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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-04-10 - RESOLUTIONS - MC 06 107 TOURNEY PLACE (2)RESOLUTION NO. 07-18 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING MASTER CASE 06-107 (GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT 06-002, CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 06-008, AND TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP 62297) AND ADOPTING A MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A 50,814 SQUARE -FOOT, 44'-9" TALL OFFICE BUILDING IN THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. FINDINGS OF FACT. The City Council does hereby make the following findings of fact: a. In 1991, the City Council adopted the General Plan of the City of Santa Clarita and certified the Environmental Impact Report. The City's General Plan presently designates the subject property as Business Park (BP), Visitor Serving/Resort, and Open Space (OS). Zoning on the subject property is presently Business Park (BP), Visitor Serving/Resort, and Open Space (OS); b. In 1985, the Los Angeles County Department of Regional Planning approved Tract Map 36108 which created the triangular shaped lot located on the west side of Tourney Road, 1/4 mile south of Wayne Mills (APN: 2861-001-105); C. In 1987, the Los Angeles County Department of Regional Planning approved Conditional Use Permit 87-267 to allow the expansion of the clubhouse and construct the overflow parking lot (APN 2861-001-105), for a public restaurant use, to the west of the clubhouse and Tourney Road; d. In 1994, the Planning Commission approved Parcel Map 23349 which created the two northern parcels of the project site (APN: 2861-061-035 and 2861-061-044); e. in 2005, the City of Santa Clarita Planning Division approved Master Case 04-319 for the construction of a three professional office buildings on the northern portion of the subject site (APN 2861-061-044); f. On May 17, 2006 an entitlement application was filed by Sapra I, LLC (the "applicant") with the Community Development Department for Master Case 06-107 for Tourney Place (the "subject site"). The entitlement requests include the following: 1. General Plan Amendment 06-002 to change the land use classification of APN 2861-001-105 from Open Space (OS) to Business Park (BP) and (if Resolution No. 07-18 Page 2 APN 2861-061-035 from BP and Visitor Serving/Resort (VSR) to BP, VSR and OS; 2. Zone Change 06-002 to change the zoning designation of APN 2861-061-035 from Open Space (OS) to Business Park (BP) and of APN 2861-061-035 from BP and VSR to BP, VSR, and OS. The zoning will be consistent with the proposed General Plan classification; 3. Tentative Parcel Map 62297 to subdivide the existing three (3) parcels (APNs:2861-001-105, 2861-061-035, and 2861-061-044) into four (4) commercial building lots (Lots 3,4,5, and 8) and four (4) common parking lots (Lots 1, 2, 6, and 7); and 4. Conditional Use Permit 06-008 to develop a professional office building that would have a building height of 44'-9". g. The application was deemed complete on June 16, 2006; h. The subject site is located on the west side of Tourney Road, 1/4 mile south of Magic Mountain Parkway and consists of three (3) parcels: APN 2861-001-105, 2861-061-035, and 2861-061-044. The subject site consists of 10.9 acres of developed area (Upper Tourney) and undeveloped area (Lower Tourney); i. The General Plan and land use designations for the project site are Open Space (OS) for APN 2861-001-105, Business Park (BP) and Visitor Serving/Resort (VSR) for APN 2861-061-035, and BP for APN 2861-061-044; j. The surrounding land uses consist of an office development and Wayne Mills Place to the north of the project site, the Valencia Country Club golf course to the east and south of the project site, and a hotel to the west of the project site; k. This project was reviewed pursuant to the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and an Initial Study was prepared. The City of Santa Clarita prepared a Mitigated Negative Declaration for the project which determined that the proposed mitigation measures will reduce the impacts associated with the project to a less than significant level; 1. The Planning Commission held a duly noticed public hearing on this issue commencing on February 20, 2007. The project was advertised in The Signal newspaper, through on-site posting and by mailing to all property owners within 1,000 feet of the subject site. The hearings were held at City Hall, 23920 Valencia Boulevard, Santa Clarita, at 7:00 p.m.; in. At the February 20, 2007 public hearing, the Planning Commission considered the staff presentation, staff report, applicant presentation and public testimony on the proposal. The Commission then closed the public hearing and by a vote of 4-0, Resolution No. 07-18 Page 3 recommended approval to the City Council of the project and adoption of the Mitigated Negative Declaration; n. The City Council held a duly noticed public hearing on the Tourney Place project on April 20, 2007, at City Hall, 23920 Valencia Boulevard, Santa Clarita, at 6:00 p.m. At this meeting the City