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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAGENDA REPORT 1999 0421 CC REG ITEM 09CTO: FROM: DATE: CITY OF MOORPARK AGENDA REPORT Honorable City Council ITEM CITY OF MOORPARK, CALIFORNIA City Councii Meeting of ACTION: AVOC VO4 Stu(4- Cr(omrvneivj- BY: f `6 Goc Wayne Loftus, Acting Director of Community Development�G Prepared by: John Libiez, Principal Planne March 25, 1999 (City Council Meeting of 4/21/99) SUBJECT: CONSIDER CERTIFICATION OF THE FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT FOR THE MOORPARK HIGHLANDS SPECIFIC PLAN PROJECT (SPECIFIC PLAN 95 -2 /SPECIFIC PLAN NO.2, GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT NO. 95 -2, ZONE CHANGE 95 -4)AND DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT; AND, CONTINUE REVIEW AND DISCUSSION OF THE SPECIFIC PLAN NO. 2 PROJECT. APPLICANT: MORRISON- FOUNTAINWOOD- AGOURA.(Continued from March 17, 1999) BACKGROUND: City Council initiated the Public Hearing on the Moorpark Highlands Specific Plan project on January 20, 1999, and continued consideration to February 3 and March 3, 1999. The Specific Plan No. 2 project and the certification of the Environmental Impact Report were recommended for adoption to City Council by the Planning Commission, upon completion of their public hearings, subject to modifications contained within Resolution No. PC -98 -362. The applicant agreed to extend the previously agreed upon date for certification action on the EIR from January 18, 1999, to March 26, 1999, and has further agreed to extend this until April 23, 1999. DISCUSSION: Council has received testimony from staff, the project applicant and citizens at the previous meetings. At the March 3, 1999 meeting, applicant presented a modification to the land use and circulation plan to address City Council identified issues and concerns. Council suggested some further modification and \ \MOR_PRI_SERV\ home_ folders\ JLibiez\ M\ SP2\ SP2STFRPRT42199EIRcertification .doc 000651 CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT SPECIFIC PLAN NO.2 March 25, 1999 Page 2 discussions with the Moorpark Unified School District regarding the school site and park. Council should consider and address any additional comments or concerns related to the Specific Plan project to the applicant and staff at this meeting. The applicant is preparing revisions to the land use plan to address concerns previously expressed. The consultant will also incorporate additions and revisions to the specific plan and EIR to address these changes, as appropriate. Evaluation of impacts contained within the FEIR adequately address the modifications to the Specific Plan design, requested by the City Council as an alternative, completed by the applicant and considered by the Council at the March 3 and 17, 1999, meetings. The Council Preferred Alternative design has been incorporated and evaluated within the Final EIR Errata. Recirculation of the EIR is not required under provisions of Section 15088.5 of the CEQA Guidelines since the changes contained within the Council preferred alternative do not present any significant new information to warrant recirculation and no new impacts are created by the alternative that have not been considered or evaluated by the Draft EIR. The changes suggested by the Council consist of relocation of the school site and park site, increasing lot sizes within the northerly one -third of the project, reducing density by 54 dwelling units, resulting in a total of 598 dwelling units and circulation changes to only local streets. Analysis of the alternative by the environmental consultant shows that significant adverse impacts would still occur, although the level of impact is reduced by the corresponding reduction in dwelling units. The Council requested alternative falls within the range of impacts evaluated by the alternatives previously considered within the EIR. Pursuant to the agreement between the applicant and the City of Moorpark, the EIR certification date was verbally extended at the March 17, 1999, meeting to April 7, 1999, and the applicant has subsequently agreed to further extend the date to April 23, so that any further changes might be incorporated. Certification of the FEIR does not constitute approval of the project. Prior to, or simultaneous with, the approval of the complete project, a Mitigation Monitoring Program and Statement of Overriding Considerations will need to be adopted. Staff and the EIR consultant are preparing the language of these documents for Council consideration at a future meeting. The Development Agreement for the project, currently under discussion, would (10065 CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT SPECIFIC PLAN NO.2 March 25, 1999 Page 3 also be considered for adoption at a subsequent City Council meeting, after review and recommendation by the Planning Commission. Staff Recommendations: 1. Discuss the Final EIR; 2. Adopt Resolution 99- to certify the Final EIR for the Moorpark Highlands Specific Plan project, Specific Plan No. 2, and defer adoption of a Mitigation Monitoring Plan until project approval. 3. Continue public hearing for discussion of General Plan Amendment No. 95 -2, Specific Plan No. 95 -2, and Zone Change 95 -4 to a date certain. Attachment: 1. Resolution No. 99- regarding certification of the Final EIR for Specific Plan No. 2. 