CITY OF POMONA
COUNCIL REPORT
January 23, 2023
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: James Makshanoff, City Manager
Submitted By: Rene Guerrero, Public Works Director
SUBJECT: APPROVAL OF LOT MERGER LM12-2022 FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 309 E. COLLEGE PLAZA, POMONA, CA, ASSESSOR PARCEL NUMBER 8335-008-015, RELATED TO THE TENANT IMPROVEMENT OF THE WESTERN UNIVERSITY HEALTH OF SCIENCES BUILDING (COUNCIL DISTRICT 2) RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council take the following actions:
Adopt the following Resolution:
RESOLUTION NO. 2023-11 – A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF POMONA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING LOT MERGER LM12-2022 FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 309 E. COLLEGE PLAZA, ASSESSOR PARCEL NUMBER 8335-008-015; and Authorize the City Engineer to sign the Lot Merger LM12-2022 on behalf of the City of Pomona.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
Gary Andreasen, with Andreasen Engineering, Inc., submitted the proposed lot merger application on behalf of Western University Health of Sciences, landowner of the adjoining real properties located at 309 E. College Plaza, Assessor Parcel Number (APN) 8335-008-015. Approval of Resolution No. 2023-11 (Attachment No. 1) will consolidate two lots into one parcel, eliminate the lot lines crossing under the existing building, and facilitate the completion of the tenant improvements for the Western University (WU) Health of Sciences facilities. City Council approval of a lot merger is required if the lot merger was not previously considered by the Planning Commission as part of a development project.
FISCAL IMPACT:
No fiscal impact at this time.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT:
Pursuant to the California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Guidelines for the Implementation of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), Section 15061, the proposed lot merger is categorically exempt from the requirement for the preparation of environmental documents in that the activity is covered by the general rule that CEQA applies only to projects which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment.
DISCUSSION:
The real property addressed as 309 E. College Plaza (APN 8335-008-015) is an approximately 0.46-acre, two-lot commercial development, consisting of Lot 5 and a portion of Lot 6, Block 28 of the Pomona Tract, recorded in Book 3, Pages 90 and 91 of Miscellaneous Records, in the Los Angeles County Recorder’s Office, together with the abutting portion of the vacated Second Street. Having the same land use and land ownership, these two lots have been issued a single APN 8335-008-015 by the Los Angeles County Office of the Assessor. The property is located south of Vehicle Parking District (VPD) Lot 17, between Gibbs and Elm Streets, and is developed with a 15,480 square-foot, one-level, zero-setback commercial building and limited landscaped areas (Attachment Nos. 2 and 3). Vehicular access to the property and parking is available in VPD Lot 17, subject to a lease agreement between WU and the City of Pomona (City).
In February 2022, a permit application was submitted to the Pomona Building and Safety Division for electrical upgrades of the WU Health of Sciences building in compliance with the current Southern California Edison standards. The proposed improvements include a new indoor switchboard, transformer and electrical services, and a new pad-mounted transformer in the City VPD parking lot. The improvements to be completed in the public right-of-way consist of street repaving and restriping, fire hydrant relocation, and two ADA driveway approaches. As part of the proposed project, Andreasen Engineering, Inc., on behalf of the landowner, submitted a lot merger application to the Public Works Engineering Division to consolidate the aforementioned two lots and abutting, vacated alley into one parcel. The purpose of the merger is to eliminate the lot lines crossing under the existing building and facilitate the completion of the proposed onsite and offsite improvements.
Lot Merger LM12-2022 is submitted in accordance with Section 66499.20.3 of the California Government Code (Subdivision Map Act) and Section 29-50(b) of the 1959 Pomona City Code as currently adopted by reference under Chapter 78-1. In accordance with the Pomona City Code, lot mergers requested by the owner of contiguous parcels that have not been previously considered by the Planning Commission shall be submitted to the City Council for approval.
The proposed lot merger is in conformance with the City's General Plan and the City’s Zoning Ordinance. This action will merge two adjoining lots designated by APN 8335-008-015 into one lot, as described in EXHIBIT “A” and shown on the map depicted by EXHIBIT “B” to EXHIBIT 1 of Attachment No. 1.
The approval and adoption of the Resolution will allow the recording of the proposed lot merger and will facilitate the completion of the project in accordance with the approved development plans.
Prepared by:
___________________________
Carmen Barsu
Associate Civil Engineer
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment No. 1 - Proposed Resolution No. 2023-11 with Notice of Lot Merger as EXHIBIT “1”, Legal Description as EXHIBIT “A” and Map as EXHIBIT “B”.
Attachment No. 2 - Vicinity Map
Attachment No. 3 - Aerial Map
Resolution Approving Lot Merger LM12-2022 for the Property Located at 309 E. College Plaza (Council District 2) January 23, 2023
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