Council received a presentation on the project from staff and the applicant, and received public testimony regarding the project; and o. The documents and other materials, which constitute the record of proceedings upon which the decision of the City Council is based, are located in the Master Case 06-107 project file within the Community Development Department and are in the custody of the Director of Community Development. SECTION 2. CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT FINDINGS. Based upon the foregoing facts and findings, the City Council finds as follows: a. An Initial Study and a Mitigated Negative Declaration for this project have been prepared in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA); b. The Initial Study has been circulated for review and comment by affected governmental agencies and the public, and all comments received, if any, have been considered. The Mitigated Negative Declaration was posted and advertised on January 19, 2007, in accordance with CEQA. The public review period was open from January 19, 2007 through February 20, 2007; C. A Notice of Completion was prepared for the Initial Study and submitted to the State Clearinghouse on January 19, 2007 for review by applicable State agencies. All comments received, have been considered; d. On February 14, 2007, the City of Santa Clarita Planning Division received comments from the State of California, Native American Heritage Commission directing staff to contact local Native American Groups offering consultation pursuant to Senate Bill 18 (GC 65352.3); and on February 15, 2007 the Planning Division contacted six (6) local Native American groups; e. As of March 14, 2007, the six (6) local Native American groups have declined the need for consultation, thus fulfilling the requirement set forth by Senate Bill 18 (GC65352.3); L There is no substantial evidence that the project will have a significant effect on the environment. The Mitigated Negative Declaration reflects the independent judgment of the City of Santa Clarita; g. The location of the documents and other material which constitutes the record of proceedings upon which the decision of the City Council is the Master Case Resolution No. 07-18 Page 4 No. 06-107 project file within the Community Development Department and is in the custody of the Director of Community Development; and h. The City Council, based upon the findings set forth above, hereby finds that the Mitigated Negative Declaration for this project has been prepared in compliance with CEQA. SECTION 3: FINDINGS FOR A GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT. Based on the above findings of fact and recitals and the entire record, including, the Mitigated Negative Declaration, oral and written testimony and other evidence received at the public hearings held by the Planning Commission and City Council, reports from City staff to the Planning Commission and City Council, and upon studies and investigations made by the Planning Commission and City Council and on its behalf, the City Council finds, as follows: a. The proposed General Plan Amendment is consistent with the objectives of the Unified Development Code, General Plan and development policies in the City. Following approval of General Plan Amendment 06-002 to the Land Use Element Land Use Map, the Tourney Place project is consistent with the classification of Business Park (BP), Visitor Serving/Resort (VSR), and Open Space (OS). Furthermore, General Plan Amendment 06-002 is consistent with the City's General Plan, as documented in the Tourney Place project Mitigated Negative Declaration Section IX (Land Use) of the Tourney Place Initial Study, which contains a detailed analysis documenting the project's consistency with the goals and policies of the City's General Plan. SECTION 4. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FINDINGS. Based upon the foregoing facts and findings, the City Council hereby finds as follows: a. That the proposed location, size, design and operating characteristics of the proposed use is in accordance with the purpose of this Development Code, the purpose of the zone in which the site is located, the Santa Clarita General Plan, and the development policies and standards of the City; and The proposed office building has been designed in accordance with the City of Santa Clarita Unified Development Code (UDC) and the City's Architectural Design Guidelines. The UDC requires that buildings exceeding 35 feet in height obtain the approval of a conditional use permit. The proposed building will be 44'-9" in overall height. The Tourney Road corridor consists of a mix of uses that are similar in height and design as the proposed building. Based on the enhanced design of the proposed office building, the proposed project will be compatible with the neighboring uses and will operate in a manner consistent with the Business Park (BP) zone with the approval of the conditional use permit. b. That the location, size, design, and operating characteristics of the proposed use will be compatible with and will not adversely affect or be materially detrimental Resolution No. 07-18 Page 5 to adjacent uses, residents, buildings, structures, or natural resources, with consideration given to: 1. Harmony in scale, bulk, coverage, and density; and Upon approval of a General Plan amendment and zone change, the proposed office building would be located in the Business Park (BP) zone and subject to all of the development standards for commercial and industrial zones. Based on the Unified Development Code, the project site could accommodate a Floor Area Ratio (FAR) of 1:1. The proposed building will total 50,814 square -feet on the parcel 2861-001-105 of the project site which consist of 51,400 square -feet. Therefore, the project would provide a Floor Area Ratio of 0.98:1 which meets the allowable FAR. With the proposed number of parking stalls on site, the project meets the minimum required by the Unified Development Code. The proposed development is conforming to all of the setback requirements and landscaping requirements for the BP zone, and the Subdivision Map Act. 2. The availability of public facilities, services, and utilities; and The project site is located in a developed portion of the City of Santa Clarita _ that is currently serviced by sewer, power, gas and water utilities and will not create a significant demand for additional utilities on the project site. Fire and police services are anticipated to be adequate for the area. 3. The harmful effect, if any, on desirable neighborhood character; and The proposed office building is located in a developed community within the City of Santa Clarita. Furthermore, the project site is located on a corridor that consists of a number of other uses that are substantially consistent with the professional office building proposed with this project. Other office, medical and light manufacturing uses are located on Tourney Road and are substantially consistent with the proposed use, design and height of the proposed office building. The proposed office building will therefore be consistent with the surrounding uses and will not create a harmful effect on the neighborhood character. The proposed building is consistent with the City's Architectural Design Guidelines as well as all of the standards outlined in the Unified Development Code. 4. The generation of traffic and the capacity and physical character of surrounding streets; The proposed office building is located in a developed portion of the City that is predominantly professional office and medical office uses. As a result of the project, the project frontage along Tourney Road would be improved to the City standard and will be able to accommodate the proposed Resolution No. 07-18 Page 6 development. Further, the project has been reviewed by the City's traffic engineer to ensure that the existing roadway network is sufficient to handle the project -generated trips. 5. The suitability of the site for the type and intensity of use or development which is proposed; and The proposed office building will be developed in accordance with the City's Unified Development Code and will further be consistent with the mix of uses on the Tourney Road corridor and with the proposed Business Park (BP) zone designation. The proposed project meets the Floor Area Ratio for the proposed BP zone as well as the commercial development standards for this zone. In addition, the BP zone permits for buildings that exceed 35 feet in height with the approval of a CUP. The proposed building will be constructed at a height of 44'-9" and will be consistent with the design of other buildings located along Tourney Road. 6. The harmful effect, if any, upon environmental quality and natural resources. The project site has been previously graded and is not known to have any sensitive species, animal or plant, on the project site. One oak tree exists on the project site, but would not be impacted during construction of the building. No natural resources are anticipated to be disturbed with the proposed project. The proposed building could have an effect on the aesthetics of the project site with the construction of a 44'-9" high building on the project site. However, the applicant proposes enhanced architecture to break up the massing of the building using varying wall planes, varying colors and materials, and other architectural treatments that will reduce any visual impact to a less than significant level. The proposed office building provides 360 degree architecture with a high level of articulation. Based on these treatments, the project is not anticipated to have a harmful effect on the environment. C. That the proposed location, size, design, and operating characteristics of the proposed use and the conditions under which it would be operated or maintained will not be detrimental to the public health, safety, or welfare, or materially injurious to properties or improvements in the vicinity: The project site is located within the Valencia Corporate Center, a developed office park consisting of over 500,000 square feet of office area, within the City of Santa Clarita. The construction of the proposed office building will not create a significant impact to the surrounding area as it will be complimentary