HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-05-10 - ORDINANCES - VISTA CYN MC 07 127 (2)ORDINANCE NO. 11-10
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA,
CALIFORNIA, APPROVING PRE -ZONE 07-OOIA (MASTER CASE 07-127) FOR THE 185 -
ACRE VISTA CANYON PROJECT, GENERALLY LOCATED SOUTHWEST OF SAND
CANYON ROAD AND STATE ROUTE 14, ALONG THE EASTERLY BOUNDARY OF
THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
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. An application for Master Case 07-127, the Vista Canyon project, was filed by the
project applicant, Vista.Canyon, LLC (the "applicant"), with the City of Santa Clarita
on June 29, 2007. The original. entitlement requests (collectively, "Entitlements")
include:
1. Annexation 07-002A to annex (and amend the City's Sphere of Influence to
include) the Vista Canyon site, an approximately 185 -acre site that is
generally located southwest of Sand Canyon Road and State Route 14 ("SR -
14") in the unincorporated area of Los Angeles County.
2. Pre -zone 07-001A to pre -zone the Vista Canyon site to Specific Plan ("SP").
3. Specific Plan 07-001 to adopt a Specific Plan that includes entitlements for
1,117 dwelling units (96 single-family detached, 1,021 multi -family attached),
646,000 square feet of commercial office, 164,000 square feet .of retail, and a
200 -room hotel. A residential overlay within the Specific Plan would permit
the conversion of up to 250,000 square feet of the commercial office area to
233 additional multi -family attached dwelling units, permitting development
of the project site with up to 1,350 dwelling units and 700,000 square feet of
commercial area.
4. General Plan Amendment 07-OOIA to amend the General Plan Land Use Map
and Circulation Element in order to designate the Vista Canyon site as SP,
revise the Significant Ecological Area ("SEA") overlay to correspond to the
area proposed as Specific Plan -Open Space ("SP -OS"), and establish the
aligmnent and roadway classification for Lost Canyon Road and Vista Canyon
Road.
5. Tentative Tract Map 69164 to subdivide the 185 -acre project site into 162
lots. In addition, each individual dwelling or commercial unit would have the
ability to be subdivided.
6. Conditional Use Permit 07-009 to allow for the import of up to 500,000 cubic
yards of dirt to accommodate the development within the Vista Canyon site.
7. Oak Tree Permit 07-019 to allow for the,removal of 10, four of which are
heritage size, of the 41 oak trees located within the Specific Plan site. The
request would also permit the encroachment into the protected zone of 10 oak
trees, and pruning or trimming of seven of these 10 oak trees. Implementation
of three of the four Lost Canyon Road/Sand Canyon Road intersection options
could require an additional oak tree removal and/or up to two additional oak
tree encroachments.
As discussed at length below, _the original Vista Canyon project has been revised
since the initial 2007 application for the Entitlements. As a general matter, the
modifications to the project reduce the amount and extent of site development,
thereby reducing environmental impacts and avoiding the creation of new impacts.
b. The City of Santa Clarita is also concurrently processing under Master Case 07-127 a
separate application to annex the Ancillary Annexation Area ("AAA") to the City of
Santa Clarita, The AAA includes unincorporated County of Los Angeles property
adjacent to and surrounding the Vista Canyon project site, specifically Fair Oaks
Ranch (approximately 1,082 acres), Jakes Way (approximately 260 acres), and
portions of Sand Canyon (915 acres).
C. As indicated in Paragraph (a), above, the project originally proposed to develop 1,117
dwelling units (96 single-family residential lots and 1,021 attached condominiums
(up to -579 -ofthese-attached -condominium- units -may++ rented-or-leased))-,--and-,up--to
950,000 square feet of commercial and medical office, retail, theater, restaurant, and
hotel uses within four Planning Areas ("PA"). A residential overlay within the
corporate office campus site would have allowed for the conversion of up to 250,000
square feet of office floor area to 233 attached residential units. If implemented, this
conversion would have permitted a maximum of 1,350 residential units and 700,000
square feet of commercial floor area. The original project also included a new Multi -
Modal Transit Station ("Transit Station"), consisting of a Metrolink Station and Bus
Transfer Station. As originally proposed, there would also be approximately 18 acres
of parks/recreation facilities, including the Oak Park, Town Green, Community
Garden, River Education/Community Center, up to six private recreation facilities,
and trails. Further, the original project also included approximately 10 acres of
proposed public streets, including the extension of Lost Canyon Road from Fair Oaks
Ranch to Vista Canyon Road and the construction of the Vista Canyon Road Bridge
to connect Lost Canyon Road and Soledad Canyon Road.
d. The Vista Canyon site primarily is surrounded by residentially -developed land.
