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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-009 - Certifying Final Environmental Impact Report No. 2011-01ROH — 03/04/14 RESOLUTION NO. 2014 -009 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA CERTIFYING FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT NO. 2011 -01 AND APPROVING THE MITIGATION MONITORING PROGRAM; APPROVING VARIANCE NOS. 2012 -04(A) AND 2012 -04(B) AS CONDITIONED; AND, APPROVING VESTING TENTATIVE TRACT MAP NO. 2012 -02 (COUNTY MAP NO. 17231) AS CONDITIONED FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1584 EAST SANTA CLARA AVENUE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. The City Council of the City of Santa Ana hereby finds, determines and declares as follows: A. Mr. Bob Odle, representing the property owners, Lutheran High School of Orange County and Concordia University, is requesting approval of a final environmental impact report (FEIR), two variances, and a vesting tentative tract map in order to allow a 23 -unit single - family development at 1584 East Santa Clara Avenue. B. In June 2012, the City Council held a public hearing and voted to list the property on the City's Register of Historical Properties as a Key property. In response, the property owners filed a Notice of Intent to Demolish on June 11, 2012, which initiated a 240 -day time period that prevented demolition of the structures and orange grove. Further, it required the Historic Resources Commission (HRC) to investigate feasible alternatives to the demolition. On June 24, 2012, the HRC appointed an Ad Hoc Committee to investigate feasible alternatives. On January 24, 2013, the HRC received and filed the final report on the alternatives to the demolition of the site and adopted a resolution urging the City Council to purchase the Sexlinger site. C. The Planning Commission of the City of Santa Ana held a duly noticed public hearing on February 10, 2014, and voted to recommend that the City Council: 1. Adopt a resolution certifying Final Environmental Impact Report No. 2011 -01 and approve the mitigation monitoring program for the Sexlinger Farmhouse and Orchard. 2. Adopt a resolution approving Variance No. 2012 -04(a) for the Sexlinger Farmhouse as conditioned. Resolution No. 2014 -009 Page 1 of 11 3. Adopt a resolution approving Variance No. 2012 -04(b) to allow a reduction in the minimum lot frontage as conditioned. 4. Adopt a resolution approving Vesting Tentative Tract Map No. 2012- 02 (County Map No. 17231) as conditioned. D. The City Council of the City of Santa Ana held a duly noticed public hearing on March 4, 2014, and at that time considered all testimony, written and oral. E. As part of the City's permitting process, the proposed project is required to undergo an environmental review in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). In accordance with CEQA, the recommended actions have been reviewed through an environmental impact report, EIR No. 2011 -01. Sections 15080 through 15097 of the State CEQA Guidelines (Article 7) guide the process for the preparation of an environmental impact report. 1. The EIR, as required by CEQA, contains 1) an initial study; 2) a project description; 3) a description of the environmental setting, potential environmental impacts, mitigation measures for any significant effects, and consistency with plans and policies; and 4) names of preparers. The mitigation measures included in this EIR are designed to reduce or eliminate the potentially significant environmental impacts described herein. The scope of the EIR evaluates the proposed project's effects on the following resource topics: aesthetics, air quality, biological resources, cultural resources, geology and soils, greenhouse gas emissions, hazards and hazardous materials, hydrology and water quality, land use and planning, noise, population and housing, public services, recreation, transportation and traffic, and utilities and service systems. 2. The City prepared a draft EIR and published the Notice of Availability (NOA) in the Orange County Register as well as posted the NOA at the Orange County Clerk's office on October 30, 2012. The City circulated the draft EIR for a 45 -day public review between November 1, 2012 and December 17, 2012. The draft EIR was available for public review at the Santa Ana City Hall, the City of Santa Ana Main Library, and on the City's website. 3. Comments were received during the public review period. Pursuant to Section 15088 of the State CEQA Guidelines, the City, as the lead agency for the project, has reviewed all comments received on the document. 4. As a result of the environmental analysis, mitigation measures have been provided to address potential environmental impacts. A list of these mitigation measures are found within the attached Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program Summary. Mitigation measures Resolution No. 2014 -009 Page 2 of 11 have been outlined to address potential impacts on geology, hazardous materials, water quality, noise, transportation and circulation, cultural resources, air quality and biological resources. 5. At its regular meeting of February 10, 2014, the Planning Commission of the City of Santa Ana, following a duly noticed public hearing, voted to recommend to the City Council that it adopt a resolution certifying Final Environmental Impact Report No. 2011- 01 and approve the mitigation monitoring program for the Sexlinger Farmhouse and Orchard. 6. The City Council of the City of Santa Ana has fully considered this matter, and all public testimony, at a duly noticed public hearing held at its regularly scheduled meeting of March 4, 2014. F. Applicant has also requested approval of Variance No. 2012 -04(a) to allow the Sexlinger Farmhouse to remain at its current location in the Single - Family Residence (R -1) zoning district. 