HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-06-08 - AGENDA REPORTS - FIRST READING AMEND UDC 17 64 150 F (2)17
of sXNTA C<
U �
PUBLIC HEARINGS
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
AGENDA REPORT
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:
DATE: June 8, 2021
ju'll J� �,
Agenda Item: 17
SUBJECT: FIRST READING OF AMENDMENT TO SECTION 17.64.150.F OF
THE UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT CODE FOR THE HISTORIC
PRESERVATION ORDINANCE — MASTER CASE 21-066
DEPARTMENT: Community Development
PRESENTER: David Peterson
RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council:
1. Conduct the public hearing.
2. Introduce and pass to second reading an ordinance entitled "AN ORDINANCE OF THE
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING MASTER CASE 21-066,
CONSISTING OF UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT CODE AMENDMENT 21-001,
AMENDING SECTION 17.64.150.F OF THE UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT CODE."
BACKGROUND
The City of Santa Clarita's first Historic Preservation Ordinance was adopted by the City
Council in September 2008. That ordinance was replaced on January 8, 2013, when the City
Council approved Master Case 10-135 and adopted Ordinance 13-01, the current Historic
Preservation Ordinance (Ordinance). The Ordinance created Chapter 17.64 of the Unified
Development Code (UDC) to promote the preservation and protection of public and private
resources that are of special historic character or interest.
A section of the Ordinance includes incentives for owners of structures that have a local historic
designation. One of the incentives is a reimbursement grant program, called the City of Santa
Clarita Historic Structure Grant (Program), used for general maintenance of these structures. The
Program uses City of Santa Clarita (City) funds, when available, up to $25,000 per year. Since
the adoption of the Ordinance, this grant fund has been used toward the maintenance and
preservation of several locally -designated historic structures.
Page 1
Packet Pg. 170
17
On May 4, 2021, the City's Planning Commission voted 5-0 to recommend the City Council
approve Master Case 21-066 and adopt an ordinance to amend UDC Chapter 17.64 (Historic
Preservation) to allow property/structure owners of state- and federally -designated historic
structures within the City, in addition to locally -designated historic structures, to access funds
from the City of Santa Clarita Historic Structure Grant Program.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Master Case 21-066 and UDC Amendment 21-001 (Project) would amend the incentives section
of Chapter 17.64 of the City's UDC. Specifically, Section 17.64.150.17 identifies structures with
a local historic designation as being eligible to receive grant assistance from the City. When
available, up to $25,000 per year of funding can be used for a variety of general maintenance
issues associated with the upkeep of designated structures. As adopted, the Ordinance only
allows for locally -designated historic structures and precludes structures located within the City
that have a state or federal historic designation from receiving these grant funds.
Proposed Amendment
The proposed amendments can be found in the attached "redline" document (Attachment A),
showing the language to be edited in Section 17.64.150.17 of the UDC. Text deletions are noted
in red strikethrough. The Project would make structures in the City with a state and/or federal
historic designation eligible to receive grant funds from the City, in addition to locally -
designated historic structures.
Examples of structures in the City that carry a state and/or federal historic designation include
the Pioneer Oil Facility on Pine Street, the Saugus Station at Heritage Junction, portions of the
Railroad Tunnel Newhall Pass located adjacent to Pine Street, and the Horseshoe Ranch within
William S. Hart Park. All four identified historic structures are located within the community of
Newhall.
All structures designated as historic by the state or federal government in the future would be
eligible to receive these funds. Similarly, any structures designated as historic by the state or
federal government that are brought into the City's boundary via the process of annexation
would also be eligible for these funds, once they are formally within the City's boundary.
No construction or development is proposed as part of the Project.
General Plan Consistency
The proposed amendments are consistent with the General Plan. Specifically, the amendments
are consistent with the following Conservation and Open Space Element and Planning goals,
objectives, and policies:
Goal CO 5: Protection of historical and culturally significant resources that contribute
to community identity and a sense of history.
Objective CO 5.1: Protect sites identified as having local, state, or national significance as a
cultural or historical resource.
Page 2
Packet Pg. 171
ih
Policy CO 5.1.3 As new information about other potentially significant historic and
cultural sites becomes available, update the Cultural and Historic
Resources Inventory and apply appropriate measures to all identified sites
to protect their historical and cultural identity.