2. City Council Staff Report 2/24/99 000G53 RESOLUTION NO. 99- A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MOORPARK, CALIFORNIA, CERTIFYING THE FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT A'S COMPLETED IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT, FOR THE MOORPARK HIGHLANDS SPECIFIC PLAN PROJECT (SPECIFIC PLAN NO. 95 -2 /SPECIFIC PLAN NO 2; GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT NO. 95 -2; ZONE CHANGE 95 -4) AND DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT ON THE APPLICATION OF MORRISON- FOUNTAINWOOD- AGOURA. WHEREAS, an application has been filed by Morrison - Fountainwood- Agoura for the Moorpark Highlands Specific Plan project, consisting of Specific Plan No. 2 /Specific Plan 95 -2, General Plan Amendment 95 -2, Zone Change 95 -4, and Development Agreement for an approximately 445 acre site located within the City of Moorpark, Ventura County, California, contiguous to the City's northern boundary, Charles Street on the south, westerly of Happy Camp Canyon Regional Park, and incorporating more or less Assessor Parcel Numbers: 500.240.035; 500.240.045; 500.270.075; 500.270.085; 500.270.195; 500.270.205; 512.160.125; 512.160.525; 512.160.545; 512.160.555; 512.160.705; and WHEREAS, the Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) for the Moorpark Highlands Specific Plan Project (State Clearinghouse No. 96041030) provides an environmental assessment of the proposed project in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), Division 13 of the Public Resources Code of the State of California, and the State CEQA Guidelines; and WHEREAS, public notice and availability and distribution of the Draft EIR was provided in compliance with CEQA; and WHEREAS, public notice having been given in time, form, and manner as prescribed by law, the Planning Commission held a public hearing on the Draft Environmental Impact Report for the Moorpark Highlands Specific Plan project on October 12, 1998, and received public testimony regarding the adequacy of the Draft EIR; and WHEREAS, the Planning Commission having considered all comments related to the Draft EIR and the responses thereto, at public hearings for the Draft EIR and Specific Plan project at its October 12, November 23 and 30, and December 14, 1998 meetings and reached its decision to recommend certification of ATTACHMENT: 1 000(1j4 Resolution 99- Moorpark Highlands EIR Certification Page 2 the Final EIR and approval of the Specific Plan project at its meeting of December 14, 1998, and did provide such recommendation to the City Council of the City of Moorpark in Planning Commission Resolution No. PC -98 -362; and WHEREAS, public notice having been given in a time, form, and manner prescribed by law, the City Council held public hearings on the Moorpark Highlands Specific Plan (Specific Plan No.2) project on January 20, February 3, March 3 and 17, 1999, and received public testimony on the Final EIR and the proposed project at those public hearings, and closed the public hearing on the EIR on March 17, 1999; and WHEREAS, in the course of its environmental review, the City Council discussed alternatives for development design within the project with the applicant that would provide additional mitigation through the project design, and did require said changes to be made in the design of the land plan as reflected as the "City Council Alternative Plan" within the Errata attachments to the Final EIR; and NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MOORPARK, CALIFORNIA, DOES RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. That the Final EIR for the Moorpark Highlands Specific Plan project (Moorpark Specific Plan No.2), EIR SCH# 96041030, as on file within the Department of Community Development, and incorporated by reference, has been completed in compliance with CEQA. SECTION 2. That the final EIR was presented to the decision - making body of the lead agency and that the decision - making body reviewed and considered the information contained in the Final EIR prior to approving the project. SECTION 3. That the final EIR reflects the lead agency's independent judgement and analysis. SECTION 4. The City Council finds that the Moorpark Highlands Specific Plan Project EIR adequately addresses all issues raised after the close of the public review period and prior to the close of the public hearing on the project, and that no new significant environmental impact has been identified, nor has there been identified any feasible project M:\ JLibiez\ M\ SP2 \SP2RESOEIRCERTIFICATION.doc () ® ()(!j6 Resolution 99- Moorpark Highlands EIR Certification Page 3 alternative or mitigation measure considerably different from others previously analyzed that would lessen the identified adverse environmental impacts to less than significant. The City Council further finds that prior to the approval of the specific plan project the Council shall consider and adopt a statement of the findings and facts related to the approval of the project, shall consider and adopt a statement of overriding considerations for any identified unavoidable adverse environmental risks associated with the project, and shall consider and adopt a mitigation and monitoring program for the project. SECTION 5. The City Council hereby finds that the changes contained in the land use plan alternative reviewed by the City Council during public hearing of the EIR and Specific Plan project on March 3, 1999, and determined to be the Council Preferred Alternative, has been evaluated and incorporated within the Errata of the Final EIR as Section 4.1. The Council Preferred Alternative has been considered in light of Section 15088.5 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines. The