HomeMy WebLinkAboutAGENDA REPORT 2024 0221 CCSA REG ITEM 10FCITY OF MOORPARK, CALIFORNIA
City Council Meeting
of February 21, 2024
ACTION APPROVED STAFF
RECOMMENDATION.
BY A. Hurtado.
F. Consider Report of Annual Development Agreement Review, Established in
Connection with Residential Planned Development No. 2012-02 (Vendra
Gardens), for a 200-Unit Apartment Complex on Approximately 11.66 Acres at 150
Casey Road, on the Application of Dan Johnson of Danco Communities (on Behalf
of Moorpark Casey Road L.P.). Staff Recommendation: 1) Accept the Community
Development Director’s report and recommendation that, on the basis of
substantial evidence, the Developer has complied in good faith with the terms and
conditions of the agreement; and 2) Deem the 2024 annual review process for this
project complete. (Staff: Carlene Saxton, Community Development Director)
Item: 10.F.
MOORPARK CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA REPORT
TO: Honorable City Council
FROM: Carlene Saxton, Community Development Director
BY: Shanna Farley, Principal Planner
DATE: 02/21/2024 Regular Meeting
SUBJECT: Consider Report of Annual Development Agreement Review,
Established in Connection with Residential Planned Development
No. 2012-02 (Vendra Gardens), for a 200-Unit Apartment Complex on
Approximately 11.66 Acres at 150 Casey Road, on the Application of
Dan Johnson of Danco Communities (on Behalf of Moorpark Casey
Road L.P.)
BACKGROUND
Government Code Section 65864 and City of Moorpark Municipal Code Section 15.40
provide for Development Agreements between the City and property owners in
connection with proposed plans of development for specific properties. Development
Agreements are designed to strengthen the planning process, to provide developers
some certainty in the development process and to assure development in accordance
with the terms and conditions of the agreement.
On March 15, 2017, the Moorpark City Council adopted Ordinance No. 443 (effective
April 14, 2017), approving a Development Agreement (“Agreement”) between the City of
Moorpark and Essex Moorpark Owner, L.P. The Agreement was approved in connection
with Residential Planned Development Permit No. 2012-02, for the development of a 200-
unit multi-family rental project located on 11.66 acres of land (“Project”), located at 150
Casey Road (“Project Site”), now known as Vendra Gardens. The Agreement remains in
full force and effect for 20 years from the operative date of the Agreement, expiring on
April 14, 2037.
Since the original approval of the Agreement for the Project, four amendments to the
Agreement have been approved by the City Council, as shown in Table 1 on the following
page.
Item: 10.F.
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Table 1
Amendment No. Approval Date Ordinance No.
1 September 15, 2021 490
2 November 2, 2022 509
3 March 1, 2023 511
4 January 17, 2024 520
The Agreement requires an annual review and report to the City Council on the status of
completion of all aspects of the Agreement and confirmation of the Developer’s
compliance with the terms of the Agreement. This is the first annual review of this
Development Agreement. Dan Johnson (“Applicant”) submitted the necessary materials
and fee deposit for the 2023 annual review on behalf of Moorpark Casey Road L.P.
(“Owner”/”Developer”). The Community Development Director has reviewed the
submitted information, the project status, and provides the following report.
DISCUSSION
Current Project Status
• The Project and Project Site were sold by Essex Moorpark Owner, L.P. to
Moorpark Casey Road L.P. on March 10, 2023. Danco Communities is the
contractor building the Project.
• The Developer has acquired grading permits and has commenced site clearing,
site grading, installed erosion control measures, began installation of retaining
and site walls, removed and replaced the storm drain channel, and installed
driven stone column foundations for each building.
• The Developer has applied for building permits to construct the Project and is
actively requesting pad-only foundation permits for Buildings 5, 6, 7, and 8,
located on the southern boundary of the Project Site. Grading pad certifications
are currently under review by the Public Works and Engineering Department for
the pad-only foundation permits. Vertical wood construction is anticipated to
begin in the Spring of 2024.
