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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993-07-13 - AGENDA REPORTS - ANNUAL RPT GP (2)- - AGENDA REPORT CONSENT CALENDAR DATE: July 13, 1993 SUBJECT: Annual Report on the General Plan DEPARTMENT: Community Development BACKGROUND City Manager Approval Item to be Lynn M. Harris � �aalu , The attached report is an update of the City's progress in administering and Implementing the General Plan. This report is required annually by state planning law In accordance with Government Code Section 65400(b). Since the adoption of the General Plan on June 25, 1991, this represents the second annual report. This year's report Is greatly expanded from the 1992 report. Several new subjects are now reported, Including : General Plan amendments, progress in growth management, the General Plan Mitigation Monitoring Program (from the General Plan Environmental Impact Report), and recent General Plan - related legislation. Review and file the report on the General Plan ATTACHMENT Annual Report advancelgpanrpOl.mer sada Item.: �— INTRODUCTION Since Its adoption two years ago on June 25, 1993, significant progress has been made on the Implementation of the City's General Plan. This report summarizes the past year's activity relating to the plan in the following areas: General Plan amendments, major implementation accomplishments, a description of the mandatory reporting requirements, growth management, the General Plan Mitigation Monitoring Program, and General Plan legislation. GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENTS Since the 1992 annual report, two amendments to the General Plan were processed and approved: GPA 92-001 - Housing Element To Improve upon several subjects discussed In the Housing Element, an amendment was adopted which addressed the following points: Large Families, Farm Workers, Land Use Controls, Inventory of Land Suitable for Residential Development, Quantified Objectives, Relationship of Residential Land Inventory and Housing Needs, Public Services and Infrastructure, Quantified Objectives, Potential Loss of Affordable Housing Subsidies, and Consistency with other Elements. GPA 92-002 - Land Use and Circulation Elements Improved consistency between the Land Use Element and the zoning map was necessary In three small areas of the City. These were redesignated to a higher density residential category, and an additional small residential area was redesignated from a residential category to a commercial category. In the Circulation Element, six minor text amendments were approved ,for the purpose of clarification, and did not represent substantive changes in the Intent of the element. Pending General Plan Amendment Under consideration is the deletion of the portion of Highway 126 presently designated as an eight -lane expressway and the potential to designate an alternative six -lane route known generally as the East-West Corridor. This has resulted from a recommendation by the Citizens' Transportation Committee to the City Manager. Pending the Planning Commission's review, the City will consider an amendment to the Circulation Element. MAJOR IMPLEMENTATION ACCOMPLISHMENTS Adoption of the General Pian Implementation Proaram When adopted, the General Plan provided a section In each element that allowed for a subsequent Implementation program to be prepared and adopted. On July 14, 1992, the Council adopted Resolution No. 92.155, approving the General Plan Implementation Program. This action fulfilled the requirements of Government Code Section 65400(a), which states in part that the means to Implement the General Plan shall be identified and provided. -1- The Implementation Program Includes a list and description of established City programs (various strategic plans, the Capital Improvement Plan, and the annual budget) that are available in the Implementation process. The Implementation Plan also includes a chapter devoted to each element of the General Pian which organizes the implementation of the various elements. Additionally, a priority ranking was established for each of the 122 implementation measures..This priority ranking In turn, is to be used to budget the expenditures necessary to implement the General Plan. Adoption of the Unified Development Code Among the Implementation measures described In the General Plan Implementation Program Is the adoption of local zoning, subdivision and grading codes. This was accomplished on November 24, 1992, with the adoption of Ordinance No. 92.18, approving the Unified Development Code (UDC). The adoption of the UDC marked the completion of the City's Municipal Code, and provides internal consistency between the General