Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout8252RESOLUTION NO 8252 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF REDLANDS APPROVING THE CONVERSION OF AGRICULTURAL LAND TO RESIDENTIAL LAND PURSUANT TO SECTION 4 40s OF THE REDLANDS GENERAL PLAN FOR PROPERTY LOCATED ON THE EAST SIDE OF INTERSTATE 210 AND THE NORTH SIDE OF DOMESTIC AVENUE (APNs 0167-031-02-0000, 0167-031-03-0000, 0167-031-04-0000, 0167-031-05-0000, 0167-031-06-0000, 0167-031-07-0000, AND 0167-031-16-0000) WHEREAS, MLC Holdings, LLC ("Applicant") has filed applications for Amendment No 46 to the East Valley Corridor Specific Plan (Specific Plan 40), Specific Plan No 64, Tentative Tract Map No 20336, and Commission Review and Approval No 992 for a 317 lot single-family residential development on properties located generally on the east side of Interstate 210 and the north side of Domestic Avenue, and approximately 625 feet west of Texas Street, consisting of county of San Bernardino Assessor Parcel Nos. 0167-031-02-0000, 0167-031-03-0000, 0167-031- 04-0000, 0167-031-05-0000, 0167-031-06-0000, 0167-031-07-0000, and 0167-031-16-0000 (collectively, the "Project"), and WHEREAS, in 1997, Measure "U," a voter -approved initiative ordinance, amended the Redlands General Plan and establish comprehensive growth management principles to preserve, enhance and maintain the quality of life in the Redlands community; and WHEREAS, section 4 40s of Measure "U" specifically provides that: "No land undeveloped as of March 1, 1997 and designated in whole or in part as "Urban Reserve" or "Urban Reserve" (Agricultural)" in the Redlands general plan in effect as of June 1, 1987, and/or any land parcel that was in active agricultural production on November 3, 1986 regardless of zoning, shall be re -designated or rezoned to permit residential density greater than the Estate Residential (R-E) classification, as the same existed on June 1, 1987, in the Redlands City Zoning Ordinance, unless the following mandatory findings are made and the re -designation or rezoning is approved by four - fifths (4/5) vote of the total authorized membership of the City Council. 1 There are substantial and overriding economic or social benefits to the City and its residents and taxpayers from the proposed density increase; 2 The proposed density increase will not cause adverse environmental impacts, either individually or cumulatively, directly or indirectly; 3 The proposed density increase will not convert viable agricultural land to non- agricultural uses, 4 The proposed density increase will not have a growth -inducing effect on other property; 5 The resulting use will be compatible with uses on adjacent land, and 1 I.\Resolutions\Res 8200-8299\8252 MLC Holdings Measure U Agricultuial.docx 6 The proposed density increase will not require substantial expansion of public infrastructure, facilities or services." WHEREAS, the Project site contained citrus groves and active agricultural production on June 1, 1987, thus making the provisions of Measure "U" applicable to the Project; and WHEREAS, the Project involves the adoption of new Specific Plan No 64 for a 317 lot single-family residential development at a density of 5 4 units per acre, which exceeds the Estate Residential (R-E) density of 3 0 units per acre; and WHEREAS, on August 10, 2021, the Planning Commission held a public hearing at which interested persons had an opportunity to testify in support of, or in opposition to, the Project, and at which the Planning Commission considered the Project; and WHEREAS, the City Council held a public hearing on September 21, 2021, at which interested persons had the opportunity to provide verbal and written testimony for the Project; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF REDLANDS AS FOLLOWS Section 1. In accordance with Measure "U," the City Council of the City of Redlands hereby approves the re -zoning of lands designated "Urban Reserve" in the Redlands General Plan (as of June 1, 1987) or in active agricultural production as of November 3, 1986, to permit a residential density greater than the Estate Residential (R-E) classification as the same existed as of June 1, 1987, based upon the following findings A. THERE ARE SUBSTANTIAL AND OVERRIDING ECONOMIC OR SOCIAL BENEFITS TO THE CITY AND ITS RESIDENTS AND TAXPAYERS FROM THE PROPOSED INCREASED DENSITY FOR THE PROJECT SITE. The East Valley Corridor Specific Plan ("EVCSP") contains goals and policies aimed at preserving agricultural uses within the East Valley Corridor as long as this type of land use remains realistic and financially feasible. Because continued agricultural production on the site has been determined to be infeasible for the long term, the conversion of the site to residential development would be consistent with the EVCSP's intent, as well as the site's current Low Density General Plan designation, which specifies densities higher than those allowed by the Estate Residential (R-E) zoning designation. The additional 317 units would substantially add to the tax revenue accruing to the City which funds infrastructure improvements and public services, which are direct economic benefits to the City As part of the Project, the developer will also pay development impact fees for transportation and other infrastructure, as well as police, fire, and for the library From a social benefit standpoint, the Project will include common open space through pocket parks, a paseo, and a public sports park for gathering, recreation and socialization of residents of the whole City, filling a recognized public need. 2 L\Resolutions\Res 8200-8299\8252 MLC Holdings Measure U Agricultural.docx In addition, the construction of new homes on small lots provides a variety of housing types and affordability levels in the City of Redlands, which is consistent with the policies contained within the