HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 08-C0260
RESOLUTION NO. 08-C26
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A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF AZUSA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING GENERAL PLAN
AMENDMENT NO. GPA -2007-01 TO CHANGE THE
GENERAL PLAN DESIGNATION IN THE 700 BLOCK OF
N. DALTON AVE. (APN 8608-028-908, 8608-028-904, 8608-
028-903, 8608-028-901, AND 8608-028-905) FROM
PUBLIC/CIVIC TO COMMERCIAL/RESIDENTIAL
MIXED USE
WHEREAS, certain parcels (APN 8608-028-908, 8608-028-904, 8608-028-903, 8608-
028-901, AND 8608-028-905) ("subject parcels") have been planned for inclusion in the
development of the 700 block of N. Dalton Avenue in the City of Azusa; and
WHEREAS, the General Plan has designated the subject parcels Public/Civic, but the
residential development proposed for the site requires them to be designated District Mixed Use,
necessitating this General Plan Amendment; and
WHEREAS, local governments are authorized by California Government Code Section
65350 et seq., to prepare, adopt and amend general plans; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Azusa held a public hearing on April 7,
2008, having given notice thereof as required by California Government Code Section 65090, to
change the General Plan land use designation from Public/Civic to District Mixed Use for the
subject parcels in the 700 block of N. Dalton Avenue; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has carefully considered all pertinent testimony and the
staff report offered in the case as presented at the public hearing; and
WHEREAS, the General Plan Amendment was reviewed, studied and found to comply
with the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") as more fully described below; and
WHEREAS, all other legal prerequisites to the adoption of this Resolution have occurred.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AZUSA DOES
HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1: An environmental impact report for the City of Azusa General Plan
("General Plan EIR") was certified by the Azusa City Council in April 2004 (SCH No.
2003081144) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines. In addition to this General Plan
Amendment, an Addendum to the General Plan EIR has been submitted concurrently.
The proposed General Plan Amendment was reviewed and it is determined to be in
compliance with the General Plan EIR and the submitted Addendum, approval of which
is simultaneously recommended. As a result, no additional environmental review related
to the proposed amendment is necessary to be conducted.
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SECTION 2: In accordance with State Planning and Zoning Law, it is found that the
project would not unreasonably interfere with the use or enjoyment of property in the
vicinity, and would not adversely affect the public peace, health safety or general
welfare. Provided the conditions of approval are adhered to, 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:
Land Use Designation change — The proposed amendment is a crucial
component to the redevelopment of the entire block (excepting the Senior
Center building). The type of mixed-use, higher density development proposed
is a much more appropriate use for the centrally located, transit adjacent site.
The parking lot, while well patronized, is too low an intensity of use for a site
within five minute's walk of a future Gold Line station and the parking can be
replaced with the proposed parking garage or other nearby accommodations.
The southern portion of the site is currently vacant and unused, meaning that
the proposed project will eliminate an attractive nuisance as well as greatly
enhance the neighborhood by contributing pedestrian friendly retail, eyes on
the street for security, and a ready customer base.
b) That the proposed amendment is consistent with the goals, policies, and
objectives of the General Plan:
General Plan, p. 1-5 "Since a focus on pride of home ownership is critical to
strengthening neighborhoods, more home ownership opportunities will be
encouraged through compatible infill development in existing neighborhoods,
mixed-use housing along corridors and in the Downtown and University
Districts as well as fixing what we have and offering incentives to new
buyers. "
The proposed mixed-use development will add 57 stacked flats and 16
townhomes to the Downtown District. This will result in the addition of 73
new homeowners within the City. The addition of new homes and home
owners is consistent with the goal, policies and objectives of the General Plan
which encourages home ownership opportunities.
General Plan, p. 1-6 "Dur historic Downtown is the `heart of our City. ' When
the Gold Line light rail is built, the old train depot will anchor the north end
of Downtown, attracting homes and stores for those who want to be in
walking distance of commuter transit.
