NORWALK PLANNING COMMISSION
RESOLUTION NO. 24-12
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
NORWALK, CALIFORNIA, FINDING THE PROPOSED ACQUISITION
AND DISPOSITION OF 13200 BLOOMFIELD AVENUE (APN NO. 8045- 008-902) ("SUBJECT SITE") IN THE CITY OF NORWALK, TO BE IN
CONFORMITY WITH THE GENERAL PLAN
WHEREAS, the City of Norwalk is requesting a finding of General Plan Conformity by the Planning Commission for the proposed acquisition and disposition of property approximately 32 acres in size located at 13200 Bloomfield Avenue (APN No. 8045-008- 902) ("Subject Site"); and
WHEREAS, the Subject Site is currently owned by the Department of General Services (DGS); and
WHEREAS, pursuant to California Government Code Section 65402, before a local agency can acquire real property, the Planning Commission is required to review property acquisitions for conformity with the adopted General Plan; and WHEREAS, on October 2, 2018, the City adopted an Economic Development Opportunities Plan (updated on October 17, 2023) that identified various areas throughout the City that could promote economic development. The Subject Site is a key node identified for its redevelopment potential given its location, size, and access to transportation; and
WHEREAS, Government Code Section 11011.28(e) (AB 518), which was enacted in 2020 and effective January 1, 2021, authorizes the DGS, until January 1, 2025, to sell the property to the City of Norwalk at fair market value upon terms and conditions the Director determines are in the best interests of the State. Additionally, the bill authorizes DGS, notwithstanding those provisions, to sell the property below fair market value for purposes of providing housing to persons and families of low or moderate income. The bill, after January 1, 2025, authorizes the DGS to dispose of the property in accordance with specified procedures and priorities otherwise applicable to the disposal of surplus property by DGS; and
WHEREAS, AB 518 exempts the sale of the property from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA); and
WHEREAS, on November 19, 2024, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 24- 58 (Final Environmental Impact Report State Clearinghouse No. 2022070103) ("Final EIR"), Resolution No. 24-56 (General Plan Amendment No. 2022-01 (2024-01)), Resolution No. 24-57 (Zone Change No. 2022-01 (2024-02)), Ordinance No. 24-1754 (Zoning Text Amendment No. 2022-02 (2024-04)) to establish Specific Plan Area No. 17, the Norwalk Transit Village Specific Plan; and
WHEREAS, the Norwalk Transit Village Specific Plan allows up to 770 new residential housing units to assist the City in meeting its Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RNHA) obligation, which Specific Plan requires at least 40% of the residential units as affordable; and
WHEREAS, the City Council will take action on a Purchase and Sales Agreement with the DGS to acquire the Subject Site and dispose of the Subject Site at a future date; WHEREAS, it has been determined that the proposed acquisition and disposition is in conformity with the goals and policies of the General plan, and a report of such finding shall be filed; and
WHEREAS, on November 25, 2024, the Planning Commission considered all of the information presented by staff and public testimony presented in writing and at the meeting prior to issuing its report in the form of this resolution.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The Planning Commission of the City of Norwalk hereby finds and determines that all of the foregoing recitals are true and correct and are incorporated as part of the City's findings.
SECTION 2. The Planning Commission of the City of Norwalk hereby finds that the adoption of this Resolution is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption), which states that an activity is covered by the common sense exemption that CEQA only applies to projects that have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. Where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a effect significant on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA review. The adoption of this Resolution is limited to legal findings and will not result in a physical change in the environment and none of the exceptions under CEQA Guidelines Section 15300.2 apply. Moreover, Government Code Section 11011.28(e) (AB 518) exempts the acquisition of the Subject Site from CEQA. Lastly, the adoption of this Resolution is consistent with those actions taken by the City Council on November 19, 2024 where the City Council certified the Final EIR and approved a Mitigation and Monitoring and Reporting Program, and adopted a Statement of Overriding Considerations in connection with the Norwalk Transit Specific Plan through City Council Resolution No. 24-58. The acquisition and disposition of the Subject Site by the City was evaluated and contemplated by the Final EIR and is in compliance with the requirements of CEQA.
SECTION 3. Findings. The Planning Commission finds that the City of Norwalk's acquisition of the Subject Site from DGS and disposition of the Subject Site is in conformity with the General Plan. This finding is made pursuant to the requirements of the Government Code Section 65402 and is based upon the following:
Resolution No. 24-12 Page 2 of 4
A. The proposed acquisition and disposition of the Subject Site is in conformity with the Housing Element:
1. Progress Toward the Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RNHA)- The 2021-2029 Housing Element identifies the Subject Site as contributing to the City's required 5,034 RHNA obligation. The Norwalk Transit Village Specific Plan allows up to 770 housing units.
DGS has required that development of the site comply with Government Code Section 37364, which requires that a minimum of 40 percent of the units built on the Subject Site to be designated as affordable. As such, acquisition of the Subject Site by the City would further goals and policies of the City's Housing Element by increasing affordable housing opportunities, increase homeownership, create safe and integrated neighborhoods, encourage and facilitate a range of housing to encourage a variety of housing types to meet the existing and future needs of City residents, and assist in the development of adequate housing and provide resources to meet the needs of low-and moderate income households.
2. The Subject Site is identified in the Housing Element Sites Inventory - The development of up to 770 new residential housing units would assist the City in meeting its RHNA obligation and eliminate blight and enhance public safety.
B. The proposed acquisition and disposition of the Subject Site is in conformity with the Land Use Element Objectives and policies in that the acquisition would provide for a larger comprehensive development along the City's major arterials which will enhance the overall character of the streetscape and will include adequate parking, buffering and landscaping (Objective and Policy 4a).
SECTION 4. The Director of Community Development shall certify the adoption of this resolution and shall forward a copy of it to the City Council.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED BY THE NORWALK PLANNING COMMISSION on this 25th day of November 2024.
Kim loance
KIM APODACA, VICE CHAIR
NORWALK PLANNING COMMISSION
ATTEST:
I, Alex Hamilton, Secretary of the City of Norwalk Planning Commission, DO HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Resolution, being Resolution No. 24-12, has been duly signed by the Vice Chair, and attested by the Secretary, all at a special meeting of the Resolution No. 24-12 Page 3 of 4
Norwalk Planning Commission, held November 25, 2024, and that same was approved and adopted by the following vote to wit:
AYES: Commissioner Nuno, Commissioner Vernola-Salas and Vice Chair Apodaca
NOES: None
ABSENT: Commissioner Barragan and Chair Lopez
enoR
ALEX HAMILTON, SECRETA
NORWALK PLANNING COMMISSION
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