HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC Reso 2023-36 General Plan Amendment/ Zone ChangeRESOLUTION NO. 2023-36
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LAKE
ELSINORE, CALIFORNIA, RECOMMENDING THAT THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE, CALIFORNIA, APPROVE GENERAL PLAN
AMENDMENT NO. 2023-02 AMENDING THE LANDUSE DESIGNATION FROM
LOW-MEDIUM DENSITY RESIDENTIAL (LMR) TO MEDIUM DENSITY
RESIDENTIAL (MDR) FOR APNS 363-240-006, 010, 012, 014, 015, 022, 024, 025,
029, 031, 033, 039, 363-241-025, 050, 057, 064, 363-250-001 THROUGH 012
Whereas, the City of Lake Elsinore adopted its General Plan on December 13, 2011;
Whereas, pursuant to Section 17.415.020.B of the Lake Elsinore Municipal Code (LEMC)
and Government Code Section 65358, a General Plan Amendment may be initiated by the City
to clarify text, address changes mandated by State law, maintain internal General Plan
consistency, address boundary adjustments affecting land use designation(s), or for any other
reason beneficial to the City;
Whereas, General Plan Amendment (GPA) No. 2023-02 proposes to amend the existing
General Plan Land Use Designation of Low-Medium Density Residential (LMR) (1-6 dwelling units
per acre) to Medium Density Residential (MDR) (7-18 dwelling units per acre) for the
approximately 33.23 acre site. The project site is located northerly of Malaga Road and easterly
of Interstate 15 (I-15), adjacent to and east of Grape Street within the Lake Elsinore Hills District.
The project site encompasses Assessor Parcel Numbers (APNs) 363-240-006, 010, 012, 014,
015, 022, 024, 025, 029, 031, 033, 039, 363-241-025, 050, 057, 064, and 363-250-001 through
012;
Whereas, pursuant to Section 17.415.020.B of the LEMC and Government Code Section
65358, no mandatory element of the General Plan may be amended more frequently than four
(4) times during any calendar year;
Whereas, GPA No. 2023-02 is part of the City’s First (1st) Cycle amendments to the Lake
Elsinore General Plan Land Use Map and Circulation Element Map for the 2023 calendar year;
Whereas, Resolution No. 2004-11 of the City of Lake Elsinore, which establishes
procedures and requirements for implementation of the Western Riverside County Multiple
Species Habitat Conservation Plan (MSHCP), specifically exempts the adoption or amendment
of any land use or zoning ordinance in Section IV – Exemptions;
Whereas, pursuant to LEMC Section 17.415.020 (General Plan Amendments), the
Planning Commission (Commission) has been delegated with the responsibility of making
recommendations to the City Council (Council) pertaining to general plan amendments; and
Whereas, on September 5, 2023, at a duly noticed Public Hearing the Commission has
considered the 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, CALIFORNIA, DOES HEREBY RESOLVE, DETERMINE AS FOLLOWS:
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Section 1: The Commission has reviewed and analyzed proposed GPA No. 2023-02
pursuant to the California Planning and Zoning Laws (Cal. Gov. Code Sec 65000 et. seq.), the
Lake Elsinore General Plan (GP) and the Lake Elsinore Municipal Code (LEMC) and finds that
the proposed GPA No. 2023-02 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 California Planning and Zoning Law, and the LEMC,
the Commission makes the following findings for the approval of GPA No. 2023-02:
1. The proposed amendment is consistent with the goals and objectives of the General Plan
and the purpose of the Planning District in which the site is located.