Policy CO 5.2.4: Continue to support "Heritage Junction" and the historical museum
within William S. Hart Park as historical resources that illustrate the
various phases ofsettlement within the Santa Clarita Valley.
The goal of the UDC amendment is to support the preservation of as many historic resources as
possible. The UDC currently limits the types of historically -designated structures that can
receive grant assistance from the City. If approved, the proposed UDC amendment would allow
access to grant funding for the preservation of all locally-, state-, and federally -designated
historic resources within the City.
ENVIRONMENTAL
The proposed amendments to the UDC are exempt from the California Environmental Quality
Act (CEQA) under Article 5 Section 15061(b)(3), the common sense rule exemption. The
activity is covered by the common sense rule that CEQA applies only to projects which have the
potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. Where it can be seen with certainty
that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the
environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA. Adoption of the proposed amendment to the
UDC is regulatory in nature and would not have any effect on the environment and is, therefore,
exempt under this rule.
NOTICING
All noticing requirements for a public hearing have been completed as required by Section
17.06.110 of the Unified Development Code. A one-eigth page advertisement was placed in The
Signal newspaper on May 18, 2021.
CONCLUSION
The proposed amendments to the UDC are consistent with the General Plan and support the
preservation of historical resources within the City. The proposed amendments are consistent
with state law and allow the City to protect historical resources to the maximum extent possible,
regardless of the jurisdiction that designates the structure as historic.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION
Other action as determined by the City Council.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with the recommended action. The City of Santa Clarita
Historic Structure Grant Program has already been established. The maximum amount of funds
available per fiscal year is $25,000. This amount will not change as part of the proposed Project.
Page 3
Packet Pg. 172
ATTACHMENTS
Public Hearing Notice
Ordinance
Attachment A - UDC Redlines
Notice of Exemption
Page 4
Packet Pg. 173
17.a
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
~=' 23920 Valencia Boulevard, Suite 302
Santa Clarita, CA 91355
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
PROJECT TITLE: Unified Development Code Amendment to Chapter 17.64 (Historic Preservation)
APPLICATION: Master Case 21-066; Unified Development Code Amendment 21-001
PROJECT APPLICANT
PROJECT LOCATION
City of Santa Clarita
Citywide
The City of Santa Clarita City Council will conduct a public hearing on this matter on the following date. The
City Council meeting will be conducted remotely, consistent with public health orders issued by the State of
California and the County of Los Angeles. The meeting agenda will be posted by June 4, 2021.
DATE: Tuesday, June 8, 2021
TIME: At or after 6:00 p.m.
LOCATION: City Hall, Council Chambers
23920 Valencia Blvd., First Floor
Santa Clarita, CA 91355
WEBSITE: httn:Hsantactaritacitvca.1cim2.com/Citizens/default.asDx
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The City of Santa Clarita (City) is requesting a modification to a portion of the
current Historic Preservation Ordinance, found in the Unified Development Code (UDC), Chapter 17.64. The
City of Santa Clarita Historic Structure Grant section would be revised to allow property owners of federal
and/or state -designated historic structures, located within the City's boundary, to be eligible for the City of
Santa Clarita Historic Grant Program (Project).
PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: On May 4, 2021 the Planning Commission voted 5-0 to recommend
that the City Council approve Master Case 21-066 and adopt an ordinance to amend Unified Development
Code Chapter 17.64 (Historic Preservation) to allow property owners of state and federally -designated historic
structures, in addition to locally designated historic structures, within the City to access the City of Santa
Clarita Historic Grant Program.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW: A Notice of Exemption was prepared for the proposed project. The Project is
exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under Article 5 Section 15061(b)(3), the
general rule exemption. The activity is covered by the general rule that CEQA applies only to projects which
have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. Where it can be seen with certainty that
there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity
is not subject to CEQA.
If you wish to challenge the action taken on this matter in court, you may be limited to raising only those
issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in this notice, or in written correspondence
delivered to the City of Santa Clarita at, or prior to, the public hearing.
