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1 Virginia Smith Trust (VST) Annexation and Pre-zoning Project City of Merced City CouncilJanuary 16, 2024Jonnie Lan, AICP, Principal PlannerFOR THE VIRGINIA SMITH TRUST:
Consider Annexation and Pre-zoning Application #23-03, Pre-Annexation and Development Agreement General Plan Amendment #23-04, Adoption of the VST Specific Plan, Establishment of Planned Development (P-D) #80, and Environmental Review #23-44 adopting the Focused Subsequent Environmental Impact Report (FSEIR)City of Merced City CouncilJanuary 16, 2024Jonnie Lan, AICP, Principal Planner 1 2
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2 Project Location
VST Project Location
Background
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3 …The UCP Project: An OverviewBackgroundContinued
•The VST Project was originally evaluated under Merced County•AB 3312: State Law allows for annexation of UC Merced into the City of Merced•With the annexation of UC Merced, the VST Project site at 4600 Lake Road will become Contiguous •Qualifies to be annexed•Property owners decided to develop within the City. 5 6
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4 …The VST Project: Phasing and Buildout. Elements of the ProjectVST Specific PlanPlanned Development VST Specific Plan and Establish Planned Development•Land Use Plan and Framework•Mixture of Land Uses•Affordable Housing (above City requirements)•Regulatory and Design Framework•Building setbacks, massing and architecture•Public art and signage•Drainage•Energy and water conservation 7 8
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5 Elements of the ProjectVST Specific PlanPlanned Development VST Specific Plan and Establish Planned DevelopmentContinued•Circulation Framework•Special street sections; city standards•Active transportation; bike paths and ped paths•Campus Parkway; location and width•Infrastructure•Water, sewer and drainage master plans•Park facilities above City standards•Financing, Services and Governance•Public services•Special park and traffic fees•City fees for all other facilities•Community Facilities District …The Project: Town Center. A Place for Commerce, Housing and a Gathering Place for Neighbors. Mixed use housing. 9 10
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6 Elements of the ProjectEnvironmental Review
Environmental Impact Report•CEQA is Complete. City considered Responsible Agency since project EIR was approved by County.•“Subsequent EIR” to 2004/2006 UCP EIR•Compares impacts from 2004/2006 project that were originally disclosed in 2004/2006 to those from the proposed UCP Amendment and VST Specific Plan Elements of the ProjectEnvironmental Review
Environmental Impact Report Continued•CEQA Findings•No new significant impacts•Many impacts much less intensive, or now less than significant; Bio impacts already mitigated•Vehicle Miles Travelled (VMT) below OPR thresholds•Significant Greenhouse Gas emissions impacts for UCP; less than significant for VST with VST’s energy features•Net groundwater use below Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) thresholds; adequate City water supply•Adequate City wastewater collection and treatment capacity; no new projects needed support VST project 11 12
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7 Pre-annexation Development Agreement
•Locks in entitlements, timelines and performance standards•Specifies financial obligations of City and VST•Creates authority and obligation for special impact fees and development requirementsElements of the ProjectGeneral Plan AmendmentsAnnexation •City General Plan Amendments•Minor only. General Plan recognizes UCP as the development guide for the area.•General Plan will be updated to reflect VST Specific Plan•Annexation•AB 3312 permits annexation once UC Merced is annexed•Expected later this year, following UC Merced annexation 13 14
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8 Past Actions
•On December 20, 2023, Planning Commission heard, and recommended approval of Annexation and Pre-zoning #23-03, General Plan Amendment #23-04, Establishment of Planned Development (P-D) #80, the Adoption of the VST Specific Plan and Environmental Review #23-44 which adopts the Focused Subsequent EIR Certified under Merced County’s processPast Actions •Because it was not heard at the original meeting, the Pre-annexation and Development Agreement, required for the annexation was heard and recommended for approval on January 3, 2024, by the Planning Commission.15 16 1/11/2024
9 City CouncilAction
Approve Resolution 2024-13, a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Merced, California, Adopting Findings of Facts, A Statement of Overriding Considerations, and a Mitigation Monitoring Program, and Certifying The Final Subsequent Environmental Impact Report for the Virginia Smith Trust Specific Plan, Approve Resolution 2024-14, a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Merced, CA, Adopting Annexation and Pre-zoning #23-03, General Plan Amendment #23-04, the VST Specific Plan and Establishment of Planned Development (P-D) # 80City CouncilActionContinued C. Approve Resolution 2024-15, a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Merced, California, to the Local Agency Formation Commission for the annexation of property located at 4600 Lake RoadD. Introducing Ordinance 2560, an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Merced, California, amending the official zoning map by Pre-zoning land located at 4600 Lake Road as Planned Development (P-D) #80E. Introducing Ordinance 2561, an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Merced, California, approving a Pre-Annexation Development Agreement between the City of Merced and the Virginia Smith Trust for the VST Annexation and authorizing the City Manager to execute the agreement. 17 18
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10 Thank You
Questions?19