RESOLUTION NO. 2022-XX_
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF RIALTO, CALIFORNIA, RECOMMENDING THAT THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVE SPECIFIC PLAN AMENDMENT NO. 2022-004 TO amend and MERGE THE EXISTING CITY OF RIALTO FOOTHILL BOULEVARD specific plan AND CENTRAL AReA SPECIFIc PLAN INTO “THE FOOTHILL CENTRAL SPECIfic PLAN”.
WHEREAS, the City of Rialto (“applicant”) has initiated the Foothill Central Specific Plan Amendment (SPA) No. 2022-004 (Master Case No. 2022- 075) project to update and merge the existing City of Rialto Foothill Boulevard and Central Area Specific Plans into the Foothill Central Specific Plan (Proposed Project). The Proposed Project increases the allowable residential density within the Foothill Central Area and provides updates to the development guidelines for this area while preserving existing land uses located on the east side of Cactus Avenue approximately 360 feet south of Foothill Boulevard; and WHEREAS, the The Foothill Central Specific Plan Area encompasses parcels adjacent to the north and south sides of Foothill Boulevard throughout the City of Rialto and is bounded by Maple Avenue to the west and Pepper Avenue to east. The project site also encompasses Merrill Avenue to the south, Foothill Boulevard to the north, Willow Avenue to the west, and Sycamore Avenue to the east.; and WHEREAS, the primary objective of the Foothill Central Specific Plan is e City of Rialto that offers new retail opportunities and creates a sense of place through the incorporation of specific features including pedestrian-oriented downtown and pedestrian connections; and WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 18.78.060 of the Rialto Municipal Code, the Project requires the approval of an amendment to the Foothill Boulevard Specific Plan and Central Specific Plan with submittal of a Specific Plan Amendment (SPA); and WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 18.78.010 of the Rialto Municipal Code, the City Council is authorized to adopt and implement specific plans with the City; and WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 18.78.060E and Section 18.78.060F of the Rialto Municipal Code, the Planning Commission shall hold a public hearing for a proposed amendment to an adopted specific plan and forward a recommendation to the City Council for action; and WHEREAS, on January 10, 2024, the Planning Commission of the City of Rialto conducted a duly noticed public hearing, as required by law, took testimony, at which time it received input from staff, the city attorney, and the Applicant; heard public testimony; discussed the proposed SPA; and closed the public hearing; and WHEREAS, all legal prerequisites to the adoption of this Resolution have occurred.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Planning Commission of the City of Rialto as follows:
SECTION 1. The Planning Commission hereby specifically finds that all of the facts set forth in the recitals above of this Resolution are true and correct and incorporated herein.
SECTION 2. Based on substantial evidence presented to the Planning Commission during the public hearing conducted with regard to the SPA, including written staff reports, verbal testimony, project plans, other documents, and the conditions of approval stated herein, the Planning Commission hereby determines that the SPA satisfies the requirements of Government Code Sections 65358 and 65453 and Section 18.78.060I of the Rialto Municipal Code pertaining to the findings which must be made precedent to amending a Specific Plan. The findings are as follows:
That the proposed Specific Plan Amendment is consistent with the goals and policies of the General Plan and its purposes, standards and land use guidelines; and This finding is supported by the following facts:
The Site has a General Plan designation of Specific Plan and a land use designation of Commercial – Mixed Use (C-MU) within the Foothill Boulevard Specific Plan. The Project will not affect the General Plan land use designation for the SPA.
Additionally, the Project is consistent with Goal 2-19 and Goal 2-21 of the Land Use Element of the General Plan, which encourages neighborhood preservation, stabilization, and property maintenance and ensure high-quality planned developments in Rialto. The change in the Specific Plan land use designation will facilitate a development of superior architectural quality.
That the proposed Specific Plan Amendment will help achieve a balanced community of all races, age groups, income levels and ways of life; and This finding is supported by the following facts:
The Proposed Foothill Central Specific Plan Project will entail updating and merging the existing City of Rialto Foothill Boulevard and Central Area Specific Plans into the Foothill Central Specific Plan (Proposed Project). The Proposed Project increases the allowable residential density within the Foothill Central Area and provides updates to the development guidelines for this area while preserving existing land uses. The amended specific plan will provide new housing opportunities at varying sizes and price points available to all races, age groups, and ways of life.
That the proposed Specific Plan Amendment results in development of desirable character, which will be compatible with existing and proposed development in the surrounding neighborhood; and This finding is supported by the following facts:
The revisions will simplify existing zoning, combine planning areas and the proposed zoning will allow for existing uses and additional appropriate land uses. The Specific Plan will incorporate the 6th Cycle Housing Element residential overlay to include all properties along Foothill Boulevard previously adopted by the City Council.