Plan goals and zoning, grading, and subdivision regulations. The UDC assists In the Implementation of the Growth Management section of the General Plan. The midpoint density concept and the Ridgeline Preservation and Hillside Development section are two particularly noteworthy features of the UDC In terms of their growth management application. Affordable Housing In February, 1993, staff formed an Interdepartmental Affordable Housing Committee; approximately ten staff members, representing the Departments of Community Development, Finance, and Parks, Recreation, and Community Services have been meeting on a regular basis to discuss various affordable housing issues, share information, and coordinate programs/activities. The Community Development Planning Division coordinates the overall affordable housing strategy; Finance Department coordinates financing for affordable housing programs; and Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department Implements affordable housing programs. On March 23,1993, the Council adopted the Affordable Housing Development Incentive Policy. This established guidelines for implementing the development incentives provided for in the Unified Development Code for senior, very low, and low income housing. It serves to reduce development costs associated with the construction of projects qualifying under the density bonus provisions of the Government Code and thereby encourage development of affordable housing. In May 1993, an affordable housing survey was developed. This will be used as a tool for various affordable housing projects. It serves as an inventory of affordable housing, and gives the total number of units, along with the portion of the total set aside for very low, low, and moderate Income levels. In progress Is a policy document which will assist in the Implementation of the Affordable Housing Policy. This is a draft Conduit Financing Policy. The city's Affordable Housing Policy states that the "Council may, at its sole discretion, participate in bond financing for the affordable housing development." The City has been approached by a number of owners of senior housing developmentsto facilitatethe Issuance of multi -family housing revenue bonds. Such requests have prompted a need for the City to have guidelines in place to evaluate the worthiness and viability of such proposals and their conformance to the City's affordable housing policy. The draft policy ensures that no costs will be Incurred by the City on behalf of the property owner/developer. .2. Joint City -County Planning Land Use Policy No. 1.9 of the General Plan states that the City shall "continue to pursue a policy of cooperation with Los Angeles County" with the Intent to "preserve the character of the communities and the Integrity of the Santa Clarita Valley." (General Plan, Land Use Element: Growth Management Goal I.) The Joint City -County Planning Program has been the result of this policy, as well as policies contained within the Los Angeles County Santa Clarita Valley Area Plan. Begun in February 1992, Phase I of the "Coordinated Planning Program" is the result of the combined efforts of both City and County staff.- The primary and overriding goals of this program are to promote consistent and sound planning, and to enhance the quality of life in both the Incorporated and unincorporated parts of the Santa Clarita Valley. The final Joint City -County Report, which was presented to the City Council in December 1992, and released in February 1993, sets forth goals for further joint efforts by the City of Santa Clarita and the County of Los Angeles, such as the Joint Traffic Model, area -specific infrastructure standards, community facilities districts, and corresponding joint standards. This Is considered the Phase 1 Report, which was adopted by the City Council. Subsequent phases are anticipated. Additional General Plan Accomplishments During the past year the General Plan summary with a full color land use map was completed and made available to City officials and the public. MANDATORY REPORTING REQUIREMENTS Although the state law requiring the annual report an the General Plan is very general, and does not dictate a particular format or a precise list of contents, the following two subjects, both pertaining to the Housing Element, must be addressed. Regional Housing Share State Housing Element law requires that cities receive a determination through the local council of governments of what each city's Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) is. In 1989, the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) provided the City of Santa Clarita with this determination. According to the City's RHNA, a