HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-03-11 - AGENDA REPORTS - POLICY ANNEX TERRITORY TO CITY (2)NEW BUSINESS
DATE
SUBJECT:
DEPARTMENT:
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
AGENDA REPORT
City Manager Approval:
Item to be presented by:
March 11, 2003
Agenda Item: A
POLICY FOR THE ANNEXATION OF TERRITORY TO THE CITY OF
SANTA CLARITA
Planning and Building Services
RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council to adopt policy for the annexation of territory to the City of Santa Clarita.
BACKGROUND
At the July 2, 2002, City Council Study Session regarding annexation policies, the Council
directed staff to develop a citywide annexation policy for the Council's consideration which
provides evaluation criteria related to all contributions and impacts to City services. The
attached annexation policy lists guidelines for the City Council's evaluation of annexation
proposals for both inhabited and uninhabited properties.
ANALYSIS
At the time of the City's incorporation in December 1987, the City's jurisdictional area was
39.42 square miles. Since its incorporation, the City of Santa Clarita has completed 23
annexations totaling 10.51 square miles (or 6,723.48 acres), which has increased the City's
jurisdictional area to 49.92 square miles. These annexations have resulted in 13,153 dwelling
units (both existing and proposed) which includes 10,040 single-family residential units and
3,113 multi -family units.
There currently exists no policy or guidelines upon which requests for annexation of territory
to the City of Santa Clarita are evaluated. The proposed citywide annexation policy is
consistent with the Santa Clarita General Plan Land Use Element Policy 1.7, "Pursue an
annexation policy that brings tangible benefits to City infrastructure and provides a self
supporting tax base," and Land Use Element Policy 7.6, "Coordinate annexation activities
u;it'IrLI
with City growth management strategies."
ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS
1. Council not adopt a policy for annexation of territory to the City of Santa Clarita.
2. Other actions as determined by Council.
FISCAL IMPACT
No fiscal impact to the City's budget would result from the adoption of the annexation policy.
This policy will, however, guide the Council in its decision-making regarding the annexation
of inhabited and uninhabited properties into the City of Santa Clarita, which does affect the
City's General Fund and municipal service contracts.
&TTAC-- CHMENTS
Policy for the Annexation of Territory to the City of Santa Clarita
POLICY FOR THE ANNEXATION OF TERRITORY
TO THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
General Evaluation Guidelines
The Council shall consider the following guidelines in evaluating whether annexation requests
of vacant or inhabited territory to the City of Santa Clarita are necessary and desirable:
1. The annexation conforms with all applicable goals, objectives and policies of the
Santa Clarita General Plan.
2. The annexation would result in a logical extension of existing City boundaries or,
where deemed appropriate and desirable, result in the diminution of an existing
county island.
3. The annexation would not create a County island, or result in infeasible service
areas for the County.
4. Whether the annexation would result in a fiscally -positive impact, fiscally -neutral
or fiscally -negative impact on the City. Fiscally -positive, or annexations promoting
economic development in the City, are encouraged.
5. Whether the annexation would result in a significant public benefit to the City. In
addition to financial gain for the City, a significant public benefit could include: the
protection or acquisition of open space; development of active parkland; provision of
road connections and regional transportation corridors; development review control
to ensure that the visual and environmental resources of the area are preserved;
promotion of an innovative land use; the protection of sensitive and endangered
plant and/or animal species; or acquisition of a strategically -located area that
advances City objectives.
6. Annexations that result in a fiscally -negative impact on the City are discouraged.
However, if it can be shown that a non -fiscal, significant public benefit to the City
will result from the annexation that outweighs the negative impact to the City's
General Fund, the Council will consider such annexation.
7. The Council may take into consideration such other factors that are deemed to be
of benefit to the health, safety, general welfare or economic well-being of the citizens
of Santa Clarita.
Evaluation Guidelines for Uninhabited Territo
In addition to the General Evaluation Guidelines listed above, the Council shall consider the
following guidelines in evaluating whether annexation requests of vacant or uninhabited
territory accompanied with a development project are necessary and desirable:
City of Santa Clarita
Policy for the Annexation of Territory
Page 2
1. The annexation promotes balance of the community, quality development and
improvement of the City's economic base.
2. The annexation funds the costs of public facilities and services needed to serve the
new development.
Evaluation Guidelines for Inhabited Territory
In addition to the General Evaluation Guidelines, the Council shall consider the following
guidelines in evaluating whether annexation requests of developed, inhabited territory are
necessary and desirable:
1. The proposed annexation area is not encumbered by a Mello -Roos over residential
properties or similar special taxing district unless deemed acceptable by the City
Council.
2. Requests for annexation of inhabited territory must be accompanied by a report for
the Council's consideration that demonstrates the following:
a. long-term economic impact to the City;
b. long-term impact on City services to existing residents;
c. whether the annexation will result in a need for new or expanded City services
without offsetting compensation; and
d. whether the annexation will promote more efficient delivery of City services.
LMH
s:pbs\ annex\ annexation policy.doc