HomeMy WebLinkAboutAGENDA REPORT 1997 0205 CC REG ITEM 09B-^ 95 80
AGENDA REPORT
CITY OF MOORPARK
TO: The Honorable Citv Council i
FROM: Nelson Miller, Director of Communitv Developme�� `
DATE: January 29, 1997 (For the City Council Meeting of February 5, 1997)
SUBJECT: Benefits of a Sphere of Influence Study
BACKGROUND
At the meeting of January 15, 1997, Mayor Hunter requested an item to be agendized regarding
discussion of the benefits of a Sphere of Influence Study. The 1996/97 goals and objectives included
a goal relating to the development of an analysis to consider establishment of a Sphere of Influence
for the City. Such a study was also suggested by Supervisor Mikels at a recent Board of Supervisors
hearing regarding projects within the City's Area of Interest.
DISCUSSION
Under the revised Ventura County 1996 Guidelines for Orderly Development (see Exhibit 1),
policies are different for projects within a Sphere of Influence and within an Area of Interest. The
Guidelines indicate that applicants for land use permits or entitlements for urban uses within a
Sphere of Influence would be encouraged to apply to the City, rather than the County.
The City's present Sphere of Influence is the same as the City present boundaries. When the last
comprehensive update of the City's General Plan was prepared in 1992, areas outside the City were
included in the draft to begin addressing a Sphere of Influence for the City. Except for the area for
which the Messenger Specific Plan was proposed, the areas outside the City Limits were not
included in the adopted General Plan. To date, no expansion of the Sphere of Influence has been
initiated for the Messenger Specific Plan (specific Plan 8) area.
Attached (see Exhibit 2) is an excerpt from the Ventura County Local Agency Formation
Commission ( LAFCO) Operations Guidelines relating to Spheres of Influence. An application
would need to be submitted and approved by LAFCO in order to expand the City's Sphere of
Influence. The essential elements of such an application are outlined in this excerpt. An application
would need to include proposed General Plan designations for the area, an environmental document
and proposed Plan of Services, along with considerable statistical and other relevant information.
Application fees to LAFCO would also be required. For an application of more than twenty acres,
a deposit is required and all actual costs are charged b} LAFCO for processing the application.
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OoOI49
Sphere of Influence Study
City Council Meeting of February 5, 1997
Page 2
As previously stated there is an established objective relating to an analysis to consider establishment
of a Sphere of Influence, however, it only contemplated preliminary work which would be
completed by City Staff. The current workload would not allow other than preliminary work to be
done by City Staff. Preliminary work to obtain information from LAFCO, prepare maps suggested
by the Community Development Committee, outline general alternatives, and prepare a report for
City Council direction could easily take sixteen to twenty hours of staff time (costs = approximately
$1500). To proceed with an application to LAFCO, to prepare a scope of work, request for
proposals, selection of consultants, preparation, review, and processing of studies and required
environmental documents, submittal and processing of LAFCO applications and fees would involve
several hundred hours of staff time and several tens of thousands of dollars of consultant costs and
fees to LAFCO.
RECOMMENDATION
Direct staff as deemed appropriate.
Attachments: Exhibit 1: 1996 Guidelines for Orderly Development
Exhibit 2: LAFCO Administrative Supplement Relating to Spheres
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EXHIBIT 1
1996 Guidelines for Orderly Development
Preface:
In a cooperative effort to guide future growth and development, the cities, County and Local Agency
Formation Commission have participated in the creation of these "Guidelines for Orderly
Development." The following guidelines are a continuation of the guidelines which were originally
adopted in 1969, and maintain the theme that urban development should be located within incorporated
cities whenever or wherever practical.
The intent of these guidelines is to clarify the relationship between the cities and the County with
respect to urban planning, serve to facilitate a better understanding regarding development standards
and fees, and identify the appropriate governmental agency responsible for making determinations on
land use requests. These guidelines are a unique effort to encourage urban development to occur
within cities, and to enhance the regional responsibility of County government.