total of 6,401 housing units should be built to accommodate anticipated growth from 1989 through June 30,1994. The latter is a benchmark date, since It represents the date by which cities and counties in the SCAG region must update their Housing Elements. The 6,401 units are further divided Into the four different Income categories shown. Regional Housing Needs Assessment Income Level Very Low (0-50% of county median Income) Low (50-80% of county median Income) Moderate (80.120% of county median Income) High (over 120% of county median Income) (source: Southern California Association of Govemments, 1989) -3- Existing Future Percentage Need No. Need No. Distribution 3,087 1,031 16.1 1,285 531 8.3 -- 992 15.5 --- 33,847 60.1 6,401 100.0 Quantified Objectives Income Level Units Constructed Very Low 13 Low 81 Moderate 216 High 811 Total 1,121 Because the marketplacewill serve as the primary motivator of what housing units actually are built, the City.ls also required to make a realistic projection of what is truly likely to be constructed. This estimate is termed the "quantified objectives" and was included in the Housing Element amendment (GPA 92-001). According to the quantified objectives, the City estimated that 1,121 units would be built between the date of adoption of the General Plan (June 25,1991), and June 30, 1994. An estimated total of 474 units have been constructed in first two years of this three-year period. Of this total, 87 units are intended for the very low Income category, and 55 units for the low Income category. Removal of Constraints A recent addition to the State law regarding this annual report is the Incorporation of a section discussing each jurisdiction's efforts. during the past year to remove constraints to the production of affordable housing. This requirement became effective on January 1, 1993, and this represents the City's first opportunity to report on this subject. Potential constraints are discussed in State Housing Element law, and Include both governmental and non-governmental constraints. Examples of governmental constraints may Include overly strict or unwieldy development ordinances, high fees and exactions, and tedious or slow permit processing. In the Housing Element amendment mentioned above (GPA 92-001), a section was devoted to Land Use Controls, which enumerates the governmental constraints and included means to reduce theses constraints. Provisions addressed In the. UDC that are intended to reduce constraints Include: density bonuses, joint living and working quarters, and home occupations. Non-governmental constraints Include the availability of land, the marketplace, community, and the economy. GROWTH MANAGEMENT Because of the Importance of the Growth Management Section of the General Plan, the following Is a summary of the City's accomplishments in this area. It shows the comparison of new development to the amount of new Infrastructure provided. The ongoing recession has strongly affected development and subdivision activity In the City, and In surrounding unincorporated areas. Subdivision Activity 147 residential lots and 13 commercial lots were approved In FY 1992. -4- Summary of Bulldinq Permit Activit In FY 1992-93, building permits were Issued for 150 single-family residences and six -commercial buildings. Other.permits Issued were primarily for additions to existing structures. Summary of Infrastructure Improvements The General Plan is structured around the philosophy of "pay as you go" to help ensure that adequate Infrastructure Is provided along with new development. The following is a list of Infrastructure Improvements made within the past year and is Indicative of the level of attention being given to Improving the local Infrastructure; 1. Street Improvements a. San Fernando Road widening began between Drayton St. and Placenta Creek. b. Soledad Canyon Rd widening continued between Sand Canyon Rd and Shadow Pines Blvd. c. Whites Canyon Rd. bridge continued along with the extension of Via Princessa from its existing easterly terminus to Sierra Hwy. d. Valencia Blvd. was widened to accommodate a longer right turn pocket, eastbound, at Bouquet Canyon Rd. e. The annual overlay and slurry seal program was accomplished. 