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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAGENDA REPORT 1994 0601 CC REG ITEM 11KA G E N D A R E P O R T C I T Y O F M O O R P A R K TO: The Honorable City Council ITEM / r „< r , vY / *ACTION; t a FROM: Jaime Aguilera, Director of Community Development — Deborah S. Traffenstedt, Senior Planner �1- DATE: May 27, 1994 (City Council Meeting of June 1, 1994) SUBJECT: CONSIDER REVISED PROJECT DESCRIPTION FOR SPECIFIC PLAN NO. 8, INCLUDING LAND USE AND CIRCULATION PLAN CHANGES, AND DETERMINE THE PROJECT ALTERNATIVES TO BE ANALYZED IN THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT (EIR) BACKGROUND An Environmental Impact Report (EIR) is being prepared for the proposed Specific Plan No. 8 project by Michael Brandman Associates, under contract to the City of Moorpark. The California Environmental Quality ACT (CEQA) requires that the EIR analyze a range of reasonable alternatives to the project, or to the location of the project, which could feasibly attain the basic objectives of the project. The discussion of alternatives in the EIR is supposed to focus on alternatives capable of eliminating any significant adverse environmental effects or reducing them to a level of insignificance, even if those alternatives would impede to some degree the attainment of the project objectives, or would be more costly. The range of alternatives to be analyzed in an EIR is governed by "rule of reason” that requires the EIR to set forth only those alternatives necessary lo permit a reasoned choice. The City Council previously directed staff to obtain Council concurrence on the alternatives to be analyzed in the Draft EIR following the completion of the Notice of Preparation of a Draft EIR process. A Revised Notice of Preparation for the Specific Plan No. 8 project was distributed in March 1994 to all responsible and trustee agencies, and the comment �:)eriod concluded in April 1994. The Community Development Committee met on May 23, 1994, and discussed the land use and circulation alternatives to be analyzed in the EIR for the Specific Plan No. 8 project. Staff has incorporated the Committee's suggestions into the description of staff recommended alternatives that are discussed in the following section of this report. Staff is now requesting direction from the City Council regarding the alternatives to be analyzed in the Draft EIR, in order that the alternati.veF analysis can be conducted. The Honorable City Council May 27, 1994 Page 2 DISCUSSION Following is a discussion of the project, as currently proposed, and a range of alternatives for the Council's consideration. Project Description The project applicant has proposed revisions to the project description which include changes to planned land use and circulation for the Specific Plan area. Attached to this report is the revised draft land use plan (Attachment 1), land use summary table (Attachment 2) and circulation plan (Attachment 3). Following is a summary of the revised project description: Land Use Plan The proposed Specific Plan No. 8 project would allow for up to 3,221 residential units located within four distinct residential villages concentrated in the southern portion of the site. The four residential villages would be defined by village centers, schools, parks, and other public facilities. Open space areas set aside to preserve natural features would separate the villages. Other related and supporting uses would include an 18 -hole golf course, an equestrian center, commercial uses, schools, and public parks. Various housing types are proposed ranging from multi - family units for sale or rent to large lot single - family homes. Approximately 10 to 15 percent of the units would be developed as affordable housing. Approximately 10 percent of the units are being considered for senior housing. The Land Use Plan includes four commercial areas, including one 20- acre community center and three village centers totaling 22.30 acres. The fiscal analysis study, that will be prepared for the project, will analyze the feasibility of these planned commercial areas. Of the approximately 4,325 acres in the Specific Plan area, over 2,800 acres would be retained in open space uses (natural and recreational), with approximately 1,700 acres in the northern portions of the site preserved as natural open space. The remaining open space (approximately 1,100 acres) would consist of the proposed golf course, public parks, and public and private open space. The changes that were made to the draft land use plan, since distribution of the Notice of Preparation, include the deletion of residential, school, and park development in the east end of the The Honorable City Council May 27, 1994 Page 3 Specific Plan area (previously referred to as Village 3). An Open Space 2 (OS -2) designation is now