The proposed technical amendment would correct a mapping error that was made during
the adoption of the General Plan in 2011. The correction would revert the General Plan Land
Use Designation from Low-Medium Density Residential (LMR) to Medium Density
Residential (MDR) for both the Lake Elsinore City Center Townhomes Phase II Project site
and the Lakeview Villas Project site.
a. Community Form-Land Use Element. The proposed amendment is consistent with all
applicable goals and policies contained within the Land Use Element. Specifically, the
amendment is consistent with Goal 1 which requires the creation of a diverse and
integrated balance of residential, commercial, industrial, recreational, public and open
space land uses. The amendment is also consistent with Policies 1.1 and 1.2 which
encourage cluster development and the preservation of unique natural features such as
steep slopes and open space.
b. Lake Elsinore Hills District. The main focus of Lake Elsinore Hills District Plan is create
a network of balanced communities, which preserve and promote a high quality of life.
The amendment will enhance and maintain a network of residential communities that
incorporates and protects the natural landscape. The amendment is consistent with
Policy LEH 1.2 as it encourages the clustering of development in order to preserve
significant hillsides.
2. The proposed general plan amendment 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 amendment or within the City, or b) injurious to the property or improvements in
the neighborhood or within the City.
The proposed technical amendment would correct a mapping error that was made during the
adoption of the General Plan in 2011. The correction would revert the General Plan Land
Use Designation from Low-Medium Density Residential (LMR) to Medium Density
Residential (MDR) for both the Lake Elsinore City Center Townhomes Phase II Project site
and the Lakeview Villas Project site. This change will accurately reflect the correct Land Use
Designation and will not result detrimental effects to the health, safety and welfare of
surrounding residents.
3. The proposed general plan amendment will permit reasonable development of the area
consistent with constraints and will make the areas affected more compatible with adjacent
properties.
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The technical amendment to the General Plan reverts the General Plan Land Use
Designation from Low-Medium Density Residential (LMR) to Medium Density Residential
(MDR). The Medium Density Residential (MDR) was in effect at the time of the approval of
the Lake Elsinore City Center Townhomes Phase II Project and the Lakeview Villas Project.
The proposed technical amendment to the General Plan would restore the intensity of
development consistent with the previous approvals, would be reflective of existing
conditions, and would be compatible with the adjacent properties.
4. The proposed general plan amendment would establish land use densities, intensities and
usage more in character with the subject properties’ location, access, and constraints.
The proposed general plan amendment recognizes residential land use densities that are
compatible with surrounding development and recognizes the existing land uses on the Lake
Elsinore City Center Townhomes site. The proposed technical amendment to the General
Plan would restore the intensity of development consistent with the previous approvals,
would be reflective of existing conditions, and would be compatible with the adjacent
properties.
5. The proposed general plan amendment will not have a significant effect on the environment.
Pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15162, the
Project would not have a significant effect on the environment and no new environmental
documentation is necessary because all potentially significant effects have been adequately
analyzed in a previously certified Environmental Impact Report (EIR) (State Clearing House
No. 2005121019) prepared for the 2011 General Plan Update. Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines
15164, an addendum to EIR SCH No. 2005121019 has been prepared for the Project. All
potentially significant effects have been avoided or mitigated in accordance with the EIR SCH
No. 2005121019 and none of the conditions described in Section 15162 have occurred.
Section 3: Based upon the evidence presented, both written and testimonial, and the
above findings, the Commission hereby recommends approval of GPA No. 2023-02.
Section 4: This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption.
Passed and Adopted at a regular meeting of the Planning Commission of the City of Lake
Elsinore, California, on this 5th day of September 2023.
Michael Carroll
Chair
Attest:
___________________________________
Damaris Abraham
Assistant Community Development Director
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STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE ) ss.
CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE )
I, Damaris Abraham, Assistant Community Development Director of the City of Lake Elsinore,
California, hereby certify that Resolution No. 2023-36 was adopted by the Planning Commission
of the City of Lake Elsinore, California, at a regular meeting held September 5, 2023 and that the
same was adopted by the following vote:
AYES: Commissioner Gray; Vice Chair Peters; and Chair Carroll
NOES: None
ABSENT: Commissioner Ross
ABSTAIN: None
Damaris Abraham,
Assistant Community Development Director
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