HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-10-14 - AGENDA REPORTS - APPEAL MC13-075 EINSTEIN ACDMY (7)Agenda Item: 10
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
AGENDA REPORT
PUBLIC HEARING City Manager Approval:
Item to be presented by: Mike Marshall
DATE: October 14, 2014
SUBJECT: APPEAL OF PLANNING COMMISSION DENIAL OF MASTER
CASE 13-075 (CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 13-005) A
REQUEST BY ALBERT EINSTEIN ACADEMY FOR LETTERS,
ARTS AND SCIENCES TO OPERATE A PRIMARY SCHOOL
WITHIN THE BUSINESS PARK ZONE AT 25300 RYE CANYON
ROAD
DEPARTMENT: Community Development
RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council direct staff to continue to work with the Applicant on a revised project, draft the
appropriate project documents, and continue the public hearing to the regularly scheduled City
Council meeting of October 28, 2014.
BACKGROUND
The Albert Einstein Academy for Letters, Arts and Sciences (Applicant) originally proposed to
operate a primary school consisting of up to 650 students in grades K-6, with an additional 37
teachers and employees. With the exception of a 2,100 square -foot artificial turf area and a 3,600
square -foot concrete picnic area, the proposed primary school would be conducted within the
interior of an existing 53,000 square -foot commercial building consisting of 32 classrooms, an
indoor gymnasium, and play area at 25300 Rye Canyon Road (Subject Site).
The Planning Commission considered the project on March 4, 2014. Staff s presentation focused
primarily on concerns regarding traffic safety and circulation. The hearing included public
testimony that both supported and opposed the project. After significant discussion, the Planning
Commission, in a unanimous 5-0 vote, approved staff's recommendation to deny the project.
The Applicant formally submitted a letter appealing the Planning Commission's decision to the
City Council and a public hearing was scheduled for June 10, 2014. ii
On June 5, 2014, the Applicant requested a continuance of their appeal hearing to facilitate
ongoing conversations with staff. On June 10, 2014, City Council opened the public hearing and
continued it until the regularly scheduled City Council meeting of July 8, 2014. At that meeting,
the City Council again continued the public hearing to October 14, 2014.
Subsequent to City Council action on July 8, 2014, staff continued to work with the Applicant on
a revised project description that would adequately address staffs concerns regarding on-site
and off-site traffic and circulation. In order for City Council to consider the approval of an
amended project on October 14, 2014, the Applicant was required to provide information to
support the revised project.
Staff received the required information on September 5, 2014, which did not provide sufficient
time to review the submitted materials and properly notify the public as required by the
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Therefore, staff recommends that the City
Council continue the public hearing to October 28, 2014. This will allow staff the opportunity to
complete the required project analysis and notify the public as required per CEQA.
ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS
City Council direct staff to draft a resolution upholding the Planning Commission's decision to
deny the proposed project consisting of 650 students in grades K-6.
FISCAL IMPACT
None by this action.
ATTACHMENTS
Public Notice for Continuance
NOTICE OF CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARING
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
CITY COUNCIL
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City Council of the City of Santa Clarita, at its regular meeting
held July 8, 2014, continued a public hearing on
MASTER CASE 13-075: APPEAL OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION DECISION TO
DENY MASTER CASE 13-075 FOR THE OPERATION OF A PRIMARY SCHOOL IN THE
BUSINESS PARK ZONE AT 25300 RYE CANYON ROAD
to October 14, 2014.
Dated this 9t' day of July 2014.
interim uity ucrx
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STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) SS. AFFIDAVIT OF POSTING
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA )
Armin Chaparyan, being fust duly sworn, deposes and says that she is the duly
appointed and qualified City Clerk of the City of Santa Clarita and that on July 9, 2014, she caused the
above notice to be posted at the door of the Council Chamber located at 2/3920 Valencia Blvd., Santa
Clarita, California. n
Interim City Clerk
Santa Clarita, California
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