HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-06-14 - AGENDA REPORTS - NEGDEC SOUTH SC SPHERE AMEND (2)Agenda Item: 12
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
AGENDA REPORT
UNFINISHED BUSINESS City Manager Approval:
Item to be presented by: Kai Luoma
DATE: June 14, 2005
SUBJECT: RESOLUTION TO ADOPT A NEGATIVE DECLARATION AND
TO FILE AN APPLICATION WITH LAFCO FOR THE SOUTH
SANTA CLARITA SPHERE OF INFLUENCE AMENDMENT (MC
05-078), LOCATED OUTSIDE THE SOUTHERN BOUNDARY OF
THE CITY LIMITS GENERALLY EAST OF INTERSTATE 5 AND
WEST OF THE CITY LIMITS
DEPARTMENT: Planning and Economic Development
RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council adopt the Resolution adopting the Negative Declaration and authorizing the City
Manager, or designee, to file a sphere of influence amendment application with the Local Agency
Formation Commission (LAFCO).
BACKGROUND
This action would authorize the City Manager, or designee, to file an application to LAFCO for
the South Santa Clarita sphere of influence amendment to amend the City's existing sphere of
influence (SOI) to include approximately 595 acres of area. The subject site is generally located
in the area between the southern boundary of the City and Interstate 5 (see Exhibit A of the
Resolution). The SOI amendment would extend the City's SOI to generally match the watershed
ridge which physically separates the Santa Clarita and San Fernando Valleys.
This item was originally heard at the council meeting on May 10, 2005. At that meeting a public
hearing on the item was conducted, at which time the Council received both written and oral
testimony. The public hearing was closed and the item was continued to June 14, 2005 to allow
staff adequate time to address the testimony received at the public hearing.
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ANALYSIS
Analysis of the Sphere of Influence Amendment is provided in the Agenda Report prepared for
the meeting of May 10, 2005. The May 10, 2005 Agenda Report, as well as the initial study
prepared for this item, are located in the City Clerk's reading file.
Response to Testimony
At the public hearing on May 10, written and oral testimonies were received. Four persons
provided oral testimony.
Two members of the public spoke in favor of the sphere amendment. A third submitted
comments in support of the Amendment.
Two representatives of the Las Lomas development, a speculative development located on a
portion of the subject site, provided oral and written testimony against the proposed sphere
amendment. Letters from property owners of the subject site opposing the sphere amendment
were also submitted and are available in the City Clerk's reading file.
One of those who spoke against the sphere amendment was Mr. Carlyle Hall, the legal counsel
for the Las Lomas developer. In his testimony and in a letter submitted, Mr. Hall states various
reasons why the City should not proceed with the sphere amendment, including violation of a
previous court decision, non-compliance with CEQA, and prejudice against the Las Lomas
development. Mr. Hall's letter, as well as other comment letters, is attached to the Negative
Declaration (Exhibit B of the Resolution) as are staffs responses to the comment letters. The
City Attorney concludes that the sphere amendment does not violate any court decisions and is in
compliance with CEQA.
It should be noted that though the City of Los Angeles is preparing an EIR for the envisioned Las
Lomas development, the City of Los Angeles has verified that no applications for the several
necessary entitlements for Las Lomas have been submitted. The preparation of an EIR is not an
application for entitlements. The City of LA will not adopt/certify an EIR without applications
for the necessary entitlements. The Las Lomas development is not proposed, is not pending, and
is not being considered by LA or any other jurisdiction. As such, it does not meet the definition
of a "project" as defined by the State Permit Streamlining Act or CEQA. Therefore, Las Lomas
remains a purely speculative development. The actions of the City cannot be prejudicial to a
development that has not even been proposed.
Dative Declaration
The Initial Study prepared for this project, a copy of which is available in the City Clerk's
reading file, determined that there will be no adverse impacts to the environment. Therefore, a
Negative Declaration (Exhibit B of the Resolution) has been prepared for the project.
ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS
Council may choose not to adopt Resolution and not submit application to amend the
City's sphere of influence.
2. Other direction as determined by the City Council.
FISCAL IMPACT
Adoption of the sphere of influence as proposed would have no fiscal impact. The County will
continue to have jurisdiction over the site. It does not give any jurisdiction to the City.
ATTACHMENTS
Resolution
May 10, 2005 Agenda Report available in the City Clerk's Reading File
Initial Study available in the City Clerk's Reading File
Property Owner Letters available in the City Clerk's Reading File