HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 02-C0580 0
RESOLUTION NO. 02-058
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
AZUSA APPROVING AN AMENDMENT TO THE LAND USE
ELEMENT OF THE GENERAL PLAN CASE NO. GPA -2002-02
TO CHANGE THE LAND USE DESIGNATION OF 708-728 N.
DALTON FROM MEDIUM DENSITY RESIDENTIAL TO
COMMUNITY FACILITIES, AND 303-325 E. FOOTHILL
BOULEVARD FROM CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT TO
COMMUNITY FACILITIES IN CONNECTION WITH ZONE
CHANGE NO. Z-2002-02.
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Azusa, has given notice thereof as required
by law, held a public hearing on a City initiated application for a General Plan Amendment No.
GPA 2002-02, to change the General Plan land use designation of 708-728 N. Dalton Avenue
(APN Nos: 8608-029-005, 006, 007, 008, and 904) from Medium Density Residential to
Community Facilities, and 303-325 E. Foothill Boulevard (APN No: 8608-029-003) from
Central Business District to Community Facilities.
WHEREAS, required notice was mailed as set forth in affidavits on file at the
Community Development Department not less than ten days prior to the date of the hearing in
compliance with City Code Section 88-125, 88-130, 88-135, and 88-140, and Government Code
section 65090 and 95091.
WHEREAS, the City prepared the Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration in
accordance with CEQA, the State CEQA Guidelines, and the City's CEQA implementing
procedures, and that the Planning Commission has reviewed and considered the Mitigated
Negative Declaration and the comments received thereon.
WHEREAS, the City published a notice of its intention to adopt the Mitigated Negative
Declaration in compliance with Public Resources Code section 21092 in the San Gabriel Valley
Tribune on April 26, 2002, which notice also included a notice of the public hearings before the
City Council on June 3, 2002.
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission held a duly noticed public hearing on May 15,
2002, on the Project Approvals, and duly considered all information presented to it.
WHEREAS, after due deliberation and consideration of the Initial Study and Mitigated
Negative Declaration, the Planning Commission voted to recommend that the City Council adopt
the Mitigated Negative Declaration, and further recommended that the City Council approve the
Project Approvals.
WHEREAS, the City Council's proceedings for a general plan amendment were in
compliance with City Code Section 88-275.
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Azusa hereby resolves as follows:
SECTION 1: Pursuant to the City of Azusa Local Guidelines for implementing CEQA
and the State CEQA guidelines, a Mitigated Negative Declaration has been prepared and
Resolution No. • •
General Plan Amendment No. GPA -2002-02
Page 2 of 4
reviewed, finding that the proposed project could not have a significant effect on the
environment, The City Council hereby certifies said Mitigated Negative Declaration, with the
provision that the mitigation measures recommended in the initial study be implemented.
SECTION 2: That in accordance with Section 88-285 of the Azusa Municipal Code, the
City Council hereby approves and adopts said General Plan Amendment based on the following
findings:
A. That the proposed amendment is in the public interest, and that there will be a community
benefit resulting from the amendment.
The proposed general plan amendment is necessary in order re -designate the Subject
Property's Land Use designation to construct a new public library on the site. The
proposed project is in the public interest as evidence by the fact that, in November 2001,
over 75% of the voting public voted to approve a bond measure to help fund the Library's
construction. The new Library is needed to replace the existing City Library, which has
become overcrowded and obsolete. The new facility is intended to meet the diverse needs
of the community by including facilities for children, students, young adults, adults, and
seniors, as well as resources for low-income residents. The proposed library project is
also expected to create an active addition to the City's civic center district by
incorporating large and small meeting spaces for community groups, as well as informal
gathering areas to foster social activity and interaction among residents within the heart
of the City.
B. That the proposed amendment is consistent with the other goals, policies, and objectives
of the General Plan.
• LAND USE ELEMENT PRIMARY COMMUNITY -WIDE LAND USE GOAL: Provide
for an orderly pattern of future development and change throughout the City that will
both be compatible with and beneficial to existing land uses and which will ensure
residents of a desirable urban environment in which to live, work, shop and play.
