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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-07-09 - AGENDA REPORTS - ROBINSON RANCH MODIFICATIONS (2)CITY OF SANTA CLARITA AGENDA REPORT City Manager Approvsk Item to be presented by: Fred Follstad PUBLIC HEARING DATE: July 9, 2002 SUBJECT: THE APPLICANT IS REQUESTING MODIFICATIONS TO .THE APPROVED ROBINSON RANCH GOLF COURSE PROJECT CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL (MASTER CASE 95-049). THE MODIFICATIONS RELATE TO THREE CONDITIONS FOR TRAFFIC IMPROVEMENTS ON SAND CANYON ROAD. THE APPLICANT IS ROBINSON RANCH. DEPARTMENT: Planning & Building Services RECOMMENDED ACTION City Council conduct a public hearing and adopt a resolution that modifies Conditions 14, 16 and 18 of Master Case 95-049. BACKGROUND On September 10, 1996 the City Council approved Master Case 95-049 for the Robinson Ranch project which included two 18 -hole golf courses and 73 single family homes on 411 acres in the Sand Canyon area. The approval for the project included conditions of approval and mitigation measures including requirements for traffic improvements along Sand Canyon Road. After engineering plans were prepared, it was noted that two of the conditions required the widening of Sand Canyon Road which would necessitate the removal of two Heritage Oak trees. In addition, there was community concern regarding the widening of the eiasting bridge over the Santa Clara River. The applicant subsequently submitted an oak tree permit to remove the required oak trees to allow for construction of the roadway improvements. On November 27, 2001, the City Council upheld the Planning Commission's denial of Oak Tree Permit 99-045, which would have allowed for the intersection improvements along Sand Canyon Road. At that meeting, the City Council directed the applicant to work with staff to establish the applicant's required funding for these improvements and return to the City Council to formalize the issue. The modifications to the conditions of approval listed below address the City Council's request. Agenda ,.a?4 ANALYSIS As directed by the City Council at their November 27, 2001 City Council meeting, staff has worked with the applicant to establish the applicant's financial responsibility for the requirements. Listed below are the three conditions in question, the requested changes and explanations for the request: Condition 14 The existing condition reads: "In addition to the identified mitigation measures, the applicant shall be required to widen Sand Canyon Road, from Lost Canyon Road to the northerly terminus of the bridge over the Santa Clara River, to a minimum of four travel lanes to the satisfaction of the City's Traffic Engineer. This requirement shall be completed prior to occupancy of the project. Costs associated with this improvement shall be credited towards the applicant's Bridge and Thoroughfare obligation." The requested modification is to remove this condition completely. The applicant has paid the required Bridge and Thoroughfare fees for the development in order to take occupancy of the project. The applicant would then widen the bridge and receive reimbursement and credit from the Bridge and Thoroughfare District for the complete cost of the improvement. Based on the need for improvements elsewhere in the Eastside District and the community concern that the widening may increase traffic in the community, staff was directed to re-evaluate this condition. Condition 16 The existing condition reads: "The applicant shall install a traffic signal at the intersection of Lost Canyon Road and Sand Canyon Road. This action shall be completed prior to occupancy and to the satisfaction of the City's Traffic Engineer. This condition may require road widening." The requested modification would have the condition to read as follows: "The applicant shall pay a proportionate fair share for installation of a traffic signal at the intersection of Lost Canyon Road and Sand Canyon Road to the satisfaction of the City's Traffic Engineer. This condition may require road widening." Based on City Council's previous direction, the applicant has submitted the required estimates as to their fair share costs for the improvements. The applicant has agreed to pay their portion, (40.6%) of the improvement to the City once the modification approval is completed. At a future time, when the City wishes to make improvements these funds would be available. Condition 18 The existing condition reads: "The applicant shall install a left turn lane on Sand Canyon Road at Live Oak Springs Canyon Road. This action shall be completed prior to occupancy and to the satisfaction of the City's Traffic Engineer. This condition may require road widening." The requested modification would have the condition to read as follows: "The applicant shall pay for the installation of a left turn lane on Sand Canyon Road at Live Oak Springs Canyon Road to the satisfaction of the City's Traffic Engineer. This condition may require road widening." Like Condition 16, the City Council directed the applicant to modify this condition to postpone the improvement. However, on this improvement the applicant is responsible for the full cost of the improvement. FISCAL IMPACT The applicant's obligation to the Eastside Bridge and Thoroughfare District has been met. Improvements that would have received Bridge and Thoroughfare credits are no longer required therefore, the City can use the totality of the funds from the project in other areas within the district. The City now becomes responsible to pay approximately 61% of costs associated with , installation of the traffic signal at the intersection of Lost Canyon and Sand Canyon Roads. Under the previous condition, the total obligation for this project would have been borne by the applicant. No fiscal impact results in installation of the left turn lane on Sand Canyon Road at Live Oak Springs Canyon Road. Resolution Original Conditions of Approval JJL:VPB:FLF:lep Pbs\robinson\agenda report 070902 CITY OF SANTA CLARITA NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN: A Public Hearing will be held before the City Council of the City of Santa Clarita in the City Hall Council Chambers, 23920 Valencia Blvd., I" Floor, Santa Clarita, California, on the 9th day of July, 2002, at or after 6:00 p.m. to consider Master Case 95-049 - Modifications to Conditions requiring the widening of the Sand Canyon Road over the Santa Clara River to four travel lanes and the installation of intersection improvements on Sand Canyon Road and Lost Canyon and Sand Canyon and Live Oak Springs Canyon Road. The Project Applicant is Robinson Ranch. Proponents, opponents, and any interested persons may appear and be heard on this matter at that time. Further information may be obtained by contacting the Planning and Building Services Department, Santa Clarita City Hall, 23920 Valencia Blvd., Third Floor, Santa Clarita, CA. 91355, (661) 255-4330- Fred Follstad, Project Planner. If you wish to challenge this action in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the City Council, at, or prior to, the public hearing. Dated: June 13, 2002 Sharon L. Dawson, CMC City Clerk Publish Date: June 18, 2002 \phrobinsonranch.wpd