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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-08-26 - RESOLUTIONS - APPROVE MOD TO MC 25-089 HARTWELLRESOLUTION N0.25-47 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVING MASTER CASE 25-089, CONSISTING OF MINOR USE PERMIT 25-014 AND DEVELOPMENT REVIEW 25-009, TO MODIFY THE HARTWELL MIXED USE PROJECT LOCATED AT 243005 24308, 24316 AND 24322 MAIN STREET AND 22505 MARKET STREET (ASSESSOR'S PARCEL NUMBERS: 2831-012-022 THROUGH -027), IN THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA, CALIFORNIA, SUBJECT TO THE ATTACHED CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL (EXHIBIT A) THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA, CALIFORNIA, DOES RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. FINDINGS OF FACT FOR MASTER CASE 25-089. The City Council makes the following findings of fact and conclusions: A. An application for Master Case 25-089 (Minor Use Permit (MUP) 25-014 and Development Review (DR) 25-009) was filed by Serrano Development (applicant), with the City of Santa Clarita (City) on June 12, 2025 (project). The properties for which this application was filed is Assessor's Parcel Numbers 2831-012-022 through -027 (subject site); B. The original Hartwell Mixed Use Project (Hartwell project), Master Case 24-134, consisting of the demolition of historic Masonic Lodge/Courthouse building for the construction a new five -story mixed -use building with 78 apartment units, 5,223 square feet of commercial floor area, and 122 parking stalls, was approved by the City Council on May 13, 2025; C. The applicant is proposing to modify the Hartwell project by expanding into an adjacent property (KHTS Radio Station studio) and increasing the project to 98 apartment units, 6,300 square feet of commercial floor area, and 158 parking stalls. The building architectural style and height would remain the same as the original approval, at five stories (52 feet) in height, with one subterranean level of parking. Commercial storefronts along Main Street would be expanded to the north, with parking behind, within the building footprint. Apartment units would be located on the upper levels and oriented around an internal courtyard located on the second floor. Vehicle access to the project site would remain via two driveways; one on Railroad Avenue, and one on Market Street; D. The project site consists of six parcels within the OTNSP area, of approximately one -acre. It is located at the three-way corner of Main Street, Market Street, and Railroad Avenue, across the street from the Jan Heidt Newhall Metrolink Station. Three existing buildings on -site were proposed to be demolished under the original approval: the Mac's Pool Supply building, the Horseshoe on Main building (previously known as Soundsations), and the historic Masonic Lodge/Courthouse. This proposed modification includes the demolition of the KHTS Radio Station building adjacent to the northern edge of the original project site. E. The project site is located within the Arts & Entertainment (AE) zone of the Old Town Newhall Specific Plan (OTNSP); Page 1 of 6 F. The original Hartwell project provided less parking than required by the Santa Clarita Municipal Code (SCMC) pursuant to Assembly Bill 2097 (AB 2097). This proposed modification to the Hartwell project also utilizes AB 2097 to provide less parking than required by the SCMC. A revised parking demand study was submitted for the proposed expansion. Specifically, the revised parking demand study proposes to provide a 1.61 residential parking ratio on -site, a 0.25 per unit ratio for guest parking to be accommodated on -street, and is utilizing the OTNSP Parking In -Lieu fee program to meet the commercial parking requirement; G. The application was deemed complete on July 28, 2025; H. On August 26, 2025, a duly noticed public hearing was held before the City of Santa Clarita (City) City Council at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall, Council Chambers, 23920 Valencia Boulevard, Santa Clarita; I. At this public hearing, the City Council considered the staff report, the staff presentation, the applicant presentation, and public testimony. This Resolution, and its findings, are based upon the entire administrative record including, without limitation, the staff report, testimony, written evidence, and meeting minutes provided during the public hearing. SECTION 2. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF MASTER CASE 25-089. Based upon the foregoing facts and conclusions, the City Council finds as follows: A. The project was contemplated under the OTNSP FEIR and the project will comply with all mitigation measures to ensure compliance with the FEIR. Consequently, a Notice of Determination was prepared for this project in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA); B. 