These guidelines facilitate the orderly planning and development of Ventura County by:
o Providing a framework for cooperative intergovernmental relations.
o Allowing for urbanization in a manner that will accommodate the development goals of the
individual communities, while conserving the resources of Ventura County.
o Promoting efficient and effective delivery of community services for existing and future
residents.
o Identifying in a manner understandable to the general public the planning and service
responsibilities of local governments providing urban services within Ventura County.
General Policies:
1. Urban development should occur, whenever and wherever practical, within incorporated cities
which exist to provide a full range of municipal services and are responsible for urban land
use planning.
2. The cities and the County should strive to produce general plans, ordinances and policies
which will fulfill these guidelines.
Policies Within Spheres of Influence:
The following policies shall apply within City Spheres of Influence (Spheres of Influence are created
by LAFCO, as required by State law, to identify the probable boundaries of cities and special districts,
realizing that spheres may be amended from time to time as conditions warrant):
3. Applicants for land use permits or entitlements for urban uses shall be encouraged to apply to
the City to achieve their development goals and discouraged from applying to the County.
OoOIL51L
1996 Guidelines for Orderly Demlopnwa
Page 2
4. The City is primarily responsible for local land use planning and for providing municipal
services.
5. Prior to being developed for urban purposes or to receiving municipal services, land should be
annexed to the City.
6. Annexation to the City is preferable to the formation of new or expansion of existing County
service areas.
7. Land uses which are allowed by the County without annexation should be equal to or more
restrictive than land uses allowed by the City.
8. Development standards and capital improvement requirements imposed by the County for new
or expanding developments should not be less than those that would be imposed by the City.
Policies Within Areas of Interest Where a City Exists:
The following policies apply within Areas of Interest where a City exists, but outside the City's
Sphere of Influence (Areas of Interest are created by L.AFCO to identify logical areas of common
interest within which there will be no more than one City):
9. Applications for discretionary land use permits or entitlements shall be referred to the City for
review and comment. The County shall respond to all comments received from the City.
10. The County is primarily responsible for local land use planning, consistent with the general
land use goals and objectives of the City.
11. Urban development should be allowed only within Existing Communities as designated on the
County General Plan.
12. Existing Communities as designated on the County General Plan should financially support
County- administered urban services which are comparable to those urban services provided by
Cities.
Policies Within Areas of Interest Where No City Exists:
13. The County is responsible for local land use planning and for providing municipal services.
14. Urban development should only be allowed in Unincorporated Urban Centers or Existing
Communities as designated in the County General Plan.
15. Urban development in Unincorporated Urban Centers should only be allowed when an Area
Plan has been adopted by the County, to ensure that the proposed development is consistent
with the intent of the Guidelines.
0001.52
1996 cuideUnes for G -deriy Dewlopnwnt
Page 3
Definitions for Implementing Guidelines for Orderly Development:
"Urban Development ":
Development shall be considered urban if it meets any of the following criteria:
o It would require the establishment of new community sewer systems or the significant
expansion of existing community sewer systems;
o It would result in the creation of residential lots less than two (2) acres in area; or
o It would result in the establishment of commercial or industrial uses which are neither
agriculturally- related nor related to the production of mineral resources.
"Existing Community":
Existing Community is a land use designation of the County General Plan which
identifies existing urban residential, commercial, or industrial enclaves located outside
Urban designated areas (i.e., cities or Unincorporated Urban Centers). An Existing
Community may include uses, densities, building intensities, and zoning designations
which are normally limited to Urban designated areas but do not qualify as
Unincorporated Urban Centers. This designation has been established to recognize
existing land uses in unincorporated areas which have been developed with urban
building intensities and urban land uses; to contain these enclaves within specific areas
so as to prevent further expansion; and to limit the building intensity and land use to
previously established levels.
"Unincorporated Urban Center ":
Unincorporated Urban Center is a term of the County General Plan which refers to an
existing or planned urban community which is located in an Area of Interest where no
city exists. The Unincorporated Urban Center represents the focal center for
community and planning activities within the Area of Interest, and may be a candidate
for future incorporation.
