposed Project would be built to the latest City standards in terms of circulation, zoning, and building code requirements. Existing development would not be impacted by the amendments. The amendments would ensure ample parking is provided to serve future businesses in the Urban Center Zone (Main Street area) in the ONSP area. D. The proposal is physically suitable for the site. The factors related to the proposal's physical suitability for the site shall include, but are not limited to, the following: 1. The design, location, shape, size, and operating characteristics are suitable for the proposed use; 2. The highways or streets that provide access to the site are of sufficient width and are improved as necessary to carry the kind and quantity of traffic such proposal would generate; 3. Public protection service (e.g., Fire protection, Sheriff protection, etc.) are readily available; 4. The provision of utilities (e.g potable water, schools, solid waste collection and disposal, storm drainage, wastewater collection, treatment, and disposal, etc.) is adequate to serve the site. The Project is physically suitable for the site in terms of location, shape, size, and operating characteristics, as the amendments would establish minimum parking requirements for the Urban Center Zone (Main Street area) in the ONSP area which could be accommodated on or off site. Minimum parking requirements would ensure ample parking is provided for future (new) development in the Old Town Newhall area. If code - required parking could not be accommodated on site, spaces could be accommodated off site either through providing physical parking spaces, as currently allowed with a Minor Use Permit, or through another means, such as a Parking in Lieu Fee program. The proposed amendments would not change or impact existing traffic patterns, and would encourage pedestrian -oriented uses on Main Street. The ONSP area is served by the Los Angeles County Fire Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriff s Department, with both providing adequate service levels. The Project area is likewise served by all applicable utilities. Nothing in the proposed amendments would increase the need for fire or police protection services or increase demand for utilities. SECTION 4. ADDITIONAL FINDINGS FOR SPECIFIC PLAN AMENDMENT 17-001 (ZONING AMENDMENT). Based on the above findings of facts, recitals, and the entire record, including, without limitation, oral and written testimony and other evidence received at the public hearings, reports and other transmittals from City staff to the City Council, and upon studies and investigations made by the City Council, the City Council finds as follows for Specific Plan Amendment 17-001 (Zoning Amendment), in accordance with UDC Section 17.28.120.I: A. The amendment is consistent with the adjacent area, if applicable. B. The amendment is consistent with the principles of the General Plan. Specific Plan Amendment 17-001 (Zoning Amendment) is consistent with the land uses and businesses within the ONSP area, and consistent with Policy 1.2.1 of the General Plan Land Use Element which states: "In Newhall, provide opportunities for new business and housing by implementing the [Old Town] Newhall Specific Plan, provide incentives to promote infill development and re -use of underutilized sites..." The proposed amendments reflect City Council direction to create a vibrant, pedestrian -oriented Main Street. Property owners in the Urban Center Zone (Main Street area) would be able to fully utilize their commercial parcels by providing parking off site in public parking structures, as envisioned in the ONSP. By allowing parking to be provided off site, the Project would support infill development and the ongoing revitalization of Newhall, including the pedestrian -oriented Arts and Entertainment District. C. Approval of the amendment will be in the interest of public health, convenience, safety, and general welfare and in conformity with good zoning practice. Specific Plan Amendment 17-001 (Zoning Amendment) reflects City Council direction to create a pedestrian -oriented Main Street by providing ample off-street parking, and permitting property owners to accommodate parking needs in publicly managed structures if they choose to. Ample, convenient parking is essential to a vibrant and economically viable arts and shopping district. The Project would ensure future development provides off-street parking spaces for customers, fulfilling the ONSP's objective of providing property owners in the Urban Center Zone (Main Street area) the incentive to filly develop their parcels for active commercial use. Therefore, the proposed Specific Plan Amendment 17-001 (Zoning Amendment) supports the interest of public health, convenience, safety, and general welfare of the Newhall community, while implementing good zoning practice. D. The amendment is consistent with other applicable provisions of this code. E. Is necessary to implement the General Plan and/or that the public convenience, the general welfare or good zoning practice justifies such action. Specific Plan Amendment 17-001 (Zoning Amendment) is consistent with the applicable provisions of the ONSP and the UDC because the proposed amendments would establish minimum parking requirements to ensure sufficient parking for future (new) development. On-site parking is required in other City zones but is not currently required in the Urban Center Zone (Main Street area) in the ONSP area. The amendments would apply the existing Newhall parking bonus (one space for the first 1,500 square feet of new non- residential/commercial space) and a ratio of 1:350 (one space for each 350 square feet of new non-residential/ commercial space) beyond the first 1,500 square feet. Minimum parking requirements ensure future (new) development would pay its fair share in terms of providing parking supply or covering the cost, or a portion of the cost, for new off-street parking facilities, thereby precluding City residents and the City's General Fund from bearing the full cost of providing parking to certain privately -owned commercial parcels in Old Town Newhall. Therefore, the amendments would promote the general welfare and public convenience in Newhall and the larger City, and would constitute good zoning practice. SECTION 5. The City Council hereby adopts the Negative Declaration (Exhibit B) prepared for the Project, and approves the amendments to the Old Town Newhall Specific Plan (Exhibit A). SECTION 6. If any portion of this Ordinance is held to be invalid, that portion shall be stricken and severed, and the remaining portions shall be unaffected and remain in full force and effect. SECTION 7. This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect thirty (30) days from its passage and adoption. SECTION 8. The City Clerk shall certify to the passage of this Ordinance and shall cause the same to be published as required by law. PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 12th day of December, 2017. t MAYOR ATTEST: CITY CLERK DATE: STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) ss. CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ) I, Mary Cusick, City Clerk of the City of Santa Clarita, do hereby certify that the foregoing Ordinance No. 17-15 was regularly introduced and placed upon its first reading at a regular meeting of the City Council on the 28th day of November, 2017. That thereafter, said Ordinance was duly passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council on the 12th day of December 2017, by the following vote, to wit: AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: Miranda, Smyth, McLean, Kellar NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: None ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: None RECUSE: COUNCILMENBERS: Weste AND I FURTHER CERTIFY that the foregoing is the original of Ordinance and was published in The Signal newspaper in accordance with State Law (G.C. 40806). CITY CLERK "EXHIBIT A" OF ORDINANCE 17-15 SPECIFIC PLAN AMENDMENT 17-001 (ZONING AMENDMENT) INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE "EXHIBIT B" OF ORDINANCE 17-15 NEGATIVE DECLARATION/INITIAL STUDY INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE