HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-09-08 - AGENDA REPORTS - LMD PROCEEDINGS (2)PUBLIC HEARING
DATE:
SUBJECT:
DEPARTMENT
Agenda Item:
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
AGENDA REPORT
City Manager Approval
Item to be presented by
September 8, 2009
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Kevin Tonoian
LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE DISTRICT PROCEEDINGS
Administrative Services
RECOMMENDED ACTION.
City Council open, conduct, and close a public hearing regarding the proposed annexations into,
detachments from, creation of new zones, and assessment rate adjustments for Landscape
Maintenance Districts Numbers 1, A2, T-1 and various zones.
BACKGROUND
On July 14, 2009, City Council set a public hearing for the September 8, 2009 City Council
meeting and adopted Resolutions 09-70 and 09-71. Respectively, these resolutions initiated
proceedings, approved the Engineer's Report, and declared the Council's intention to order
annexations into, detachments from, creation of new zones, and assessment rate adjustments in
Landscape Maintenance District Nos. 1, A2, and T-1.
On July 24, 2009, assessment ballots were mailed to affected property owners providing at least
45 days' notice of the public hearing with directions to return their assessment ballots to the City
Clerk by September 8, 2009. After the close of tonight's public hearing, the City Clerk Office
will begin the assessment ballot tabulation. process. Due to the anticipated volume of ballots
received, staff anticipates the results will not available before the end of tonight's meeting.
The final Engineer's Report will be recommended for approval at the September 22, 2009 City
Council meeting, if the weight of the returned ballots show that a majority protest does not exist.
Should a majority protest exist, no further action will be required.
The purpose of these proceedings is to provide property owners the option to modify and/or
create Landscape Maintenance District zones as follows:
.Detach parcels from Zone IA, and annex parcels into proposed new Zone 23 (Montecito),
modify the maximum assessment rates and rate methodology, and annex into Zone 2008-1
APPROVED
(Major Thoroughfare Medians).
This Zone was previously established as District No. 1, Zone 1A; however, due to the creation of
District 1, Zone 2008-1 (Major Thoroughfare Medians), the Zone is recommended to be annexed
into Zone 2008-1. The funds that were previously ear -marked from Zone IA for maintenance of
major thoroughfare medians are recommended to be removed from Zone IA. In addition, this
Zone is recommended to be assessed on an equivalent dwelling unit (EDU) basis, instead of on a
per -parcel basis, to ensure the assessment is applied to each parcel proportionally. If approved by
property owners, the maximum annual assessment for LMD No. 1, Zone 23 (Montecito), would
decrease from $123.82 per parcel to $44.90 per EDU, plus $57.07 per EDU for Zone 2008-1, for
a total annual assessment of $101.97 per EDU.
These improvements include the parkways, side panels, and street trees in rights-of-way and
easement within and adjacent to the Zone.
Detach parcels from Zone IC, and annex parcels into proposed new Zone 24 (Canyon Gate),
modify the maximum assessment rates and rate methodology, and annex into Zone 2008-1
(Major Thoroughfare Medians).
This Zone was previously established as District No. 1, Zone 1C; however, due to the creation of
District 1, Zone 2008-1 (Major Thoroughfare Medians), the Zone is recommended to be annexed
into Zone 2008-1. The funds that were previously ear -marked from Zone 1C for maintenance of
major thoroughfare medians are recommended to be removed from Zone 1C. In addition, this
Zone is recommended to be assessed on an EDU basis, instead of on a per -parcel basis, to ensure
the assessment is applied to each parcel proportionally. If approved by property owners, the
maximum assessment for LMD No. 1, Zone 24 (Canyon Gate), would decrease from $712.20 per
parcel to $599.91 per EDU, plus $57.07 per EDU for Zone 2008-1, for a total annual assessment
of $656.98 per EDU.
The improvements include the parkways, side panels, street trees, local trails, and bus stop
amenities in rights-of-way and easement within and adjacent to the Zone.
Detach parcels from Zone 1F, and annex parcels into proposed new Zone 25 (Valle Di Oro),
modify maximum assessment rates and rate methodology, and annex into Zone 2008-1 (Major
Thoroughfare Medians).
This Zone was previously established as District No. 1, Zone 1F; however, due to the creation of
District 1, Zone 2008-1 (Major Thoroughfare Medians), the Zone is recommended to be annexed
into Zone 2008-1. The funds that were previously ear -marked from Zone 1F for maintenance of
major thoroughfare medians are recommended to be removed from Zone IF. In addition, this
Zone is recommended to be assessed on an EDU basis to ensure the assessment is applied to each
parcel proportionally. If approved by property owners, the maximum assessment for LMD No. 1,
Zone 25 (Valle Di Oro), would change from $118.65 per EDU to $145.38 per EDU, plus $57.07
per EDU for Zone 2008-1, for a total annual assessment of $202.45 per EDU.
