HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrd. No. 2018-1394 Adopting Downtown Elsinore Specific Plan (SP 2018-02)ORDINANCE NO. 2018 -1394
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE,
CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING THE DOWNTOWN ELSINORE SPECIFIC PLAN (SP 2018 -02)
Whereas, on December 13, 2011, the City Council (Council) of the City of Lake Elsinore (City)
adopted Ordinance No. 2011 -1295 approving the Downtown Master Plan, Key to Downtown
Implementation Plan and Downtown Code, which were a vision and strategic framework to guide
the future development of the City's downtown core; and, —
Whereas, the City initiated the Downtown Elsinore Specific Plan (SP 2018 -02) to create a more
flexible development plan that will replace the previously approved 2011 Downtown Master Plan
and related documents (2011 DMP); and,
Whereas, the SP 2018 -02 establishes a vision, land use plan and development standards that
are intended to enhance Downtown vitality by creating a safe, vibrant and walkable downtown
centered along Main Street, make Downtown a centralized destination for community activities
and for 18 -hour a day activities for families and individuals, and create a "park- once - and - walk"
district; and,
Whereas, the 178 -acre SP 2018 -02 covers an approximately mile -long area centered on Main
Street along the historic U.S. Route 395, extending from Flint Street along its northern edge,
southwesterly to the edge of the Lake and generally bounded by Riley Street and the Lake
Elsinore Outlet Channel on the west and Ellis Street and Chestnut Street on the east; and,
Whereas, pursuant to Lake Elsinore Municipal Code Chapter 17.204 (SPD Specific Plan District)
the Planning Commission (Commission) has been delegated with the responsibility of making
recommendations to the Council for approval of specific plans; and,
Whereas, on September 4, 2018, at a duly noticed public hearing the Commission has considered
evidence presented by the Community Development Department and other interested parties with
respect to this item, and adopted Commission Resolutign No. 2018 -69 recommending that the
Council approve the SP 2018 -02 by Ordinance; and,
Whereas, pursuant to Section 17.204.130 of the LEMC, the Council has the authority to approve,
approve with modifications or conditions, or deny specific plans; and,
Whereas, on September 25, 2018, at a duly noticed public hearing, the Council has considered
the recommendation of the Commission as well as evidence presented by the Community
Development Department and other interested parties with respect to this item.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE DOES HEREBY
ORDAIN:
Section 1. The Council has reviewed and analyzed the proposed SP 2018 -02, pursuant to the
California Planning and Zoning Laws (Cal. Gov. Code Sec 65000 et. seq.), the Lake Elsinore
General Plan (General Plan) and the LEMC and finds that the proposed SP 2018 -02 is consistent
with the requirements of California Planning and Zoning Law and with the goals and policies of
the General Plan and the LEMC.
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Section 2. That in accordance with the California Government Code, Title 7, Division 1, Article 8,
Sections 65450 through 65457, California Planning and Zoning Law, and the LEMC, the Council
makes the following findings for the approval of SP 2018 -02:
1. The location and design of the proposed development are consistent with the goals and
policies of the City's General Plan and with any other applicable plan or policies adopted by
the City.
a. The SP 2018 -02 meets the City's Specific Plan criteria for content and required
implementation of the General Plan established by Section 65450 et seq. of the California
Government Code and Section 17.204 of the LEMC. Appendix A of the SP 2018 -02
document describes the SP 2018 -02's consistency with each applicable General Plan goal
and policy. Therefore, the proposed DESP complies with the objectives of the General Plan
and the purpose of the planning district in which the plan is located.
2. The proposed location allows development to be well integrated with or adequately buffered
from its surroundings, whichever may be the case.
a. The 2011 Downtown Master Plan was originally adopted on December 13, 2011, and the
location remains relatively unchanged by the proposed SP 2018 -02.
b. The SP 2018 -02 does not include the area located between Spring Street and Ellis Street,
and between Flint Street and the Interstate 15 Freeway, although it had been included in
the 2011 Downtown Master Plan, in order to recognize existing industrial and commercial
land uses that do not reflect the vision of the SP 2018 -02. Rather than create non-
conforming uses with the adoption of the SP 2018 -02, this area will be given Business
Professional and General Commercial land use designations.
c. The SP 2018 -02 encourages mixed -use land uses, which combine commercial with more
dense residential development that supports commercial businesses.
d. The SP 2018 -02 capitalizes on the nearby Diamond Stadium and sports facility, as well
as the existing Links at Summerly Golf Course, Skydive Elsinore, and the Lake Elsinore
Motorsports Park by providing a downtown destination for visitors to the City.