Developer Compliance with Terms of Agreement
The Developer’s responsibilities are included in Section 6 of the Development Agreement,
and include requirements 6.1 through 6.40, summarized below. Compliance with the
terms and conditions of the Development Agreement occurs at various stages of the
development process. Action by the Developer and other clarifying information has
been noted. Where no comment appears, no specific activity has occurred.
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No. Requirement Status
6.1 Developer shall comply with the Agreement,
subsequent project approvals and Mitigation
Monitoring Program.
Developer has complied with the Mitigation
Monitoring Program.
6.2 All land dedicated to the City shall be free and
clear of liens and encumbrances.
Developer has agreed to comply with the
requirement.
6.3 Payment of “Development Fees” of $8,675.00
per residential unit, to be updated annually
commencing on January 1, 2025.
Developer will pay the Development Fees for
each residence prior to issuance of a building
permit.
6.4 Payment of the “Traffic Mitigation Fee” of
$8,527.00 per residential unit to be adjusted
annually commencing January 1, 2019.
Developer will pay the Traffic Mitigation Fees for
each residence prior to issuance of a building
permit.
6.6 Payment of all outstanding processing fees. The Developer’s Account is current and in
good standing.
6.7 Payment of a one-time fee in lieu of park
dedication “Park Fees” of $8,675.00 for each
residential dwelling unit to be adjusted annually
commencing January 1, 2025. Payment of a
one-time in-lieu fee of “Public Art Fee” of
$420,500.00 prior to the issuance of building
permits for each of the eight (8) buildings to be
adjusted annually commencing January 1,
2025.
Developer will pay the one-time Park Fee and
Public Art Fee upon the issuance of the
residential building permits for the Project.
6.9 The Developer agrees to the densities and
concessions provided through this agreement
and as noted in Conditions of Approval.
Developer agrees to the terms of the
agreement.
6.10 The Developer prioritize rental of affordable
units to Moorpark residents, to the extent
allowed by law.
Developer agrees to the terms of the agreement
to prioritize Moorpark residents, to the extent
allowed by law.
6.11 The Developer shall fund the costs associated
with bond issuance and bond financing.
Developer agrees to the terms of the
agreement.
6.12 Payment of “Air Quality Fee” of $1,230.00 per
residential unit to be adjusted annually
commencing on January 1, 2019.
Developer agrees to the payment of the Air
Quality Fee upon the issuance of the first
residential building permit for the Project.
6.13 The Developer shall fund the costs associated
with the formation of the Assessment District for
maintenance of landscaped areas surrounding
the Project Site.
The Developer has paid the City a deposit in the
amount of $50,000 for the preparation of the
Assessment District, now referred to as a
Community Facility District (CFD). The
Developer and City are currently working on the
preparation of the CFD.
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No. Requirement Status
6.14 Payment of all City capital improvement and
processing fees.
The Developer will pay the one-time City
capital improvement development and
processing fees, including the Library Facilities
Fees, Police Facilities Fees, Fire Protection
Fee, Tree and Landscape Fee, drainage,
entitlement processing fees, and plan check
and permit fees for buildings and public
improvements, upon the issuance of building
permit.
6.15 Payment of the Los Angeles Avenue Area of
Contribution (AOC) Fee.
Developer agrees to pay the AOC Fee prior to
each building permit for a residential unit.
6.16 Streets to be dedicated to the City shall be
designed to City standard and a 50-year life.
Developer agrees to build to City standard.
6.17 The developer agreement to pay any fees and
payments pursuant to this Agreement without
reservation (Fee Protest Waiver).
The Developer agrees to pay fees and
payments outlined in this section.
6.18 Annual review of the Agreement and
requirements of the Mitigation Monitoring and
Reporting Program (MMRP).
Developer will abide by the section.
6.19 Developer agrees to pay the Art in Public
Places Fee (Art Fee) in effect at the time of
building permit issuance for each building prior
to the issuance of the building permit for that
residential building within the Project consistent
with City Resolution No. 2005-2408 or any
Successor Resolution (1.0 percent of total
building valuations excluding land value and
off-site improvement costs).
Developer will pay the one-time Art in Public
Places Fee for each residence prior to issuance
of a building permit.