That the proposed Specific Plan Amendment contributes to a balance of land uses that will enable local residents to work and shop in the community in which they live; and This finding is supported by the following facts:
The City has identified seven (7) opportunity sites to be rezoned with potential to accommodate a total of 8,262 dwelling units. Two (2) of these opportunity areas fall within the Plan Area. The specific plan will incorporate 108 parcels totaling 159 acres for rezone to a new zone which will accommodate an assumed density of 35 dwelling units/acre. The Central Area (downtown) portion of the specific plan will incorporate 60 parcels totaling 14 acres which will accommodate a maximum density of 48 dwelling units/acre. This will incentivize new retailer development and job opportunities for the area.
That the proposed Specific Plan Amendment respects the environmental and aesthetic assets of the community consistent with economic realities; and This finding is supported by the following facts:
The City reviewed the Initial Study – Mitigated Negative Declaration (Environmental Assessment EAR No. 2024-02) prepared for specific plan amendment and determined that the proposed Project would result in no significant impacts nor would the proposed Project cause a substantial increase in the severity of any identified environmental impacts. The potential impacts associated with proposed Project would be mitigated with measures identified in the initial study and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP) proposed for the Project.
Additionally, new and enhanced development standards, will exceed all aesthetic design guidelines required by the current Foothill Boulevard and Central Area Specific Plan and City’s Design.
That the proposed Specific Plan Amendment incorporates, where feasible, active and passive energy conservation measures.
This finding is supported by the following facts:
All projects in the Foothill Central Specific Plan will be required to meet or exceed California Building Code Title 24, Part 6 Energy Efficiency Standards. This will be achieved through the implementation of features such as, but not limited to, energy efficient windows, energy efficient heating and cooling systems, painting in light off-white colors to reflect heat away, and installation of photovoltaic solar electric systems for future projects in the specific plan.
SECTION 3. A Mitigated Negative Declaration (Environmental Assessment Review No. 2024-002) has been prepared for the Project in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and it has been determined that the proposed Project would result in no new impacts that could not be addressed with mitigations, nor would the proposed Project cause a substantial increase in the severity of any previously identified environmental impacts, nor has any new information regarding the potential for new or more severe significant environmental impacts been identified. The Planning Commission hereby recommends that the City Council approve the Mitigated Negative Declaration prepared for the Foothill Central Specific Plan area.
SECTION 4. The Planning Commission hereby recommends that the City Council approve the SPA No. 2022-004 to and merging the existing City of Rialto Foothill Boulevard and Central Area Specific Plans into the Foothill Central Specific Plan (Proposed Project). The Proposed Project increases the allowable residential density within the Foothill Central Area and provides updates to the development guidelines for this area while preserving existing land uses, subject to the following conditions:
SPA No. 2022-004 for the Foothill Central Specific Plan Project will entail updating and merging the existing City of Rialto Foothill Boulevard and Central Area Specific Plans into the Foothill Central Specific Plan (Proposed Project). The Proposed Project increases the allowable residential density within the Foothill Central Area and provides updates to the development guidelines for this area while preserving existing land uses. The Foothill Central Specific Plan Area encompasses parcels adjacent to the north and south sides of Foothill Boulevard throughout the City of Rialto and is bounded by Maple Avenue to the west and Pepper Avenue to east. The project site also encompasses Merrill Avenue to the south, Foothill Boulevard to the north, Willow Avenue to the west, and Sycamore Avenue to the east.
All mitigations measures identified with the Initial Study shall be complied with.
SECTION 5. The Chairman of the Planning Commission shall sign the passage and adoption of this resolution and thereupon the same shall take effect and be in force.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 10th day of January, 2024. _________________________________
JERRY GUTIERREZ, CHAIR
CITY OF RIALTO PLANNING COMMISSION
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO ) ss
CITY OF RIALTO )
I, Kimberly Dame, Administrative Analyst of the City of Rialto, do hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution No. ____ was duly passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Planning Commission of the City of Rialto held on the ___th day of ____, 2024.
Upon motion of Planning Commissioner_____., seconded by Planning Commissioner ____, the foregoing Resolution No. ____was duly passed and adopted.
Vote on the motion:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and the Official Seal of the City of Rialto this __th day of ___, 2024. ___________________________________________________
KIMBERLY DAME, ADMINISTRATIVE ANALYST
Exhibit “A”
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