DATE:
February 15, 2022
TO:
Mayor and Council Members
FROM:
Nils Bentsen, City Manager
BY:
Rachel Molina, Assistant City Manager
Ryan Leonard, Senior Planner
SUBJECT:
Specific Plan Amendment SPLA21-00004; Applicant: Anastasi Properties; APNs: 0405-052-03 thru 07
RECOMMENDED ACTION
The Planning Commission recommends that the City Council introduce and place on first reading Ordinance No. 2021-11 approving Specific Plan Amendment SPLA21-00004 to change approximately 35 gross acres from Office Park (OP) to Low Density Residential (LDR) with a minimum lot size of 7,200 square feet.
PROJECT SUMMARY
Proposal: Anastasi Properties submitted an application requesting a Specific Plan Amendment to change approximately 17 acres (APNs 0405-052-04, 05, 06) within the Main Street and Freeway Corridor Specific Plan from Office Park (OP) to Low Density Residential (LDR). In addition, staff expanded the application to include an additional 18 gross acres (APNs 0405-052-03 and 07).
Location: Generally located on the west side of Topaz Avenue, south of Verde Street, approximately 375 feet east of Blanchard Rd (APNs: 0405-052-03 thru 07)
BACKGROUND
On November 4, 2021, staff presented SPLA21-00004 to the Planning Commission and discussed Ballot Measure N which among other things, increased the minimum lot size requirement in the Low Density Residential (LDR) zone from 7,200 square feet to 14,520 square feet. However, Measure N can’t become effective until January 1, 2030 or until State law allows. Staff recommended that if SPLA21-00004 is approved, the zoning reflect a minimum lot size of 14,520 square feet. The Planning Commission deliberated and discussed the project, including staff’s recommended minimum lot size requirements, and voted 3-1 (Commissioner Leis voted no; Commissioner Caldwell was absent) to forward this item to the City Council with a recommendation for approval and to modify staff’s recommendation to allow for a minimum lot size of 7,200 square feet.
On December 21, 2021, staff presented SPLA21-00004 to the City Council for review and consideration. The Council discussed the project and the recommended minimum lot size requirements. The Council voted 5-0 to continue SPLA21-00004 to a future meeting and requested a separate item be brought back for a presentation on land-use designations along the freeway corridor, the likelihood of a future hospital being constructed in the City of Victorville, as well as information about proposed freeway interchanges. Staff presented the requested items to the Council on January 18, 2022.
Conclusion: Staff is upholding its original recommendation that if SPLA21-00004 is approved, the zoning reflect a minimum lot size of 14,520 square feet consistent with the requirements of Ballot Measure N, which is not yet in effect. The properties are currently zoned Office Park (OP) and residential uses are prohibited in the zone. If SPLA21-0004 is approved it would allow for new residential uses that aren’t currently permitted. Therefore, the City can choose the preferred lot size.
Alternatively, the Council could deny the requested zone change for all but one of the parcels that make up the 35 acre project area. Staff recommends that APN 0405-052-07 which is a part of an approved tentative tract map (TT-17655) to create 118 single family lots be changed from Office Park (OP) to Low Density Residential (LDR). The existing Office Park (OP) zoning designation for this parcel was likely an administrative error.
FISCAL IMPACT
None
ALTERNATIVE(S)
Provide alternative direction to staff.
ATTACHMENT(S)
Ordinance No. 2021-11
Exhibit "A"
Planning Commission Staff Report with attachments.
City of Hesperia STAFF REPORT City of Hesperia STAFF REPORT City of Hesperia
STAFF REPORT
City of Hesperia
STAFF REPORT
Staff Report to the City Council
SPLA21-00004
February 15, 2022