The proposed re -designation of the site will create a logical eastern edge to a civic
center district comprised of the police station, senior center, park, and city hall
facility. The subsequent construction of a new public library will benefit adjacent
land uses by providing expanded library services to all residents of the community.
The building's design layout and outdoor amenities ofthe project will help to activate
the public realm and create a desirable urban environment.
• COMMUNITY FACILITIES LAND USE GOALS: Provide for a land use
configuration in Azusa that provides adequate, easily -accessible and appropriate
community facilities and utilities while minimizing taxes and operations to within
reasonable levels.
The proposed community facilities land use designation creates a coherent land use
configuration for the civic center district that allows the new library to be situated
such that it is easily accessible to related civic uses including the city hall and senior
center, as well as being within easy walking distance of many local neighborhoods
Resolution No. • •
General Plan Amendment No. GPA -2002-02
Page 3 of 4
and the downtown district. The land use changes are being proposed as a part of a
library construction project that is expected to utilize special state library funds,
thereby minimizing taxes to reasonable levels.
•
CIRCULA TIONITRANSPORTA TION LAND USE GOALS: Provide for land uses that
encourage efficient use of the circulation systems that exist, while avoiding land use
concentrations or locations that might result in unnecessary and avoidable
congestion.
The proposed amendment allows a new public library to be constructed at the north-
east corner of Foothill Boulevard and Dalton Avenue. Both Foothill Transit and
Azusa Transit provide bus service to the site. The site is also located adjacent to the
existing City Hall facility and Senior Center within a pedestrian oriented district, and
it is expected that many visitors to the new library will either walk from one of the
many nearby neighborhoods or use public transportation. The compact nature of the
district should minimize traffic congestion by reducing the need for individual
automobile trips.
• COMMUNITY DESIGN ELEMENT GOALS: Promote community identity through
the upgrading of existing landscaping, redesign of existing buildings and design
treatments for new buildings which are in keeping with community character.
The design of the proposed building was the developed through an extensive public
outreach process. The process resulted in a proposal for two-story building designed
in a traditional Spanish -Mediterranean architectural style. The proposed architecture
compliments the existing buildings in the civic center, as well as many of the
commercial buildings along Foothill Boulevard. The building's forward street -
orientation allows for sidewalk uses such as outdoor seating, and encourages
pedestrian street activity. In all, the project's exceptional design qualities are
expected to help transform the image of the City and promote community identity and
pride.
C. That the proposed amendment will not conflict with the provisions of the zoning
ordinance, subdivision regulations, or any applicable specific plan-
Zone
lan
Zone change and variance applications are being processed concurrently with the
requested general plan amendment to assure that the zoning of the Subject Property is
consistent with the General Plan. The proposed library facility has been designed to meet
all of the applicable provisions of the Zoning Code except for the building height,
parking and setbacks for which variances are being sought. Because of the unique
qualities of the Subject Property, variance findings will be adopted to support the
approval ofthe deviations from the zoning standards.
D. In the event that the proposed amendment is a change to the land use policy map, that the
proposed amendment will not adversely affect surrounding properties.
The proposed library facility has been designed to respect the adjacent land uses —
especially the residential uses to the east - and protect those uses from any potential
Resolution No. 0 •
General Plan Amendment No. GPA -2002-02
Page 4 of 4
adverse impacts. The building walls facing east are setback approximately 24 - 31 feet
where openings (windows or doors) occur to preserve the privacy of adjacent properties
and protect the adjacent residences from noise.
SECTION 3: Based on the aforementioned findings, the City Council does hereby
approve General Plan Amendment No. GPA 2002-02 for the property located at: 708-728 N.
Dalton Avenue and 303-325 E. Foothill Boulevard as shown on Exhibit C.
SECTION 4: The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this resolution.
ADOPTED AN VED this 3`d day of J 2002.
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Resolution No. 02-058 was duly adopted
by the City Council of the City of Azusa at a regular meeting thereof, held on June 3, 2002, by
the following vote of the Council:
AYES:
COUNCILMEMBERS:
NOES:
COUNCILMEMBERS:
ABSENT:
COUNCILMEMBERS:
Hardison,Stanford,Chagnon,Rocha,Madrid
None
None
APPROVED AS TO FORM
R • 1
City Attorney