shown for that area, and the density of several single - family residential development areas have been increased to transfer the density that was previously shown in the easterly portion of the Specific Plan area. There are several reasons for this change to the land use plan, including the difficulty of providing a second access road to the easterly area that would satisfy Fire Department requirements, and the potentially significant environmental impacts that would occur. The easterly portion of the Specific Plan area is considered sensitive in regard to potential archaeological, biological, and mature tree impacts. The project applicant has requested that the land use designation for the easterly portion of the Specific Plan area be Open Space 2 (OS -2), and that the zoning permit active recreational uses, such as a golf course, in that portion of the site. The scope of work for the EIR, that is currently under preparation, does not include the funds necessary to fully study the environmental impacts of a second golf course. For example, Phase II archaeological testing would be required for approximately 16 archaeology sites located in that area. A golf course could also result in more significant biological and mature tree impacts that would not otherwise be analyzed for an area proposed to be maintained as natural open space. The need for secondary access for the easterly Specific Plan area would also need to be studied if a golf course were to be proposed. It is staff's intention to require that Specific Plan No. 8 include a new zone district designation for open space that would severely restrict the allowed uses within that zone. The intent would be to ensure that certain open space areas are preserved, with minimal or no disturbance to the natural terrain or sensitive habitat areas. In your review of the draft Specific Plan, the City Council will need to determine whether the eastern portion of the Specific Plan area should have an OS -2 land use designation and Open Space zone district designation, or whether the land use designation and /or zoning should be more restrictive, to maintain that area as natural open space. It is staff's opinion that the easterly area should not be given a less restrictive open space land use or zone designation, unless the potential environmental impacts are studied now, in conjunction with the preparation of the Draft EIR for the Specific Plan. This is an area of disagreement with the applicant. The applicant does concur that the northerly portion of the Specific Plan area should be preserved as natural open space due to the topography of that hillside area and its proximity to Happy Camp Canyon Regional Park. The Honorable City Council May 27, 1994 Page 4 Hillside grading is an issue that must be addressed in Specific Plan No. 8. The draft land use plan, as currently proposed, would require grading of 20 percent and greater slope areas. Staff is requesting direction from the City Council regarding the basis for analysis in the EIR for determining hillside grading impacts. If acceptable to the City Council, staff is proposing that the draft hillside ordinance be used. It is the applicant's intent to have the Specific Plan include zoning standards for the entire Specific Plan area that, in some cases, differ from the City's adopted Zoning Ordinance requirements. The applicant has submitted draft development standards for preliminary staff review. Various lot sizes are proposed. The City's Zoning Ordinance does not mandate minimum or average lot sizes for the Residential Planned Development (RPD) Zone. Lot sizes for the RPD Zone are as established by the RPD Permit; however, the overall density per acre is limited by the designated number of dwelling units permitted per acre. Although no minimum or average lot size for the RPD Zone is specified in the City Zoning ordinance, the minimum lot size permitted for detached single - family homes in existing tracts has been approximately 4,000 square feet (s.f.), and the minimum lot size permitted for attached single - family homes has peen approximately 3,200 s.f. Following is a summary of the applicant's proposed lot sizes for residential zones and staff's preliminary recommendations. These recommendations are considered to be preliminary, because staff has not yet reviewed any plans that; would indicate the type of units proposed to be .located in the different residential development areas. LOT SIZE DEVELOpMKmp STREDARDS PROPOSED FOR SPECIFIC AND PRELDCUUM STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS PLAN HO. 8 Zoning Applicant Lot Size Pro � minimum �1' Staff Lot Size RBCp�gndation_ Average Minims Average RPD -.5U/ Acres ]. Acre Acres 1 Acre 2 Acres RPD -lU /1 Acre 20,000 s.f. 1 acre- 20,000 s.f. 1 Acre RPD -2U /1 Acre 10,000 S. f. 0,i00 s ". 