ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
MINUTES
Wednesday, March 27, 2024
Call to Order/Roll Call 1:02 PM
EDC MEMBERS PRESENT
Mayor Deborah Robertson
Councilmember Ed Scott
CITY/AGENCY STAFF PRESENT
Robert Messinger, Deputy City Attorney
Colby Cataldi, Community Development Director
David Carmany, City Manager
Paul Gonzales, Community Development Manager
Kim Dame, Administrative Analyst
PUBLIC COMMENTS – None
REVIEW/APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Minutes from the September 27, 2023 – Accepted for the Record
REPORTS/DISCUSSION ITEMS
EDC-24-1282
Discussion regarding the Foothill Central Specific Plan Amendment Review Presented by Colby Cataldi
Committee Comments/Questions/Recommendations:
Colby Cataldi explained that the current requirements will be discussed in relation to the new requirements for the project. Mayor Robertson inquired if this new plan is merging two older plans. Mr. Cataldi confirmed that two Specific Plans (Central Specific Plan and Foothill Specific Plan) are merging together to create the Foothill Central Specific Plan and that the $500,000 SCAG grant is going towards adopting the new Specific Plan.
Paul Gonzales gave a presentation outlining the Specific Plan. Mr. Gonzales confirmed that since the inception of the Foothill Central Specific Plan, multi-family residential zoning has been included. Councilmember Scott requested to see the approved resolution from 1983. Councilmember Scott inquired as to why mixed use or multi-family zoning isn’t being proposed all the way along Foothill Boulevard. Mr. Cataldi stated that the “brown” zone (referring to the color-coded map that was included in the agenda packet and displayed for the meeting attendees) is the proposed mixed-use zone along Foothill Blvd. Mr. Cataldi also confirmed that according to the proposed plan, the “finger” area (another area shown on the map that was included in the agenda packet) will remain as commercial zone. Councilmember Scott asked why the mixed-use zone isn’t being incorporated in front of multi-family zoning. Mr. Cataldi suggests that a “red” zone can be added.
Mr. Cataldi stated that the City is currently in talks with HCD in order to get the Housing Element certified. HCD first certified then decertified the Housing Element pending requested changes (the changes that addressed the pending litigation that has been petitioned against this project). Robert Messinger confirmed that the Housing litigation has been ongoing for more than a year. Because the Housing Element was not approved, the City received conditional approval, however, the State rescinded the conditional approval. Mr. Cataldi advised that a solution would be to add more housing units into the commercial zones – more mixed-use.
Councilmember Scott requested an overlay where it can go either way – mixed-use or commercial. Mr. Cataldi advised that the easiest way to go about this is to change the color coding so it may go either way.
Mr. Gonzales advised that the difference between commercial and mixed-use along Foothill is that the commercial zoning allows for bars and the Foothill mixed used does not. Mr. Cataldi states that a textual edit can be done in the “permitted uses” and change it all to “mixed-use”.
Mayor Robertson wants to ensure that even though their will be multi-family residential in the downtown area, that the historical sites are still preserved. Mr. Cataldi mentions that there was an attempt to file the historical registry list of privately owned properties with the state. Councilmember Scott states that it didn’t happen because it is too restrictive; it only prevents people from doing any modifications to the historical buildings. Mr. Cataldi confirmed that we also do not have any Federally Historical structures in the national registry. Mayor Robertson wants to know why it was stopped at the Clerks office after Council took action. Kim Dame advised she would do some research.
The Economic Development Committee would like to see all commercial “red” changed to mixed-use “brown” in the Central area. Mr. Cataldi stated that this will be done; including south of the railroad tracks as well.
Mr. Gonzales stated that buildings up to seven (7) stories in the downtown mixed-use area is currently allowable. The proposal is to lower the height from seven (7) stories to a five (5) story height limit. Mr. Gonzales also stated that even though there are parking standards, they don’t necessarily have to be met because of the proximity to the Metro Link Station. Therefore, per Councilmember Scott, the City needs to implement a city owned or privately owned parking structures. A DIF fee for a future parking structure should be brought up as a possible option.
Mayor Robertson inquired about an area east of Riverside Ave and north of the railroad tracks that shows on the presented map as a “Public Facility”. It is vacant property owned by Sprint Communications – Mr. Cataldi advised that this will be changed to be listed as “Commercial”. Mayor Robertson asked Colby to provide a list of vacant parcels that the City owns to the next meeting. Mr. Messinger advised that the City must go through the Surplus Land Act to issue a notice of availability. Mr. Cataldi stated that if we have a public facility project we know will be done on one of those vacant properties, that would then be listed as a public facility, like the Cuca’s building.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 2:29 p.m.