Residential development, commercial development and SR -14, are located to the
north of the project site. The Colony Townhomes, a multi -family residential
community, is directly west of the project site. The Fair Oaks Ranch community,
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which is comprised of single-family and multi -family residential units, an elementary
school, and community park, lies to the south and west. The existing Metrolink rail
line is located to the south of the project site. The La Veda and Lost Canyon
residential areas, which consist of homes, and a public and private elementary school,
lie to the east. The Santa Clara River bisects the Vista Canyon site.
e. The project site is presently located in unincorporated Los Angeles County, directly
adjacent to the City of Santa Clarita. The Los Angeles County Land Use Map (as
amended through May 13, 2003) designates the project site as M (Industry) and W
(Floodplain/Floodway). The property is currently zoned M-1.5 (Light Industrial), A-
1-1 (Light Agriculture — 1 acre minimum lot size), R -A-8,000 (Residential
Agriculture — 8,000 square foot minimum lot size), and A-1-10,000 (Light
Agriculture — 10,000 square foot minimum lot size). Under the existing County light
industrial zoning designation of M-1.5 and taking into account parking and
landscaping requirements, the project site could be developed with approximately 1.0
million square feet of light industrial uses. The agricultural and residential zoned
portions of the project site could be developed with approximately 170 single-family
residential units.
f. On June 25, 1991, the City Council adopted the City of Santa Clarita General Plan via
Resolution No. 91-98. The City's General Plan presently designates the Vista
Canyon project site as Business Park with portions of the site covered by a SEA
overlay. The City's General Plan Land Use Concept identifies the project site as a
"major sub -center" with Business Park/Office Uses. Under the, Business Park
designation and taking into account City parking and landscaping rquirements, the
project site could be developed with approximately 4.35 million square feet of
business park floor area.
g. The County of Los Angeles and City of Santa Clarita are presently completing One
Valley One Vision ("OVOV") — a joint effort, initiated in 2000, between the City and
County to create guidelines for the future growth and development of the Santa
Clarita Valley while also preserving natural resources. The jurisdictional planning
boundaries established in OVOV include the City and its four communities
(i.e., Canyon Country, Newhall, Saugus and Valencia), and the County communities
of Stevenson Ranch, Castaic, Val Verde, Agua Dulce, and the future Newhall Ranch.
The draft OVOV Land Use Plan (dated October 2008) issued by the County
designates the project site as UR2 (Urban2 - five dwelling units per acre) with an
SEA overlay over portions of the site. Under this draft land use designation, the
project site could be developed with up to 700 residential units. However, various
goals and policies within OVOV encourage transit oriented development ("TOD")
through the permitting of higher densities and intensities, and would allow for mixed-
use, compact development in close proximity to new or existing rail stations and/or
multi -modal transit facilities. As proposed, the Vista Canyon project includes a new
Transit Station.
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h. The Vista Canyon site was originally a portion of Mitchell Ranch, which was first
settled in 1860 by Thomas Mitchell. Thomas Mitchell was born in Virginia,
subsequently moving to Texas where, in 1852, he served under Sam Houston in the
Texas Mounted Volunteers. He went to California shortly thereafter, spending
approximately eight years in the northern California mining districts. In 1860, he
moved to the Santa Clarita Valley to start a cattle ranch. Initially, he transported a
dismantled miner's cabin down from Tehachapi and erected it on the property, more
specifically in the southeastern portion of the project site. A few years later he
married Martha Taylor and built a more commodious adobe, about 40 feet from the
original cabin. The adobe was 60 by 45 feet in size and redwood shingled.
Eventually, Mitchell increased his holdings to nearly a thousand acres, on which he
raised cattle, produced honey, and farmed. With increasing population, and thus
children, in the valley, the Sulphur Springs School District was founded, circa 1872.
The school opened initially in the kitchen of Mitchell's adobe, was taught. by Mrs.