For further information regarding this proposal, you may contact the project planner at the City of Santa
Clarita, Permit Center, 23920 Valencia Blvd., Suite 140, Santa Clarita, CA 91355. Telephone: (661) 255-4330.
Website: www.santa-clarita.com/planning. Send written correspondence to: 23920 Valencia Blvd., Suite 302,
Santa Clarita, CA 91355. Project Planner: David Peterson, Associate Planner. dpeterson@santa-clarita.com.
Mary Cusick, MMC
City Clerk
Published: The Signal, May 18, 2021
Packet Pg. 174
I 17.b l
ORDINANCE NO. 21-
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING
MASTER CASE 21-066, CONSISTING OF UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT CODE
AMENDMENT 21-001, AMENDING SECTION 17.64.150.F OF THE UNIFIED
DEVELOPMENT CODE
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 (City) periodically prepares updates to the Unified
Development Code (UDC);
B. At a duly noticed meeting on January 8, 2013, the City Council approved Master Case
10-135 and adopted Ordinance 13-01, the Historic Preservation Ordinance (Ordinance);
C. Property owners of locally -designated historic structures may currently apply for
monetary assistance from the City of Santa Clarita Historic Structure Grant on a
reimbursement basis;
D. On March 23, 2021, the City initiated Master Case 21-066, consisting of UDC
Amendment 21-001, amending Section 17.64.150.F of the Historic Preservation
Ordinance;
E. The proposed amendment would allow property owners of state- and federally -designated
historic structures, in addition to property owners of locally -designated historic
structures, located within the City's jurisdiction, to apply for funds through the City of
Santa Clarita Historic Structure Grant to help maintain and preserve these historic
structures;
F. The Planning Commission held a duly noticed public hearing on this issue commencing a)
on May 4, 2021, at 6:00 p.m., or later, at City Hall, 23920 Valencia Boulevard, Santa r_
Clarita, California;
L
G. At that public hearing, the Planning Commission considered a staff presentation, staff
report, and public testimony on the proposed amendment, and in a 5-0 vote, a
recommended the City Council approve Master Case 21-066 and its associated
entitlement (Project); r
H. The Project was duly noticed in accordance with the public hearing noticing requirements
of the UDC and a one -eighth page advertisement was placed in The Signal on May 18,
2021;
The City Council held a duly noticed public hearing on this issue commencing on June 8,
2021, at or after 6:00 p.m. at City Hall, 23920 Valencia Boulevard, Santa Clarita,
r
a
Page 1 of 5
Packet Pg. 175
17.b
California; and
At that public hearing, the City Council considered a staff presentation, the staff report,
and public testimony on the proposed amendment.
SECTION 2. CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT FINDINGS. Based
upon the foregoing facts and findings, the City Council hereby finds as follows:
A. A Notice of Exemption for this Project was prepared in compliance with the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA);
B. The Project is exempt from CEQA under Article 5, Section 15061(b)(3), the common
sense rule exemption. The activity is covered by the common sense rule that CEQA
applies only to projects which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the
environment. Where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility the activity in
question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to
CEQA. Adoption of the proposed amendment to the UDC is regulatory in nature and
would not have any effect on the environment and is, therefore, exempt under this rule.
C. The documents and other materials that constitute the record of proceedings upon which
the decision of the City Council is based is filed under the Master Case 21-066 project
file and that this project file is located within the Community Development Department
and is in the custody of the Director of Community Development; and
D. Based upon the findings set forth above, the City Council hereby finds the Notice of
Exemption for this Project has been prepared in compliance with CEQA.
SECTION 3_ PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT
CODE. The City Council hereby approves the proposed amendment to the UDC, replacing
Section 17.64.150F with the following:
F. City of Santa Clarita Historic Structure Grant. When funds are available, owners of
structures with a historic designation may apply to receive grant assistance from the City
SECTION 4. GENERAL FINDINGS FOR MASTER CASE 21-066. Based on the
foregoing facts and findings for Master Case 21-066, the City Council hereby finds as follows
A. That the proposal is consistent with the General Plan;
The Project is consistent with the City's General Plan. The Project does not include any
development and would not affect or change land use, circulation, noise, housing, open
space, conservation, and/or safety.