to the existing uses along the Tourney Road corridor. The project site requires the approval of a conditional use permit on the project site to allow for the construction of buildings in excess of 35 feet. The proposed building will be Resolution No. 07-18 Page 7 constructed at a height of 44'-9" and will be substantially consistent with similar uses along Tourney Road. The architectural treatments proposed for the building will address potential impacts that may be created by the construction of the proposed building. The office building provides 360 degree architecture to provide a well designed, highly articulated building. Therefore, the size and design of the proposed building will not be detrimental to properties, in the vicinity. Further, the proposed office building is anticipated to operate during hours consistent with the surrounding uses and will compliment the surrounding uses. d. That the proposed use will comply with each of the applicable provisions of the City of Santa Clarita Unified Development Code, except for an approved variance or adjustment; Approval of a conditional use permit (CUP) to exceed 35 feet in height for the proposed 44'-9" tall office building is necessary to develop the project. With the approval of the proposed General Plan amendment, zone change and CUP, the project site will be consistent with all regulations established in the City's Unified Development Code requirements as well as with the goals and policies outlined in the City's General Plan. No variance is required with the proposed development. _ SECTION 5. FINDINGS FOR TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP 62297. Based on the above findings of fact and recitals and the entire record, the City Council finds, as follows: a. The proposed subdivision, together with the provisions for its design and improvement, is consistent with the Santa Clarita General Plan, this Code, and/or any specific plan: The proposed subdivision covers a project site consisting of two sub -areas that include "Upper Tourney" and "Lower Tourney." The Upper Tourney area consists of 3 office buildings approved by the City of Santa Clarita Planning Division and constructed in 2005 and an existing hotel parking lot. The Upper Tourney area was designed and constructed in conformance with the Unified Development Code and General Plan and consistent with the architecture of the surrounding areas. The Lower Tourney area consists of a vacant lot and a surface parking lot and is the site for the proposed 50,814 square foot office building and parking. The concurrent review of the General Plan amendment, zone change, and conditional use permit for the office building ensures that proposed development is designed in a fashion that is consistent with the UDC and the City's Architectural Design Guidelines. b. The subject property is physically suitable for the type of development: The project site is physically suited for the proposed development of a 50,814 square - foot office building and for the subdivision to create 4 commercial building lots and 4 common parking lots. The proposed development would occur at the site of an existing surface parking lot that is flat in topography. Associated parking for the Resolution No. 07-18 Page 8 proposed development would be located on vacant property that has been previously graded and suitable for the proposed use. Furthermore, as indicated in the Mitigated Negative Declaration, the applicant shall be responsible for implementing all geology recommendations outlined in the projects soils/geotechnical report. No development is proposed for the Upper Tourney area of the project site, which was developed in 2005 on property that is suitable for the development. c. The subject property is physically suitable for the proposed density of development: The subject site is physically suitable for the proposed density of the development as the project would be developed in conformance with the respective zones proposed with this project. The proposed project would comply with the proposed zone's minimum development standards related to setbacks, floor area ratio, parking, and landscaping. With the approval of a CUP, the proposed building would be permitted at a height of 44'-9". The northern portion of the project site was approved and developed in 2005 and meets the density allowed by the UDC and General Plan. d. The design of the subdivision or the proposed improvements are not likely to cause substantial environmental damage or substantially and avoidably injure fish and wildlife or their habitat: The design of the subdivision and the proposed development are not likely to cause substantial environmental damage or substantially injure fish and wildlife or their habitat. As identified in the Initial Study prepared for Master Case 06-107, the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program requires the applicant to mitigate impacts related to geology, land use, and aesthetics that may occur as a result of the project. Furthermore, the project site is separated from any native resident or migratory fish or wildlife by Tourney Road and Interstate 5 and is not a