HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC Reso No 2011-37RESOLUTION NO. 2011- 37
RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LAKE
ELSINORE, CALIFORNIA, RECOMMENDING THAT THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE APPROVE THE COMPREHENSIVE UPDATE
OF THE GENERAL PLAN, WHICH INCLUDES THE HOUSING ELEMENT
UPDATE, THE DOWNTOWN MASTER PLAN, THE KEY TO DOWNTOWN
IMPLEMENTATION PLAN, AND THE DOWNTOWN CODE.
WHEREAS, the City of Lake Elsinore adopted its existing General Plan on
November 27, 1990 and has undertaken a comprehensive update of its General Plan in
accordance with the requirements of Government Code Section(s) 65300 et seq.; and
WHEREAS, a General Plan Advisory Committee (GPAC) was formed, which was
comprised of local residents, business owners and developers who provided needed
citizen input for the plan formation; and
WHEREAS, the GPAC met a total of fourteen (14) times between March 2005
and October 2006 and also participated in the public workshops and Joint City
Council /Planning Commission /GPAC study sessions; and
WHEREAS, the Housing Element is one of the seven mandatory elements of the
General Plan and has been updated in accordance with State Housing and Community
Development guidelines. Through its policies, procedures, and incentives, the updated
Housing Element provides an action plan for maintaining and expanding the housing
supply for all income levels in the City. The proposed City of Lake Elsinore Housing
Element is for the planning period of July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2014; and
WHEREAS, the General Plan Update includes the Downtown Master Plan, a
vision and strategic framework to guide the future development of the City's downtown
historic core. The purpose of the Downtown Master Plan is to identify the goals,
objectives and desires of the community and offer approaches to implement them; and
WHEREAS, the General Plan Update includes the "Key to Downtown"
Implementation Plan, which provides design guidelines and standards for the public and
private realms, as the first part of the Downtown Master Plan implementation; and
WHEREAS, the General Plan Update includes the Downtown Code, that
establishes land use and development regulations, and the second part of the
Downtown Master Plan implementation; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission of the City of Lake Elsinore has been
delegated with the responsibility of making recommendations to the City Council for
General Plan Updates; and
WHEREAS, notice of a public hearing to be conducted by the Planning
Commission on November 15, 2011 to consider the General Plan Update and related
PLANNING COMMISION RESOLUTION 2011- 37
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Recirculated Draft Program Environmental Impact Report (RDP -EIR) was published and
mailed to persons and agencies in accordance with applicable laws; and
WHEREAS, on November 15, 2011, the Planning Commission conducted the
noticed public hearing to consider the RDP -EIR and General Plan Update and has
considered and evaluated all written reports and comments and oral testimony
presented by the Community Development Department and other City departments,
property owners, residents and other interested parties and such other matters as are
reflected in the record.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LAKE
ELSINORE DOES HEREBY RESOLVE, DETERMINE AND ORDER AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. On November 15, 2011, after consideration and evaluation of all
written reports and comments and oral testimony presented by the Community
Development Department and other City departments, property owners, residents and
other interested parties and such other matters as are reflected in the record of the
noticed public hearing on the RDP -EIR and proposed General Plan Update, the
Planning Commission adopted Resolution No. 2011- 37 finding and determining that
that the Recirculated Program Environmental Impact Report (SCH# 2005121019) is
adequate and prepared in accordance with the requirements of the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA); that a 45 -day public review period ran from
September 7, 2011 to October 21, 2011; that responses to comments received during
the public review period were prepared and incorporated into the Final PEIR and that
the Final PEIR represents the City's independent judgment. Based upon those findings
and determinations, the Planning Commission by Resolution No. 2011 -37
recommended that the City Council certify the Recirculated Program Environmental
Impact Report.
SECTION 2. That in accordance with State Planning and Zoning law and the
City of Lake Elsinore Municipal Code, the Planning Commission makes the following
findings for the approval of the General Plan Update, which includes the Housing
Element Update and the Downtown Master Plan, Key to Downtown Implementation
Plan, and the Downtown Code:
1. The proposed comprehensive General Plan Update will not be: a) detrimental to
the health, safety, comfort or general welfare of the persons residing or working
within the City, or b) injurious to the neighborhoods or properties within the City.
The proposed General Plan Update will promote the health, safety, comfort and
general welfare of the City, its residents, businesses and visitors though the
goals, policies and implementation programs. Potential detrimental effects of the
proposed General Plan Update have been thoroughly analyzed in the
Recirculated Program EIR which concluded that implementation of the General
Plan Update would result in significant and unavoidable project -level and
cumulative impacts related to Air Quality, Noise and Transportation and
Circulation. All other potentially significant environmental impacts will be
PLANNING COMMISION RESOLUTION 2011- 37
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mitigated to below a level of significance. A Statement of Overriding
Considerations has been prepared in accordance with Section 15093 of the
CEQA Guidelines, which "balances" the proposed project against the
unavoidable environmental effects.
2. The proposed General Plan Update will permit reasonable and logical
development of the City consistent with its constraints.
The proposed Land Use Plan will provide flexibility and opportunity in the
development of residential, industrial, commercial, open space and recreational
uses within the City's corporate boundaries, while anticipating land uses within its
Sphere of Influence Areas. In addition, the Recirculated Program Environmental
Impact Report analyzed three alternatives and it has been determined that the
proposed General Plan Update is the environmentally superior alternative.
3. The proposed General Plan Update would establish land use densities and
usage more in character with the City's location, access, and constraints.
The General Plan Update establishes neighborhoods or "Districts" (See District
Plans section) which will provide an integration and identification of cooperative
land uses throughout the City of Lake Elsinore. Additionally, the Recirculated
Program Environmental Impact Report analyzed three alternatives and analyzed,
negotiated and provided a Circulation Plan which will provide safe and efficient
circulation throughout the City.
4. The proposed General Plan Update ( "Project ") will have some significant effects
on the environment and a Statement of Overriding Considerations was prepared
therefor.
The Recirculated Program Environmental Impact Report which was prepared in
accordance with Section 15084 (Preparing the Draft EIR) of the State CEQA
Guidelines, provides the necessary environmental clearances and analyses for
the proposed project. It concluded that implementation of the General Plan
Update would result in significant and unavoidable project -level and cumulative
impacts related to Air Quality, Noise and Transportation and Circulation. A
Statement of Overriding Considerations has been prepared in accordance with
Section 15093 of the CEQA Guidelines, which "balances" the proposed project
against these unavoidable environmental effects.
SECTION 3. Based upon all all written reports and comments and oral testimony
presented by the Community Development Department and other City departments,
property owners, residents and other interested parties and such other matters as are
reflected in the record, the Planning Commission hereby recommends the City Council
of the City of Lake Elsinore approve the General Plan Update.
SECTION 4. This Resolution shall take effect from and after the date of its
passage and adoption.
PLANNING COMMISION RESOLUTION 2011- 37
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PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 15th day of November 2011, by the
following vote:
AYES:
CHAIRPERSON JORDAN, VICE CHAIRPERSON O'NEAL,
COMMISSIONER BLAKE, COMMISSIONER GONZALES,
COMMISSIONER MORSCH
NOES:
NONE
ABSENT:
NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
Shelly Jordan
City of Lake Elsinore Planning Commission
ATTEST:
ov__ I
Warren Morelion, AICP
Planning Manager