6.20 Developer agrees that any election to acquire
property by eminent domain shall be at City's
sole discretion, and only after compliance with
all legally required procedures including but not
limited to a hearing on a proposed resolution of
necessity.
No off-site property has been identified for the
action of eminent domain to date.
6.22 In the event that fee adjustments based on
Consumer Price Index (CPI) are no longer able
to use the index, an alternative adjustment is
available.
The CPI is still available and used by all
governmental agencies. Bid prices will be
used in such cases that CPI is no longer
available.
6.23 Developer agrees to convey City Site to City
and City agrees to provide utility and
construction easements.
The City Site was conveyed to the City upon
the sale of the property on March 10, 2023.
The City subsequently worked with the
Developer to prepare easements and use
agreements for use of the City Site for both
temporary and long term use by the Developer.
6.24 Developer agrees to enclose the flood control
channel located on the east side of the Project
Site.
Developer has removed and replaced the flood
control channel in compliance with this
requirement and standards of the Ventura
County Watershed Protection District.
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No. Requirement Status
6.25 Developer agrees to provide emergency and
secondary access and a pedestrian walkway on
the City Site to High Street.
The Developer has designed the Project’s
secondary access road to connect to High
Street. The second access road has not yet
been constructed but would satisfy the
requirement of the Ventura County Fire
Department. A temporary fire access road may
be constructed prior to vertical construction.
6.26 Developer shall underground or relocate power
poles and pay all associated costs associated
with their undergrounding or relocation, as
specified.
Developer agrees with this requirement but has
not yet completed the task.
6.27 Developer agrees to provide at least two (2)
parking spaces per residential unit, with at least
one (1) space per unit reserved for the unit
within a garage or a covered carport.
The Developer agrees to provide the required
parking and has designated the parking in the
required configuration as demonstrated on the
Building Permit Site Plan. The parking has not
yet been installed on the Project Site.
6.29 Developer agrees to restore the City Site where
stockpiled dirt has been placed.
The Developer has begun restoration of the City
Site, which is currently actively being used for
staging, construction of the storm drainage
basins, and will serve as the location of the
Project’s fire access during construction.
Complete restoration of the City Site will be
tracked through construction.
6.31 Developer agrees that prior Development
Agreement, approved in 2007 pursuant to
Ordinance No. 355, was not executed and is
therefore no longer in force.
Developer agrees to this section and no action
is necessary.
6.34 Developer acknowledges the City's ability to
modify the development standards and to
change the General Plan designation and
zoning of the Property upon the termination or
expiration of this Agreement.
The Developer agrees to the content of this
section.
6.35 Pay an annual “Community Services Fee” of
$8,000.00, increases annually by 2%, prior to
issuance of the first certificate of occupancy of
a residential unit for the affordable housing
agreement implementation.
Developer agrees to this requirement.
6.36 Developer agrees to defend, indemnify and
hold the City harmless.
Developer agrees to this requirement.
6.37 Developer agrees to fulfill storm water and flood
basin requirements noted in Section 7.18.
Developer has removed and replaced the
storm drain channel on the eastern property
line and is working to construct the flood basins
on the City Site.
6.38 Developer stipulates those obligations under a
“Portfolio Agreement” dated March 31, 2009
have been satisfied.
Developer concurs and no further action is
required.
6.39 Developer to convey “well site” to the City. Developer granted “well site” to City on
February 23, 2017, meeting the obligation of
this section.
6.40 City 55-year Residual Receipts Loan for
payment of Development, Park and Public Art
Fees in the form of a $3,890,500.00 loan.
Developer agrees to this requirement.
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City Compliance with Terms of Agreement
The City’s responsibilities are contained in Section 7 of the Development Agreement
and include provisions 7.1 through 7.20 summarized below.
No. Requirement Status
7.1 Agreement to commit reasonable time and
resources on expedited and parallel processing
of application for subsequent applications.
The City has committed reasonable time and
resources to the expedited processing of
applications.
7.2 If requested, at the Developer’s cost, proceed
to acquire easements or fee title to land in order
to allow construction of required public
improvements.
The City has worked to provide temporary and
permanent construction and access easements on
the City Site.