City's current 2035 General Plan and will contribute an additional 317 new housing units that will help the City meet its overall housing goals. B THE PROPOSED DENSITY INCREASE WILL NOT CAUSE ADVERSE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS, EITHER INDIVIDUALLY OR CUMULATIVELY, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY The Project has been analyzed through the drafting of an Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration, with fourteen mitigation measures that have been incorporated as conditions of approval, referencing technical studies prepared for the Project, to ensure the Project will not have a significant impact on the environment, either individually or cumulatively, directly or indirectly C THE PROPOSED DENSITY INCREASE WILL NOT CONVERT VIABLE AGRICULTURAL LAND TO NONAGRICULTURAL USES The proposed density increase would not convert viable agricultural land to non- agricultural uses. The area surrounding the Project site is becoming urbanized, with development to the east and south and the existing Citrus Valley High School to the south. Aerial photograph indicates that the agricultural uses, which once utilized this area of the City, have been removed over time as citrus groves have become less economically viable. The IS/MND, discusses Agriculture and Forestry Resources, and how the loss of farmland at the site was evaluated in the 2035 General Plan Environmental Impact Report (EIR) in the larger context of the General Plan. This specific site is one of many locations identified In the General Plan EIR as having prime farmland that has a land use designation that would convert the property to non-agricultural use. The City adopted findings and a Statement of Overriding Considerations for the General Plan EIR. In addition, the conversion of this agricultural site was anticipated by the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) prepared for the EVCSP, which evaluated the impacts to Agriculture and adopted a Statement of Overriding Consideration, as well. Therefore, the increase in density from 3 0 units per acre to 5 4 units per acre will not convert viable agricultural lands to non-agricultural uses. D THE PROPOSED DENSITY WILL NOT HAVE A GROWTH -INDUCING EFFECT ON OTHER PROPERTY The Project abuts an area of designated in the City's General Plan as Low Density Residential, with the same 0-6 unit per acre density, to the east and would be considered a continuation of this same designation. It is anticipated that this adjacent property will build out with similar density The City's General Plan designates this property as low density residential which accommodates densities higher than what is allowed by the R-E zoning designation. The development of this property as well as those of the adjacent properties with residential land use designations was anticipated by the City's most recent General Plan update. While the adjacent parcels may develop in the future, the proposed Project's density is consistent with its land use designation and the development of this property on 3 L•\Resolutions\Res 8200-8299\8252 MLC Holdings Measure U Agricultural.docx its own would not be considered to contribute to growth -inducing effects on adjacent properties E THE RESULTING USE WILL BE COMPATIBLE WITH USES ON ADJACENT LAND The Project has been designed to be compatible with the anticipated future development of the adjacent vacant parcels as well as the Citrus Valley High school located to the south The development of Citrus Valley High School within a commercially zoned area changed the context of the area, and residential uses adjacent to the high school would be a compatible use. The Project incorporates pedestrian facilities to accommodate safe routes to the nearby high school by providing a Class 3 bike trail, sidewalks and an enhanced cross walk at the corner of Domestic Avenue and Texas Street F THE PROPOSED DENSITY OR HEIGHT INCREASE WILL NOT REQUIRE SUBSTANTIAL EXPANSION OF PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE, FACILITIES OR SERVICES The Project would connect and enhance the existing infrastructure in the area and would not require substantial infrastructure improvements to water and sewer service to accommodate Project demands Sewer service is located adjacent to the Project area and water service will be extended to the Project from Texas Street The existing water treatment facilities within the City are capable of serving the proposed Project, and no substantial expansion would be required The developer would be required to pay the appropriate development impact fees for transportation and infrastructure improvements as well as school fees, and development impact fees for public safety, parks and open space, and the library These developer impact fees represent the new development's fair share of planned facilities and are not intended to address any needed facilities required to serve existmg development Therefore, the additional residential density would not require substantial expansion of public infrastructure, facilities or services Section 2 In accordance with Measure "U," this resolution has been adopted by a 4/5ths vote of the membership of the City Council Section 3 This Resolution shall become effective upon adoption ADOPTED, SIGNED AND APPROVED this 5th ay of Octobe , 2021 Paul T Banch, Mayor ATTEST nne Donaldson, City Clerk 4 I \Resolutions\Res 8200 8299\8252 MLC Holdings Measure U Agricultural.docx I, Jeanne Donaldson, City Clerk of the City of Redlands, hereby certify that the foregoing resolution was duly adopted by the City Council at a regular meeting thereof held on the 5th day of October, 2021 AYES Councilmembers Foster, Tejeda, Davis, Guzman -Lowry, Mayor Banch NOES None ABSENT None ABSTAINED None anne Donaldson, City Clerk 5 I \Resolutions\Res 8200 8299\8252 MLC Holdings Measure U Agncultural.docx