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 25-089 project file. This project file is located within the Community Development Department in the custody of the Director of Community Development; and C. Based upon the findings set forth above, the City Council hereby finds the Notice of Determination for this Project has been prepared in compliance with CEQA. SECTION 3. GENERAL FINDINGS FOR MASTER CASE 25-089. Based on the foregoing facts and findings for Master Case 25-089, the City Council determines as follows: A. That the proposal is consistent with the General Plan, The proposed project is consistent with the goals, objectives, and policies of the General Plan, including, without limitation: The proposed project is consistent with the following policies of the General Plan: Objective LU 2.1: Provide adequate, suitable sites for housing, employment, business, Page 2 of 6 shopping, public facilities, public utility facilities, and community services to meet current needs and the anticipated needs of future growth. Objective LU 2.3 : Increase mixed -use development where appropriate to create more livable neighborhoods, walkable business districts, and to reduce vehicle trips, while ensuring land use compatibility, through mixed -use zoning. Policy LU 3.1.2: Provide a mix of housing types within neighborhoods that accommodate households with varied income levels. The development proposal is consistent with the intent and goals of the General Plan. The project would provide a combination of residential and commercial spaces, helping to meet the housing and business needs of both current and future residents. The project would add a mixed -use building in a walkable and transit -friendly area. The development includes a variety of unit mixes, ensuring accessibility for households of different sizes and income levels. B. The proposal is allowed within the applicable underlying zone and complies with all other applicable provisions of the Santa Clarita Municipal Code (SCMC) and Old Town Newhall Specific Plan (OTNSP); The proposed project would be consistent with the following findings of the OTNSP: OTNSP-1: That the proposed use or project is consistent with the Old Town Newhall Specific Plan. OTNSP-2: That the proposed use or project meets the development requirements for the Zone within which it is located including parking, architecture, and ground -floor uses. A Stacked Dwelling building type is permitted -by -right in the AE zone of the OTNSP only as part of a vertical mixed -use project with upper floor residential. Any future tenants in the new commercial spaces constructed by the project are subject to the requirements of OTNSP Table 4.2-1, the permitted use chart for the AE zone. The building is consistent with the Western Victorian architectural style of the OTNSP. The proposed project complies with all other development standards for the AE zone and Stacked Dwelling building type. With the Conditions of Approval, the project will comply with Titles 16 and 17 of the SCMC and the OTNSP. Parking will be provided in accordance with the parking demand study on file pursuant to AB 2097. 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 proposed project is not located on a hazardous site and would not include any hazardous materials. Standard construction materials and methods would be utilized to ensure safety during construction. The applicant will be required to comply with all applicable laws, Page 3 of 6 including, without limitation: the California Building Standards Code and Fire Code. Sufficient access for firefighting purposes is provided and verified by the Consolidated Fire Protection District of Los Angeles County (LACFD), and the applicant must comply with all LACFD requirements. 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, The subject site includes existing commercial development and surface parking. The parking demand study for the project demonstrates that sufficient parking is provided for the proposed building. The proposed building complies with the City's standards for mixed -use development, including compliance with setbacks, building height, drive -aisle width, and landscaping. 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; The project is accessed via Market Street and Railroad Avenue, and improvements to the roadway are required for the proposed building. The applicant must comply with all City - imposed engineering requirements when constructing any improvements in the right-of- way, such as sewer laterals, parkway tree installation, and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) paths of travel at the driveways. The project will not have a significant effect on vehicle miles traveled or traffic, and existing driveway ingress and egress from the site will be maintained. With the proposed improvements along the project's frontage, the project will comply with all requirements of the City's Department of Public Works. 3. Public protection services (e.g. Fire protection, Sheriff protection, etc.) are readily available; and The project will have public protection services provided by both the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (LASD) and LACFD, and will not require any additional resources or services from those organizations as a result of its operation. The proposal would also be required to comply with all applicable requirements of the LACFD and LASD. 4. The provision of utilities (e.g. potable water, solid waste collection and disposal, storm drainage, wastewater collection, treatment, and disposal, etc.) is adequate to serve the site. The proposed use would be located within an existing commercial area, which is located within a developed urbanized area with available and adequate utilities to serve the site. The proposed project would connect to this existing infrastructure on -site. Page 4 of 6 SECTION 4: APPROVALS. The City Council takes the following actions: Adopt this Resolution