SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA
City Council
Wednesday, January 15, 2025
City Council Chamber – Norco City Hall
2820 Clark Avenue, Norco, CA 92860
CALL TO ORDER 6:00 PM
ROLL CALL Greg Newton, Mayor
Robin Grundmeyer, Mayor Pro Tem
Kevin Bash, Council Member
Gregory Bowen, Council Member
Fia Sullivan, Council Member
1. DISCUSSION / ACTION ITEM(S)
Order of Presentation for Discussion Items:
1. Staff Report Presentation
2. Council Questions of Staff
3. Public Comment
4. Council Discussion and Action
1.A. Introduction and adoption of Interim Urgency Ordinance establishing a temporary moratorium on new hotels with kitchens in the guestroom, and amending Norco Municipal Code section 18.02.04 definition of hotel to prohibit kitchens in guestrooms.
RECOMMENDATION:
Introduce and adopt Interim Urgency Ordinance No. 1129, establishing a temporary moratorium on new hotels with kitchens in the guestroom and amending Norco Municipal Code Section 18.02.04 definition of hotel. 20250107 Interim ordinance kitchens
Staff Report - Pdf
2. CLOSED SESSION
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL—ANTICIPATED LITIGATION
Initiation of litigation pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9: (1 potential case)
3. ADJOURNMENT
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, any person who requires a modification or accommodation in order to participate in this meeting is encouraged to contact the City Clerk’s Office at (951) 270-5623 or [email protected] at least 48 hours prior to the meeting so that reasonable arrangements can be made to ensure accessibility. Staff reports are on file in the City Clerk’s Office.
Any writings or documents provided to a majority of the presiding governmental body regarding any item on this agenda will be available for public inspection at the City Clerk’s Office during normal business hours at Norco City Hall, located at 2870 Clark Avenue in Norco. The meeting is recorded.
City Council Agenda - January 15, 2025
ORDINANCE NO.______
AN INTERIM URGENCY ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF NORCO ESTABLISHING A TEMPORARY
MORATORIUM ON NEW DEVELOPMENT HOTELS AND
AMENDING NORCO MUNICIPAL CODE SECTION 18.02.04
DEFINITION OF HOTEL TO PROHIBIT KITCHENS IN
GUESTROOMS
WHEREAS, pursuant to Government Code section 65858, subdvs. (a), the City may adopt an urgency interim ordinance to protect the public safety, health and welfare by prohibiting any use that conflicts with a zoning proposal that the legislative body is considering or intends to study;
WHEREAS, the City is considering and intends to study the secondary impacts associated with kitchens in the guestrooms of hotels, including but not limited to residential density, long term rentals, and tenancy;
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that this Ordinance is necessary to prevent new hotels that might conflict with City’s potential development standards to restrict kitchens in guestrooms of hotels;
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that there is a current and immediate threat to public health, safety and welfare presented by new construction hotels with kitchens in guestrooms that will exasperate the secondary impacts desired to be prevented by the City Council by future zoning code amendments;
WHEREAS, this Ordinance is necessary an urgency ordinance for the immediate preservation of the public, health, safety, and welfare within the meaning of Government Code section 65858 and therefore, shall be passed immediately upon its introduction and shall become effective immediately upon its adoption; and WHEREAS, the City Council finds that this ordinance is not subject to review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines sections 15060(c)(2) (the activity will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment) and 15061(b)(3) (there is no possibility the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment); and
WHEREAS, the City Council considered the adoption of this Ordinance at a publicly noticed meeting in accordance with State law and the Norco Municipal Code.
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Norco does hereby ORDAIN as follows:
Section 1. Findings and Purpose. All of the findings set forth above are true and correct and are incorporated herein as if restated in their entirety.
Section 2. Moratorium. Section 18.02.04, subdivision (35) Specific Definitions of the Norco Municipal Code is amended to read as follows:
(35) Hotel. A building containing six or more guest rooms intended to be occupied by six or more guests for compensation and in which no more than 10 percent of the guest units contain kitchens. No hotel guestroom shall contain kitchens. No hotel guestroom shall be rented to the same individual or group for a period exceeding 30 consecutive calendar days, counting portions of calendar days as full days. Jails, hospitals, asylums, sanitariums, orphanages, prisons, detention homes, and similar facilities where persons are housed and detained under legal restraint are not included.
