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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC Reso No 2018-69 (DESPRESOLUTTON NO.20r8-69 A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE, CALIFORNIA, RECOMMENDING APPROVAL OF THE DOWNTOWN ELSTNORE SPECTFTC 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 lmplementation 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 (DESP) to creat6 a more flexible development plan that will replace the previously approved 2011 Downtown Master Plan and related documents (2011 DMP); and, Whereas, the DESP 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 DESP covers an approximately milelong 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 (LEMC) Chapter 17.204 (SPD Specific Plan District), the Planning Commission (Commission) has been delegated with the responsibility of making recommendations to the City Council (Council) for approval of specific plans and any amendments thereto; 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. NOW, THEREFORE, THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE DOES HEREBY RESOLVE, DETERMINE AND RECOMi'END TO THE CITY COUNCIL AS FOLLOWS: Section 1: The Commission has reviewed and analyzed the proposed Downtown Elsinore Specific Plan, pursuant to the California Planning and Zoning Laws (Cal. Gov. Code Sec 65000 et. seq.), the Lake Elsinore General Plan (GP) and the LEMC and finds that the proposed DESP is consistent with the requirements of California Planning and Zoning Law and with the goals and policies of the GP and the LEMC. 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 Commission makes the following findings for the approval of the DESP: 'l . The location and design of the proposed development are consistent with the goals and policies of the City's GP and with any other applicable plan or policies adopted by the City. Reso No. 2018-69 Page 2 ol 4 3. a. The DE_SP meets the City's Specific Ptan citeia for content and required implementation of the GP established by section 6s450 et seq. of the california Govemment code andsection 17.204 of the city of LEM2. Appendix A of the DESp document descibes the DESP's consiste ncy with each applicabte Gp goat and poticy. Therefore, the proposed DESP complies with the objectives of the Gp and the purpose of the planning disirict inwhich the plan is located. 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 DESp. b. The DESP does not include the area tocated between spring street and Ettis street, and between Flint street and the lnterstate 1s Freeway, atthough it had been included in the 2011 Downtown Master Plan, in order to recognize existing industial and commerciat /and uses that do not reflect the vision of the DEsp. Rather-than create non-conforming uses with the adoption of the DESp, this area will be given Busrness professional and General Commercial land use designations. c. The DESP encourages mixed-use tand uses, which combine commercial with more dense residential development that suppotts commercial businesses. d. The DESP capitalizes on the nearby Diamond stadium and sports facility, as welt as theexisting Links at summerly Golf course, skydive Elsinore, and the Lake Elsinore Motorsports Pa* by providing a downtown destination for visitors to the City. 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 \rrp\9 lmpact Analysis was prepared by urban crossroads in August 2011 for the2011 DMP, which provided mitigation measures for devetopment. Tie DESp retainedthe overall development potential within the parameters that were evaluated by the Analysis, and those applicable mitigation measures witt apply to DESp developmeni. The Specific Plan's land uses will be adequately served by existing or proposed public facilities and services. a. DESP identifies methodologies to assure that tand uses wilt be adequately served by existing or proposed public facilities and seruices. suitable areas are siggested for parks, pedestrian ways, and public open spaces. lt atso identifies necessary-itreets and ctlculajlon to suppotl the proposed land use altocations, as well as all neceisary wet and dry utilities for proper and adequate infrastructure servrces. The overall design of the specific plan will produce an attractive, efficient and stable development. 4. 5. Reso No. 2018-69 Page 3 of 4 a. Design standards and guidelines are incoryorated 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 fhat the ptan seeks to emulate. 6. ln accordance with the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEOA), 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 DESP retains the overall development potential or recommends /ess rhfense uses as the existing 2011 DMP. ln 2011, the Council of the City ceftified the Program Environmental lmpact Report (PEIR) (SCH No. 2005121019) and adopted the City's 2011 GP Update, 200&2014 Housing Element, Climate Action Ptan, 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. ln addition to serving as the environmental document for the approval ot the 2011 GP Update, Housing Element, Climate Action Plan, and DMP, the PEIR was intended by the City to be the basrs for compliance with CEQA for future discretionary actions. Under CEQA guidelines for using program ElRs with later activities, if a proposed later activity involves no new or substantially more severe significant effects and no new mitigation rneasures would be required, a program EIR is deemed to have adequately analyzed the later activity for CEQA purposes and no fufther 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 sels 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 oiginal 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 se/yes as lhe 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 oppoftunities that respond to the marketplace and are feasible within the constraints in the area. Section 3: Based upon the evidence presented, both written and testimonial, and the above findings, the Commission hereby recommends that the Council adopt the Downtown Elsinore Specific Plan and upon adoption rescind the Downtown Master Plan, the Key to Downtown lmplementation Plan and the Downtown Code. Reso No. 2018-69 Page 4 of 4 Section 4: This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption. Passed and Approved this 4th day of September, 20'l8,by the following vote: STATE OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE l, Justin Kirk, Assistant Community Development Director of the City of Lake Elsinore, California, do hereby certify that Resolution No. 201 8-68 was adopted by the Planning Commission of the City of Lake Elsinore, Califomia, at the Regular meeting of September 4, 2018, and that the same was adopted by the following vote: AYES: Commissioner's Gray, Armit and Klaarenbeek; Vice-Chair Carroll and Chairman Ross NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None i