15,000 s.f. RPD -4U /1 Acre 21,780 s.f. 4,000 s.f. 7 00 s.f. 7,000 s.f. 10,890 s.f. RPD- 7U- SF(D) /l Acre 3,000 s.f. 3 00 RPD- 7U- SF(A) /l Acre s. 2,600 s.f. 4,000 s.f. 6,223 s.f. 3,000 s.f. RPD-10U-SF(D)/l Acre 3,000 s.f. 3 RPD- lOU- SF(A) /l Acre 00 9. 2,600 s.f. 4,000 s.f. 4,356 s.f. 3,000 s.f. RPD-12U-SF(A)/l Acre 2,600 s.f. RPD- 12U-MF /1 Acre 2,000 s.f. (site ar�ra /du) Do not permit at this density 2,000 s.f. (site area /du) *SF-(D) = Single - family Detached SP-(A) ) = Si 91e- family Attached MF = Multi - family The Honorable City Council May 27, 1994 Page 5 Circulation Plan The Specific Plan will include the phased construction of required circulation improvements. Recommendations regarding the timing and sequence of construction of these roadways would be determined based on the traffic analysis completed as part of the environmental impact report (EIR). The proposed Circulation Plan is included as Attachment 3 to this staff report. Figure 2 from the Circulation Element is included as Attachment 4 for comparison purposes. The first phase of traffic improvements proposed by the project applicant would include a connection to Campus Park Drive at the east end of the roadway. This improvement would require an amendment to the City of Moorpark General Plan Circulation Element. The road width required for a northeasterly extension of Campus Park Drive, onto the project site, would be determined based on the findings of the traffic report. The Community Development Committee had reviewed an earlier draft Circulation Plan for the project that showed a westerly extension of Campus Park Drive for initial secondary access purposes. Since incorporation, the City has consistently rejected any proposal put forth by the County to allow vehicles to access Happy Camp Canyon Regional Park from the west end of Campus Park Drive. The applicant was, therefore, requested to redesign the secondary access proposed for the initial phase(s) of construction. The attached Circulation Plan includes a different secondary access proposal, which does not require any westerly extension of Campus Park Drive. Circulation improvements that are proposed by the project applicant to be phased throughout project development include the following: 1. Initial primary site access is proposed to be provided from the existing Collins Drive /State Route (SR) 118 interchange to Campus Park Drive. Initial secondary access to the Specific Plan development is proposed to be provided from a new access road linking the Broadway extension (shown on the draft Circulation Plan as Hidden Creek Drive) with Campus Road to Collins Drive. Campus Road is currently a private street maintained by Moorpark College, and it forms a loop road system that connects Collins Drive with Campus Park Drive. Because the proposed secondary access could increase trips on the segment of Campus Road connecting to Campus Park Drive, the Draft EIR will analyze the potential for traffic impacts and propose appropriate mitigati-on for project impacts. As can be seen on the draft land use plan, the proposed secondary access road would be located in the vicinity of the planned community center. When another secondary access, such The Honorable City Council May 27, 1994 Page 6 as the Broadway extension (Hidden Creek Drive), becomes available through buildout of the Specific Plan area, the initial secondary access road could be designed so as to terminate into the parking lot for the community center or could be abandoned all together. The EIR will analyze the suitability of primary and secondary access for all planned phases of construction. 2. Buildout of the internal roadway system. The primary roadway, which is shown as "Hidden Creek Drive" on the attached Circulation Plan ( and as the Broadway extension on Figure 2 of the Circulation Element), would be constructed as a Community Arterial. The Community Arterial is proposed as a four -lane roadway with a minimum 124 -foot right -of -way, two on- street parking lanes (one on each side), minimum 20 -foot landscaped median, bike lanes (on each side), sidewalks, and landscaped parkways on each side (average 20- foot). 3. Onsite secondary roadways would be constructed as Village Collectors and Residential Collectors. Village Collectors are proposed to be four -lane roadways within a 92 -foot right -of- way. Residential Collectors have two travel lanes and sidewalks in a 60 -foot right -of -way. 4. An extension of Broadway is proposed through Happy Camp Canyon Regional Park and the Specific Plan area as a loop road connecting Walnut Canyon Road to SR -118 at a new "Lagoon" interchange. The roadway width of the extension of Broadway would be determined based on the findings of the EIR traffic report. The applicant has identified that this roadway would meet or exceed the standards set. forth in the City's Circulation Element. The Circulation Element