Placentia Cit Council
TO: CITY COUNCIL
VIA: CITY ADMINISTRATOR
FROM: DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
DATE: APRIL 16, 2024
AGENDA REPORT
SUBJECT: ZONING CODE AMENDMENT (ZCA) NO. 2024-01 TO AMEND THE PLACENTIA MUNICIPAL CODE (PMC) CHAPTER 23.111 REGARDING AMORTIZATION OF
USES AND PRESERVATION OF PROPERTY RIGHTS RELATED TO LEGAL NON -CONFORMING USES; AND, TO AMEND THE PLACENTIA MUNICIPAL CODE TO OMIT CHAPTER 23.37 TITLED "SF -C SANTA FE -COMMERCIAL DISTRICT" AND TO MAKE CONFORMING AMENDMENTS TO THE PLACENTIA MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 23.08, CHAPTER 23.82, CHAPTER 23.90, AND CHAPTER 22.24 OMITTING REFERENCES TO THE "SF -C SANTA FE - COMMERCIAL DISTRICT"
FISCAL
IMPACT: NONE
SUMMARY:
On February 6, 2024, City Council adopted General Plan Amendment No. GPA 2023-01 and conducted first reading of Ordinance 0-2024-01 related to Zone Change No. ZCA 2023-01. This action expanded the TOD land use designation and TOD zone by approximately 14.5 acres. As a part of the February 6, 2024 action, City Council directed Staff to amend PMC Chapter 23.111 as it relates to amortization and the treatment of existing uses within the TOD Zone, including the expanded TOD Zone. Staff was directed to work with the City Attorney to prepare an ordinance amending Chapter 23.111 to clarify that intent, and to return at the earliest opportunity. Secondly, Staff has initiated an amendment to the Placentia Municipal Code (PMC) to omit Chapter 23.37 titled "SF -C Santa Fe -Commercial District" and to make conforming amendments to the Placentia Municipal Code.
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council take the following actions:
1. Open the public hearing concerning Zoning Code Amendment (ZCA) No. 2024-01; and
2. Receive the Staff report, consider all Public Testimony, ask any questions of Staff, and
3. Close the public hearing; and
Z.G.
April 16, 2024
City Council Agenda
April 16, 2024
ZCA No. 2024-01
4. Find that approval of Zoning Code Amendment (ZCA) No. 2024-01 is exempt from environmental review and direct Staff to file a Notice of Exemption, pursuant to CEQA Section 15061(b)(3); and
5. Waive full reading, by title only, and introduce for first reading, Ordinance No. 0-2024-04, an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Placentia, California, finding that approval of Zoning Code Amendment No. 2024-01 is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant To CEQA Section 15061(b)(3) and approving Zoning Code Amendment No. 2024-01 amending the Placentia Municipal Code, Chapter 23.111 regarding amortization of uses and preservation of property rights related to legal non- conforming uses; and, to amend the Placentia Municipal Code to omit Chapter 23.37 titled "Sf-C Santa Fe -Commercial District" and to make conforming amendments to the Placentia Municipal Code Chapter 23.08, Chapter 23.82, Chapter 23.90, And Chapter 22.24 omitting references to the "SF -C Santa Fe -Commercial District".
STRATEGIC PLAN STATEMENT:
This item is consistent with the City Council approved 5 -Year Strategic Goal to achieve:
Implementation of Housing Element Strategies, Objective Number 3.10. This agenda item is related to a Zoning Code Amendment which will result in the creation of opportunities for the development of more housing in the City, including a mix of housing at various price points.
