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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-03-14 - AGENDA REPORTS - SPHERE OF INFLUENCE (2)CITY OF SANTA CLARITA AGENDA REPORT NEW BUSINESS City Manager Approval: Item to be presented by: DATE: March 14, 2000 SUBJECT: SPHERE OF INFLUENCE DEPARTMENT: City Manager RECOMMENDED ACTION Approve the editorial "as is" and send it with the signatures of all five City Councilmembers BACKGROUND Santa Clarita submitted its first application for a Sphere of Influence to LAFCO on November 15, 1989. The Commission took action to approve a Sphere of Influence coterminous with the City's boundary, but determined not to establish a Sphere outside the City limits until such time as the City had adopted a comprehensive General Plan. Additionally, LAFCO requested the opportunity to again review the City's progress toward providing quality service to its residents, as well as organizational and financial stability. On November 13, 1991, LAFCO considered the City's second request for a Sphere of Influence. After denial of the City's first attempt, the City followed the direction of LAFCO by successfully drafting and approving a General Plan for its jurisdiction. On November 13th, LAFCO voted to postpone a decision, reconvened on January 22, 1992, and at that meeting again determined to establish a Sphere outside the City limits. Testimony reveals that LAFCO denied the City's second attempt at a Sphere based on community opposition. Proving a history of the City's organizational and financial stability was also weak at the time, as the City had only been incorporated for approximately four years. Until January 5, 2000, no other City applications for an expanded Sphere of Influence have been forwarded to LAFCO. We now feel, however, that enough time has passed that the City can prove a strong history of providing excellent municipal service, as well as prove that we have operated under stablell organizational and financial conditions since incorporation. Attached is an editorial, suggested to be sent to all media in the Southern California region, under the signature of all five Santa Clarita City Council members. Staff feels that the unity of the City Council on this issue will send a strong message. C ,N"9nda, Items.,N"9 / ALTERNATIVE ACTION 1. Approve the editorial "with changes" and send it with the signatures of all five City Councilmembers. 2. Approve the editorial for Mayor's signature only. 3. Approve editorial for staff signatures only. FISCAL IMPACT There are no fiscal impacts associated with this report. ATTACHMENTS Editorial ms:ccagenda \ Sphere. doc DRAFT EDITORIAL SANTA CLARITA'S QUEST FOR A SPHERE OF INFLUENCE It's been 12 years since Santa Clarita's four communities joined to form a city government that would allow more control over growth, development and tax revenue. And yet, the formal role to influence development adjacent to its borders, is one of the biggest goals to elude Santa Clarita to date. In 1985, the Cortese -Knox Local Government Reorganization Act provided a means and way for local government to achieve orderly growth and development. It particularly addressed how to deal with urbanizing areas and urban sprawl, such as what is happening today in Santa Clarita. Specifically, this legislation created Local Agency Formation Commissions (LAFCO's), which designated city "spheres of influence." These "spheres" are areas surrounding a City that allow local governments to formally comment on land use planning occurring adjacent to city boundaries. Indeed, allowing a sphere of influence seems to be tailor-made for Santa Clarita, a growing City of 148,000 people in approximately 50 square miles, completely surrounded by developing unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County. Since the City's incorporation 12 years ago, more than 20 communities and developers with proposed communities have requested and been successfully annexed into the City; eight more are currently pending. Seeking higher service levels, especially in the areas of police and recreation, and avoiding taxes levied within the unincorporated areas, newly emerging neighborhoods have joined the City of Santa Clarita with a laundry list of wishes and special needs. Page 2 Lower standards for new development in the surrounding County area have created a discrepancy in the provision of infrastructure and service levels between the City and the County. Residents often notice these differences and proceed to annex into the City, then want the City to "fix" things. If the City had a formal role in the County entitlement process BEFORE development takes place, more consistent and cohesive planning would occur. In its first attempt to obtain a "sphere of influence" in 1989 from the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO), Santa Clarita was told it needed to complete its own general plan before a "sphere" could be given. In Santa Clarita's second request for a sphere of influence in 1991, with its newly adopted general plan for the entire Valley floor of 256 square miles in hand, LAFCO denied Santa Clarita its request for a "sphere," based on the City's recent incorporation and perceived unproven financial stability. The City recently began its third attempt to secure a "sphere." With its 10 -year old general plan under one arm, and its more than 40 awards for excellence in financial management, strategic planning and budgeting under the other arm, the City of Santa Clarita is now returning to LAFCO with a request for its much -desired sphere of influence. Page 3 Like the other two requests, this one envisions a planning area for the City that centers upon an area within the Santa Clarita Valley that makes sense from a planning perspective, and represents a reasonable, ultimate city boundary. Ideally, this "sphere" area should encompass the 256 square mile Santa Clarita Valley, which is already part of the City's general plan. However, the City's humble request is quite a bit smaller. Artificial government boundaries should not be taken into account when land use planning decisions are considered for the Santa Clarita Valley community. No matter where someone lives in the Valley, community values consistently center upon quality schools, excellent public safety, preservation of oak trees, hillsides, ridgelines and preserving the natural Santa Clara river. Good government dictates that decisions for land use and planning are best made at the local level, with community concerns heard by an easily accessible legislative body that keeps its residents' interests at the forefront of their mind! The practice of good government would dictate that Santa Clarita be granted its long-awaited sphere of influence. It is time to follow the 1985 Cortese -Knox Local Government Reorganization Act and bring local control to local government. Los Angeles County and its LAFCO have a unique opportunity to help implement good governance in a successfully emerging City. Let Santa Clarita have its sphere of influence and get on with self governance! And let's hope the third time is the charm for Santa Clarita. Page 4 Jo Anne Darcy, Mayor Laurene Weste, Mayor Pro Tem Frank Ferry, Councilmember Jill Klajic, Councilmember Jan Heidt, Councilmember