000I53
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Vent local agency formation commission
hall of administration. L #18SO
1300 South victoria avenue ventura. ca 93009
(805) 654.2576 fax (805) 654 -5106
mc-mbc-rs
EXHIBIT 2 ALEX FIORE
ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPLEMENT
TO
JOHN K FLYNN
LARRY ROSC
MARIA C VANDERKOLK
70RILL 6 WRIGHT
alternatE members
VICKY HOWARD
JANIS McCORMICK
ROBERT N. McK!NNEY
exEcutiver officer
STANLEY A E SNER
CORTESE /KNOX GOVERNMENT REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1985
relating to
AMENDMENT OF SPHERE OF INFLUENCE
adopted by
County of Ventura Local Agency Formation Commission
November 13, 1992
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SPHERES OF INFLUENCE
The Ventura Local Agency Formation Commission has adopted policies
and criteria relating to the amendment of SPHERES OF INFLUENCE in
Ventura County. The basic policy for establishing and amending
spheres of Influence is found in Chapter 4, Section 56425 of the
Cortese /Knox Government Reorganization Act of 1985:
"In determining the sphere of influence of each local agency,
the commission shall consider and prepare a written statement
of its determinations with respect to each of the following:
(1) The present and planned land use in the area, including
agricultural and open -space lands.
(2) The present and probable need for public facilities and
services in the area.
(3) The present capacity of public facilities and adequacy of
public services which the agency provides or is
authorized to provide.
(4) The existence of any social or economic communities of
interest in the area if the commission determines that
they are relevant to the agency."
In order to assure that the Commission can properly consider any
request for amendment to a sphere of influence, the following
information MUST BE PROVIDED AS A PART OF ALL SPHERE OF INFLUENCE
APPLICATION MATERIALS:
A. The maximum possible service area of the agency based
upon present and possible service capabilities of the
agency. (please cite specific plans by title and date of
adoption)
8. The range of services the agency is providing or could
provide. (Please submit "Plan for Providing Service
Within the Affected Territory" as required by Government
Code section 56653)
C. The projected population growth of the area_ (Please cite
specific sections of the agency's General Plan Land Use
and Housing elements, as well as any other population -
based planning documents.)
` D_ The type of development occurring or planned for the
area. (Please include citation(s) of adopted general
plan, specific plans or such other planning documents
that wil' illustrate the agency's intent_)
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E_ The present and probable future service needs of the
area.
F_ Local governmental agencies presently providing services
to the area and the present level, range and adequacy of
services provided by such existing local governmental
agencies. (Please be as specific and quantitative as
possible)
G. The existence of social and economic interdependence and
the interaction between the areas within the present
sphere boundary and the area subject to inclusion with
amendment of the sphere line.
H. The existence of Prime Agricultural Land, designated open
space and /or land of Statewide importance. (Please use
specific Soil Conservation Service definitions and
classifications for soil designations; County General
Plan Open Space /Conservation elements for open space and
other designations.,,
I. The existence of agricultural preserves in the area which
is proposed to be within the agency's sphere of
influence, and the effect on maintaining the physical and
economic integrity of such preserves if added to the
agency's sphere of influence.
J. Map designations the location of the proposed new sphere
l i n e , of topography, natural boundaries, and d r a i n a g e
courses, and any other physical features of significance.
The following quantitative information must also be provided (or
updated (if necessary) if previously submitted to LAFCO):
K. How many acres are within the agency boundaries?
L. How many acres are in urban use? Percent of total?
M. How many acres of unused land are within the agency
boundaries? Percent of total?
N. How many
boundaries
Percent of
0. How many
influence
boundaries
acres of unused land within the agency
are suitable /available for development?
total?
acres are within the agency's sphere of
(not including that portion within agency
P. How many acres are in urban use? Percent of total sphere
exclusive of agency area?
0. How many acres are suitable /available for development?
Percent of total sphere exclusive of agency area?