2. Traffic Signal Improvements a. New signal Installed at the Intersection of Valencia Blvd. and Creekside Drive. b. New signal Installed at the Intersection of Lyons Ave. and Wayman Street. c. Upgrades made to existing signals on Whites Canyon Rd. 3. Other Improvements a. Construction of the Metrolink Station and the Inauguration of commuter rail service between Santa Clarita and downtown Los Angeles. . b. Work began on the expansion of the City's Corporation Yard. c. All streets surrounding the site of the regional shopping center were widened or extended. Signals were Installed at all Intersections not previously signalized. GENERAL PLAN MITIGATION MONITORING PROGRAM Monitoring of all mitigation measures identified In an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) is required by the California Public Resources Code, Section 21081.6. The Mitigation Monitoring Program -5- (MMP) prepared for the General Plan EIR brings together all mitigation measures (largely developed as goals and policies) Identified for each environmental Issue analyzed In the EIR, Identifies Implementation measures and sets time lines. This annual report on the General Pian and policy implementation, required by state law, is one of six items required by the Mitigation Monitoring Program. The City's progress Is as follows: 1. General Plan Annual Report The City duly made this report In 1992 and this represents the 1993 report. 2. Adoption of Key Ordinances Within two years of General Plan adoption, the monitoring program required that the City would adopt zoning, subdivision, and grading ordinances. The Unified Development Code, adopted on November 24, 1992 now serves this purpose, andwas adopted with 18 months of adoption of the General Plan. 3. Hillside and Noise Ordinances The Hillside Ordinance requirement was completed as part of the Ridgeline Preservation and Hillside Development Ordinance and Guidelines, adopted March 24,1992, less than one year following the adoption of the General Plan. A City Noise Ordinance was adopted on January 23, 1990, prior to the General Plan adoption. 4. Report on Housing Element Program Implementation 5. In the Housing Element, unlike the other General Plan Elements, there are programs, rather than Implementation measures. A total of 45 programs are listed that are available to the City to Implement the Housing Element. To date, progress has been made In utilizing 20 of the 45 programs as follows: Existing Needs Prioritizatlon Specific Plan/Planned Development Mixed Use Land Use Data Base Increasing Affordable Programs State and Federal Programs Rental Rehabilitation Public Facilities Funding Density Bonuses Special Needs Prioritizing Site Accessibility Code Enforcement Rehabilitation Loans Emergency Repair Grants Enforcement of Conditions of Approval Balance Employment with Housing One Stop Permit Processing Site Design Features Site Design with Low Water Use Recycling and Composting These activities are ongoing as follows: a. Each new development application is circulated for review by approximately 30 agencies to determine effects on service providers and Infrastructure capacity -6- b. New joint city -county school fees forfive local school districts were adopted during the period between May 1992 and the present. C. New joint city -county fire facility fees were adopted In May 1993. d. New joint Bridge and Thoroughfare fees (which. Involved coordination with both the County and the Building Industry Association) were adopted in spring 1993. e. - The City is participating In the Santa Clara River Enhancement and Management Plan (Ventura County Public Works Is the Lead Agency) with numerous other agencies to Inventory and develop management pians for the entire Santa Clara River watershed. f. In cooperation with the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG), the City recently joined the Ventura subarea of SCAG's Regional Comprehensive Plan. This action will promote regional Interaction between the Santa Clarita Valley and communities along the Santa Clara River to the west. The City has also jointed the North County Sub -Area for traffic only. To address regional transportation and air quality goals, the.City adopted a trip reduction ordinance In March 1993, which responds to the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) Congestion Management Plan. The Plan links land use, air quality, and transportation planning to reducethe number of vehicle trips, the number of miles traveled, and to increase vehicle occupancy and patronage of transit systems, as well as to encourage alternate modes of transportation. h. In 1992, the City successfully applied for$3.5 million In transportation grant funds. The Metrolink commuter rail system began serving Santa Clarita in October 1992; the City assisted In enhancing access to the station area by restriping adjacent portions of Soledad Canyon Road, providing a traffic signal at Soledad Canyon Road and Commuter Way, and installing median landscaping. The capacity of Soledad Canyon Road has been partially Increased without performing additional construction, by restriping lanes. k. The City is complying with SCAG's Regulation XV requirements by adopting flexible schedules, the 9-80 alternative work week, and providing incentives for employees to rideshare and use alternative methods of transportation. A Clean Air Award was granted to the City In 1993 by the South Coast Air Quality Management District for this effort. 