The proposed development will attract those who are interested in living close
to commuter transit. It will also provide pedestrian friendly retail and homes.
This new downtown transit -oriented center will help enliven the "heart of our
City."
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General Plan, p. 3-3 "District -wide urban form strategies aim to strengthen
the destination nodes of Azusa as centers of the city. These strategies include:
• establishing guidelines and catalytic projects for the Downtown
district, civic center and a transit -oriented district;
• encouraging mixed-use development in the Downtown and University
Districts;
• implementing a shared parking or park once' strategy for the
Downtown and, perhaps, the University District in the city"
The proposed mixed-use development has the potential to be a catalytic
project for the Downtown District, helping to bring in the critical mass needed
for a truly pedestrian -oriented, destination node. The project will be adjacent
to the Gold Line light rail and will create a transit -oriented district ideal for
residents that want to live close to public transportation centers. Additionally,
the project will bring mixed -used development into the City combining new
housing with retail establishments. The new development will be served by a
shared parking structure, which is encouraged by the General Plan.
c) That the proposed amendment will not conflict with the provisions of the
zoning ordinance, subdivision regulations, or any applicable specific
plan:
One component of the proposed mixed-use development involves the
redevelopment of the City's Senior Center parking lot. The parking lot's
existing General Plan Public/Civic designation will not allow it to be
developed as a residential use. As a result, the General Plan designation is
proposed to be changed from "Public/Civic" to "Commercial/Residential
Mixed Use," thereby allowing residential and mixed-use on the site. This
Development Code change will be submitted concurrently with this request,
thereby ensuring zoning consistency. The proposed amendment is consistent
with all other applicable ordinances, regulations, or specific plans.
d) The proposed amendment will not adversely affect surrounding
properties:
The proposed amendment will facilitate the redevelopment of the site.
Currently, the site is underutilized and as such, acts as a factor contributing to
the continuation of blight that plagues the redevelopment area. The proposed
amendment will allow the commencement of redevelopment activities and
may act as a catalyst for the redevelopment of the area resulting in the
elimination of blight and increased property. values.
In addition, the environmental impacts of the proposed amendment have been
consider in an Addendum to the General Plan EIR has been submitted
concurrently with this request. CEQA guidelines for amending an EIR provide
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that an Addendum to a previously certified EIR may be prepared, where a
determination is made based on substantial evidence that none of the following
exist:
1. Substantial changes to the project are made, requiring major revisions
to the previous EIR.
2. Substantial changes have occurred regarding circumstances under
which the project is undertaken, requiring major revisions to the
previous EIR.
3. New information of substantial importance has developed, which was
not known at the time the previous EIR was certified, and which shows
any of the following;
a. The project will have one or more significant effects not discussed
in the previous EIR.
b. Previously identified significant effects will be substantially more
severe.
c. Mitigation measures or alternatives previously found not to be
feasible are now feasible, or are considerably different than those
analyzed in the previous EIR, either of which would substantially
reduce one or more significant effects, but the project proponents
decline to adopt the measures or alternatives.
None of the conditions of Section 15162 of the California Environmental
Quality Act exist. There are no substantial changes proposed by the Project
that would require major revisions to the previously adopted EIR.
Additionally, no new information has come to light which would create
significant or severe effects. Therefore an Addendum, rather than a
Subsequent or Supplemental EIR, has been deemed appropriate for activities
related to the development of the proposed Project. Furthermore, given that
the scope of the proposed Project is less intense than what was analyzed in the
EIR, staff has determined that the impacts are inconsequential to the long
range development of the City anticipated under the General Plan and
Development Code EIR. Consequently, the proposed amendment will not
adversely affect the surrounding area.
SECTION 3: This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption.
SECTION 4: Based on the entire record before the City Council, all written and oral
evidence presented, and the findings made in this Resolution, the City Council of the
City of Azusa does hereby accept the addendum to the General Plan EIR and approves
General Plan Amendment No. GPA -2007-01 as set forth in the attached Exhibit "A".