Mitchell, and was the first school building in the Santa Clara Valley area. Circa 1885,
the student population had outgrown the single room and a wooden schoolhouse was
constructed at Sulphur Springs, on land donated by Mitchell. The Sulphur Springs
school location is directly east of the project site. Mitchell also built a two-story
home on the project site in 1888, then using the adobe as a guesthouse. Bricks from
the adobe were eventually removed from the property and the school/adobe was
reassembled at Heritage Junction in Hart Park in Newhall.
In addition to the original miner's cabin, adobe, two-story wooden house, and likely a
number of outbuildings, a family cemetery was also present on the Mitchell Ranch.
This was used to inter the Mitchell family, and their friends and neighbors. None of
the buildings referenced- above remain on the Vista --Canyon .site. The. cemetery,
however, is still present and would be preserved and enhanced by the project.
Presently, the project site is comprised primarily of undeveloped, highly disturbed
land, including various utilities, and an equipment storage yard and a single-family
residence located on the western side of the project site, and the Mitchell family
cemetery located on the small elevated terrace on the northeastern portion of the
project site.
The project site is irregularly shaped, and includes the sandy bottom of the ephemeral
Santa Clara River, a small elevated terrace on the northeastern portion of the project
site, and a larger elevated terrace that forms the southern half of the project site.
These terraces drain towards the River. Elevations on the project site range from a
high of 1,555 feet above sea level at the northeastern portion of the site, to a low of
1,465 feet above sea level in the middle of the Santa Clara River.
j. Environmental conditions on the project site have been altered substantially by
existing and historical uses of the property, including outdoor storage, agricultural
cultivation, grading, utility construction and maintenance, and residential uses.
Unauthorized dumping also has occurred on the project site. There is little remaining
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natural vegetation remaining with the exception of a vegetated area on the
southeastern portion of the project site that includes oaks and introduced grasses.
k. The Vista Canyon project concentrates development on the flatter, disturbed, elevated
terraces on the project site, and as revised would preserve a River corridor averaging
over 800 feet in width. The majority of oak trees on the project site would be
preserved and incorporated into the project.
In accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA;" Pub.
Resources Code, §21000 et seq.), the City of Santa Clarita is the lead agency and the
City Council is the decision-making body for the Vista Canyon project. The City's
Planning Commission is a recommending body for the Vista Canyon project.
m. The City of Santa Clarita prepared an Initial Study for the Vista Canyon project,
which determined that the project may have a significant effect on the environment
and that an environmental impact report ("EIR") must be prepared. The.Initial Study
determined that the following areas must be addressed in the EIR for the Vista
Canyon project: geotechnical hazards, flood, traffic/access, air quality, noise,
biological resources, land use, water services (including both water demand/supply
and water quality), solid waste disposal, education, library services, parks and
recreation, fire services, sheriff services, human made hazards, visual resources,
population/housing/employment, cultural resources, agricultural resources, Santa
Clara River corridor, wastewater disposal, global climate change and utilities.
n. An initial Notice of Preparation ("NOP") for the Entitlements was circulated to
affected agencies, pursuant to CEQA and the State CEQA Guidelines (Cal. Code
Regs., tit. 14, §15000 et seq.), for thirty days, beginning on July 11, 2007. A revised
NOP, reflecting various modifications made to the project was circulated, pursuant to
CEQA and the State CEQA Guidelines, for thirty days, beginning on February 26,
2008. And, yet another revised NOP, reflecting the inclusion of the AAA, was
circulated, pursuant to CEQA and the State CEQA Guidelines, for thirty days,
beginning on October 1, 2009. Agencies that received the NOPs include, but are not
limited to, the County of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control
Board, California Department of Fish and Game, South Coast Air Quality
Management District, law enforcement agencies, school districts, waste haulers,
water agencies and transportation agencies serving the Santa Clarita Valley in
accordance with CEQA's consultation requirements.. Numerous comments from
public agencies, organizations, and members of the public were received in response
to the NOPs.
o. A scoping meeting was held at the City of Santa Clarita Century Conference Room
on February 27, 2008, to obtain information from the public as to issues that should
be addressed in the EIR. Notice of the scoping meeting was published in The Signal
newspaper on February 6, 2008, and was mailed to all property owners within 1,000
feet of the project site, in addition to approximately 80 agencies. Approximately 25
people attended the scoping meeting.