1. Santa Ana Municipal Code (SAMC) section 41 -234 requires a front yard setback of twenty (20) feet. SAMC section 41- 239(8) requires the garage to be a minimum of five feet from the residence. SAMC section 41- 1320(b) requires the residence to provide a two -car garage. The applicant requires reductions in each of these standards to keep the historic Farmhouse in its current location. 2. The City Council determines that the following findings, which must be established pursuant to Santa Ana Municipal Code Section 41- 638 in order to grant a variance, have been established: i. That because of special circumstances applicable to the subject property, including size, shape, topography, location or surroundings, that the strict application of the zoning ordinance is found to deprive the subject property of privileges not otherwise at variance with the intent and purpose of the provisions of this Chapter. The project site has a special circumstance related to its size, shape and location. The approval of the variance for the Sexlinger Farmhouse will result in the residence and garage retaining and preserving the historic character of the property. Further, the approval of the variance will avoid the removal of distinctive materials or alteration of features, spaces, and spatial relationships that characterize the property. Therefore, applying the strict letter of the Code would, in this particular case, deprive the subject property of privileges not otherwise at Resolution No. 2014 -009 Page 3 of 11 variance with the intent and purpose of the provisions of this chapter. ii. That the granting of a variance is necessary for the preservation and enjoyment of one or more substantial property rights. The granting of the variance is necessary for the preservation and enjoyment of substantial property rights. Compliance with the setback, separation and parking standards would result in the loss of a resource that is listed on the City's Register of Historical Properties as the structure would have to be relocated. The granting of the variance will preserve the property owners right to develop the property with a use that is allowed by right in the R -1 zoning district and is consistent with the general plan. The new use will allow the development of a vacant property which will preserve the property owner's right to develop their property. iii. That the granting of a variance will not be materially detrimental to the public welfare or injurious to surrounding property. The granting of the variance will not be detrimental to the public or surrounding properties as the residence and garage are proposed to be used as it was historically, with little or no changes to its distinctive materials, features, spaces, and spatial relationships. The project has been designed in compliance with all other applicable development standards for an R -1 project. iv. That the granting of a variance will not adversely affect the General Plan of the City. Finally, the project will not adversely affect the General Plan. The proposed use will result in the improvement of the property into a single - family residence that will be consistent with the Secretary of Interior standards. Further, the variance is consistent with goals and policies of the General Plan, including Land Use Element Goal 4 to protect and enhance development sites which are unique community assets, Land Use Element Policy 4.2 to encourage the retention and reuse of historical buildings and sites, and Housing Resolution No. 2014 -009 Page 4 of 11 Element Policy HE -1.7 to support preservation and enhancement of residential structures and properties that are considered local historic or cultural resources. G. Applicant has also requested approval of Variance No. 2012 -04(b) to allow one new lot in the development with less than 50 feet of street frontage in the Single - Family Residence (R -1) zoning district. 1. Section 41- 237(b) of the Santa Ana Municipal Code requires lots in the Single - Family Residence (R -1) zoning district to have at least 50 feet of street frontage, as measured from the back of the setback, while the applicant is proposing to reduce the street frontage to 41 feet for Lot No. 12. 2. The City Council determines that the following findings which must be established, pursuant to Santa Ana Municipal Code Section 41- 638, in order to grant a variance, have been established: i. That because of special circumstances applicable to the subject property, including size, shape, topography, location or surroundings, that the strict application of the zoning ordinance is found to deprive the subject property of privileges not otherwise at variance with the intent and purpose of the provisions of this Chapter. The project site has a special circumstance related to its size, shape and location. The subject site is a five - acre rectangular shaped parcel that will be constrained by the application of a County street standard to the project. In order to provide a larger street area for trash trucks and similar sized vehicles to maneuver, a County's standard for the design of "knuckles" was imposed on this project. The County standard required the taking of more land than proposed, which impacted the applicant's ability to meet the minimum street standard for an R -1 project. Therefore, applying the strict letter of the Code would, in this particular case, deprive the subject property of a use that is otherwise allowed by right in the zone and would deprive the subject property of privileges not otherwise