approving Master Case 25-089, Minor Use Permit 25-014 and Development Review 25-009 for the modification of the Hartwell Mixed Use Project, located at the corner of Main Street, Market Street, and Railroad Avenue, subject to the attached revised Conditions of Approval (Exhibit A) which are incorporated by reference. SECTION 5: RELIANCE ON RECORD. Each and every one of the findings and determinations in this Resolution are based on the competent and substantial evidence, both oral and written, contained in the entire record relating to the project. The findings and determinations constitute the independent findings and determinations of the City Council in all respects and are fully and completely supported by substantial evidence in the record as a whole. SECTION 6: SUMMARIES OF INFORMATION. All summaries of information in the findings, which precede this section, are based on the substantial evidence in the record. The absence of any particular fact from any such summary is not an indication that a particular finding is not based in part on that fact. SECTION 7: NOTICE. The City Clerk is directed to provide a copy of this Resolution to the City Council and any other person requesting a copy. SECTION 8: EFFECTIVE DATE. This Resolution becomes effective immediately upon adoption and memorializes the City Council's final decision made on August 26, 2025. PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this 26th day of August 2025. ATTEST: L1PX,eWtdA-- CITY CLERK DATE �, V/�L& MAYOR Page 5 of 6 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. 25-47 was duly adopted by the City Council of the City of Santa Clarita at a regular meeting thereof, held on the 261h day of August 2025, by the following vote: AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: RECUSED: COUNCILMEMBERS: Ayala, McLean, Miranda None None Gibbs, Weste CITY CLERK Page 6 of 6 EXHIBIT A MASTER CASE 25-089 MINOR USE PERMIT 25-014 AND DEVELOPMENT REVIEW 25-009 CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL In addition to all applicable provisions of th permittee agrees to comply with the following Clarita's (City) approval of Master Case 25-089. Santa Clarita Municipal Code (SCMC), the provisions as conditions for the City of Santa All conditions previously applied to the Hartwell Project (Master Case 24-134) through City Council Resolution No. 25-12 apply to this approval unless modified herein. PLANNING DIVISION PL l . The permittee is granted approval to construct the Hartwell Mixed -Use Project, including a five -story mixed use building located on the corner of Main Street, Market Street, and Railroad Avenue. The project includes 6,300 square feet of first -floor commercial space, 98 residential units on floors two through five, and subterranean and first floor garaged parking consistent with the approved plans on file for Master Case 25-089. PL4. The permittee is providing less parking than required by the Old Town Newhall Specific Plan (OTNSP) pursuant to Government Code § 65 863.2. To address the potential for a substantially negative impact to residential and commercial parking within one-half mile of the project site, the permittee must provide a minimum of 158 parking stalls on -site (1.61 stalls per unit residential parking ratio). Tandem stalls are permitted as shown on the approved site plan. Guest parking is satisfied with 25 public on -street stalls (0.25 stalls per unit guest parking ratio). Any future proposed revisions to the project would require an updated parking demand study demonstrating how sufficient parking is provided for the project. PL5 . In lieu of constructing 15 parking stalls for the commercial portion of the project, the permittee is required to pay $87,826.50 ($5,855.10 per required parking stall) into the OTNSP Parking In -Lieu Fee Program before the Building Official issues any building permit. This fee is subject to revision and the applicant will be responsible for the fee in place at the time the fee is paid ENGINEERING SERVICES DIVISION EN6. This project anticipates export of 21,527 cubic yards of dirt. Before the City Engineer, or designee, issues a grading permit for this project, the permittee must submit a copy of the grading permit for the receiving site and an exhibit of the proposed haul route. The permittee is responsible to obtain approval from all applicable agencies for the dirt hauling operation. A. The permittee must comply with the following requirements for the dirt hauling operation: i. Obtain an encroachment permit for the work. ii. The hours of operation must be between 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. iii. Provide non-stop street sweeping service on all City streets along the haul route during all hours of work to the satisfaction of the City Engineer. iv. Provide traffic control and flagging personnel along the haul route to the satisfaction of the City Engineer. B. The permittee must pay a Haul Route Pavement Repair Security Cash Deposit (Deposit) of $75,000, which may be increased or decreased based upon an estimated cost to complete the repairs of streets damaged during the dirt hauling operation. The limits and scope of the repairs is determined by the City Engineer. To receive a refund of the Deposit, the permittee or subsequent property owners must complete the pavement repairs to the satisfaction of the City Engineer within one year from the completion of the