3. All vehicular traffic generated by the development, either in phased increments or at full build -
out, is to be accommodated safely and without causing undue congestion upon adjoining
streets.
a. A Traffic Impact Analysis was prepared by Urban Crossroads in August 2011 for the 2011
DMP, which provided mitigation measures for development. The SP 2018 -02 retained the
overall development potential within the parameters that were evaluated by the Analysis,
and those applicable mitigation measures will apply to SP 2018 -02 development.
4. The Specific Plan's land uses will be adequately served by existing or proposed public
facilities and services.
a. SP 2018 -02 identifies methodologies to assure that land uses will be adequately served
by existing or proposed public facilities and services. Suitable areas are suggested for
parks, pedestrian ways, and public open spaces. It also identifies necessary streets and
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circulation to support the proposed land use allocations, as well as all necessary wet and
dry utilities for proper and adequate infrastructure services.
5. The overall design of the specific plan will produce an attractive, efficient and stable
development.
a. Design standards and guidelines are incorporated into the Plan to ensure an attractive,
efficient and vibrant project. Visual graphics and photos accompany the design guidelines
that capture the atmosphere and cohesiveness that the Plan seeks to emulate.
6. In accordance with the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA),
impacts have been reduced to a less than significant level, or in the case where impacts
remain, a statement of overriding considerations must be adopted to justify the merits of
project implementation.
a. The SP 2018 -02 retains the overall development potential or recommends less intense
uses as the existing 2011 DMP. In 2011, the Council of the City of Lake Elsinore certified
the Program Environmental Impact Report (PEIR) (SCH No. 2005121019) and adopted
the City's 2011 General Plan Update, 2008 -2014 Housing Element, Climate Action Plan,
and the 2011 Downtown Master Plan (DMP). The PEIR analyzed the scope and nature
of development proposed to meet the goals of downtown development as set out in the
DMP along with identifying measures to mitigate, to the extent feasible, the significant
adverse project and cumulative impacts associated with downtown development under
the DMP.
b. In addition to serving as the environmental document for the approval of the 2011 General
Plan Update, Housing Element, Climate Action Plan, and DMP, the PEIR was intended
by the City to be the basis for compliance with CEQA for future discretionary actions.
Under CEQA guidelines for using program EIRs with later activities, if a proposed later
activity involves no new or substantially more severe significant effects and no new
mitigation measures would be required, a program EIR is deemed to have adequately
analyzed the later activity for CEQA purposes and no further review under CEQA is
required.
c. The Downtown Elsinore Specific Plan (DESP) represents a reimagining of the DMP rather
than a substantial revision. The PEIR included an analysis of the environmental effects
and sets out mitigation measures needed to minimize or eliminate any identified impacts
related to downtown development under the DMP. The overall development potential
within the boundaries of the original DMP remains substantially unchanged under the
DESP such that there are no new or substantially more severe significant effects and no
new mitigation measures are necessary. Accordingly, PEIR serves as the required
environmental documentation for the DESP, the General Plan Amendment and Zone
Change.
7. The proposed DESP will not be a) detrimental to the health, safety, comfort or general welfare
of the persons residing or working within the neighborhood of the proposed Plan or within the
City, or b) injurious to the property or improvements in the neighborhood or within the City.
a. The focus of proposed land uses within the specific plan offers development opportunities
that respond to the marketplace and are feasible within the constraints in the area.
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Section 3. Based upon the evidence presented, both written and testimonial, and the above
findings, the Council hereby adopts SP 2018 -02.
Section 4. Severability. If any provision of this Ordinance or its application is held invalid
by a court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions, sections, or
applications of the Ordinance which can be given effect without the invalid provision or
application, and to this end each phrase, section, sentence, or word is declared to be severable.
Section 5. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall become effective at 12:01 a.m. on the 31St
day after the date of adoption.
Section 6. Certification. The City Clerk shall certify to the passage of this Ordinance and shall
cause a synopsis of the same to be published according to law.
Passed and Adopted on this 9th day of October 2018.
Nat sha Johnson
Mayor
Att
Susan M. Domen, MMC,
City Clerk
STATE OF CALIFORNIA }
COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE } ss.
CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE }
I, Susan M. Domen, MMC, City Clerk of the City of Lake Elsinore, do hereby certify that the
foregoing Ordinance No. 2018 -1394 was introduced at the Regular meeting of September 25,
2018, and adopted by the City Council of the City of Lake Elsinore at its Regular meeting of
October 9, 2018, by the following vote:
AYES: Council Members Hickman, Magee and Tisdale; Mayor Pro -Tem Manos and Mayor Johnson
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
I further certify that said Synopsis was published as required by law in a newspaper of general
circulation in the City of Lake Elsinore, California on the 1St day of October 2018, and on the
15th day of October 2018.
an M. Domen, M
City Clerk