at variance with the intent and purpose of the provisions of this chapter. ii. That the granting of a variance is necessary for the preservation and enjoyment of one or more substantial property rights. Resolution No. 2014 -009 Page 5 of 11 The granting of the variance is necessary for the preservation and enjoyment of substantial property rights. Compliance with the street frontage standard could result in the loss of residential units, which would reduce the feasibility of the proposed use of the property, which impacts the property rights of the owners. Further, the granting of the street frontage variance will preserve the property owners right to develop the property with a use that is allowed by right in the R -1 zoning district and is consistent with the general plan. The new use will allow the development of a vacant property which will preserve the property owners right to develop their property. iii. That the granting of a variance will not be materially detrimental to the public welfare or injurious to surrounding property. The granting of the variance will not be detrimental to the public or surrounding properties as the project and individual residential lots is proposed to be in compliance with all applicable development standards for an R -1 project except for the street frontage requirement. Further, the street design will allow trash trucks and similar sized vehicles to safely maneuver on the public streets. iv. That the granting of a variance will not adversely affect the General Plan of the City. Finally, the project will not adversely affect the General Plan. The proposed use will result in the improvement of a vacant parcel from the property into a single - family development that will accommodate move up housing in the City. Further, the variance is consistent with several policies of the general plan, including Policy 1.4 to support development of single - family residential lots on a minimum area of at least 6,000 square feet, Policy 1.9 to coordinate street and parkway designs that are attractive, functional and compatible with adjacent on -site development, Policy 3.5 which encourages new development that are compatible in scale and consistent with the architectural style and character of the neighborhood, and Policy 5.10 to support a circulation system which is responsive to the needs of pedestrians and vehicular travel. Resolution No. 2014 -009 Page 6 of 11 H. Applicant has further requested approval of Vesting Tentative Tract Map No. 2012 -02 (County Map No. 17231) to allow the subdivision of the five (5) acre parcel into 23 lots for the residential project. 1. To adopt a Vesting Tentative Tract Map, California Government Code Section 66474 requires the following findings: i. The proposed project, as conditioned, and its design and improvements are consistent with the District Center designation on the General Plan and are otherwise consistent with all other elements of the General Plan. Vesting Tentative Tract Map No. 2012 -02 (County Map No. 17231) is consistent with the low density residential land use designation and density (seven units per acre) prescribed in the General Plan and will have no adverse affect on the surrounding land uses in the area. The development is consistent with the single - family residences surrounding the project on three sides. ii. The proposed project, as conditioned, conforms to all applicable requirements of the zoning and subdivision codes as well as other applicable City ordinances. Vesting Tentative Tract Map No. 2012 -02 (County Map No. 17231) is in keeping with the provisions of site plan review (DP No. 2010 -47) and Chapters 34 and 41 of the Santa Ana Municipal Code, all of which pertain to the subdivision of land and development standards for the site. Although two lots will not meet the street frontage standard, a variance (Variance No. 2012 -04) is proposed for the project due to the unique design of the street. iii. The project site is physically suitable for the type and density of the proposed project. The vesting tentative tract map is proposed for a five - acre parcel of land within an area that is zoned for single - family residences (R -1). The site has been determined to be capable of supporting the type and density of the proposed project as the proposed density of five units per acre is less than the allowed seven units per acre. Resolution No. 2014 -009 Page 7 of 11 iv. The design and improvements of the proposed project will not cause substantial environmental damage or substantially and avoidably injure fish or wildlife or their habitat. No fish or wildlife will be affected by the approval of this map or by the design and improvements of the project. Environmental Impact Report No. 2011 -01 has been prepared for this project and has identified mitigation measures aimed at reducing any environmental impact to fish or wildlife that may be associated with this project. V. The design or improvements of the proposed project will not cause serious public health problems. The design and improvements associated with this project have been prepared to comply with minimum City standards. The street system has been designed to public street standards and will accommodate emergency vehicles. Also, a County standard applicable to a "knuckle" design, which exceeds the City's standard, will be implemented on this project to ensure trash trucks and similar sized vehicles safely travel the streets. Additionally, traffic calming devises are proposed at the north and south end of Lyon Street, which will reduce speed along the streets and improve the safety of the residences. All other improvements have been designed to mitigate any serious impacts resulting