identifies that access to Specific Plan No. 8 would be facilitated by new SR -23 and SR -118 bypass facilities that were assumed to be constructed by General Plan buildout (year 2010). Direct access to the Specific Plan site is identified on Figure 2 in the Circulation Element (see Attachment 4) by an extension of Broadway from the SR -23 bypass arterial to SR -118. The circulation plan as proposed by the applicant shows Broadway connecting directly to Walnut Canyon Road and assumes no need for either an extension of SR -23 or SR -118 before General Plan buildout in 2010. The EIR for the project will analyze whether any level of service impacts would occur if the project is built out prior to the construction of both the SR -23 and SR -118 bypass facilities as shown in the Circulation Element. The alternatives analysis process for the Specific Plan No. 8 project can assist in the development of the City's priorities for construction and funding of transportation improvements. At this time, all options should be pursued, including continued The Honorable City Council May 27, 1994 Page 7 coordination with Caltrans and the Ventura Council of Governments (VCOG) to ensure that the future extensions of both SR's 23 and 118 are included on any priority list for funding. Staff has included a recommendation related to staff coordination with Caltrans and VCOG to preserve all options. EIR Alternatives Staff and the EIR consultant have held scoping meetings with various responsible and trustee agencies to supplement the Notice of Preparation process. Suggestions were provided by the Ventura County Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) and the County of Ventura Planning Division, regarding alternatives to be addressed in the EIR, as summarized below. Alternative Proposed by Ventura County Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) Land use alternative that would not convert agricultural land to urban land uses. Alternatives Proposed by the County of Ventura Planning Division 1. Land use alternative that provides better jobs -to- housing balance. As proposed by the County, this alternative could have more onsite commercial /industrial acreage, and an adjustment to the affordability of the proposed onsite residential development and /or residential development in the City of Moorpark (to closely match jobs generated onsite). 2. Possible reduction in the number of residential dwelling units to mitigate potential traffic impacts.. 3. Clustered development to provide for a north -south wildlife movement corridor in the eastern portion of the site. (The revised project already achieves this objective.) 4. Proposed project with and without the extension of Broadway through Happy Camp Canyon Regional Park. Alternatives Proposed by Staff The following alternatives are recommended by staff for inclusion in the Draft EIR: The Honorable City Council May 27, 1994 Page 8 1. No Project Alternatives. CEQA requires that a No Project Alternative be studied. Two No Project scenarios are proposed to be analyzed in the Draft EIR: maintenance of existing environmental conditions, with no further development of the site; and future buildout of the site under the existing County of Ventura General Plan. 2. Environmentally Superior Alternative - CEQA mandates that the environmentally superior alternative be identified, and that if the "no project" alternative is the environmentally superior alternative, that the EIR shall also identify an environmentally superior alternative among the other alternatives. Staff will work with the EIR consultant to determine the environmentally superior alternative. This determination is usually made when all project impact information is available for both the project and the other proposed alternatives. 3. Decreased Residential Development Alternatives. Two decreased residential development alternatives are proposed to be analyzed. One alternative would assume a maximum of 2,400 residential dwelling units consistent with the "maximum density" identified in the Land Use Element of the City's General Plan. Another alternative would assume a mid -range of approximately 2,800 dwelling units, The density of the residential development areas shown on the proposed project land use plan would be reduced with both of these alternatives. Changes to proposed infrastructure, schools, parks, and commercial areas may also be required based on the decrease in dwelling units. These alternatives would be consistent with the County's :request for an alternative to be analyzed which reduces the number of dwelling units and thereby reduces the number of project related trips. 4. Jobs /Housing Balance Alternative. The project site is located in the SCAG (1989) Growth Management Plan Simi /Thousand Oaks Subregion. This subregion is characterized as having a greater number of housing units than employment opportunities. The objective of SCAG for this and all subregional areas is to achieve a balance between jobs and housing. SCAG has identified that this subregion :is expected to have an improved balance by the year 2010. One of the objectives of SCAG in achieving a balance between jobs and housing is to minimize vehicle miles travelled (VMT) and thereby improve air quali..ty. The Jobs /Housing Balance Alternative for this project would explore ways to help achieve this objective. These methods could include enhanced pedestrian and bicycle tr.ai.ls, day care centers, and employment centers. The County suggested that this The Honorable City Council May 27, 1994 Page 9 alternative could include more onsite commercial /industrial acreage; however, increasing the amount of commercial acreage is probably not feasible, and including industrial uses in the Specific Plan area would not be consistent with the Land Use Element. Staff intends to have the EIR consultant analyze the overall jobs /housing balance for the project area as well as for a larger area that includes the West -end Industrial Park in the City of Simi Valley, due to its close proximity to the project site. 5. Design Alternatives a. Preservation of Agricultural Lands. This alternative would eliminate proposed development in areas of agricultural activity and soils designated "prime, ", "unique," and "lands of statewide importance." This alternative is proposed in response to a request by LAFCO staff at a scoping meeting., b. Clustered Development. The EIR would look at a design alternative that provided clustering of development. The purpose of this alternative would be to analyze whether further clustering of development is necessary to minimize disturbance of the site and avoid significant environmental impacts. For example, avoidance of significant tree groupings, sensitive habitat areas, and archaeological sites, and increased buffer areas adjacent to open space areas may be environmentally preferable to the proposed project to minimize significant impacts. This alternative could include a reduction in density in some areas or a relocation of planned land uses. 6. Circulation Alternatives. Because the circulation plan proposed by the applicant is dependent upon approvals from Caltrans, the County of Ventura, and the City, and affects private properties located outside of the Specific Plan area, staff is suggesting that a number of circulation alternatives be analyzed. Some of these alternatives might impede to some degree the attainment of the project objectives (for example, a direct project access from SR -118). However, given the limited source of funds for transportation projects and the high cost of such improvements, the City Council must consider whether other interim improvements could be funded by the project that would best serve the overall circulation needs of the City. The City's recently updated traffic model will be used to analyze the impacts to the overall circulation system based on the different circulation system alternatives studied. The following alternative descriptions are considered preliminary, and minor val7iations may be proposed during the alternatives analysis process to achieve a more feasible alternative. The Honorable City Council May 27, 1994 Page 10 a. Extension of the SR -118 freeway west from its current terminus to a partial interchange at Walnut Canyon Road. This alternative is not consistent with the Circulation Element, which does not show any SR -118 ramps at Walnut Canyon Road. This alternative would allow SR -118 ingress and egress at Walnut Canyon Road, and could reduce the number of sand and gravel trucks that must now travel through the center of town to enter onto SR's 23 and 118. The assumption is that this alternative would not include any new bridge structure to allow vehicles to enter onto SR -118 at Walnut Canyon Road and then go south onto SR- 23, due to the expensive bridge structure that would be required. This alternative would, however, facilitate east -west traffic movements on SR -118 and would eliminate any need for trucks to use the Broadway extension (Hidden Creek Drive) through the Specific Plan No. 8 area. Two scenarios will be analyzed in regard to the Lagoon interchange, one will assume that the Broadway extension (Hidden Creek Drive) connects with a Lagoon interchange; the other will assume that Collins Drive provides the easterly Specific Plan access onto SR -118. b. An extension of Spring Road north to Broadway (through the Specific Plan No. 2 area). This alternative is not consistent with the Circulation Element, which shows the Spring Road extension connecting to a future "D" Street extension just north of SR -118. Two design variations of this alternative are proposed to be analyzed: One design variation would include a collector road