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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-04-26 - AGENDA REPORTS - ELSMERE CYN ANNEX MC 10 150 (2)CONSENT CALENDAR DATE: SUBJECT: DEPARTMENT: Agenda Item: 4 CITY OF SANTA CLARITA AGENDA REPORT City Manager Approval: Item to be presented by: April 26, 2011 SECOND READING AND ADOPTION OF AN ORDINANCE FOR PREZONE 10-002 (MASTER CASE 10-150) FOR THE ELSMERE CANYON ANNEXATION AREA Community Development RECOMMENDED ACTION City Council adopt an Ordinance entitled: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING PREZONE NO. 10-002 (MASTER CASE 10-150) FOR THE ELSMERE CANYON ANNEXATION AREA, AS SHOWN ON THE ATTACHED EXHIBIT "A." BACKGROUND On April 12, 2011, the City Council of the City of Santa Clarita.conducted a public hearing regarding a General Plan Amendment, Prezone, Annexation, and Sphere of Influence Amendment for the Elsmere Canyon Annexation. After closing the public hearing, the Council voted unanimously to adopt a Resolution approving the General Plan Amendment and adopting the Negative Declaration that was prepared for the project. The Council also adopted a Resolution requesting that the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) amend the City's sphere of influence boundary to include the approximately 807 acres in the proposed annexation area. In the same Resolution, the Council authorized staff to submit an application to LAFCO for the annexation and sphere of influence amendment. At the April 12, 2011, meeting, the City Council also introduced an Ordinance and passed it to a second reading for tonight's meeting. The Ordinance consists of a Prezone entitlement that includes Open Space (OS) and Residential Estate (RE) prezoning designations for the 807 acre (approximate) annexation area. The annexation area is located east of State Route 14, south of the Whitney Canyon open space area, west of the Angeles National Forest, and north of the City dopted.OaLl - I of Los Angeles Sphere of Influence boundary in the Elsmere Canyon area. No new development is proposed or would be authorized with this prezone. ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS Other actions as approved by the City Council. FISCAL IMPACT No negative fiscal impacts are anticipated as a result of the General Plan Amendment, Prezone, Sphere of Influence Amendment, or Annexation of the Elsmere Canyon area. ATTACHMENTS Ordinance - Exhibit A --Prezone Map 2 ORDINANCE NO. 11 - AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING PREZONE NO. 10-002 (MASTER CASE 10-150) FOR THE PURPOSES OF ANNEXATION FOR THE ELSMERE CANYON ANNEXATION AREA, AS SHOWN ON THE ATTACHED EXHIBIT "A" THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA, CALIFORNIA, DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1: FINDINGS OF FACT. The City Council does hereby make the following findings of fact: a. On December 29, 2010, staff initiated Master Case 10-150 consisting of General Plan Amendment 10-003, Prezone 10-002, Annexation 10-002, and Sphere of Influence Amendment 10-002 for approximately 807 acres of land known as the Elsmere Canyon Annexation for unincorporated County of Los Angeles territory that is contiguous to the corporate limits of the City of Santa Clarita as shown in Exhibit A. b. The project area for the Elsmere Canyon Annexation is generally bounded by the centerline of State Route 14 on the west, the existing City limit in the Whitney Canyon area on the north, the Angeles National Forest boundary to the east, and the City of Los Angeles Sphere of Influence boundary on the south. C. The project area is primarily undeveloped land and open space, containing electrical transmission lines, aqueducts, and one single-family dwelling unit. d. The land use to the west of the project consists of the' State Route 14 freeway and undeveloped commercial property within the City of Santa Clarita. The land use to the north of the proposed annexation area consists of permanent open space in the Whitney Canyon area, also located within the City of Santa Clarita. Land use east of the project area consists of open space and undeveloped lands within the Angeles National Forest in unincorporated Los Angeles County. Land use to the south of the project area includes vacant agricultural and hillside land within the County of Los Angeles, and also within the City of Los Angeles Sphere of Influence. e. Under the County of Los Angeles, the project area is currently zoned A-2-1 (Heavy Agriculture, 1 Acre Minimum Lot Size). Land use designations under the Santa Clarita Valley Area Plan include Hillside Management and Transportation Corridor. f. Prezone 10-002, pertaining to the Elsmere Canyon Annexation, proposes to prezone approximately 807 acres as follows: 792 acres as Open Space (OS), and 15 acres as Residential Estate (RE). 3 g. On January 27, 2011, an environmental Initial Study was prepared for General Plan Amendment 10-003, Prezone 10=002, Annexation 10-002, and Sphere of Influence Amendment 10-002, for the proposed Elsmere Canyon Annexation. Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act, the Initial Study concluded that adverse environmental impacts associated with the project were less than significant and a Negative Declaration was prepared. h. The environmental document has been circulated for review and comment by affected governmental agencies and the public from January 28, 2011, to March 1, 2011. i. The Planning Commission of the City of Santa Clarita held a duly noticed public hearing on this issue on March 1, 2011. This public hearing was held at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall, 23920 Valencia Boulevard, Santa Clarita, CA 91355. At the hearing the Planning Commission considered the staff presentation, staff report, the Negative Declaration prepared for the project, and public testimony on the proposal. j. At the public hearing noted above, the Planning Commission of the City of Santa Clarita unanimously adopted Resolution P11-07 recommending that the City Council adopt General Plan Amendment No. 10-003, an amendment to the General Plan Land Use Map, and Prezone 10-002, for the purpose of prezoning approximately 807 acres and adopting the Negative Declaration prepared for the project. k. On March 22, 2011, staff noticed a public hearing for the Elsmere Canyon Annexation area. All property owners within the proposed annexation area, along with all property owners within 1,000 feet of the proposed project area were sent notices of the proposed public hearing. A one-eighth (1/8) page advertisement was placed in The Signal newspaper, and two signs were posted at the project site: one sign at the corner of Sierra Highway and Remsen Street, the other sign at the southern terminus of Newhall Avenue. 