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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-05-10 - RESOLUTIONS - HOUSING SAFETY ELEMENT GENERAL PLAN MC 21-088RESOLUTION N0.22-21 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING THE NEGATIVE DECLARATION PREPARED FOR THE PROJECT AND APPROVING MASTER CASE 21-088 (GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT 21-001), AMENDING THE HOUSING ELEMENT AND THE SAFETY ELEMENT OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA' S GENERAL PLAN THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA, CALIFORNIA, DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. FINDINGS OF FACT. The City Council does hereby make the following findings of fact: a. On June 14, 2011, the City Council adopted the Santa Clarita General Plan, by adoption of Resolution No. 11-61. The General Plan includes the state mandated elements required by the State of California, including the Housing Element and the Safety Element. b. On October 22, 2013, the City Council adopted the 2013-2021 Housing Element. c. The State of California Government Code Section 65588 requires the review and adoption of a Housing Element that is updated according to the Southern California Association of Governments Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) planning cycle. d. Following receipt of grant funding from the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) under the Planning Grants Program provisions of Senate Bill (SB) 2, the City Council authorized a contract with the City of Santa Clarita's (City) consulting team of 4LEAF, Inc., and Rincon Consultants, Inc., on January 26, 2021, to prepare the updates to the Housing Element ("Housing Element Update" or "2021-2029 Housing Element") and the Safety Element. e. The proposed project is identified as Maser Case 21-088 (project), consisting of General Plan Amendment 21-001, which includes updates to the Housing Element and the Safety Element of the City's General Plan to ensure consistency with all State of California requirements. f. The State of California Government Code Section 65583(c)(9) requires that local jurisdictions make a diligent effort to achieve public participation of all economic segments of the community in the development of the Housing Element, and the Housing Element must describe this effort. Public outreach was conducted to allow and encourage meaningful public participation. Staff and consultants made use of multiple digital platforms to facilitate public input. Public participation included the establishment of the Housing Element Update website in March 2021; stakeholder interviews between January 2021 and September 2021; an online community opinion Page 1 of 7 survey that was conducted in English and Spanish in the spring of 2021; a virtual community workshop to introduce major elements of the Housing Element Update process on April 29, 2021; the distribution of informational flyers at City libraries and on the City's buses; a study session meeting with the Planning Commission on June 15, 2021; and a City Council Development Committee meeting on March 30, 2022. Concerns raised during these public participation events were addressed in the 2021-2029 Housing Element and Safety Element updates. g. On October 29, 2021, the complete public review Draft Housing Element Update was released, emailed to interested parties, and made available on the City's website. h. On November 12, 2021, a draft of the Housing Element Update was submitted to HCD for its 60-day review. i. On January 11, 2022, a comment letter from HCD on their review of the Draft 2021- 2029 Housing Element was received by staff. Revisions to the Draft 2021-2029 Housing Element have been made pursuant to HCD's comments and the document has been updated to comply with State Housing Element Law. j . The City Council acknowledges that comments on the Draft Housing Element provided by HCD will be considered and incorporated as appropriate prior to final adoption of the 2021-2029 Housing Element by City Council, in compliance with state law. k. In accordance with California Government Code Section 65302.5, the updated Safety Element was submitted to the California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection (BOF) and the California Geological Survey for review. On January 18, 2022, the Resource Protection Committee of the BOF completed its review and assessment of the updated Safety Element and determined it meets the requirements of Government Code Section 65302. 1. The Planning Commission held a duly -noticed public hearing on April 5, 2022, in accordance with the City's noticing requirements. The public hearing for the Housing Element and Safety Element updates was advertised in The Signal newspaper on March 15, 2022. The public hearing was held at City Hall, 23920 Valencia Boulevard, Santa Clarita, at 6:00 p.m. m. At the public hearing held on April 5, 2022, the Planning Commission received City staff s presentation summarizing the proposed project, conducted the public hearing, and received public testimony regarding the project and the Negative Declaration prepared for the project. The Planning Commission, in a 5-0 vote, recommended the City Council adopt the Negative Declaration prepared for the project and adopt the Housing Element and Safety Element Updates. Included in their recommendation was a request to make a minor revision to the Safety Element clarifying the service area for the Pitchess Detention Center. .... n. The City Council held a duly -noticed public hearing on May 10, 2022, in accordance with the City's noticing requirements. The public hearing for the Housing Element Page 2 of 7 and Safety Element updates was advertised in The Signal newspaper on April 19, 2022. The public hearing was held at City Hall, 23 920 Valencia Boulevard, Santa Clarita, at 6:00 p.m. o. At the public hearing held on May 10, 2022, the City Council received City staff s presentation summarizing the proposed project, conducted the public hearing, and received public testimony regarding the project and the Negative Declaration prepared for the project. p. Based upon the staff presentation, staff report, and public comments and testimony, the City Council finds that the project will not adversely affect the health, peace, comfort, or welfare of persons residing in the area; nor will the project jeopardize, endanger or otherwise constitute a menace to the public health, safety, or general welfare. q. The location of the documents and other materials that constitute the record of proceedings upon which the decision of the City Council is based for the Master Case 21-088 project file is with the Community Development Department; the record specifically is 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 find as follows: a. An Initial Study and a Negative Declaration for this project have been prepared in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). b. The Draft Initial Study has been circulated for review and comment by affected governmental agencies and the public, and all comments received have been considered. The Draft Negative Declaration was advertised and posted on December 16, 2021, in accordance with CEQA. The public review period was open from December 16, 2021, through January 18, 2022. c. A Final Initial Study, which includes responses to comments and revisions to the Draft Initial Study (Errata), was prepared, published for public review, and sent to all commenters on March 18, 2022. d. There is no substantial evidence that the project will have a significant effect on the environment. The Negative Declaration reflects the independent judgment of the City. e. The documents and