The improvements include the parkways, side panels, street trees, local recreation trails, and bus
stop amenities in rights -of -.way and easement within and adjacent to the Zone.
RM
Modify the maximum assessment rates and rate methodology for existing parcels in Zone 6
(Canyon Crest), and annex into Zone 2008-1 (Major Thoroughfare Medians).
This Zone was established as District No. 1, Zone 6; however, due to the creation of District
No. 1, Zone 2008-1 (Major Thoroughfare Medians), the Zone is recommended to be annexed into
Zone 2008-1. The funds that were previously ear -marked from Zone 6 for maintenance of major
thoroughfare medians are recommended to be removed from Zone 6. In addition, this Zone is
recommended to be assessed on an EDU basis to ensure the assessment is applied to each parcel
proportionally. If approved by property owners, the maximum assessment for LMD No. 1, Zone
6 (Canyon Crest) would decrease from $594.78 per parcel to $496.46 per EDU, plus $57.07 per
EDU for Zone 2008-1, for a total annual assessment of $553.53 per EDU.
The improvements include the parkways, side panels, street trees, local ornamental structures,
irrigated and non irrigated slopes in rights-of-way, and easement within and adjacent to the Zone.
Decrease the maximum assessment rates and modify the methodology for Zone 8 (Friendly
Valley Parkway and Sierra Highway), annex parcels into Zone 8, and annex into Zone 2008-1
(Major Thoroughfare Medians).
This Zone was previously established; however, due to the creation of District No. 1, Zone
2008-1 (Major Thoroughfare Medians) this Zone is recommended to be annexed into Zone
2008-1. The funds that were previously ear -marked for maintenance of major thoroughfare
medians are recommended to be removed from Zone 8. In addition, this Zone is recommended
to be assessed on an EDU basis to ensure the assessment is applied to each parcel proportionally.
If approve by property owners the maximum assessment for LMD No. 1, Zone 8 (Friendly Valley
Parkway and Sierra Hwy), would decrease from $276.06 per parcel to $196.35 per EDU plus
$57.07 per EDU for Zone 2008-1, for a total annual assessment of $253.42 per EDU.
The improvements include the parkways, side panels and street trees in rights-of-way and
easement within and adjacent to the Zone.
Detach parcel from LMD No. Tl, Zone T7, annex parcels into LMD No. 1, T7 (Valencia
Central and North Valley), decrease the maximum assessment rates, and modify the
methodology.
This Zone was previously established as District No.TI, Zone T7. Due to the variety of land uses
with the Zone, it is recommended to be assessed on an EDU basis rather than the current
per -parcel basis, to ensure the assessment is applied to each parcel proportionally. If approved by
the property owners, the maximum assessment in LMD No. 1 Zone T-7 (Valencia Central and
North Valley) would decrease from $252.29 per parcel to $228.20 per EDU. Zone T7 was
previously annexed into Zone 2008-1.
The improvements include the parkways, side panels, and street trees in rights-of-way and
easement within and adjacent to the Zone.
Detach parcels from Zones 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, and 2G, and annex parcels into existing Zone 4
(Via PrincessalSierra Highway), and modify the assessment methodology and maximum
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assessment rate for Zone 4.
LMD No. 1, Zones 2A, 213, 2C, 2D, 2G, and 4 encompass the commercial area at the intersection
of Via Princessa and Sierra Highway. The zones employ various rates and assessment
methodologies. The recommended action would consolidate the zones into a single zone with a
uniform rate and assessment methodology; this will ensure the assessment is applied to each
parcel proportionally. If approved, the annual assessment rate for each parcel would be
established at $187.89 per EDU. Zone 4 has previously been annexed into Zone 2008-1.
The improvements include the local street medians, parkways, side panels, street trees, local
ornamental structures, decorative monuments, and bus stop amenities in rights-of-way and
easements within and adjacent to the Zone.
Create Zone.22 (Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital)
This proposed new Zone 22 will be established as a requirement of the Final Conditions of
Approval associated with Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital's (HMNMH) expansion.
The Zone's purpose is to maintain the landscaped buffer area between the hospital and adjacent
residential neighborhoods and the parkway fronting the hospital property on McBean Parkway.
The improvements include landscape maintenance of easements on existing slopes, parkways,
street trees, ornamental structures, and bus stop amenities in public rights -of -ways and easements
within and adjacent to Zone 22. If approved by the property owners, the annual maximum
assessment rate for Zone 22 would be $243.59 per EDU.
