Joint Special Council/BFPD
12/4/23 07:00 PM
Building
Christopher Heldreth
General Plan Amendments
Doc ID: 5521
COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
AGENDA MATTER:
203 W. MAIN STREET - GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT PGPA-23-0001 RESOLUTION & ZONE DISTRICT CHANGE PZCA-23-0001 ORDINANCE INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
At the request of applicant Ouhnar LLC, we are presenting the following proposal to the City Council for their consideration. The current zoning for the parcel and structures at 203 West Main Street in Barstow, CA is classified as C (Commercial) under the City's Zoning and General Plan Land Use maps. The request for approval of a General Plan Amendment (PGPA-23-0001) and Zoning District Change (PZCA23-0001) seeks to change the land use designation and zoning district to DU (Diverse Use).
DISCUSSION:
The parcel located at 203 West Main Street (APN #0182-071-11) has remained unoccupied for some time, featuring a vacant motel and commercial building. However, the applicant Ouhnar LLC recently purchased the property and approached the City's Community Development with a proposal to convert the existing motel into studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom units for long-term tenants. Additionally, the applicant plans to remodel and re-establish a laundromat in the previously vacant commercial building.
Unfortunately, the site's current zoning and land use designation of C (Commercial) does not permit residential uses in accordance with Barstow Municipal Chapter 19.16 regulations. To address this, the applicant has submitted a General Plan Amendment application (PGPA-23-0001) and a Zoning District Change application (PZCA-23-0001) to request a change in designation to DU (Diverse Use). This would allow for the intermingling of residential and business structures, enabling the proposed project to move forward.
The City's Planning Commission approved the applicant's initial request for a General Plan amendment on March 13, 2023, paving the way for the formal request to be submitted. The formal General Plan Amendment was reviewed and approved by the Planning Commission on April 24, 2023.
The Zoning District Change application was submitted on July 5, 2023, and both PGPA-23-0001 and PZCA-23-0001 were reviewed and approved by the Planning Commission on October 9, 2023.
Resolution 564-2023 was passed, and the Commission recommends that City Council approve the proposal, which will create additional housing units within the City and contribute to the City's Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA), as determined and monitored by the CA Department of Housing and Community Development.
SITE INFORMATION:
Property Owner/Applicant:
OUHNAR LLC (owner/applicant), and Narbik Babakhanian (representative).
Location:
APN# 0182-071-11
203 West Main Street Barstow, CA 92311
Joint Special Council/BFPD
12/4/23 07:00 PM
Building
Christopher Heldreth
General Plan Amendments
Doc ID: 5521
COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
General Plan:
C (Commercial); PGPA-23-0001 request for change to DU (Diverse Use) Zoning:
C (Commercial); PZCA-23-0001 requests for change to DU (Diverse Use) Surrounding Zoning and Uses:
North: C (Commercial) / Existing Legal Non-Conforming Residences East: C (Commercial Use) /Torches Motel
South: C (Commercial Use) / Vacant Structures
West: C (Commercial Use)/ Vacant Building & Land
CEQA Finding:
This project qualifies as categorically exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), as amended pursuant to California Administrative Code CEQA Guidelines Section 15303 (New Construction or Conversions of Small Structures), Section 15302 (Replacement or Reconstruction), Section 15332 (In-Fill Development Projects) (In-Fill Development Projects).
The site has two (2) existing structures and if approved, applicant proposes renovations and upgrades to each building. The vacant motel will be converted in to residential units and the second structure to be restored back to an operating laundromat. Proposal associated with the Zoning District Change and General Plan Amendment meets the referenced findings.
FISCAL IMPACT:
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Conduct a public hearing and consider staff & Planning Commission recommendations to approve both the request for a Zone District Change under PZCA-23-0001 and its proposed ordinance and General Plan Amendment under PGPA-23-0001 and its proposed resolution to allow for change from C (Commercial) to DU (Diverse Use) zoning and land use designation.