connection from Spring Road across the lower portion of Happy Camp Canyon Regional Park, and connecting to the Specific Plan No. 8 circulation system, and would include the Broadway extension (Hidden Creek Drive) similar to project proposal. Two scenarios for the easterly Specific Plan access onto SR -118 will. be analyzed - -one will assume a Lagoon interchange with SR -118 and the other will assume that Collins Drive provides the easterly access onto SR- 111.8. The second design variation would include a collector road connection from Spring Road across the lower portion of Happy Camp Canyon Regional Park, and connecting to the Specific Plan No. 8 circulation system, but would not include the Broadway extension (Hidden Creek Drive) across the Park. Two scenarios for the easterly Specific Plan access onto SR -118 will be analyzed - -one will assume a Lagoon interchange with SR -118 and the other will assume that Collins Drive provides the easterly access ontc::: SR -118. This alternative will The Honorable City Council May 27, 1994 Page 11 satisfy the County's request for an alternative that does not require an extension of Broadway across Happy Camp Canyon Regional Park. C. Construction of the SR -23 bypass as a two -lane roadway connecting SR -118 to Broadway, without the construction of a full bridge configuration that would allow continuous north and south travel on SR -23. The intent of this alternative would be to reduce traffic on Walnut Canyon Road by providing a connection to SR -118 for vehicles heading east, and also a connection allowing westbound traffic on SR -118 to go north to Broadway. This alternative would include a Broadway extension (Hidden Creek Drive) into the Specific Plan No. 8 area. Two scenarios for the easterly Specific Plan access onto SR -118 will be analyzed--one will assume a Lagoon interchange with SR -118 and the other will assume that Collins Drive provides the easterly access onto SR -118. With this alternative, the westerly access onto SR -118 from the Specific Plan area would be from the Broadway extension (Hidden Creek Dr:i.ve), to the SR -23 bypass, to SR -118. d. As an alternative to the proposed Lagoon interchange at SR -118, an east -west connector road will be analyzed that provides access from the Broadway extension (Hidden Creek Drive) to a proposed interchange at Alamos Canyon, in the City of Simi Valley. Another scenario to be analyzed will include both the Lagoon and the Alamos Canyon interchanges, and the east-west connector road. RECOMONDATION 1. Provide comments and directions to staff regarding refinement and selection of the land use and circulation alternatives to be analyzed in the Draft EIR. 2. Authorize the environmental consultant to complete the alternatives analysis study for inclusion in the Draft EIR. 3. Provide direction to staff regarding analysis of hillside grading impacts in the Draft FIR. 4. Provide direction to staff regarding staff's intent to create a new open space zone designation for the Specific Plan that would restrict allowed development in public open space areas, and concur with staff's proposal to not allow a less restrictive open space zone designation for the easterly Specific Plan area, unless the applicant agrees to an amendment of the EIR contract and scope of work to address the impacts of the second golf course proposal. The Honorable City Council May 27, 1994 Page 12 5. Direct staff to continue coordination with Caltrans and VCOG regarding the City's interest in the extensions of SR -23, SR- 118 and Broadway (Hidden Creek Drive), including construction of the Lagoon interchange. Attachments: 1. Revised Draft Land Use Plan 2. Land Use Summary Table 3. Revised Draft Circulation Plan 4. Figure 2 from Circulation Element 1� AY 11 1 94 Land Use RH L ML M Sub -Total HIDDEN CREE1� RANCII I,AND USI S�111�T�1Rl' Average (i s Du /Ac \ res 1- T 0.5 1.0 - 5 1") 2.0 ( 4 i0 4.0 1��i0 198.'o ff of Total 6.0 9.0 7.0 6.0 28.0 May 10, 1994 RNM Job No. 93037A Units 123 375 609 1085 2192 H 7.0 3 0 0.7 211 VH -1 10.0 6 . ,0 1.5 683 VH -2 12.0 0.3 135 11 Sub- Total 109.�,U 2.5 1029 General Commercial - Community Center Neighborhood Commercial - Village Centers Public - Institutional Schools Major Roads Golf Course Parks Equestrian Center Public Open Space OS -2 Sub -Total TOTAL 2' 58.5 h 16.74 1 69.5 % of Total 3.0 12.0 19.0 34.0 68.0 7.0 21.0 4.0 32.0 4,,'24.74T 100.0 3221.0 100.0 ATTACHMENT 2 i i ffI- - - -8 -- 0.-) 0.7 I- 2.4 . 4.4 .U) 2.2 0. 2 2' 58.5 h 16.74 1 69.5 % of Total 3.0 12.0 19.0 34.0 68.0 7.0 21.0 4.0 32.0 4,,'24.74T 100.0 3221.0 100.0 ATTACHMENT 2 ........... 0� 7F R FLA Z ---------------------------------- — LEGEND FREEWAY I.MRCTtANGE SIX LANE ARTERIAL- FOUR-LANE ARTERIAL R- RURAL COLT -LC70P LOCAL C0111-CTOR SIGNALIZED INTER',[ CT [ON \r GRADE RR CROSSING GRADE. SFP-NRAT71 RR I FZO',SIN(, ( MY L.,.MFT HOUND NRY ■"Nommu■ SR 118 REEWA't ()RRIDOR -- ---------- ------------------------------- - C STREET . ... ........... ...... "AM PIA PARK SR Ile SINJI VALLEY FRFFw,, IA. ...so ........... 