BACKGROUND:
On February 6, 2024, City Council adopted General Plan Amendment No. GPA 2023-01 and Zone Change No. ZCA 2023-01. This action expanded the TOD land use designation and TOD zone by approximately 14.5 acres as shown below:
i
N
IMO 1=0 Mem TOD Boundary
TOD Expansion Area
City Council Agenda
April 16, 2024
ZCA No. 2024-01
When City Council approved GPA 2023-01 and conducted first reading of Ordinance 0-2024-01 related to ZCA 2023-01 on February 6, 2024, they gave additional direction to Staff related to the item. As part of their action, City Council directed staff to amend PMC Chapter 23.111 as it relates to amortization and the treatment of existing uses within the TOD Zone, including the expanded TOD Zone. City Council direction included the intent that existing uses be entitled to continue in accordance with PMC Chapter 23.84 (Nonconforming Uses and Buildings) and retaining the secondary use rights set forth in PMC Chapter 23.111.060(c). Staff was directed to work with the City Attorney to prepare an ordinance amending Chapter 23.111 to clarify that intent, and to return at the earliest opportunity.
In 2017, the Old Town Placentia Revitalization Plan and Old Town (OT) Zoning standards were adopted. Most of what is now zoned OT used to be zoned Santa Fe -Commercial (SF -C). As part of ZCA 2024-01, Staff proposes omitting the SF -C language throughout the Municipal Code.
DISCUSSION:
ZCA 2024-01 has been prepared to address the February 6, 2024 City Council direction related to the TOD Zone and address Code consistency issues unrelated to the TOD Zone:
TOD Zone
ZCA 2024-01 would amend the Placentia Municipal Code (PMC) Chapter 23.111 as it relates to amortization of uses and preservation of property rights related to legal non -conforming uses. On February 6, 2024, City Council directed Staff to amend PMC Chapter 23.111 as it relates to amortization and the treatment of existing uses within the TOD Zone, including the expanded TOD Zone. City Council direction included the intent that uses existing under the previous zoning be entitled to continue in accordance with PMC Chapter 23.84 (Nonconforming Uses and Buildings).
City Council direction also included the intent that property owners retain the secondary use rights set forth in PMC Chapter 23.111.060(c). As directed, Staff has prepared a Zoning Code Amendment to clarify that intent (Attachment 1, Exhibit A).
SF -C Zone
Secondly, Staff has initiated an amendment to the Placentia Municipal Code (PMC) to omit Chapter 23.37 titled "SF -C Santa Fe -Commercial District" and to make conforming amendments to the Placentia Municipal Code (PMC) Chapter 23.08, Chapter 23.82, Chapter 23.90, and Chapter 22.24 omitting references to the "SF -C Santa Fe -Commercial District". In 2017, the Old Town Placentia Revitalization Plan and Old Town (OT) Zoning standards were adopted. Most of what is now zoned OT used to be zoned Santa Fe -Commercial (SF -C). As part of ZCA 2024-01, Staff proposes omitting the SF -C language throughout the Municipal Code. No properties in the City of Placentia are now zoned SF -C, therefore Staff proposes omitting this from the City's list of Zones and omitting all references to the SF -C (Attachment 1, Exhibit B).
City Council Agenda
April 16, 2024
ZCA No. 2024-01
CEQA:
In accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and State and local Environmental Guidelines, Staff and the City of Placentia Planning Commission recommend that City Council adopt a Common Sense Exemption pursuant to Section 15061 (b)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines in that the proposed project (Zoning Code Amendment) will not result in changes to the existing physical environment, and the physical environment will not be modified as a result of its adoption. Upon City Council adoption of a finding of a Common Sense exemption, a Notice of Exemption will be filed.
Recommending Body Determination
On March 12, 2024, the Planning Commission conducted a Public Hearing regarding Zoning Code Amendment (ZCA) No. 2024-01 and recommended approval of the Staff recommended actions to City Council. It should also be noted that as of April 9, 2024, Staff has received one comment letter in support of the ZCA, attached.
Prepared by: Reviewed and approved:
seph M. Lambert
Director of Development Services
Damien R. Arrula
City Administrator
Attachments:
1. Ordinance No. 0-2024-04
a. Exhibit A: Revisions to PMC related to Chapter 23.111.060 (TOD) b. Exhibit B: Revisions to PMC related to SF -C
2. Correspondence Received