DATE:
June 21, 2022
TO:
Mayor and Council Members
FROM:
Nils Bentsen, City Manager
BY:
Rachel Molina, Assistant City Manager
Ryan Leonard, Senior Planner
SUBJECT:
Development Code Amendment DCA22-00002 and Specific Plan Amendment SPLA22-00001; Applicant: City of Hesperia; Area affected: City-wide
RECOMMENDED ACTION
The Planning Commission recommends that the City Council introduce and place on first reading Ordinance No. 2022-10 approving Development Code Amendment DCA22-00002 and Specific Plan Amendment SPLA22-00001, modifying development standards associated with truck storage yards and truck terminals within the industrial zoning classifications.
PROJECT SUMMARY
Proposal: Currently, the municipal code does not contain specific development standards for truck storage yards. For example, outdoor storage uses are currently addressed in Section 16.16.360 of the Development Code, however the requirements are oriented towards all types of outdoor storage, including storage of merchandise. The proposed regulations would clarify that truck storage yards are a type of outdoor storage and would include specific provisions for them. In addition, the proposed regulations would require that all future truck storage yards obtain approval of a Conditional Use Permit. Finally, the proposed regulations would specify that storage yards that are used exclusively for the storage of shipping containers would be a prohibited use.
The municipal code currently allows truck terminals within the General Commercial (C2), Limited Manufacturing (I1) and General Manufacturing (I2) zones with approval of a CUP. Staff is proposing to clarify that term “truck terminal” shall also include a truck storage yard. In addition, staff is removing a truck terminal as being an allowed use within the General Commercial (C2) zone. Truck terminals/truck storage yards would continue to be allowed in the I1 and I2 zones with approval of a CUP.
Within the Main Street and Freeway Corridor Specific Plan (Specific Plan), truck terminals are allowed in the General Industrial (GI) zone as a permitted use. Staff is proposing to change the current requirement to require a CUP for a truck terminal/truck storage yard with the General Industrial (GI) zone. Within the Commercial Industrial Business Park (CIBP) zone of the Specific Plan, a truck terminal is not listed as a permitted or conditionally permitted use. However, other trucking related uses such as warehouse facilities or major vehicle repair facilities (including semi-truck repair) are currently allowed to have truck parking and truck storage as an ancillary use. Staff is proposing to add truck terminals/truck storage yards as a conditionally permitted use within the CIBP zone.
Staff is also proposing to create specific development standards that would apply to all future truck terminals/truck storage yards. The development standards would require that the any site that is proposed for a truck terminal/truck storage yard be fully developed with a permanent building that complies with the City’s Architectural Design Guidelines. As previously mentioned, because the development code does not currently contain specific development standards for truck terminals/truck storage yards, the code is silent on whether a building is required at all. This has been problematic for staff in the past.
The proposed development standards would also require that the entire site is fully paved so that trucks are precluded from parking on any vacant portion of the site. In addition, the truck storage areas would have to be completely screened from public view by a combination of buildings and/or a minimum 8-foot high decorative solid screen wall. The screen wall would be required to include anti-graffiti coating. Lastly, an operations and truck route plan will be required to be submitted for review and approval as a part of the CUP application. The plan would describe the operational characteristics of the proposed use, including but not limited to, hours of operation, number of employees, number of trucks to be stored, and the proposed truck routing to and from the facility to designated truck routes.
Taken together these requirements will ensure that all new facilities are developed in an orderly and quality manner.
Planning Commission Review: On May 12, 2022 the Planning Commission voted 5-0 to forward this item to the City Council with a recommendation for approval.
Conclusion: The Development Code Amendment complies with the General Plan. Ensuring that truck terminals/truck storage yards are subject to a conditional use permit and adding clear development regulations will ensure that future sites are developed in an orderly and quality manner.
ATTACHMENT(S)
Ordinance No. 2022-10
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
DCA22-00002 & SPLA22-00001
June 21, 2022