HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-06-11 - AGENDA REPORTS - PORTA BELLA SPECIAL COUNSEL (2)CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
AGENDA REPORT
CONSENT CALENDAR City Manager Approval: '
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Item to be presented by: Bob Kellar
DATE: June 11, 2002
SUBJECT: PORTA BELLA SPECIAL COUNSEL
DEPARTMENT: Planning and Building Services
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Direct staff to solicit special counsel to advise the City Council and staff on matters
concerning the Porta Bella project.
BACKGROUND
Due to the technical and legal complexity of the Porta Bella project, special counsel is
requested to assist City staff and the City Attorney's office in developing strategies
regarding the various aspects of the project.
At the core of the City of Santa Clarita lies the Porta Bella property. The 988.6—acre site
was previously used for 80 years as a military explosives and flare manufacturing site by
various companies. In January 1999, Santa Clarita, LLC assumed ownership of the Porta
Bella property. Today, the site is largely vacant, and the majority of structures used for
previous munitions manufacturing activities have been demolished, or stand empty and are
dilapidating. Grading activities associated with the past use of the site have substantially
altered portions of the site. Topography ranges from flat terrain to elevated hills and a
significant ridgeline.
As a result of manufacturing operations, the site requires environmental clean-up and state
agency certification prior to site reuse. Directly beneath the site is the Saugus Aquifer,
which is a significant water source for the Santa Clarita Valley. Since operations ceased in
1987, the clean-up of resulting soil and groundwater contamination (including perchlorate)
and the elimination of associated public health hazards has been an ongoing issue.
Porta Bella Entitlements & Development Agreement
A future land use development plan for this property was created and considered by the
City of Santa Clarita during 1993-1995. On September 12, 1995, the Porta Bella Specific
Plan (and related actions) was approved by the City Council. The Porta Bella Development
Agreement, a contract vesting the entitlements issued for this project for 20 years, was
approved by the City Council on February 27, 1996. These documents reflect the City's
approval of the Porta Bella project consisting of 2,911 residential units, 92 acres of
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commercial and industrial uses, 434 acres of open space and recreational uses, and other
uses.
Porta Bella Specific Plan
The Porta Bella Specific Plan provides a comprehensive land use plan for the Porta Bella
site. This mixed-use project includes a combination of single- and multi -family residential;
business park (manufacturing) and institutional facilities; active and passive recreation;
and natural open space. Implementation of the Porta Bella Specific Plan would result in
the development of 1,244 single-family residential units and 1,667 multi -family residential
units on 385.3 acres; 96 acres of commercial and business/office park uses; 406.95 acres of
open space; and 41.75 acres of recreational uses. Several major roadways are designed to
extend through the site including Via Princessa, Magic Mountain Parkway, and Santa
Clarita Parkway. As a condition of approval, redevelopment of the site is contingent upon
the full environmental clean-up and Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC)
certification for redevelopment of the entire 988.6 -acre site.
All terms and conditions imposed by the City through the Porta Bella Specific Plan and
Development Agreement are transferred to Santa Clarita LLC, the present owner, who
continues to be responsible to satisfy the City's land use requirements as well as the
DTSC's clean up requirements.
Development Agreement
The Porta Bella Development Agreement, a contract vesting the entitlements issued for
this project for 20 years, was approved by the City Council on February 27, 1996. Through
the Development Agreement, the City received several benefits from the developer
including the grading of the future civic center site, design and construction of needed
roadways, transfer of Metrolink station ownership to the City, provision of a City facility
site, and a future institutional site.
The City is currently conducting a development agreement compliance review. The
Director of Planning and Building Services has determined that the SCLLC is in non-
compliance with the development agreement and the Planning Commission on April 2,
2002 agreed with this determination. SCLLC has appealed the Planning Commission's
determination and a hearing has been scheduled before the City Council on June 25, 2002.
ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS
Other action as determined by the Council.
FISCAL IMPACT
This action is expected to utilize some of the existing funds already included in the 2002/03
fiscal year budget allocated for Porta Bella legal services.
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PBS \ lambert \ portabella/legal.agendarpt.doc