7.3 INTENTIONALLY OMITTED No action necessary.
7.4 Agreement to process concurrently, whenever
possible, all land use entitlements for the same
property (so long as deemed complete).
The City has and will actively and concurrently
review grading and building permit applications for
the Project.
7.5 Agreement that the Park Fee required per
Section 6.7 meets obligation for park land
dedication provisions of state law and local
codes.
The City acknowledges that the Park Fee, when
paid, will meet the obligation of parkland
dedication.
7.7 Agreement to facilitate reimbursement to
developer of any costs incurred to be subject to
partial reimbursement from other developers.
The City acknowledges the agreement that if a
reimbursement of costs is posed by the Developer,
due to payment by other developer, such
reimbursement will be made. Such a
reimbursement has not been identified at this time.
7.10 Agreement of City to allow use of City Site for
stockpiling construction dirt and materials
before and during construction.
The City has allowed the City Site to be used for
access, storm water drainage, and storage during
construction. Easements have been prepared to
allow the Developer temporary and permanent use
of improvements on the City Site.
7.11 Agreement noting that the Project’s parking
shall be set forth in Section 6.27.
The City acknowledges that the parking approved
as part of the Project is set forth in Section 6.27.
7.12 Agreement that the Art in Public Places Fee
noted on Section 6.19 meets the Project’s
obligation for Art in Public Places.
The City acknowledges that the Art in Public Places
Fee, when paid, will meet the obligation of parkland
dedication.
7.13 Agreement that the Developer may use City-
issued bond financing and shall comply with
Section 6.11.
The City acknowledges the Developer may use
bond financing.
7.15 Agreement, at no cost to the City, that the City
shall assist the Developer obtain grants, loans,
or other forms of financial assistance.
The City has assisted in the Developer obtaining
grants and loans for the Project and will continue to
do so as needed.
7.18 Agreement to allow the Developer to use the
storm water detention basins on the City Site.
The City and Developer have worked together to
prepare easements for the construction of and
future use of the basins.
7.19 Agreement that Developer shall not be required
to extend High Street, except as to provide
secondary emergency access pursuant to the
Ventura County Fire Protection District.
The City acknowledges that the Developer has
designed a secondary access road to connect to
High Street which would not require extension or
significant modification to High Street.
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No. Requirement Status
7.20 a Agreement that prior entitlements associated
with Development Agreement No. 2004-03 and
Residential Planned Development Permit No.
2004-06 were not inaugurated and have since
expired.
The City acknowledges that the prior entitlements
were not inaugurated and have since expired.
7.20 b Agreement that the Developer shall provide
quarterly reports to City regarding rental and
compliance with affordable housing agreement.
The City acknowledges that the Developer shall
provide the City with quarterly reports regarding the
rental and compliance of the affordable housing
agreement, once the Project is completed.
Evaluation of Good Faith Compliance
Based on a review of the Development Agreement Annual Review Application and the
status of the project, the Community Development Director has determined, on the basis
of substantial evidence that the Developer, has, to date, complied in good faith with all
the terms and conditions of the agreement.
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION
This action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) as it does
not constitute a project, as defined by Section 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelines.
Therefore, no environmental review is required.
FISCAL IMPACT
None.
COUNCIL GOAL COMPLIANCE
Goal 1: The Moorpark Quality of Life is reflected in its welcoming small town feel with
easy access to essential amenities and services. Moorpark is a safe, prosperous
community that strives to offer all levels of housing choices.
In receiving the Annual Development Agreement Report for the Project, the City Council
acknowledges the importance of increasing housing stock in Moorpark. The Project will
construct 200 residential apartments, of which 198 units would be rented to low- and very-
low-income households and two would be provided to onsite managers, which supports
City Council Goal 1 which aims to provide all levels of housing choices to the community.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
1. Accept the Community Development Director’s report and recommendation that,
on the basis of substantial evidence, the Developer has complied in good faith with
the terms and conditions of the agreement; and
2. Deem the 2024 annual review process for this project complete.
Attachment: Location Map (Vendra Gardens)
116
ATTACHMENT
Vendra Garden Project
Location Map
117