City Council further finds that the changes contained within the alternative do not constitute a significant change in the project or the EIR sufficient to require the recirculation of the project EIR; that the information related to the alternative has been discussed during the open public hearing on the EIR with ample opportunity for public discussion and comment on the alternative provided for; that no new or modified mitigation measures that were not considered for the applicant defined project will be required for the alternative contained in Section 4.1 of the EIR Errata; and, that analysis of the alternative as included within Section 4.1 of the Final EIR will provide some reduction in the level of impacts related to the development of the specific plan project though not below the level of significance. SECTION 6. The City Council hereby designates the Office of the City Clerk and the Community Development Department as the custodians of the records constituting the record of proceedings upon which its decision has been based. Original ordinances and resolutions along with one copy of the attachments referenced therein shall be deposited within the Office of the City Clerk. The Community Development Department shall be designated the repository and archive for all M:\ JLibiez\ M\ SP2 \SP2RESOEIRCERTIFICATION.doc Resolution 99- Moorpark Highlands EIR Certification Page 4 historical and active materials related to the Moorpark Highlands Specific Plan project. SECTION 7. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this resolution and shall cause a certified resolution to be filed in the book of original resolutions. PASSED AND ADOPTED THIS 21st DAY OF APRIL, 1999. ATTEST: Deborah S. Traffenstedt, City Clerk Patrick Hunter, Mayor M:\ JLibiez\ M\ SP2 \SP2RESOEIRCERTIFICATION.doc 00001.17 CITY OF MOORPARK AGENDA REPORT TO: Honorable City Council r FROM: Nelson Miller, Director of Community Developmen Prepared by: Wayne Loftus, Planning Manager John Libiez, Principal Planne -"'` DATE: February 24, 1999 (For Meeting of March 3, 1999) SUBJECT: CONSIDER MOORPARK HIGHLANDS SPECIFIC PLAN PROJECT (SPECIFIC PLAN 95 -2 /SPECIFIC PLAN NO. 2, GENEARL PLAN AMENDMENT NO. 95 -2, AND ZONE CHANGE 95 -4) APPLICANT: MORRI SON- FOUNTAINWOOD-AGOURA. (Continued from February 3, 1999) BACKGROUND City Council initiated the Public Hearing on the Moorpark Highlands Specific Plan project on January 20, 1999, continued consideration of the project to February 3, 1999 and with the Public Hearing open to this meeting. The Specific Plan No. 2 project and the certification of the Environmental Impact Report were recommended for adoption to City Council by the Planning Commission, upon completion of public hearings before the Commission, subject to modifications contained with Resolution No. PC -98 -362, which was included with the staff report for January 20, 1999. The applicant has agreed to extend the previously agreed upon date for certification action on the EIR from January 18, 1999, to March 26, 1999. The February 3, 1999, staff report contains discussion related to issues that Council had requested responses to at the January 20, 1999 hearing. Issues identified were: 1) Possibility to relocate "C Street further north in the project; 2) Incorporation of larger more transitional lots to the north end of the project; 3) Include equestrian oriented lots within the project, preferably to the north end; 4) Relocate middle school site and park; 5) Provide discussion of regional circulation issues; 6) Lower the density of the project; 7) Connection of M:\ JLibiez \M \SP2 \CCstfrprtSP2- 3399.doc ATTACHMENT: 2 (A)GU156 CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT SPECIFIC PLAN NO. 2 MARCH 3, 1999 PAGE 2 nature preserve to Happy Camp Canyon Regional Park; 8) More definition of the product type within the multiple - family planning area; 9) affordable housing; 10) L.A. Avenue improvement project; and, 11) Circulation connection to Broadway. As a result of the dialogue between the Council and applicant on some of the issues, the applicant agreed to prepare an alternate plan layout to address concerns. Council requested staff to review potential effects of any modification of the plan on the EIR. DISCUSSION• At the February 17, 1999 City Council meeting, the potential effects upon the EIR caused by changes to the specific plan, were considered. The types of changes City Council has suggested for the project such as: relocation of planning area uses, circulation changes affecting non - General Plan project streets, reduction or reallocation of density, reduction in total dwelling units within the project, or the shifting of the school site and the active park open space use, would not generate any new information or impacts of significance. Recirculation of the EIR therefore would not be needed. The applicant has prepared a new alternative for City Council consideration. (Attachment 1) The amended plan reduces total dwelling units from 652 units to 598 units. The amended land use plan incorporates the following changes: 1) creates equestrian estate lots of 30,000 square feet in the northern area of the plan, 2) places 10,000 square foot lots within the previous school site location, 3) relocates the 20 acre school site below "C" Street and adjacent to the SR23 alignment, 4) provides a 6 acre active park site adjacent to the school with potential for connection across SR23 right -of -way to Happy Camp Canyon Regional Park, 5) provides 120 multiple family units with an affordable