from this project. vi. The design or improvements of the proposed project will not conflict with the easements acquired by the public at large for access through or use of property within the proposed project. Approval of the vesting tentative tract map will not create conflicts with any easements necessary for public access through the subject property, as no such easements currently exist. Public access will be allowed to the site as the streets will be public streets. The applicant agrees to indemnify, hold harmless, and defend the City of Santa Ana, its officials, officers, agents, and employees, from any and all liability, claims, actions or proceedings that may be brought arising out of its approval of this project, and any approvals associated with the project, including, without limitation, any CEQA review or approval, except to the extent caused by the negligence of the City of Santa Ana. Resolution No. 2014 -009 Page 8 of 11 Section 2. The City Council has reviewed and considered the information contained in Final Environmental Impact Report No. 2011 -01 prepared with respect to this project. The City Council has, as a result of its consideration of the record as a whole and the evidence presented at the hearings on this matter, determined that, as required pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the State CEQA Guidelines, Final Environmental Impact Report No. 2011 -01 meets all requirements of CEQA, including, but not limited to: finding that Final Environmental Impact Report No. 2011 -01 adequately addresses the impacts of the project; that it identifies and through the mitigation monitoring program imposes all feasible mitigation measures which will reduce all of the significant environmental impacts of the project to a level of insignificance; discusses a reasonable range of alternatives to the project; identifies the environmentally superior alternative; and based upon all of which and the record as a whole the City Council chooses to approve the project. The City Council hereby certifies and approves Final Environmental Impact Report No. 2011 -01 and the mitigation monitoring program attached herewith and incorporated herein by this reference, and directs that a Notice of Determination be prepared and filed with the County Clerk of the County of Orange in the manner required by law. Section 3. Pursuant to Title XIV, California Code of Regulations (CCR) § 735.5(c)(1), the City Council has determined that, after considering the record as a whole, there is no evidence that the proposed project will have the potential for any adverse effect on wildlife resources or the ecological habitat upon which wildlife resources depend. The proposed project exists in an urban environment characterized by paved concrete, roadways, surrounding buildings and human activity. Therefore, pursuant to Fish and Game Code § 711.2 and Title XIV, CCR § 735.5, the payment of Fish and Game Department filing fees is not required in conjunction with this project. Section 4. The City Council of the City of Santa Ana, after conducting the public hearing, hereby: A. Certifies Final Environmental Impact Report No. 2011 -01 and approves the mitigation monitoring program for the Sexlinger Farmhouse and Orchard. B. Approves Variance No. 2012 -04(a) as conditioned in Exhibit "A" attached hereto and incorporated herein. C. Approves Variance No. 2012 -04(b) as conditioned in Exhibit "B" attached hereto and incorporated herein. D. Approves Vesting Tentative Tract Map No. 2012 -02 (County Map No. 17231) as conditioned in Exhibit "C" attached hereto and incorporated herein. These decisions are based upon the evidence submitted at the above said hearing, which includes, but is not limited to: the Request for Council Action dated March 4, 2014, and exhibits attached thereto; and the public testimony, written and oral, all of which are incorporated herein by this reference. Resolution No. 2014 -009 Page 9 of 11 Section 5. This decision rendered by the City Council of the City of Santa Ana is final and is subject to judicial review pursuant to California Code of Civil Procedure section 1094.6. ADOPTED this 4th day of March, 2014 1 —y— APPROVED AS TO FORM: Sonia R. Carvalho City Attorney AYES: Councilmembers: Amezcua Benavides Martinez Pulido Reyna, Sarmiento Tinalero (7) NOES: Councilmembers: None 0) ABSTAIN: Councilmembers: None (0) NOT PRESENT: Councilmembers: None (0) Resolution No. 2014 -009 Page 10 of 11 CERTIFICATE OF ATTESTATION AND ORIGINALITY I, MARIA D. HUIZAR, Clerk of the Council, do hereby attest to and certify the attached Resolution No. 2014 -009 to be the original resolution adopted by the City Council of the City of Santa Ana on March 4, 2014. Date: 21-7 12V/ Clerk of the Council City of Santa Ana Resolution No. 2014 -009 Page 11 of 11 Conditions for Approval for Variance No. 2012 -04(a) Should the Planning Commission approve Variance No. 2012- 04(a), the approval is subject to compliance, to the reasonable satisfaction of the Planning Manager, with all applicable sections of the Santa Ana Municipal Code, the California Administrative Code, the California Building Standards Code and all other applicable regulations. The applicant must comply in full with each and every condition listed below rip or to exercising the rights conferred by this variance. The applicant must remain in compliance with all conditions listed below throughout the life of the variance. Failure to comply with each and every condition may result in the revocation of the variance. A. Planning Division 1. All proposed improvements must conform to the Site Plan Review approval of DP No. 2010 -47 and the staff report exhibits. 