other material which constitute the record of proceedings upon which the decision of the City Council is made is the Master Case 21-088 project file, located within the Community Development Department and is in the custody of the Director of Community Development. f. The City Council, based upon the findings set forth above, hereby finds that the Negative Declaration for this project has been prepared in compliance with CEQA. Page 3 of 7 SECTION 3. GENERAL FINDINGS FOR MASTER CASE 21-088. Based on the foregoing facts and findings for Master Case 21-088, the City Council hereby finds as follows: a. The proposal is consistent with the General Plan. The project is consistent with the General Plan's objectives, policies, and procedures. The proposed update to the Housing Element and the Safety Element of the City's General Plan ensures consistency with all requirements of the State of California Government Code. The amendments to the Housing Element and Safety Element would not result in amendments to any other elements of the General Plan. b. The proposal is allowed within the applicable underlying zone and complies with all other applicable provisions of this code. The proposed amendments to the Housing Element and Safety Element would not result in any General Plan land use changes or zoning changes. No changes to the land use map or zoning map were necessary to accommodate the City's RHNA allocation. Future residential development is expected to occur in those areas already identified for residential uses. 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. The proposed amendments to the Housing Element and Safety Element consist of updates as required by state law and would not be materially detrimental or injurious to the improvements, persons, property, or uses in the vicinity. 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 proposal is physically suitable for the site in terms of location, shape, size, and operating characteristics. The proposed amendments to the Housing Element and Safety Page 4of7 -- Element consist of updates as required by state law. No changes to the land use map or zoning map were necessary to accommodate the City's RHNA allocation. Future residential development is expected to occur in those areas already identified for residential uses. Furthermore, the City conducted outreach with public protection service and utility providers as a part of the Project and incorporated comments received in the Housing and Safety Element Updates. Nothing in the proposed amendments would increase the need for fire or police protection services, or increase demand for utilities. SECTION 4. FINDINGS FOR GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT 21-001. Based on the above findings of fact and 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 proposed General Plan amendment meets all of the findings per Section] 7. 06.130 (Findings and Decision). The proposed General Plan amendment meets all of the findings per Section 17.06.130, as summarized in Section 3, above. b. Properties which benefit from increased density or intensity of development resulting from the General Plan amendment shall fully mitigate their increased sewer impact at the time that development occurs on the properties. The proposed amendments to the Housing Element and Safety Element consist of updates as required by state law. No changes to the land use map or zoning map were necessary to accommodate the City's RHNA allocation. Future residential development is expected to occur in those areas already identified for residential uses. c. In addition, the City Council shall make at least one of the following findings: 1. The proposed General Plan amendment is consistent with other elements of the City's General Plan pursuant to Government Code Section 65300.5. 2. The proposed General Plan amendment, if applicable, responds to changes in state and/or federal law pursuant to Government Code Section 65300.9. 3. The proposed General Plan amendment has been referred to the County of Los Angeles and any adjacent cities abutting or affected by the proposed action, the Local Agency Formation Commission, and any federal agency whose operations or lands may be affected by the proposed decision pursuant to Government Code Section 65352. The proposed General Plan amendment consisting of updates to the Housing Element and Safety Element include revisions to ensure consistency with all requirements of the State of California Government Code. The amendments to the Housing Element and Safety Element are consistent with the other elements of the City's General Plan. As a part of the outreach for the General Plan amendment and the CEQA process, the proposed Page 5 of 7 amendments were referred to the applicable county, state, and federal agencies. Input doom received, if any, was incorporated into the applicable documents. d. Additional findings for the Housing Element Update include the following: 1. The proposed amendments to the Housing Element are consistent with Government Code Section 65583, which states that a Housing Element is a mandatory element of the General Plan and shall consist of an identification and analysis of existing and projected housing needs and a statement of goals, policies, quantified objectives, financial resources, and a schedule of programs for the preservation, improvement, and development of housing. 2. The proposed General Plan amendment is necessary to update the Housing Element in order to reflect the adequate sites for housing, including rental housing, factory - built housing, and mobile homes, and shall make adequate provisions for the existing and projected needs of all economic segments of the community. 3. The Housing Element describes existing and projected housing inventories and opportunities for additional housing within the planning area. 4. The Housing Element determines the extent of housing needs in the community and planning area. 5. The Housing Element describes methods for solving housing deficiencies and providing the City and its planning area with sufficient housing at all income levels. 6. The information which is the subject of this General Plan amendment is consistent with all other provisions of the Housing Element. SECTION 5. The City Council hereby approves Master Case 21-088, consisting of General Plan Amendment 21-001, adopting the Negative Declaration prepared for the project and allowing for the amendment of the Housing Element and Safety Element, as shown in the Housing Element Update (Exhibit A) and the Safety Element Update (Exhibit B). SECTION 6. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this resolution and certify this record to be a full, complete, and correct copy of the action taken. Page 6 of 7 PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this 1 Oth day of May, 2022. :o d' 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 Resolution No. 22-21 was duly adopted by the City Council of the City of Santa Clarita at a regular meeting thereof, held on the 1 Oth of May, 2022, by the following vote: AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: Miranda, Gibbs, McLean, Smyth, Weste NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: None ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: None CITY CLERK Page 7 of 7 EXHIBIT A HOUSING ELEMENT UPDATE (HEARING DRAFT) INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE DOCUMENT CAN BE FOUND AT htti)s://www.santa-clarita.com/housin�elemerit r r' y W" EXHIBIT B SAFETY ELEMENT UPDATE (HEARING DRAFT) INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE DOCUMENT CAN BE FOUND AT htt s://ww-w.santa-clarita.convi--lome/'showdocument?id=2I0 i 8&t=637S5888660411�S7b