housing component of 60 for rent units adjacent to the park area, 6) provides 175 acres of open space (39% of project acreage), 7) reserves rights -of -ways for the SR23 and SR118 bypasses, 8) provides equestrian linkage between properties to the west of the project and Happy Camp Canyon to the east, 9) preserves the circulation connection via "C" Street 000C.,5� CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT SPECIFIC PLAN NO. 2 MARCH 3, 1999 PAGE 3 between SP -2 and developable areas east of Happy Camp Canyon consistent with- previous circulation determinations, and 10) retains the habitat conservation area as previously proposed. The Ad Hoc Committee for SP -2 (Council- members Evans and Harper) and the applicant met on February 1 and 16, 1999. The applicant's revised plan was reviewed. Additional guidance was given to the applicant for finalization of the plan which included: providing a street configuration not less than 60 feet curb to curb adjacent to the school and park sites that will provide 2 parking lanes, 2 bicycle lanes, 2 travel lanes and one left turn lane; insure that the school site be level with "C" Street; keeping the future bypass rights -of -ways free of any permanent encroachments such as trails; allow for linear park usage on interim within the SR23 alignment as connection to Happy Camp area. The consensus of the committee was that the revisions to the plan adequately addressed the issues and concerns previously discussed by the Council and applicant. On February 23, 1999, the applicant provided additional materials that address the affordable housing component, parks and trails components, a conceptual school site layout, and a potential lotting plan for planning areas 8 and 9 of the revised specific plan. These items are attached for Council consideration. At the February 3, 1999, meeting an additional question was raised concerning a "D" Street connection option. The following background information is provided related to this issue. The City Council at the close of the 1992 General Plan update to the Circulation Element added "D" Street from Princeton Avenue to the SR23 Bypass arterial as a two lane collector. Ramseyer and Associates submitted a theoretical alignment for providing a "D" Street connection to the SR 23 during the General Plan Circulation update. This alignment would only allow access to and from the SR23 north bound lanes, and was intended to be two way and intersect at Princeton Avenue above the Freeway on ramps. While the plan showed that the street avoided the oak stands in the drainage 00QC -6V CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT SPECIFIC PLAN NO. 2 MARCH 3, 1999 PAGE 4 area, it is evident that the alignment required extensive grading in the canyon and alteration of natural drainage that would have significant impacts upon sensitive oak riparian habitat, and would be further constrained by utility corridors. During the preparation of the EIR for Specific Plan No. 8 (1995), the city -wide circulation system as proposed by the 1992 update was studied based upon changes in the community. The 2010 no project analysis in the SP -8 EIR did not consider the "D" Street extension as feasible. Extension of Spring Road north through SP -2 to "C" Street was proposed as a replacement for "D" Street. Parallel to the SP -8 analysis, Morrison presented alternatives for circulation plans for the SP -2 development to the Community Development Committee. This was followed by a December 13, 1995 joint workshop meeting between Council and Planning Commission at which time the consensus preference for circulation in SP -2 was given. The history of that discussion was furnished by Mr. Greynald to the Planning Commission for consideration of this issue. The Caltrans SR 23 and SR 118 freeway /bypass extensions and ramps are evident in the plans. The diagrams show "D" Street infeasible due to preferred State right -of -way and interchange requirements. The northbound connector ramp from the SR118 to SR23 approximates the previous suggestion for the "D" Street alignment. Therefore, due to extensive grading, infrastructure requirements, conflicts with utility corridors, and potential traffic conflicts, the "D" Street connection was deleted. Applicant's revised plan provides for a 6 acre park site. Adopted city park standards require five acres for each 1000 population generated by the project. The revised plan would generate a need for 9.37 acres of park land. Conditions of approval and the development agreement will need to address this matter. It is recommended that the park site be dedicated and fully improved at applicant expense, and that a long term financing mechanism for maintenance be required of the applicant. The remaining 3.37 acres should be compensated for 0®OUAL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT SPECIFIC PLAN NO. 2 MARCH 3, 1999 PAGE 5 through in lieu payment or direct improvements within another facility. STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS: 1. Accept further public testimony; 2. Consider the revised land use proposal and provide direction to staff and applicant concerning any remaining issues and the revised plan; 3. Direct staff to prepare a resolution for certification of the Environmental Impact Report for consideration at the March 17, 1999, City Council meeting; and, 4. Continue Public Hearing to March 17, 1999. ATTACHMENTS: 1. Revised Land Use and Circulation Plan, SP -2 2. Revised Land Use Statistical Summary 3. Applicant Materials Related to Specific Plan Changes ()()()U �;