City Council Agenda Report
July 16, 2024
TO: Honorable City Council
FROM: Jesus M. Gomez, City Manager
BY: Alex Hamilton, Interim Community Development Director Gabriel R. Salazar, Senior Planner
SUBJECT: ORDINANCE NO. 24-1747 – ZONING TEXT AMENDMENT NO. 2024-01 TO AMEND VARIOUS SECTIONS OF TITLE 17 OF THE NORWALK MUNICIPAL CODE AS IT RELATES TO SPECIFIC PLAN AREA NO. 1
Background:
The Specific Plan Area No. 1 (SPA 1) was adopted by Ordinance No. 1267 in 1987, in order to establish objectives, policies, regulations, development standards, and review criteria for the implementation of a compatible blend of mutually supporting land uses consisting of a multi- story hotel, a wide array of professional offices and retail commercial uses, complementary commercial entertainment uses, and residential condominiums.
This City staff-initiated proposal, Zoning Text Amendment (ZTA) No. 2024-01, amends various sections of Title 17 (Zoning) of the Norwalk Municipal Code (NMC) as it relates to Article 1, SPA 1.
On June 26, 2024, the Planning Commission conducted a duly noticed public hearing on the aforementioned project and with a 4-0 vote, recommended approval to City Council for Zoning Text Amendment (ZTA) No. 2024-01. There were public comments at the public hearing expressing concerns with the proposed action. An email and letter, Attachment 4, from Attorney, Jordan R. Sisson, on behalf of Unite Here 11, were submitted for the record. In summary, the concerns were as follows:
•The SPA1 Zoning Text Amendment excludes mention of a 121-room hotel, and the Amendment should include the project-specific entitlement; •Adequacy of California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review for the action, as the Common-Sense Exemption is not applicable since the original SPA 1 did not contemplate a second hotel;
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Ordinance No. 24-1747 - ZTA No. 2024-01 Page No. 2
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4 •Why the City is not considering additional uses or if a hotel is considered, a hotel specific development agreement requirement should be required; and •Affordable Housing as an alternative to a potential hotel.
Staff responded to the comments made by the public. The Director of Community Development described that the purpose of the ZTA was to create greater consistency and synergy with the Entertainment District on the City Hall site which will include 360 housing units with 15% in affordable housing. Additionally, the Director cited the City’s commitment to housing of varying types including projects under construction such as Mercy Housing (60 veteran units), collaborating with Los Angeles County and the Weingart Foundation for a Project Home Key Site (51 units, housing voucher program). In addition, he stated there are approximately 1,500 to 1,700 units in construction, under consideration, approved, or on the verge of being approved.
He added that the major impediment to affordable housing is borrowing costs, as well as the cost of land and materials, but the City is working creatively to overcome those barriers and provide more housing choices to the community.
The Director indicated that the original SPA 1 contemplated an office building adjacent to the hotel. He indicated there was consideration for a new second hotel behind the DoubleTree, but that it was conceptual only and for any project to move forward a submittal would be necessary.
Any submittal would be evaluated in the future as needed. He added that there are concerns with providing housing so close to the freeway such as health impacts that increase dramatically when residents are within 500’ – 1000’ of the freeway and in this case the focus was on creating housing further away.
Discussion
The request consists of ZTA No. 2024-01 to amend various sections of Title 17 of the NMC as it relates to SPA 1 by allowing for a second hotel, expanding the list of allowable uses to include billboards, arcades, and similar uses, updating the list of prohibited uses, establishing a wayfinding signage review and approval process, and streamlining the entitlement process for certain projects in SPA 1.
Pursuant to the CEQA, this project is exempt pursuant to CEQA Guidelines 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption), where it can be seen with certainty there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment. The project will not involve any construction nor have a significant effect on the environment.
Fiscal Impact:
N/A
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4 Citizens Advised:
The public hearing notice was posted at the City’s three designated posting places and posted online. On July 5, 2024, the notice was published in The Norwalk Patriot. Social media accounts also promoted notification of the project for the hearing. Public comments were provided by four people during the Planning Commission meeting.
Strategic Plan 2023 Implementation:
The recommended actions will further the City’s Strategic Plan Goal 2 to work in partnership with our community to achieve safe and livable neighborhoods and Goal 3 to create and sustain a resilient and economically prosperous city.
Recommended Action:
Staff recommends City Council introduce by title only Ordinance No. 24-1747, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY NORWALK AMENDING TITLE 17 (ZONING) OF THE NORWALK MUNICIPAL CODE RELATED TO SPECIFIC PLAN AREA 1, ARTICLE 1 and schedule for adoption.
Attachments:
1. Ordinance No. 24-1747 (Zoning Text Amendment No. 2024-01)
2. Planning Commission Staff Report dated June 26, 2024 (without attachments)
3. Redline Ordinance Draft
4. Public Comment Email and Letter