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p. On July 20, 2010, at 3:30 p.m., the Planning Commission conducted a site tour of the
Vista Canyon project site.
q. The City of Santa Clarita prepared a Draft EIR (October 2010; SCH No.
2007071039) for the Vista Canyon project that addressed all issues raised by the
Initial Study and in comments received on the NOPs. The Draft EIR was circulated
for review and comment by affected governmental agencies and the public, in
compliance with CEQA. Specifically, the Notice of Availability/Notice of
Completion for the Draft EIR was filed, posted and advertised on October 19, 2010,
and the 45 -day public review period ended on December 3, 2010, 5:00 p.m. in
accordance with CEQA.
r. The City also prepared a Planning Commission Final EIR (February 2011; SCH No.
2007071039). The Planning Commission Final EIR complied with all applicable
CEQA requirements, and contained responses to all oral and written comments
received prior to January 18, 2011. The Planning Commission Final EIR also
contained a description of modifications to the Vista Canyon project made in
response to public comment, City staff recommendations, and Planning Commission
direction; copies of all comment letters received on the project; revised pages of the
Draft EIR; and, additional supporting materials in appendices. Notice of the Planning
Commission Final EIR's availability was sent to commenting agencies, organizations
and persons on February 4, 2011.
S. The Planning Commission held duly -noticed public hearings on the Vista Canyon
project on October 19, November 2, and December 21, 2010, and February 15, 2011.
These hearings were -held at -=City -Hall, -23920 Valencia Boulevard, Santa Glarita, at
7:00 p.m. The Planning Commission closed the public hearing on December 21,
2010.
On October 19, 2010, the Planning Commission opened the public hearing for the
Vista Canyon project; received a presentation from staff on the Vista Canyon
Specific Plan; received a Draft EIR presentation from staff on several sections
(Geotechnical Hazards, Land Use, Solid Waster Disposal, Education Services,
Library Services, Fire Services, Sheriff Services, Human -Made Hazards,
Population, Housing and Employment, Cultural Resources, Agricultural
Resource, Utilities, and Ancillary Annexation Areas); received a presentation
from the applicant, and received public testimony regarding the project.
ii. On November 2, 2010, City staff responded to questions posed by the Planning
Commission and pubic on issues related to Schools, Traffic, Grading, Solid Waste
and Annexation. City staff also made a presentation on various Draft EIR
Sections (Flood, Traffic and Access, Air Quality, Noise, Biological Resources,
Water Services, Water Quality, Parks and Recreation, Visual Resources, River
Corridor, Wastewater Disposal, Global Climate Change, and Project
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Alternatives). The Planning Commission also received a presentation from the
applicant and received public testimony regarding the project.
iii. On December 2.1, 2010, City staff responded to questions and issues raised by the
Planning Commission related to Flood, Traffic, Air Quality, Noise, Biological
Resources, Water Services, Water Quality, Parks and Recreation, Visual
Resources, River Corridor, Wastewater Disposal, Global Climate Change, and
Project Alternatives. In addition, the Planning Commission considered potential
site plan modifications, noise-, dust- and traffic -related conditions, and additional
public testimony on the project. At the conclusion of the hearing, the Planning
Commission directed staff and the applicant to bring back a site plan reflecting
various project modifications (detailed below), and directed staff to incorporate
the following specific requirements into the revised site plan and/or conditions of
approval for the project:
1. Elimination of the 26 single-family lots located in the area adjacent
to the existing La Veda neighborhood. Elimination of these lots
increased the size of the proposed Oak Park to over 10 acres,
eliminated the removal of one heritage oak tree, and allowed for
the preservation and enhancement of the north/south animal
movement corridor from the Santa Clara River through the project
site to undeveloped land to the south. This project revision
incorporated aspects of Draft EIR Alternative 5 (Open Space
Corridor).
2. Selection of the "Roundabout" (Intersection Design Option 3) at
the Lost Canyon Road/Sand Canyon Road intersection.
3. Removal of the properties south of Placerita Canyon Road from
the AAA, with the exception of the City's Walker Ranch Open
Space property. Removal of these properties reduced the size of
the Sand Canyon annexation area from 1,723 acres to 915 acres.