Section 3. Severability. If any section, subsection, clause or phrase of this ordinance or any part thereof is for any reason held to be invalid, unconstitutional or unenforceable by the decision of any court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portion of the ordinance. The City Council declares that it would have passed each section, subsection, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase would be declared invalid, unconstitutional or unenforceable.
Section 4. Publication. The City Clerk shall certify the adoption of this ordinance and cause it to be published as required by law.
Section 5. Effective Date. This Ordinance is declared to be an urgency measure adopted pursuant to the provisions of Government code section 65858. As set forth in the findings above, this Ordinance is necessary for preserving the public safety, health, and welfare. Pursuant to Government Code section 65858, this Ordinance is
effective immediately and shall be in full force and effect for forty-five (45) days from the date of its adoption. After further notice pursuant to section Government Code 65090 and a public hearing, the Council, by four fifths (4/5) vote, may extend the effectiveness of this Ordinance for ten (10) months and fifteen (15) days in accordance with the provisions of Government Code section 65858, subdivision (a).
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Norco at a regular meeting this ____ day of , 2025.
ATTEST:
_______________________ _______________________
, City Clerk Mayor
Approved as to Form:
HARPER & BURNS LLP
_______________________
Alexandra Halfman
Attorneys for the City
City Council
STAFF REPORT
Date: January 15, 2025 Agenda Item:
To: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
From: Alma Robles, Community Development Director
Prepared By: Alex Halfman, Deputy City Attorney
Department: Planning Commission
SUBJECT:
Introduction and adoption of Interim Urgency Ordinance establishing a temporary moratorium on new hotels with kitchens in the guestroom, and amending Norco Municipal Code section 18.02.04 definition of hotel to prohibit kitchens in guestrooms.
RECOMMENDATION:
Introduce and adopt Interim Urgency Ordinance No. 1129, establishing a temporary moratorium on new hotels with kitchens in the guestroom and amending Norco Municipal Code Section 18.02.04 definition of hotel.
SUMMARY:
This is an Interim Urgency Ordinance establishing a temporary moratorium on new hotels with kitchens in the guestroom and amending Norco Municipal Code section
18.02.04 regarding the definition of hotel to prohibit kitchens in guestrooms.
BACKGROUND:
The City continues to receive complaints about secondary impacts caused by long term tenancy in hotels. Norco Municipal Code section 18.02.04, subdivision 35, currently allows no more than 10 percent of guest units in hotels to contain kitchens. The City Council has expressed desire to consider, and intent to study the secondary impacts associated with kitchens in the guestrooms of hotels, including but not limited to residential density, long term rentals, and tenancy.
Pursuant to Government Code section 65858, subdvs. (a), the City may adopt an interim urgency ordinance to protect the public safety, health and welfare by prohibiting any use that conflicts with a zoning proposal that the legislative body is considering or intends to study. The proposed moratorium is necessary to prevent new hotels that might conflict with City’s potential development standards to restrict kitchens in guestrooms of hotels. There is a current and immediate threat to public health, safety and welfare presented by new construction hotels with kitchens in guestrooms that will exasperate the secondary impacts desired to be prevented by future zoning code
amendments. Based on the foregoing, the City may adopt an interim urgency ordinance prohibiting kitchens in guestrooms of hotels for the immediate preservation of public safety, health, and welfare.
The proposed ordinance includes the requisite urgency findings. The ordinance must be approved on a 4/5 vote. As an urgency ordinance, it is passed immediately upon its introduction and becomes effective immediately upon its adoption. If adopted, the ordinance is effective for forty-five (45) days from the date of its adoption. After further notice pursuant to section Government Code 65090 and a public hearing, the Council, by four fifths (4/5) vote, may extend the effectiveness of this Ordinance for ten (10) months and fifteen (15) days in accordance with the provisions of Government Code section 65858, subdivision (a).
Environmental Review: This actionis exempt from environmental review pursuant to CEQA Guidelines sections 15060(c)(2) (the activity will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment) and 15061(b)(3) (there is no possibility the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment).
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact for this item.
RELATIONSHIP TO STRATEGIC PLAN:
OThis item is consistent with Strategic Plan Direction No. 3 - Economic Development and Financial Stability: Assure financial stability by expanding development efforts, diversifying revenue sources and continuing prudent financial management.
REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY:
Certified as to Availability of Funds: Daphne Liu, Finance Director Approved by: Lisette Free, Interim City Manager
Approved as to Form: Harper and Burns, LLP, City Attorney ATTACHMENT(S):
Ordinance No. 1129, Moratorium on Hotels with Kitchens
ORDINANCE NO. 1129
AN INTERIM URGENCY ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF NORCO ESTABLISHING A TEMPORARY
MORATORIUM ON NEW DEVELOPMENT HOTELS WITH
KITCHENS IN GUESTROOMS AND AMENDING NORCO
MUNICIPAL CODE SECTION 18.02.04 DEFINITION OF HOTEL
TO PROHIBIT KITCHENS IN GUESTROOMS.
WHEREAS, pursuant to Government Code section 65858, subdvs. (a), the City may adopt an urgency interim ordinance to protect the public safety, health and welfare by prohibiting any use that conflicts with a zoning proposal that the legislative body is considering or intends to study;
WHEREAS, the City is considering and intends to study the secondary impacts associated with kitchens in the guestrooms of hotels, including but not limited to residential density, long term rentals, and tenancy;
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that this Ordinance is necessary to prevent new hotels that might conflict with City’s potential development standards to restrict kitchens in guestrooms of hotels;
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that there is a current and immediate threat to public health, safety and welfare presented by new construction hotels with kitchens in guestrooms that will exasperate the secondary impacts desired to be prevented by the City Council by future zoning code amendments;
WHEREAS, this Ordinance is necessary an urgency ordinance for the immediate preservation of the public, health, safety, and welfare within the meaning of Government Code section 65858 and therefore, shall be passed immediately upon its introduction and shall become effective immediately upon its adoption; and WHEREAS, the City Council finds that this ordinance is not subject to review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines sections 15060(c)(2) (the activity will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment) and 15061(b)(3) (there is no possibility the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment); and WHEREAS, the City Council considered the adoption of this Ordinance at a publicly noticed meeting in accordance with State law and the Norco Municipal Code.
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Norco does hereby ORDAIN as follows:
Section 1. Findings and Purpose. All of the findings set forth above are true and correct and are incorporated herein as if restated in their entirety.
Section 2. Moratorium. Section 18.02.04, subdivision (35) Specific Definitions of the Norco Municipal Code is amended to read as follows:
(35) Hotel. A building containing six or more guest rooms intended to be occupied by six or more guests for compensation and in which no more than 10 percent of the guest units contain kitchens. No hotel guestroom shall contain kitchens. No hotel guestroom shall be rented to the same individual or group for a period exceeding 30 consecutive calendar days, counting portions of calendar days as full days. Jails, hospitals, asylums, sanitariums, orphanages, prisons, detention homes, and similar facilities where persons are housed and detained under legal restraint are not included.
Section 3. Severability. If any section, subsection, clause or phrase of this ordinance or any part thereof is for any reason held to be invalid, unconstitutional or unenforceable by the decision of any court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portion of the ordinance. The City Council declares that it would have passed each section, subsection, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase would be declared invalid, unconstitutional or unenforceable.
Section 4. Publication. The City Clerk shall certify the adoption of this ordinance and cause it to be published as required by law.
Section 5. Effective Date. This Ordinance is declared to be an urgency measure adopted pursuant to the provisions of Government code section 65858. As set forth in the findings above, this Ordinance is necessary for preserving the public safety, health, and welfare. Pursuant to Government Code section 65858, this Ordinance is effective immediately and shall be in full force and effect for forty-five (45) days from the date of its adoption. After further notice pursuant to section Government Code 65090 and a public hearing, the Council, by four fifths (4/5) vote, may extend the effectiveness of this Ordinance for ten (10) months and fifteen (15) days in accordance with the provisions of Government Code section 65858, subdivision (a).
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Norco, California at a regular meeting held January 15, 2025.
_____________________
Greg Newton, Mayor
City of Norco, California
ATTEST:
_______________________
Dana Roa, CMC, City Clerk
City of Norco, California
I, DANA ROA, CMC, City Clerk of the City of Norco, California, do hereby certify that the foregoing Interim Urgency Ordinance was introduced at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Norco, California, duly held on January 15, 2025, and was duly passed and adopted by the following vote of the City Council:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
IN WITNESS THEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of the City of Norco, California, on January 15, 2025. ________________________
Dana Roa, CMC, City Clerk
City of Norco, California