Administrative
Report
H.10., File # 22-3544 Meeting Date: 1/18/2022
To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: BRANDY FORBES, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
TITLE
APPROVE THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE AGREEMENT WITH RINCON CONSULTANTS, INC.
FOR PREPARATION OF CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA)
ENVIRONMENTAL DOCUMENTS FOR ZONING AMENDMENTS NEEDED TO IMPLEMENT THE
ARTESIA AND AVIATION CORRIDORS AREA PLAN (AACAP) TO EXTEND THE CONTRACT TERM THROUGH AUGUST 31, 2022 AT NO ADDITIONAL COST.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
On April 6, 2021, the City Council approved an agreement with Rincon Consultants, Inc. to provide consulting services for the preparation of California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) documents for amendments to the Redondo Beach Municipal Code needed to implement the Artesia and Aviation Corridors Area Plan (AACAP) for an amount not to exceed $53,591, for the term of April 6, 2021 through January 31, 2022.
The initial term of the contract is insufficient. Extra time has been spent clarifying the project scope for CEQA purposes and analyzing the potential build out of the preferred uses in the AACAP. To ensure that the consultant is able to carry the project through to completion, including Planning Commission review and City Council consideration and adoption, the contract is recommended for extension through August 31, 2022.
BACKGROUND
On December 12, 2020, the City Council adopted the AACAP. City staff received a proposal from Rincon Consultants, Inc. (environmental consultant) for environmental review of the ordinance needed for implementation of the adopted AACAP.
At their meeting on April 6, 2021, the City Council approved a contract with Rincon Consultants to further revitalization efforts of the Artesia and Aviation corridors as envisioned within the AACAP. The scope of the contract approved by the City Council on April 6, 2021, is summarized below.
Zoning Amendments to Activate the AACAP and Amend C-2-PD Office Development Standards - Scope of Work - $53,491
Rincon Consultants, Inc. (environmental consultant) shall prepare an Initial Study-Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS-MND) for the following amendments to the Redondo Beach Zoning Ordinance. · An amendment to the City’s Zoning Ordinance to “activate” the AACAP and require future
H.10., File # 22-3544 Meeting Date: 1/18/2022
development in the AACAP Area to be consistent with the intent of the AACAP. o Actions allowed under the AACAP include increases in the allowable floor area ratio from 0.5 to 0.6 (FAR), the application of design guidelines, alterations to signage, improvements to walking and biking infrastructure, and the creation of new public spaces. · An amendment to Section 10-2.621, Additional Land Use Regulations, which applies to the C2-PD Zone. o This amendment would remove the restriction of “Office” uses, including “Medical Office”, to only the second floor or on the ground floor to the rear of other permitted retail or services uses in the AACAP area.
The contract for the project described above is set to expire on January 31, 2022. Additional time became necessary to clarify the project scope for CEQA purposes. The question of what a “revitalized” Artesia/Aviation corridor per the AACAP would look like, in terms of a land use mix, needed to be included in the environmental analysis of its activation.
An analysis of the existing land use mix for the corridor was determined and compared with the land use mix of the Riviera Village to develop a “target” for the amount of preferred uses in the AACAP, office and restaurant. With the staff having now provided the determination of the “target” land use mix, the CEQA analysis and the parking implementation study (separate but associated contracts) can now proceed as planned.
Schedule Forward
With the clarified project scope the environmental review is estimated to take 4 months from the date of this extension.
Following the completion of the draft zoning ordinance amendments and the associated environmental review process, the public hearing process before the Planning Commission and ultimately the City Council would commence. The public hearing process is estimated to take approximately 3 months.
Therefore, the estimated time for completion and adoption of the zoning amendments is approximately 7-8 months from now.
COORDINATION
The First Amendment to the Agreement has been approved as to form by the City Attorney.
FISCAL IMPACT
There are no additional costs associated with the extension of the existing contract. The cost for the contract is $53,491 and has been funded by the General Plan Maintenance Fund.
APPROVED BY:
Mike Witzansky, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
· Original Contract Rincon Consultants, Inc. AACAP Zoning Amendments · First amendment to the agreement Rincon Consultants, Inc. AACAP Zoning Amendments
H.10., File # 22-3544 Meeting Date: 1/18/2022