known resident or migratory corridor. The project site is not an area utilized for the movement of any native resident or migratory fish or wildlife species. e. The design of the subdivision or type of improvements are not likely to cause serious health problems: The design of the subdivision and proposed development are not likely to cause serious health problems. There would be no impacts resulting from the construction and occupancy of the project with respect to the transport, use or disposal of hazardous materials. The project would not have a negative impact on emergency vehicle access, because vehicles will still have access on Tourney Road upon the completion of the proposed project. The project would not impact access to emergency responses, nor would it place temporary or permanent barriers on existing roadways or reconfigure existing roadways. The site plan has also been reviewed by the City's Public Works Department, which includes Building and Safety and Traffic and Engineering. In addition, the site plan has been reviewed by the Los Angeles County Fire Department for compliance with applicable codes and applicable conditions of approval have been added by the Fire Department. Resolution No. 07-18 Page 9 f. The design of the subdivision or type of improvements will not conflict with easements, acquired by the public at large, for access through or use of, property within the proposed subdivision: The design of the subdivision and proposed development would not conflict with easements for access through or use of the subject site. The Upper Tourney area of the project site is a development consisting of three (3) existing office buildings, built in 2005. The Upper Tourney area of the project site is currently accessed by 3 driveways along Tourney Road and drive aisles throughout the development with no conflicts in access thereto. With this proposal, the Lower Tourney area would be developed into an office building consistent with the applicable City design standards and guidelines with no obstructions to access or parking. The proposed subdivision would be creating commercial lots and would not create any physical barriers to conflict with access through or use of the subject site. SECTION 6. Based upon the testimony and other evidence, if any, received at the public hearing, and upon studies and investigations made by the City Council and on its behalf, the City Council further finds and determines that this proposal is consistent with the City's General Plan, including the land use designation for the project site of Business Park (BP), Visitor Serving/Resort (VSR), and Open Space (OS), subject to approval of the entitlements. SECTION 7. The City Council hereby approves Master Case 06-107 consisting of General Plan Amendment 06-002, Conditional Use Permit 06-008, and Tentative Parcel Map 62297 for the development of a three-story office building totaling 50,814 square -feet of office space and the subdivision to create 8 commercial lots and adopts the associated Mitigated Negative Declaration subject to the conditions of approval as referenced herein as Exhibit B and is on file in the Planning Division. SECTION 8. This resolution will take effect upon the adjournment of the City Council's April 10, 2007, City Council meeting. The change to the City's General Plan contemplated herein will take effect upon adjournment of the April 10, 2007 City Council meeting simultaneously with any other changes to the General Plan approved by the City Council at that same meeting so that for purposes of Government Code section 65358, all such changes shall constitute one amendment to the General Plan. SECTION 9. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this Resolution and certify this record to be a full, complete, and correct copy of the action taken. Resolution No. 07-18 Page 10 PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 10th day of April, 2007. MAYOR ATTEST: CITY CLERK STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) ss. CITY OF SANTA CLARrrA ) I, Sharon L. Dawson, CMC, City Clerk of the City of Santa Clarita, do hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution was duly adopted by the City Council of the City of Santa Clarita at a regular meeting thereof, held on the 10th day of April, 2007, by the following vote: AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: Boydston, Weste, Kellar, Ferry, McLean NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: None ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: None STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) ss. CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ) CERTIFICATION OF CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION I, Sharon L. Dawson, City Clerk of the City of Santa Clarita, do hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of the original Resolution No. 07-18, adopted by the City Council of the City of Santa Clarita, California on April 10, 2007, which is now on file in my office. Witness my hand and seal of the City of Santa Clarita, California, this _ day of 20_. Sharon L. Dawson, CMC City Clerk By Susan Caputo Deputy City Clerk