Detach parcels from Zone 1, Annexation ID, and annex parcels into proposed new Zone 21
(Golden Valley Ranch -Residential), modify the maximum assessment rates and rate
methodology, and annex existing parcels into Zone 2008-1 (Major Thoroughfare Medians).
District 1, Zone 1 — Annexation 1D was created in 2004 for the maintenance of local medians
and parkways in the Golden Valley Ranch residential subdivision. As originally approved, a
total of 200,833 square feet of landscape area was identified for maintenance by the City's LMD,
with over five million square feet of landscape identified to be maintained by the future
homeowner's association.
Subsequently, since 2004, changes in water management practices and fuel , modification
requirements of the Los Angeles County Fire Department have necessitated the need to
re-evaluate landscape conditions related to the major slopes adjacent to this residential project.
City staff worked with the developer to create a modified "re -vegetation" plan that will provide
for a high level of landscaping while conforming to current water management practices and fuel
modification requirements.
This re -vegetation plan incorporates landscaping, ample trees, and native plant material, while
significantly reducing the amount of irrigation necessary to maintain these landscape
improvements. The re -vegetation plan will shift long-term maintenance responsibility for
approximately 3.3 million square feet of identified future landscape improvements from the
homeowners association to the City's LMD, balance out the financial impact to property owners
through lower monthly re -occurring HOA dues, and will not generate any net increase in
maintenance costs for future property owners. Finally, this action will place long-term
maintenance control with the City's LMD and ensure the City Council's ultimate landscaping
expectations associated with this project are met.
Due to the proposed inclusion of 3.5 million square feet of total landscape area to be maintained
by LMD not originally identified as part of the LMD at the time Zone ID was established, a
modification to the assessment rate is recommended. The parcels included in the proposed Zone
will be detached from District 1 Zone 1- Annexation 1 D.
The maximum assessment rate will be established at a maintenance level to sustain landscaping
as originally approved by the City Council. If approved by the property owners, the maximum
assessment in LMD No. 1, Zone 21 (Golden Valley Ranch -Residential) would change from
$276.86 per parcel to $1,680.21 per EDU, plus $57.07 per EDU for Zone 2008-1, for a total
maximum annual assessment of $1,737.28 per EDU. The actual assessment is anticipated to be
less.
Improvements include the local street medians, parkway, side panels, street trees, local
ornamental monuments, and bus stop amenities in public rights -of -ways and easements within
and adjacent to Zone 21. Zone 21 will also be annexed into LMD No. 1, Zone 2008-1 (Major
Thoroughfare Medians)..
Annex parcels into Zone 2008-1 (Major Thoroughfare Medians)
In March 2008, the City Council created LMD No. 1, Zone 2008-1 (Major Thoroughfare
Medians) a Citywide LMD zone to maintain landscaped medians on the City's major
transportation corridors. The parcels proposed to be annexed into Zone 2008-1 benefit from the
medians located on the City's major transportation corridors of the City of Santa Clarita. The
annexation would ensure the parcels pay their proportional share of the maintenance of the
medians. If approved by the property owners, the annual maximum assessment rate for the
parcels annexed into Zone 2008-1 would be $57.07 per EDU.
Summary
If approved by a majority of the weighted assessment ballots returned, the recommendations
detailed above would become effective in the current fiscal year and implemented in the 2010-11
Fiscal Year.
ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS
Other direction as determined by the City Council.
FISCAL IMPACT
No impact to the General Fund.
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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 Boulevard,I" floor, Santa Clarita,
California, on the 8th day of September, at or after 6:00 p.m., to consider the annexations
into, detachments from, creation of new zones, and assessment rate adjustment to City of
Santa Clarita Landscape Maintenance District (LMD) Numbers 1, A2 and T-1. The
LMD assessment is for landscape maintenance as describe in the Act identified below.
The City Council, pursuant to the Landscaping and Lighting Act of 1972, being a
division of the Streets and Highways Code of the State of California and Article XIII D
of the California Constitution (Proposition 218), the Proposition 218 Omnibus
Implementation Act will take appropriate consideration and action.
Proponents, opponents, and any interested person may appear and be heard on this matter
at that time. Further information bay be obtained by contacting the Administrative
Services Department, 23920 Valencia Boulevard, Suite 260, Santa Clarita, CA 91355,
(661) 286-4005, Dennis Luppens, Special District Administrator.
If you wish to challenge this action in court, you may be limited to raising only those
issues you or some else raised at the public hearing described in this notice, or in written
correspondence deliver to the City Council, at or prior to, the public hearing
Dated: July 24, 2009
Sharon L. Dawson, MMC
City Clerk
Publish Date: July 25, 2009
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