4. Require, as a condition of approval, the project applicant to
minimize potential dust and vibration impacts associated with
project -related construction to the existing La Veda neighborhood.
5. Require, as a condition of approval, the project applicant to retain a
qualified biologist to prepare an animal movement corridor plan,
which would address corridor design, specifications for an
undercrossing under Lost Canyon Road, and plant materials for the
corridor.
6. Require, as a condition of approval, the project applicant to
construct an eight -foot tall wall/berm in locations along the
southerly Metrolink right-of-way adjacent to the proposed station
to reduce train -related noise to off-site properties.
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7. Require the applicant to fund a crossing guard for a temporary time
period after the completion of the intersection improvements at
Lost Canyon Road/Sand Canyon Road.
t. On February 15, 2011, the modified site plan, Planning Commission Final EIR
(February 2011), resolutions and conditions of approval were presented to the
Planning Commission. The Commission also received public testimony regarding
the project. As a result of the project modifications made during the proceedings
before the Planning Commission, the revised site plan recommended by the Planning
Commission proposes a total of 1,091 residential units (1,324 under the residential
overlay), 950,000 square feet of commercial floor area (700,000 square feet under
the residential overlay), Transit Station, a 10 -acre neighborhood park and other
recreational amenities.
u. At the conclusion of the February 15, 2011 public hearing, the Planning Commission
voted to recommend that the City Council certify the Planning Commission Final EIR
(see Resolution No. P11-02) and approve the Vista Canyon project as revised (see
Resolution No. PI 1-01). The Planning Commission also recommended that the City
Council adopt (i) a Statement of Overriding Considerations for those impacts of the
Vista Canyon project that cannot be mitigated to less -than -significant levels, and (ii)
the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Plan ("MMRP") (see Resolution No. PI I-
02).
The Planning Commission considered the Draft EIR (October 2010) and Planning
Commission Final EIR (February 2011) prepared for the Vista Canyon project, as
welt -as information provided in -staff 'reports ; presented -to the Planning -Commission
from experts, and presented in public testimony, including letters submitted to the
Planning Commission following the close of the Draft EIR public comment period up
to January 18, 2011, prior to recommending approval of the Vista Canyon project.
V. Following the February . 15, 2011 hearing, the City prepared the Final EIR (April
2011; SCH No. 2007071039). The Final EIR contained copies of all late written
comment letters; responses to all oral and written comments received on or after
January 18, 2011 and prior to April 8, 2011; and, a description of additional
modifications to the Vista Canyon project made in response to public comment, City
staff recommendations, and City Council direction (see Paragraph (v), below).
Notice of the Final EIR's availability was provided on April 15, 2011 to commenting
agencies, organizations and persons.
w. The City Council subsequently held duly -noticed public hearings on the Vista
Canyon project on March 22 and April 26, 2011. These hearings were held at City
Hall, 23920 Valencia Boulevard, Santa Clarita, at 6:00 p.m. The City Council closed
the public hearing on April 26, 2011.
i. On March 22, 2011, the City Council conducted a public hearing on the Vista
Canyon project. At the conclusion of the hearing, the City Council directed staff
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and the applicant to bring back a site plan and conditions reflecting various
project modifications (detailed below), and directed staff to incorporate the
following specific requirements into the revised site plan and/or conditions of
approval for -the -project:
Increase the length of the Vista Canyon Road Bridge over the
Santa Clara River from 650 feet to 750 feet.
2. Increase the River Corridor width in PA -1 and PA -2 by an average
of 100 feet (excepting the proposed water reclamation plant, which
is located in an area outside of California Department of Fish and
Game's jurisdiction). With this modification, the average width of
the River Corridor on the project site would be over 800 feet. This
change requires the redistribution of residential and commercial
land uses in PA -1 and PA -2.
3. Eliminate commercial development within PA -4 (Mitchell Hill),
resulting in no commercial or residential development north of the
Santa Clara River Corridor.
4. Relocate the Town Green in PA -2 from its present location
adjacent to the Metrolink right-of-way and Transit Station to a
location near the southern abutment of the Vista Canyon Road
Bridge. This relocation would locate the Town Green along the
Santa Clara River directly north of the office and hotel buildings
located to the east of Vista Canyon Road,
5. Eliminate the residential overlay and establish a residential and
commercial development cap on the project of 1,100 residential
units and 950,000 square feet of commercial floor area.