SECTION 5: The Mayor shall sign this Resolution and the City Clerk shall attest and
certify to the passage and adoption of this Resolution.
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ADOPTED, SIGNED, AND APPROVED the 7h day of April, 2008.
oseph k. Rocha, Mayor
I, Candace Toscano, Assistant City Clerk for the City of Azusa, do hereby certify that the
foregoing Resolution No. 08-C26, was duly introduced and adopted at a regular meeting of the
City Council on the 7th day of April 2008, by the following vote of the Council:
AYES:
COUNCILMEMBERS: CARRILLO, MACIAS, HANKS
NAYS:
COUNCILMEMBERS: GONZALES, ROCHA
ABSENT:
COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE
ABSTAIN:
COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE
ATTEST:
i
nt City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
BEST BEST & KRIEGER LLP
City Attorney �-
Exhibit A
General Plan Amendment No. GPA -2007-01
Gateway to the American Dream, City of Azusa General Plan, April 4, 2004's Figure CD -4,
the General Plan land use map, shall be amended so that the five parcels (APNs 8608-028-
901, 8608-028-903, 8608-028-904, 8608-028-905, and 8608-028-908), currently designated
"Public/Civic", and located on the east side of 700 North Dalton Avenue block will be
designated "Commercial/Residential Mixed Use' as illustrated in Figure GPA -1.
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ATTACHMENT C
VESTING TENTATIVE TRACT MAP, VTTM-069751
Map to view with original
Resolution
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RESOLUTION NO. 08-C28
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A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AZUSA,
CALIFORNIA, APPROVING DESIGN REVIEW DR -2007-43 TO
CONSTRUCT A FOUR-STORY MIXED-USE PROJECT 57 STACKED -
FLAT UNITS, 16 TOWNHOME UNITS, 9,000 SQUARE FEET OF
RETAIL AND 164 AUTOMOBILE PARKING SPACE PARKING
GARAGE ON THE 700 BLOCK OF NORTH DALTON AVENUE
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Azusa, has given notice thereof as required
by law, held a public hearing on the application of the City of Azusa/Redevelopment Agency of
the City of Azusa with respect to the requested Design Review DR -2007-43 to allow the
construction a four-story mixed use development on a 2.7 acre site located within the Downtown
Civic Center District in the 700 block of N. Dalton Avenue. The project consists of 9,000 square
feet of ground floor retail commercial space, 57 stacked -flat residential units, 16 townhome
units, and 164 automobile parking space parking garage ("Project").
WHEREAS, the City Council has carefully considered all pertinent testimony and the
staff report offered in the case as presented at the public hearing.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF. THE CITY OF AZUSA DOES
HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1: That in accordance with Section 88.51.032 of the Azusa Municipal Code,
based on the staff report and other such written and oral evidence as presented to the City
Council regarding the Design Review, the City Council finds and determines that the
proposed project:
a) Provides architectural design, building massing and scale appropriate to and
compatible with the site surroundings and the community.
The Project's architectural design is reflective of the styles found in traditional
early 1900s southern California downtown districts and is compatible with the
community and the Project's surroundings. The design of the mixed-use building
creates an attractive street presence through the incorporation of a variety of
elements, including decorative wrought iron railings and window grills, stone
detailing, storefront awnings and the articulation of walls and roofline. The
townhomes have design details like post and lintel porches, wood shutters, pot
shelves under windows, and stucco trim. The three-story townhome buildings face.
Dalton Avenue while the two-story townhomes abut the existing residential to the
east. The massing of the four-story building is appropriate given the surroundings
and the goals of the Downtown to create a compact pedestrian oriented district.
The four-story building is adjacent to California Burger and its parking lot along
Foothill Boulevard to the east.
Two six-foot, split face masonry walls are proposed for the eastern edge of the