dirt hauling operation. If the pavement repairs are not completed within one year, the City may use the Deposit to complete the repairs. Any funds remaining at the completion of the repairs will be refunded to the permittee. If the Deposit is insufficient to complete the repairs, the City will seek additional funds from the permittee. C. Before the Building Official issues the first Certificate of Occupancy, the permittee must repair any pavement damaged by the dirt hauling operation to the satisfaction of the City Engineer. The limits of the road repairs must be consistent with the approved haul route. TRAFFIC ENGINEERING DIVISION TE2. Before the Building Official issues the first Certificate of Occupancy, the permittee must modify the intersection of Railroad Avenue and Market Street to eliminate the curb bulb - out on the southbound (Railroad Avenue) approach. The permittee must upgrade all four curb ramps at said intersection to ensure ADA compliant facilities per Caltrans standards. TE4. Before the Building Official issues the first Certificate of Occupancy, the permittee will pay the applicable Bridge and Thoroughfare (B&T) District Fee to implement the Circulation Element of the General Plan as a means of mitigating the traffic impact of this project. This project is located in the Via Princessa B&T District. The current rate for this District is $22,710. The B&T rate is subject to change and is based on the rate at the time of payment. Standard B&T Fee Calculation: Apartments = the number of units (98) x the district rate ($22,710) x 0.7 = $1,557,906 B&T District fees for non-residential uses on an under-utilized parcel that does not include a land division must be calculated as follows: Retail Commercial = 6,328 sf x $22,710 x 5=$439988 16,335 LOS ANGELES COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT FD 12. This property is located within the area described by the Consolidated Fire Protection District of Los Angeles County (LAFD) as a Fire Hazard Severity Zone. A final approved "Fuel Modification Plan" is required before the Building Official issues a building permit (Fire Code 4908.1). PARKS AND RECREATION DIVISION PR l . Before the Building Official issues a building permit, the permittee must pay the required Park Dedication Fee equal to the value of the amount of land established per the City's General Plan, "Parks and Recreation Element." The permittee may be required to provide a certified MAI real estate appraisal to establish the fair market value (FMV) of an acre of land within this project. Final Parkland dedication obligation calculation to be based on current density per dwelling and fair market value rates at time of payment. An updated estimate is attached. SPECIAL DISTRICTS SD20. Before the City Engineer issues a grading permit, the permittee is required to submit a site plan which indicates existing parkway tree location and includes a Tree Preservation and Protection Plan to the City's Urban Forestry Division for review and approval. SD21. Before the Building Official issues a building permit, the permittee is required to submit a street tree location plan for proposed parkway tree installations to the Director of Administrative Services (Urban Forestry Division) for review and approval. Location of tree wells and parkway trees must be shown to scale on all required sets of site plans including grading and construction plans. Landscape plans must be prepared by a California licensed landscape architect and comply with the latest edition of the LMD landscape guidelines. SD22. Before the Building Official issues a Certificate of Occupancy, and acceptance of trees by the Director of Administrative Services (Urban Forestry Division), permittee is required to install parkway trees within the public right of way fronting the project site along Main Street, Market Street, and Railroad Avenue. SD23. Before the Building Official issues a final Certificate of Occupancy, the permittee must contact the Director of Administrative Services (Urban Forestry Division) for a final inspection and approval of all parkway trees and irrigation. A mandatory 120-day plant establishment period will be required for all trees planted within the public right of way before the City considers accepting the trees. The mandatory establishment period will begin once all parkway trees have been installed, inspected, and approved by Urban Forestry. Trees which do not meet the minimum specifications or have declined to an unacceptable condition must be removed and replaced at no cost to the City. City of Santa Clarita Park Dedication Fee ReqUirement Prq�ject Descript,on: Hartwell Housing Density " Units Dwelling 6 Acrp.--,-, Per 1,300 IF 1141V Sub Total 201-: Off Site tmprovements In Lieu Fee S 1. 485 053 Total Densny Ti.-)tai Acres due 4116 3 0 3010 M.m Park Credit 'Alith Pirk, Credit 5 173,27 'IF a S 1.039,537 -Y TOTAL FEES DUE VV7H 3rj'-.i CREDIT= $11 .0 11.4 KI TOTAL FEES DUE N11 HOIJ— CREDIT= '$I Potential Private Park Taal Total Max. Credit E s, t i i ri i t e Re v 4 ew e d I.,A y Katie r -fyn-,- Credit S 0. FT. Acres 34)41� S 4 45. 4 21; D%421 D Ve: &301f,,�p T fie. applic int will be, ,-'equired to Provide to Certified MAI real estate appraisal to establish the fair Market Value (FMV) of an ic,ve)uf ianu w1miri this pr2jec.-s.. '--!M= :f --3:% 1.7. 01 !:-v of Santa,- 31-3 B 'T E pop�. op. X f aa. iIs per X Der --eccle 3 b�;-=- 3 s