DATE: MAY 9, 2023
DEPARTMENT: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
FROM: MEGAN HUNTER, DIRECTOR
THROUGH: LISA BRINTON, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
BY: GRANT LEONARD, PLANNING MANAGER
OSCAR RESENDIZ, ASSOCIATE PLANNER
TITLE: GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT 2022-001 AND REZONE 2022-001; AMEND THE GENERAL PLAN LAND USE DESIGNATION FROM RESIDENTIAL MEDIUM DENSITY (8-15 UNITS/ACRE) TO RESIDENTIAL HIGH DENSITY (15-24 UNITS/ACRE) AND REZONE FROM RESIDENTIAL MEDIUM DENSITY (R-M-3.6) TO RESIDENTIAL HIGH DENSITY (R-H-2.1) OF A VACANT 2.6 ACRE SITE LOCATED AT 1 PRESTON STREET RECOMMENDED MOTION:
Motion to recommend that the Salinas City Council:
Approve a resolution affirming the findings, adopting the proposed Mitigated Negative Declaration and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program, and approving a General Plan Amendment (GPA 2022-002) changing the General Plan Land Use designation from Residential Medium Density to Residential High Density; and Adopt an Ordinance to Rezone from Residential Medium Density to Residential High Density (RZ 2022-001).
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The City of Salinas is proposing a General Plan Amendment (GPA) to change the land use designation from Residential Medium Density (8-15 units/acre) to Residential High Density (15-24 units/acre) and Rezone (RZ) from Residential Medium Density (R-M-3.6) to Residential High Density (R-H-2.1) of a vacant 2.6-acre lot located at 1 Preston Street. An Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration have been prepared for the project, which is known as ER 2022-009. The purpose of the GPA and RZ is to facilitate the production of high-density housing, consistent with the City’s General Plan. The GPA and RZ would facilitate the development of up to approximately 76 housing units (anticipating a density bonus). A draft ordinance for the GPA and RZ is provided as an attachment to this staff report.
The project does not involve construction or other physical changes to the site because there are currently no development proposals. The project is intended to encourage future higher density development that would provide new housing consistent with the Salinas General Plan. This project is being partially funded by Senate Bill 2 (SB 2) grant funding for the purpose of increasing housing production in the City.
BACKGROUND:
In December 2019, the City accepted an SB 2 grant award from the state Housing and Community Development Department (HCD) in the amount of $310,000. Grant funds are to be used to facilitate the production of housing by undertaking the necessary planning and environmental studies and analyses to consider changing land use and zoning designations of identified opportunity sites to allow for higher density residential or mixed-use development. This SB 2 grant award enabled the City to undertake the planning and environmental study and analysis required to prepare the proposed Amendments. The SB 2 grant is awarded to cities for the preparation, adoption, and implementation of plans that streamline housing development approval and accelerate housing production.
DISCUSSION:
The purpose of the proposed General Plan Amendment and Rezone is to facilitate the production of high-density housing, consistent with the City’s General Plan. The GPA and RZ would affect 2.6 acres and would facilitate the development of up to approximately 76 housing units (anticipating a density bonus). The project would allow for greater housing density and more flexible development standards. These proposed general plan and zoning changes are shown on Exhibit “3”. The project does not involve construction or other physical changes to the site.
CEQA CONSIDERATION:
The environmental impacts of the project have been analyzed in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). An Initial Study was prepared to evaluate the potential impacts associated with the project. Based upon review of the Initial Study, the proposed project will not result in a significant effect on the environment because the mitigation measures outlined in the proposed Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program have been included in the project (see Reso Exhibit “2”). The Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration were routed to responsible agencies and posted at the County Clerk’s Office on January 27, 2023; the deadline for comments was February 26, 2023. The State Clearinghouse received the document on January 27, 2023; the deadline for Clearinghouse comments was February 26, 2023 (SCH Number 2023010626).
ATTACHMENTS:
Draft City Council Resolution for GPA 2022-001 and Mitigated Negative Declaration Reso Exhibit 1: Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (ISMND), dated January 2023 Reso Exhibit 2: Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program Reso Exhibit 3: Proposed General Plan Amendment 2022-001 (GPA 2022-001) Map and Proposed Rezone 2022-001 (RZ 2022-001) Map Draft Rezone Ordinance for Rezone 2022-001
Ord Exhibit 1: Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (ISMND), dated January 2023 Ord Exhibit 2: Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program Ord Exhibit 3: Proposed General Plan Amendment 2022-001 (GPA 2022-001) Map and Proposed Rezone 2022-001 (RZ 2022-001) Map Page | 3
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CITY OF SALINASHOUSING AND LAND USE COMMITTEECITY OF SALINASHOUSING AND LAND USE COMMITTEE
CITY OF SALINAS
HOUSING AND LAND USE COMMITTEE
CITY OF SALINAS
HOUSING AND LAND USE COMMITTEE