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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-03-10 - AGENDA REPORTS - NEWHALL RANCH DEV PROJ (2)AGENDA REPORT City Manan Item to be Jeffrey Lambert UNFINISHED BUSINESS DATE: March 10, 1998 SUBJECT: APPEAL OF THE NEWHALL RANCH DEVELOPMENT PROJECT DEPARTMENT: Planning and Building Services Department RECOMMENDED ACTION Direct staff to prepare a letter for the Mayor's signature transmitting the City's concerns to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors for its March 24, 1998, public hearing. BACKGROUND The Los Angeles County Regional Planning Commission approved a conditional use permit and tentative parcel map related to Newhall Ranch on December 17, 1997. On January 13, 1998, the Santa Clarita City Council directed staff to file an appeal of these approvals and to develop a strategy for the appeal process. The County of Ventura has also filed appeals and the Cities of Fillmore and Santa Paula and the County of Ventura have adopted a joint resolution expressing their concerns regarding the development project. Both the City's and the County of Ventura's appeals as well as the related general plan amendment, zone change, and Final Environmental Impact Report will be heard before the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on March 24,1998. Staff has identified an appeal strategy consisting of holding a meeting with the staffs of the Cities of Fillmore and Santa Paula and the County of Ventura to discuss areas of mutual concern, holding a meeting of the elected officials from these agencies, updating the status of the major issues of concern with the project, and organizing a presentation before the Board of Supervisors. The meeting with the city and county staffs has already taken place. The meeting with the elected officials has been scheduled for March 6th with the City being represented by Mayor Heidt and Mayor Pro Tem Darcy and a verbal update will be provided at the City Council meeting on March 10th. An updated status of the City's major issues is attached. Staff recommends that the presentation before the Board of Supervisors consist of the Mayor presenting the letter from the City stating the major issues of concern. There also has been a request that the City arrange to transport interested residents to the Board of Supervisors meeting on March 24th and staff will make these arrangements if requested by the Council. r-11iAgenda Iten1: /0 - oil ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS No alternative actions have been identified by staff. FISCAL IMPACT If the Council chooses to charter a bus, the cost would total approximately $460 per day. ATTACHMENTS Summary of City of Santa Clarita issues. JJL:VPB:lep s:\pbs\counci1\nw1rnch.vpb SUMMARY OF CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ISSUES RELATED TO NEWHALL RANCH Unresolved: The City is still concerned regarding the proposed development of nearly 25,000 dwelling units along with the proposed commercial and industrial uses. This concern is amplified given the cumulative impacts of the build -out west of Interstate 5 which will add an additional 8,000 dwelling units to the 25,000 units proposed at Newhall Ranch. Unresolved: Even though the Specific Plan's Hillside/Ridgeline standards are similar to the City's standards; they are not as extensive nor do they provide the same amount of protection from excessive grading and landform alteration as the City s provide. Even though bicycle trails are provided adjacent to all highways, the Specific Plan does not meet the City's Bicycle trail standards. It is unclear whether the project complies with the remaining City property development standards (i.e. setbacks, height, lot coverage, etc.) because the Newhall Ranch Company has not proposed any subdivisions at this time. Unresolved: A conservation and recreation easement will be granted to the County of Los Angeles which will maintain public oversight; however, the management of these areas is still unresolved. The Newhall .Ranch Company proposes that the Center for Natural Lands Management manage these areas. The City would like to these these areas maintained by either the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy or the Santa Clarita Watershed Recreation and Conservation Authority. The timing of the dedication is also unresolved. The Newhall Ranch Company has proposed dedicating the High Country at midpoint in the development of Newhall Ranch or sooner if Portrero Valley Village development has reached the 3,OOOth residential building permit. The City would would like to have the lands dedicated upon approval of the development agreement. fl1EE1.T-r0Vqff M1. Mn. WIT Unresolved: Even though the Newhall Ranch Company has agreed to add Specific Plan language that would allow the use of alternatives such as buried bank stabilization, they have not made a commitment to utilize this method. The Newhall Ranch Company has only agreed to allow this method as an option. Resolved: The Specific Plan allows for a variety of non -motorized transportation alternatives such as trails, and language has been added to encourage new transportation technologies. Resolved: Metrolink right-of-way will be offered for dedication with each subdivision. The offer to dedicate must be accepted by the MTA within 6 months of tentative subdivision map approval and the MTA must landscape and maintain the dedicated area. If the MTA does not accept dedication at the time of subdivisions, then the MTA would be given the right of first refusal to purchase the right-of-way and station site at appraised fair market value for the term of the development agreement. Unresolved: The City would like the Newhall Ranch Company to assist the MTA in seeking funding to build this line. Unresolved: Gasoline and Proposition A and C sales taxes generated by the project will provide surplus revenues; however, there is no guarantee that these revenues will return to the Santa Clarita Valley. Resolved: Standards have been incorporated in the Specific Plan to require future subdividers to provide adequately sized, accessible and convenient areas for collecting and loading recyclable. ITl-ltl a l MM ITS t l .. , 10 IN I l 1. _ ! 1 F.1 i ! • - . O! ' .• . • . • Unresolved: The fiscal impact analysis indicates that there would be surplus tax revenues available for park recreation funding; however, there is no guarantee that these revenues will return to the Santa Clarita Valley nor does the County agree that it will provide park recreation programs. Resolved: Pedestrian and bicycle access will be provided. Unresolved: The applicant is opposed to equestrian access because of the presence of endangered species and sensitive habitats. MMM : 11 ! ! 1 - 4 . 11 Resolved: Newhall Ranch has agreed that the missing segment will be precisely located and trail right-of-way will be designated when the underlying property is developed. !11 Unresolved: The project does not guarantee that adequate school facilities will be provided. The impact of the project on the local school districts is considered to be unavoidably significant by the William S.. Hart Union School District and the Castaic Union School District. The draft environmental impact report does not discuss the timing for development of the five elementary schools, junior high, and high school, therefore it is anticipated that the City will be negatively affected by the build -out of the project in the short-term, or until the facilities are developed and operational, however long that may be. 11 .•. - I I ! - _! i. a! 1 a 1 0. 1 k Unresolved: Significant riparian habitat would be removed from the River Corridor SEA with insufficient mitigation for this impact. This SEA is the largest in the Santa Clarita Valley and supports a variety of natural habitats including freshwater marsh, coastal sage scrub, oak woodland, and riparian woodlands. • Project compliance with all applicable NPDES Permit requirements. • Traffic performance evaluations at each subdivision stage. • Proper phasing and financing for transit service to the site. • Environmental review and public notification for any construction near the Salt Creek corridor. • Proper landform grading techniques. • Project compliance with, and incorporation of, Best Management Practices. • Minimization of non -point source pollutants throughout the Newhall Ranch site. • Individual Stormwater Pollution Prevention Programs for.subdivisions, where appropriate. • Designs accommodating transit service to all future development sites. • The development of a major sports center for community toumaments/league play. • Teen programs and anti -gang programs for the residents of Newhall Ranch. • The inclusion of air quality mitigation measures at all stages of development. 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