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VENTURA LAFCO DEFINITIONS AND POLICY
RE SPHERES OF INFLUENCE
Ventura Local Agency Formation Commission makes a distinction
between "Minor" sphere amendments and "Major" sphere amendments.
Minor amendments are defined as being ten (10) acres or less, while
Major amendments are larger than 10 acres_ The Commission may deem
a request for sphere amendment of less than ten (10) acres "Major"
if the area under consideration contains Prime agricultural soils
or other.geographic /topographic significance.
It is the policy of Ventura LAFCO to limit amendments to any single
agency sphere of influence to three (3) per calendar year. Minor
amendments may be 'grouped' and submitted as a single amendment, so
long as the total acreage of the combined minor amendments does not
exceed thirty (30) acres and the territories are not adjacent to
one - another.
It is the policy of Ventura LAFCO that Major amendments to a sphere
of influence will only be considered after a comprehensive review
of the entire sphere, which may include a complete environmental
analysis (EIR /focused EIR), examination using the criteria set
forth in section 56425 of the Government Code (see above) and any
policies /criteria established by the Commission.
Any area to be considered for inclusion in an amended sphere of
influence must be a part of the requesting agency's adopted general
plan, and /or adopted specific area plan. General /specific plan
references must include policy identification in all of the seven
(7) mandated elements, as required by Title 7, Chapter 65000 of the
Government Code. HOWEVER, CONSISTENCY WITH AGENCY GENERAL PLANS
DOES NOT GUARANTEE APPROVAL FOR A SPHERE OF INFLUENCE AMENDMENT 5Y
LAFCO.
First and foremost, it is the policy of Ventura LAFCO to implement
the provisions of section 56377 (a) and (b) of the Government Code,
which state:
"(a) Development or use of land for other than open space uses
shall be guided away from existing prime. agricultural
lands in open space use toward areas containing non -prime
agricultural lands, unless that action would not promote
the planned, orderly, efficient development of the area;
(b) Development of existing vacant or non -prime agricultural
lands for urban uses within the existing jurisdiction of
the local agency or within the sphere of influence of a
local agency should be encouraged before any proposal is
approved which would allow for or lead to the development
of existing open space lands for non - open -space uses
which are outside of the existing jurisdiction of the
local agency or outside of the existing sphere of
influence of the local agency."
It is the policy of Ventura LAFCO, as adopted in the Guidelines for
Orderly Development, that urban development will occur within
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incorporated cities, and only when the ability to provide a ful -I
range of municipal services exists.
It is also the policy of Ventura LAFCO, as adopted in the
Guidelines for Orderly Development, that land considered for
inclusion in a sphere of influence be adjacent or legally annexable
to the city.
It is the policy of Ventura LAFCO, as adopted in the Guidelines for
Orderly Development, to encourage and support County Planning and
Zoning in requiring that land uses which would be allowed within a
sphere of influence be equal to or more restrictive than those land
uses allowed by the city, and that development standards and costs
imposed by the county be not less than those required by the city.
It is the policy of Ventura LAFCO, as adopted in the, Gui deli nes for
Orderly Development, to include unincorporated areas receiving
municipal services from a city within that city's sphere of
influence, and to encourage and support annexation to the city at
the earliest opportunity.
It is the policy of Ventura LAFCO, as adopted in the Guidelines for
Orderly Development, that annexation to existing cities is
preferable to the formation of new, or the expansion of existing,
County service areas.
It is the policy of the Ventura LAFCO to encourage early discussion
of any proposed sphere of influence amendments with the Commission
so that the Commission can provide direction to applicants which
will assist in the amendment process. E
OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO THE COMMISSION IN REVIEWING REQUESTS FOR
SPHERE OF INFLUENCE AMENDMENT
At the conclusion of its proceedings, the Commission may take any
of the following actions:
* Approve the Sphere amendment, as submitted.
* Conditionally approve the Sphere amendment, as
requested with conditions which may include detachment of
other areas from the existing sphere of Influence.
Approve only a portion of the requested Sphere amendment.
* Disapprove the requested Sphere amendment.
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