6. Add the following conditions to the project:
a. Require the staff and applicant to work together on a
Recreational Amenity Plan for the Mitchell Hill Open
Space. The plan would include site security improvements
and the construction of unimproved access (decomposed
granite or similar surface) to the Mitchell Hill Open Space.
The applicant shall also construct improvements identified
in the approved Recreational Amenity Plan. The applicant
shall receive Park Development Fee (PDF) credit for the
constructed improvements.
b. Require the applicant to pay all costs and complete the
restoration of the Mitchell Family cemetery, including the
extension of water and electricity to the cemetery.
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C. Require the project's Landscape Maintenance District to
pay for ongoing maintenance of the Oak Park, River
Corridor and Mitchell Hill Open Space (including the
Mitchell Family cemetery).
d. Require the applicant to provide $300,000 in funding to be
used for the City's construction of the Sand Canyon Road
Trail from Roadrunner Avenue to Lost Canyon Road, and
un -constructed portions of the Sand Canyon trail between
Roadrunner Avenue and Sultus Street.
e. Require that project lighting be decorative and down lit,
including along public roadways and the Vista Canyon
Road Bridge.
f. Require that no lighting be permitted on Lost Canyon Road
from La Veda Avenue to a point 300 feet from the eastern
project boundary due to the animal movement corridor.
g. Require that no lighting be permitted on trails adjacent to
the animal movement corridor or along the Santa Clara
River.
h. Require that the applicant use its best efforts, working with
City staff, to acquire an off-site, 20 -foot wide, trail
easement to be located on the property to the south of the
.existing railroad undercrossing to _allow for the connection
of the Vista Canyon trail system to the Fair Oaks
Ranch/Golden Valley trail system and to the City's trail
system at the western terminus of Roadrunner Avenue.
Require that the project's loop trail, from the project's
eastern boundary to the existing railroad undercrossing, be
decomposed granite (or similar surface) at a width of 20
feet.
j. Require that the project's loop trail, from the existing
railroad undercrossing to Vista Square, be decomposed
granite (or similar surface) at a width of 12 feet.
k. Require that the slope of the bank stabilization in the area
of the animal movement corridor not exceed a grade of
2.5:1 to provide access for wildlife to enter into the River.
Require that a conservation easement be recorded over the
animal movement corridor on-site and that the applicant
working with City staff use their best efforts to acquire a
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conservation easement off-site on the property directly to
the south to preserve the animal corridor through the
project site and to the south.
With these additional modifications incorporated, the Vista Canyon project would
result in the following land uses:
A maximum of 1,100 residential units.
2. A maximum of 950,000 square feet of commercial floor area.
A Transit Station, consisting of a Metrolink Station and Bus
Transfer Station.
4. A water reclamation plant.
Various infrastructure, recreation and open space improvements,
including streets, utilities, the Oak Park, Town Green, Community
Garden, up to six private recreational areas, the River Corridor and
Mitchell Hill Open Space area.
ii. On April 26, 2011, the City Council received public testimony, closed the public
hearing, certified the Final EIR, and adopted all of the necessary approval
documents (e.g., resolutions and ordinances) for approval of the project. The City
also passed Pre -zone 07-OOIA Ordinance to a second reading on May 10, 2011.
Such pre -zoning would become effective upon annexation and designated upon
the Zoning Map incorporated within and part of Title 17 of the City's Unified
Development Code.
X. The Final EIR, incorporated herein by reference, includes the Draft EIR (October
2010), Planning Commission Final EIR (February 2011), and Final EIR (April 2011).
The Final EIR has been prepared and circulated in compliance with CEQA. The City
Council has considered the Final EIR prepared for the Vista Canyon project, as well
as information provided in staff reports, presented to the City Council from experts,
and presented in public testimony, including letters submitted to the City Council
following the close of the Draft EIR public comment period, prior to recommending
approval of the Vista Canyon project.
y. Based upon the Final EIR, staff and consultant presentations, staff reports, applicant
presentations, and public comments and testimony, the City Council finds that the
Vista Canyon project, as modified, will not adversely affect the health, peace,
comfort, or welfare of persons residing in the area; nor will the Vista Canyon project
be materially detrimental to the use, enjoyment, or valuation of property in the
vicinity of the project site; nor will the Vista Canyon project jeopardize, endanger or
otherwise constitute a menace to the public health, safety, or general welfare since the
project conforms with the zoning ordinance and is compatible with surrounding land
uses. The Vista Canyon project proposes the extension of all utilities and services to
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the project site. Currently, all required utilities and services are available at locations
adjacent to the project site.