6. Infrastructure Improvements and the Capital Improvement Program Certain infrastructure Improvements are required by mltigation measures. Where cooperation with the County is Involved to complete these Improvements, the MMP requires that these Items be Incorporated Into the City's Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). Although this is not required to be accomplished until four years following the General Plan's adoption, to date two projects are programmed In the CIP. They are the Whites Canyon bridgeNla Princessa extension, and the San Fernando Road widening. 7- GENERAL PLAN LEGISLATION During the 1992 legislative year the state enacted the following legislation pertaining to General Plans. The bills became effective January 1, 1993: AB 908 (Farr) This bill affects the Safety Element of General Pians.. It amends Section 65302 of the Government Code to specify liquefaction and other seismic hazards Identified pursuant to specified provisions of law as geologic hazards to be addressed In the safety element of the plan, thus Imposing a state -mandated local program. No time frame is specified. This may be accommodated In the next regular update of the Safety Element. 2. SB 1807 (Bergeson) The Housing Element of the General Plan has one additional requirement as a result of this legislation. Government Code Section 65400(b) is amended to. require that jurisdictions Include In their annual report In the General Plan a discussion of the local efforts made to remove governmental constraints to the maintenance, improvement, and development of housing programs (particularly affordable housing). This Item is addressed above In the Mandatory Reporting Requirements. -a. GENERAL PLAN IMPLEMENTATION MEASURES STATUS 6/25/93 The General Plan is Implemented primarily by adopting, and then carrying out, specific programs and action items which address the goals and policies contained within It. The General Plan Implementation Program (adopted 7/92) lists implementation measures, categorized by and correlated with the goals and policies of each element. Implementation measures are achieved through various means: Incorporation into established City programs, enactment of ordinances, resolutions, codes or other documents, and the development of strategic plans for both Individual City departments and the community at targe. Through these activities, implementation efforts are programmed Into the City's annual budget for one or more fiscal years. The following chart shows the status of the implementation measures of the General Plan by land use category. An "X" shows the current status; a box "❑ indicates a change from the previous reporting period of July 1992. COMPLETED/ 50%+ ELEMENT ON-GOING COMPLETED STARTED PLANNED Land Use Element ■ A comprehensive zoning ordinance and accompanying zoning map X ❑ ■ Subdivision regulations X ❑ ■ Special Standards District X ❑ ■ Specific Plans ■ Development agreements X ■ Capital facilities Improvements X ■ Building and housing codes X ■ Redevelopment ■ Annexation & Sphere of Influence programs X Community Design Element ■ Design guidelines ■ A comprehensive zoning ordinance, Including standards for hillside development and rldgeline preservation X ❑ 13 Indicates change from 1992 status F1 X R General Plan Implementation Page 2 ■ Redevelopment and Revitalization programs X ■ Industrial Development Bonds Circulation Element ■ A Valley -wide traffic model developed with a consensus approach between the City, County, and SCAG which Incorporated this model Into a growth management and monitoring program X O ■ Standards for right-of-way dedication and acquisition X ■ Roadway Improvement standards and programs X ■ Bikeway and trail standards and programs X ■ A comprehensive zoning ordinance 0 Indicates change from 1992 status COMPLETED/ 50%+ ELEMENT ON-GOING COMPLETED STARTED- PLANNED ■ Architectural review process X ■ Specific plans X ■ Special Standards Districts X 17 ■ Street median and parkway landscaping programs X Economic Development and Community Revitalization Element ■ A comprehensive marketing plan X 0 ■ Specific plans X ■ Development agreements X ■ Annexation X ■ Redevelopment and Revitalization programs X ■ Industrial Development Bonds Circulation Element ■ A Valley -wide traffic model developed with a consensus approach between the City, County, and SCAG which Incorporated this model Into a growth management and