2. Any amendment to this variance must be submitted to the Planning Division for review. At that time, staff will determine if administrative relief is available or the variance must be amended. 3. Landscaping, once installed, shall be maintained per the approved landscape plan. After project occupancy, landscaping is to be maintained to include the minimum level of plant materials installed at the time of occupancy and per the approved plan. 4. Vines are required to be added to all block walls that face a public street. Exhibit "A" Conditions for Approval for Variance No. 2012 -04(b) Should the Planning Commission approve Variance No. 2012- 04(b), the approval is subject to compliance, to the reasonable satisfaction of the Planning Manager, with all applicable sections of the Santa Ana Municipal Code, the California Administrative Code, the California Building Standards Code and all other applicable regulations. The applicant must comply in full with each and every condition listed below rip or to exercising the rights conferred by this variance. The applicant must remain in compliance with all conditions listed below throughout the life of the variance. Failure to comply with each and every condition may result in the revocation of the variance. A. Planning Division All proposed improvements must conform to the Site Plan Review approval of DP No. 2010 -47 and the staff report exhibits. Any amendment to this variance must be submitted to the Planning Division for review. At that time, staff will determine if administrative relief is available or the variance must be amended. Landscaping, once installed, shall be maintained per the approved landscape plan. After project occupancy, landscaping is to be maintained to include the minimum level of plant materials installed at the time of occupancy and per the approved plan. 4. Vines are required to be added to all block walls that face a public street. Exhibit "B" Conditions for Approval for Vesting Tentative Tract Map No. 2012-02 (County Map No. 17231) Should the Planning Commission approve Vesting Tentative Tract Map No. 2012-02 (County Map No. 17231), the approval is subject to compliance, to the reasonable satisfaction of the Planning Manager, with all applicable sections of the Santa Ana Municipal Code, the California Administrative Code, the California Building Standards Code and all other applicable regulations. The applicant must comply in full with each and every condition listed below prior to exercising the rights conferred by this vesting tentative tract map. The applicant must remain in compliance with all conditions listed below throughout the life of the map. Failure to comply with each and every condition may result in the revocation of the vesting tentative tract map. A. Planning Division 1. The Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (CC&R's) for this project must be reviewed and approved prior to approval of the final tract map. 2. Any amendment to the vesting tentative tract map must be submitted to the Planning Division for review. At that time, staff will determine if administrative relief is available or the map must be amended. 3. Landscaping, once installed, shall be maintained per the approved landscape plan. After project occupancy, landscaping is to be maintained to include the minimum level of plant materials installed at the time of occupancy and per the approved plan. This requirement shall also be incorporated into the CC&R's for the project. 4. The CC&R's must include language that requires all required landscaping must be installed within a specified time period. 5. A solid block wall not less than six feet in height must be provided around the project perimeter. In the event the applicant is unable to secure approval from the adjacent property owners, a revised fence plan shall be submitted to the Planning Division for review and approval. 6. The final map must be approved and recorded prior to issuance of building permits. 7. Development within the area of the map is subject to development and permit fees in effect at the time of permit issuance. Exhibit "C" March 4, 2014 PAGE 2 OF 2 8. Development within the area of the map is subject to design and development standards in effect at the time of permit issuance. 9. The project must be in compliance with the provisions of Site Plan Review (DP No. 2010-47). 10. Two copies of the recorded final map and CC&R's shall be submitted each to the Planning Division, Fire Authority, Building Division, and Public Works Agency within 10 days of recordation. 11. The final map and all improvements required to be made or installed by the subdivider must be in accordance with the design standards and specifications of the Santa Ana Municipal Code and the requirements of the State Subdivision Map Act. 12. The interior of the Sexlinger Farmhouse shall be rehabilitated to building code standards in order to return the structure to a habitable condition. 13. Prior to issuance of any building permits for the site, a covenant shall be recorded that requires the existing and replacement oranges trees be maintained on the Sexlinger Farmhouse site. 14. Landscaped parkways, designed to conform to the City's residential street standards, shall be provided on the project's streets. (Added by the Planning Commission February 10, 2014.) 15. The exterior of the Sexlinger Farmhouse and garage shall be rehabilitated in compliance with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties-Rehabilitation Guidelines. (Added by the Planning Commission February 10, 2014.) 16. A minimum of 16 orange trees shall be maintained and/or planted on the Sexlinger Farmhouse parcel at all times. (Added by the Planning Commission February 10, 2014.) Exhibit "C"