Z. Additionally, the City Council finds that all public hearings pertaining to the Vista
Canyon project were duly noticed in accordance with the noticing requirements for
each of the Entitlements. The project was advertised in The Signal, through on-site
posting 14 days prior to the hearing, and by direct first-class mailing to property
owners within 1,000 feet of the Vista Canyon project site and AAA. In addition, the
date and time of each public hearing was posted on three signs at the project site, as
well as eight off-site signs.
aa. The location of the documents and other materials that constitute the record of
proceedings upon which the decision of the City Council is based for the Master Case
07-127 project file is with the Community Development Department; the record
specifically is in the custody of the Director of Community Development.
bb. Public participation and notification requirements pursuant to Sections 65090, 65391,
and 65854 of the Government Code of the State of California were duly followed.
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 pre -zone the subject project site with City of Santa
Clarita zoning consisting of SP (Specific Plan) in. conjunction with General Plan
Amendment 07-001 A, approved under separate resolution, prior to annexation.
b. That the pre -zone has been reviewed for consistency with the City's proposed General
Plan Amendment 07-00 IA.
Public participation and notification requirements pursuant to Sections 65090 and
65091 of the Government Code of the State of California were duly followed.
SECTION 3. CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT REQUIREMENTS. The
City Council does hereby make the following findings of facts:
a. On April 26, 2011, the City Council certified the Final EIR (SCH No. 2007071039)
by separate resolution for Master Case 07-127, which was prepared in compliance
with CEQA. For purposes of this finding, the Final EIR is comprised of the Draft
EIR (October 2010), Planning Commission Final EIR (February 2011), and Final EIR
(April 2011).
SECTION 4. FINDINGS FOR PRE -ZONE. Based upon the foregoing facts and findings, the
City Council hereby finds as follows:
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a. Pre -zoning is required under Section 56375(a)(3) of the Government Code in that,
prior to the Local Agency Formation Commission taking an action on an annexation,
the subject site must be pre -zoned by the, annexing city;
b. Pre -zone 07-001 A, and specifically its proposed amendment of the City of Santa
Clarita Zoning Map, is consistent with existing development and/or existing
development entitlements for the subject site; and
C. Pre -zone 07-OOIA is consistent with the objectives of the Unified Development Code
in that it implements the goals and objectives of the General Plan and guides the
future .growth of the City in that it meets the development policies of the City of Santa
Clarita.
SECTION 5. City Council conduct second reading and adopt an Ordinance approving Pre -zone
07-001 A as described herein and shown on attached Exhibit A.
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.
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PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this 10th day of May, 2011.
MAYOR
ATTEST:
ACT7b. CI ,/QLERK
DATE: 6 , 11.
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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 was regularly introduced and placed upon its first reading at the
regular meeting of the City Council on the 26th day of April, 2011. That thereafter, said
Ordinance was duly passed -and adopted at the regular meeting of the City Council on the 10th
day of May, 2011 by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: Ender, Weste, McLean
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: Ferry
RECUSED: COUNCILMEMBERS: Kellar
AND I FURTHER CERTIFY that the foregoing is
and was published in The Signal newspaper in accordance with
AUFIPNG
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CLERK
.C. 40806).
11-10
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STATE OF CALIFORNIA
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
ss.
CERTIFICATION OF
CITY COUNCIL ORDINANCE
I, Sarah P. Gorman, City Clerk of the City of Santa Clarita, do hereby certify that this is a true
and correct copy of the original Ordinance No. 11-10, adopted by the City Council of the City of
Santa Clarita, CA on May 10, 2011, which is now on file in my office.
Witness my hand and seal of the City of Santa Clarita, California, this day of
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City Clerk
By
Deputy City Clerk
SACD\CURRENTI!20007\07-127 (Vista Canyon)\City Council\FINALCCDOCUMEN nFinaICCVistaOrdinance
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