0� 7F R FLA Z ---------------------------------- — LEGEND FREEWAY I.MRCTtANGE SIX LANE ARTERIAL- FOUR-LANE ARTERIAL R- RURAL COLT -LC70P LOCAL C0111-CTOR SIGNALIZED INTER',[ CT [ON \r GRADE RR CROSSING GRADE. SFP-NRAT71 RR I FZO',SIN(, ( MY L.,.MFT HOUND NRY ■"Nommu■ SR 118 REEWA't ()RRIDOR FIGURE 2 CITY OF MOORPARK GENERAL PLAN CIRCULATION ELEMENT HIGHWAY NETWORK May 13.1992 ATTACHMENT HIDDEN CREEK RANCH PRO [ECT MEMORANDUM TO: Mr. Jim Aguilera, Director of mrnunity Development City of Moorpark FROM: Gary Austin, Messenger Investriwili ( ornpany DATE1: June 1, 1994 RE: Comments to 5/27/94 Staff Repo art - Specific Plan #8 EIR The purpose of this memo is for Messenger Investment Company (MIC) to offer our comments concerning the City of Moorpark 'agenda Report of May 27, "CONSIDER REVISED PROJECT DESCRIPTION FOR SPECIFIC PLAN NO. 8, INCLUDING LAND USE AND CIRCULATION PLAN CHAN(ES. AND DETERMINE THE PROJECT ALTERNATIVESTO BE ANAI -YZED IN TI-ll - I y 1/IPo )NMI NhAI IMPACT REPORT (EIR)' First, MIC is hopeful that the City Council will rct on staff's recommendations this evening if at all possible in order to allow the prepamlon of the Draft EIR proceed. MIC is in basic agreement with staff's recommendations •xcept as follows: Agenda Report Recommendation No.1 -- - We request that any reference to propr "ed minimum and average lot sizes not be acted upon at this time Reference: Page 4, last paragraph and allowing table. Justification: MIC has not specifically p oposed any lot size minimums or averages at this time as it is too premature to do so. We do not see any benefit to establishing these lot size standards until the over -all land use and circulation issues are evaluated in the Draft EIR. MIC hay used the General Plan residential land use designations in its proposed project desc iptirrn, �k iich should be a satisfactory level of detail at this point in the planning m cess - We strongly believe that staff should in,_irfde in the traffic analysis portion of the Draft EIR the potential impacts of a ( �nnectior to) the project from the western terminus of Campus Park Drive. Reference: Page 5, third paragraph Justification: First, although the city h,Ls consistently rejected proposals to allow vehicular access to Happy Camp Canyon Regional Park, there is in fact a recorded road easement on the deeds of the 16 parcels located on the west end of SP #8, which property owners have used as primary access to their parcels even prior to Happy Camp Park being given to the cou rty fly ignoring this right of ownership, the June 1, 1994 MEMORANDUM Moorpark Agenda Report dated 5%27/94 Page 2 adequacy of the EIR could be challenged by any of these property owners. Second, emergency access to the project area would be significantly enhanced by this connection. Third, the road could he gated or otherwise controlled so as to sustain the city's policy while still providing some form of access to the proposed project. Including this connection as one element of the traffic analysis of the Draft EIR does not in any way undermine the city's polcy regarding vehicular access to the park. Agenda Report Recommendation No. 2 - Acceptable as proposed. Agenda Report Recommendation No. 3 - Acceptable as proposed. Agenda Report Recommendation No. 4 - MIC requests that the this recommendai ion be set aside and re- considered after the Draft EIR has been prepared and circulated Reference: Page 3, second and third p.xragr;rphs Justification: This proposal has to do with zoning, not General Plan or Specific Plan issues, and is neither relevant nor appr( rpriate for consideration at this point in the planning process. In fact, this recommendation appears to be somewhat punative in that MIC had previously proposed residential development on this area, but, upon noting the cost of mitigating the archeological studies, chose to mitigate the situation by agreeing to transfer the dwelling uni�s to ether areas. Nevertheless MIC wishes to have the right to pursue reasonable recreational development options available to open space areas (both under the county s and the city's land use criteria). Proposing a new zone designation at this point in the process is not necessary since the Planning Commission and the City Cr LVicil Nkill certainly consider this matters after the Draft EIR has been circulated. If this proposal is not set aside or postponed, MIC will have no other choice than to proceed with the Phase II archeological i nvestigations at this time, costing somewhere between $100,000 and $300,000. MIC espectfully requests reconsideration of this recommendation. Agenda Report Recommendation No. 5 Acceptable as proposed. EI RSTAFF.001