B. The proposal is allowed within the applicable underlying zone and complies with all
other applicable provisions of the UDC, -
Unified Development Code Section 17.28.010 identifies the City Council as the
discretionary authority for amendments to the Unified Development Code. Additionally,
r
a
Page 2 of 5
Packet Pg. 176
17.b
the Project does not include any development and/or land use.
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; and
The amendment to the Unified Development Code includes no new development. As a
result, it 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. This change would allow access to grant funding for state -
and federally -designated historic structures to help maintain and preserve historic
structures in the City into the future.
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 ofsufcient width and are
improved as necessary to carry the kind and quantity of traffic such proposal would
generate;
3. Public protection services (e.g., Fire protection, Sheriprotection, etc.) are readily
available; and
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. All areas within the are currently equipped with utilities or
access to utilities.
a�
The Project does not include any new development; therefore, the design, location, c
shape, size, and operating characteristics are suitable for the proposed amendments. E
The proposed amendment is minor and does not change the scope or goals of the 0
General Plan or Unified Development Code. Because no new development is
included in this request, the proposed amendments would not change or impact E
existing traffic patterns or impact the level of service currently provided by the Los
Angeles County Fire Department or the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. Q
The Project area, or City, is likewise served by all applicable utilities. Nothing in the
proposed amendments would increase demand for utilities.
SECTION 5. ADDITIONAL FINDINGS FOR UDC AMENDMENT 21-001. Based on
the foregoing facts and findings for Master Case 21-066, including UDC Amendment 21-001,
the City Council hereby find as follows:
Page 3 of 5
Packet Pg. 177
17.b
A. The amendment is consistent with the adjacent area(s), ifapplicable;
B. The amendment is consistent with the principles of the General Plan;
C. That approval of the amendment will be in the interest ofpublic health, convenience and
safety, and the general welfare and in conformity with good zoning practices;
D. The amendment is consistent with other applicable provisions of this code; and
E. Is necessary to implement the General Plan and/or that the public convenience, the
general welfare or good zoning practices justifies such an action.
The proposed amendment is consistent with the applicable provisions of the General Plan
and the Unified Development Code. The proposed amendment would modify existing
code language to allow property owners of both state- and federally -designated historic
structures to request funds from the City of Santa Clarita Historic Structure Grant. The
code currently provides grant access to property owners of locally -designated historic
structures. The Project would allow all properties containing a City, state, and/or federal
historic designation, access to the City of Santa Clarita Historic Structure Grant to
maintain and preserve historic structures in the City of Santa Clarita.
Specifically, the proposed amendments would implement the following goals, objectives,
and policies of the General Plan:
Goal CO 5: Protection of historical and culturally significant resources that
contribute to community identity and a sense of history.
Objective CO 5.1: Protect sites identified as having local, state, or national
significance as a cultural or historical resource.
Policy CO 5.1.3 As new information about other potentially significant historic and
cultural sites becomes available, update the Cultural and Historic
Resources Inventory and apply appropriate measures to all
identified sites to protect their historical and cultural identity.
Policy CO 5.2.4: Continue to support "Heritage Junction" and the historical
museum within William S. Hart Park as historical resources that
illustrate the various phases ofsettlement within the Santa Clarita
Valley.
SECTION 6. Based upon the staff report, including the materials considered by and the
recommendations made by the Planning Commission, the testimony at the public hearing, and
the findings as set forth in this ordinance, the City Council hereby approves Master Case 21-066,
consisting of Unified Development Code Amendment 21-001, amending Section 17.64.150.F of
the Unified Development Code, as shown in Section 3 above.
r
a
Page 4 of 5
Packet Pg. 178
17.b
SECTION 7. 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 8. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect 30 days from its passage and
adoption.
SECTION 9. 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 22" d day of June, 2021.
MAYOR
ATTEST:
CITY CLERK
DATE:
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
I, Mary Cusick, City Clerk of the City of Santa Clarita, do hereby certify that the
foregoing Ordinance 2 1 -_ was regularly introduced and placed upon its first reading at a regular
meeting of the City Council on June 8, 2021. That thereafter, said Ordinance was duly passed
and adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council on the 22" d day of June, 2021, by the
following vote, to wit:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS:
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS:
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS:
AND I FURTHER CERTIFY that the forgoing is the original of Ordinance 21-
and was published in The Signal newspaper in accordance with State Law (G.C. 40806).