monitoring program X O ■ Standards for right-of-way dedication and acquisition X ■ Roadway Improvement standards and programs X ■ Bikeway and trail standards and programs X ■ A comprehensive zoning ordinance 0 Indicates change from 1992 status General Plan Implementation Page 3 ■ Community facility financing O Indicates change from 1992 status COMPLETED/ 50%+ ELEMENT ON-GOING COMPLETED STARTED PLANNED which Includes standards for parking and access . X 0 ■ Transit Improvement programs X ■ Congestion management programs X ■ Development agreements X . ■ Capital Improvement programs X ■ Transportation facility Improvement financing programs X Human Resource Element ■ City/County cooperation X 0 ■ Child care programs X ■ Senior citizen programs X ■. Recreational programs X ■ Community development block grants X ■ Public/Private Partnerships X O Public Services. Facilities, and Utilities Element ■ Develop a growth management monitoring system and ordinance X ■ Development and Impact fee ordinance X ■ Zoning and subdivision standards X 0 ■ Recycling and conservation programs X ■ Community facility financing O Indicates change from 1992 status General Plan Implementation Page 4 COMPLETED/ 50%+ ELEMENT ON-GOING COMPLETED STARTED PLANNED programs X ■ Capital Improvement program X ■ Community monitoring guidelines for toxic/hazardous waste disposal transport and storage Parks and Recreation Element ■ A parkland dedication ordinance ■ A gift or public trust park and recreation ordinance` ■ Provisions for onsite recreational opportunities In residential as well as commercial and Industrial categories ■ Park bonds and State grants and funds X ■ Dedication of trail easements X X 021 ■ Establishment of landscape maintenance districts X ❑ Open Space and Conservation Element ■ A checklist of open space and conservation resources to be used to evaluate proposed development to assure continued protection of resources ■ A comprehensive zoning ordinance, Including provisions for open space zoning, large lot zoning, and special overlay zones X ■ A Significant Ecological Area (SEA) Overlay Zone for the continued ❑ Indicates change from 1992 status FE -1 General Plan Implementation Page 5 COMPLETED/ 50%+ ELEMENT ON-GOING COMPLETED STARTED PLANNED preservation of the five existing County SFA's, and the establishment of criteria for additional areas X ❑ ■ Zoning regulations and accompanying submittal requirements that specify Items such as slope analysis; Identification of significant, threatened, and endangered species of flora and fauna; flood plain areas and areassubject to Inundation; and significant ridgelines X ❑ ■ Transfer of development rights as a means of preserving significant areas of sensitive flora and fauna ■ Provisions for access to public lakes, waterways, rivers, and streams ■ An open space acquisition fund for the purchase of privately held parcels that are located on or within areas of significant ridgelines, groundwater recharge areas, or areas of endangered flora and/or fauna ■ Design criteria of the Santa Ciarita River and Its major tributaries Air Quality Element ■ Comply with South Coast Air Quality Management District rules and regulations X ■ Congestion management and transportation demand programs ■ Transit Improvement programs X ■ Clean air demonstration and education programs X 0 Indicates change from 1992 status ki X 13 X COMPLETED/ ELEMENT ON-GOING ■ Recycling and conservation programs X ■ Dust control measures X ■ Sensitive use guidelines ■ Landscaping/tree planting guidelines X Noise Element ■ A noise ordinance, including provisions to control noise through use of Insulations, berms and walls, building design/orientation, buffer . yards, and other techniques X ■ Code enforcement, Including citations to require cessation of excessive noise generating activities X ■ Detailed noise studies In connection with proposals for habitable buildings In Identified high noise areas ■ Noise attenuation guidelines for areas adjacent to high noise corridors which Incorporate functional and aesthetic features to mitigate roadway noise and enhance the streetscape ■ Compliance with the State's noise Insulation standards X Safety Element ■ Emergency preparedness and safety programs X ■ Floodzones and dam Inundation policies and standards X ■ Wlldland fire standards X 13 Indicates change from 1992 status General Pian Implementation Page 6 50%+ COMPLETED STARTED PLANNED ELEMENT ■ Toxic and hazardous waste clean-up programs ■ Aiquist-Priolo Special Studies Zone standards ■ Grading and drainage standards advsnce1gpanrp02 ,mar 13 Indicates change from 1992 status COMPLETED/ ON-GOING lI X General Plan Implementation Page 7 COMPLETED L4 50%+ STARTED PLANNED