1. The City Council of the City of Santa Clarita held a duly noticed public hearing on this issue on April 12, 2011. This public hearing was held at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall, 23920 Valencia Boulevard, Santa Clarita, CA 91355. At the hearing the City Council considered the staff report, public comment, and closed the public hearing. in. Public participation and notification requirements pursuant to Sections 65090, 65391 and 65854 of the Government Code of the State of California were duly followed. n. No letters of opposition were received as a result of the public notification process. SECTION 2. Based upon the testimony and other evidence received at the hearing, and upon the study and investigation made by the City Council and on its behalf, the City Council further finds as follows: a. The purpose of the proposal is to prezone the approximate 807 -acre project area to include 792 acres of land as Open Space (OS) and 15 acres of land as Residential Estate 4 (RE) upon adoption of proposed General Plan Amendment No. 10-003, pertaining to the Elsmere Annexation, approved under separate resolution, prior to annexation. b. That the prezone has been reviewed for consistency with the City's proposed General Plan Amendment No. 10-003 pertaining to the Elsmere Annexation. C. Public participation and notification requirements pursuant to Sections 65090 and 65391 of the Government Code of the State of California were duly followed. SECTION 3. CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT FINDINGS. Based upon the testimony and other evidence received, the City Council finds as follows: a. The City Council hereby finds that the proposed Negative Declaration prepared in connection with General Plan Amendment 10-003, Prezone 10-002, Annexation 10-002, and Sphere of Influence Amendment 10-002, pertaining to the Elsmere Canyon Annexation has been prepared in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act, has been reviewed and considered by the City Council, and reflects the independent judgment of the City Council and that based on the Initial Study and the entire record of proceedings, there is no substantial evidence that the project will have a significant effect on the environment. Therefore, the City Council approved the Negative Declaration for the project as included in the agenda packet for the April 12, 2011., City Council Meeting. The Director of Community Development is hereby designated as the custodian of the documents and other materials which constitute the record of proceedings in this matter. The documents and materials are on file in the Department of Community Development, City Hall, 23920 Valencia Boulevard, Suite 302, Santa Clarita, CA, 91355. SECTION 4. FINDINGS FOR PREZONE. Based upon the foregoing facts and findings, the City Council hereby finds as follows: a. Prezone 10-002 pertaining to 807 acres, generally known as the Elsmere Canyon Annexation, is consistent with the objectives of the Unified Development Code, the General Plan, and development policies of the City in that the proposed prezoning designations are consistent with existing land uses in the area. The project would prezone 15 acres to Residential Estate (RE), and 792 acres to Open Space (OS), consistent with General Plan Amendment 10-003. The RE prezoned area is consistent with the existing single family home and adjacent properties that are located in the northwest portion of the project area. The OS prezoned parcels reflect the open space, hillsides, and natural wildlands that encompass the majority of the project area. SECTION 5. The City Council hereby introduces and passes to second reading, this ordinance approving Prezone 10-002 pertaining to the Elsmere Canyon Annexation as described herein and shown on attached Exhibit "A." 3 5 SECTION 6. The City Clerk shall certify to the passage of this Ordinance and shall cause the same to be published as required by law. PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this 26th day of April 2011. ATTEST: CITY CLERK 4 MAYOR F0 STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) ss. CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ) I, Kevin Tonoian, Acting City Clerk of the City of Santa Clarita, do hereby certify that the foregoing Ordinance 11- was regularly introduced and placed upon its first reading at a regular meeting of the City Council on the 12th day of April 2011. That thereafter, said Ordinance was duly passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council on the 26th day of April 2011, by the following vote, to wit: AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: AND I FURTHER CERTIFY that the foregoing is the original of Ordinance 1 I- and was published in The Signal newspaper in accordance with State Law (G.C. 40806). CITY CLERK 5 7 STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) ss. CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ) CERTIFICATION OF CITY COUNCIL ORDINANCE I, , City Clerk of the City of Santa Clarita, do hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of the original Ordinance 11- , adopted by the City Council of the City of Santa Clarita, CA on April 26, 2011, which is now on file in my office. Witness my hand and seal of the City of Santa Clarita, California, this day of 20 City Clerk By Deputy City Clerk 2 0 0 h G