CITY CLERK
r
a
Page 5 of 5
Packet Pg. 179
17.c
Attachment A
Proposed Amendments to Chanter 17.64 of the Unified Development Code
17.64.150 Incentives.
In addition to any other incentive of Federal or State law, the owner of a historic resource may
apply for the following incentives, subject to the discretion of the Director:
A. Use of the California Historic Building Code. Whenever applicable, the Owner may elect to
use the California Historic Building Code for alterations, restorations, new construction,
removal, relocation, or demolition of a historic resource, in any case which the building official
determines that such use of the code does not endanger the public health or safety, and such
action is necessary for the continued preservation of the resource. Such use of the Historic
Building Code is subject to construction work undertaken for resources pursuant to the Secretary
of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties, and that has already been
reviewed and approved by the Director or Commission in conjunction with a minor use permit.
B. Mills Act Tax Relief. The Mills Act can provide relief to the property taxes associated with
properties designated as historic resources. This subsection will implement State law
(Government Code Sections 50280 through 50290), allowing the approval of historic property
contracts by establishing a uniform procedure for the owners of qualified historic properties
within the City to enter into contracts with the City.
C. Waiver of Fees for Renovation and Alteration of Historic Resources. There shall be no
entitlement fee for the renovation or alteration of historic resources.
D. Technical Assistance. The Community Development Department shall provide technical
assistance to the owner of a historic resource regarding any proposed improvements that are not
exempt under Section 17.64.070 (Exceptions to Permit Requirements for the Renovation or
Alteration of a Historic Resource); and/or
E. Streamlined Permitting. The Community Development Department shall provide the owner
of a historic resource with priority entitlement review for proposed improvements that are not
exempt under Section 17.64.070 (Exceptions to Permit Requirements for the Renovation or
Alteration of a Historic Resource).
F. City of Santa Clarita Historic Structure Grant. When funds are available, owners of
structures with a historic designation „rde f this e ,rtef may apply to receive grant assistance
from the City. (Ord. 13-8 § 4 (Exh. A), 6/11/13)
Packet Pg. 180
i
DRAFT NOTICE OF EXEMPTION
TO: FROM: _.
[X] County Clerk City of Santa Clarita
County of Los Angeles Community Development
12400E Imperial Hwy., Rm. 2001 23920 Valencia Boulevard, Suite 9302
Norwalk, CA 90650 Santa Clarita, CA 91355
[ ] Office of Planning and Research
1400 Tenth Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
DATE: June 23, 2021
PROJECT NAME: Master Case 21-066; Unified Development Code Amendment 21-001
PROJECT APPLICANT: City of Santa Clarita
PROJECT LOCATION: Citywide
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The City of Santa Clarita (City) is requesting a modification to a portion
of the current Historic Preservation Ordinance, found in the Unified
Development Code (UDC), Chapter 17.64. The City of Santa Clarita
Historic Structure Grant section would be revised to allow property
owners of federal- and/or state -designated historic structures, located
within the City's boundary, to receive grant assistance from the City to
maintain and preserve these historic structures (Project).
This is to advise that the [ ] Director of Community Development [ ] Planning Commission [X] City
Council of the City of Santa Clarita has approved the above project on June 22, 2021. Review of the
project by the Department of Community Development found that the project is exempt from the
provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act.
EXEMPT STATUS: The Project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
under Article 5 Section 15061(b)(3), the common sense rule exemption. The activity is covered by the
common sense rule that CEQA applies only to projects which have the potential for causing a significant
effect on the environment. Where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity
in question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA.
Person or agency carrying out the project: City of Santa Clarita, Community Development Department
This is to certify that the Notice of Exemption with comments/responses and record of project approval is
available for public review at:
City of Santa Clarita
Community Development Department
23920 Valencia Boulevard, Suite 302
Santa Clarita, California 91355
(661) 255-4330
Contact Person/Title: Mikaela Manion, Assistant Planner II
Signature:
17.d
Packet Pg. 181