ORDINANCE NO. 22-__
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING MASTER CASE 22-027, CONSISTING OF UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT CODE AMENDMENT 22-001 AMENDING THE
UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT CODE, AS SHOWN IN EXHIBIT A
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA, CALIFORNIA, DOES HEREBY ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. FINDINGS OF FACT. The City Council does hereby make the following findings of fact:
A. The City of Santa Clarita (City) periodically prepares updates to the Unified Development Code (UDC);
B. The UDC was last updated in December 2020;
C. Staff presented the project to the Development Committee on May 10, 2022;
D. The Planning Commission held a duly noticed public hearing on this issue commencing on May 17, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. or later, at City Hall, 23920 Valencia Boulevard, Santa Clarita, California;
E. At the hearing described above, the Planning Commission considered a staff presentation, staff report, and public testimony on the Unified Development Code amendments proposed for the project;
F. At the hearing described above, the Planning Commission adopted Resolution P22-06 recommending the City Council of the City of Santa Clarita adopt an ordinance and approve Master Case 22-027 by a vote of 4-0, with one absent;
G. In accordance with the public hearing noticing requirements of the UDC, a one-eighth page legal advertisement was place in The Signal newspaper on June 7, 2022;
H. The City Council of the City of Santa Clarita held a duly noticed public hearing on the issue commencing on June 28, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. or later, at City Hall, 23920 Valencia Boulevard, Santa Clarita, California; and
I. At the hearing described above, the City Council considered a staff presentation, staff report, and public testimony on the UDC amendments proposed for the project.
SECTION 2. CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT FINDINGS. Based upon the foregoing facts and findings, the City Council hereby finds as follows:
A. A Notice of Exemption for this project was prepared in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA);
B. The project is exempt from CEQA under Article 5 Section 15061(b)(3), the common- sense exemption. 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. Where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA;
C. The documents and other materials that constitute the record of proceedings upon which the decision of the City Council is based is the Master Case 22-027 project file, and that this project file is located within the Community Development Department and is in the custody of the Director of Community Development; and
D. Based upon the findings set forth above, the City Council hereby recommends the City Council find the Notice of Exemption for this project has been prepared in compliance with CEQA.
SECTION 3. GENERAL FINDINGS FOR MASTER CASE 22-027. Based on the foregoing facts and findings for Master Case 22-027, the City Council hereby determines as follows:
A. That the proposal is consistent with the General Plan;
The project does not include any new development and is consistent with the General Plan’s objectives, policies, and procedures. The proposed amendments will assist the City in implementing the General Plan by creating consistent Planning documents and updating code sections. Amendments reflect current planning trends, newly- identified planning issues, and clarify code language in an effort to keep the development code relevant, fresh, and easy to understand.
B. The proposal is allowed within the applicable underlying zone and complies with all other applicable provisions of the UDC;
The UDC amendments do not require a consistency finding with the existing development code because the project would amend the UDC in general. While no consistency finding is required, the proposed amendments would not change development densities or the City’s zoning map, and the changes are considered to be minor in nature, making the amendments consistent with these aspects of the development code.
C. The proposal will not endanger, jeopardize, or otherwise constitute a hazard to the public convenience, health, interest, safety, or general welfare, or be materially detrimental or injurious to the improvements, persons, property, or uses in the vicinity and zone in which the property is located; and
Nothing contained in the proposed amendments would endanger, jeopardize, or otherwise constitute a hazard to the public. The proposed amendments consist of updates to the UDC and are intended to update the Planning documents to reflect recent laws, development trends, and to clarify portions of the code where there are inconsistencies or ambiguity.
D. The proposal is physically suitable for the site. The factors related to the proposal’s physical suitability for the site shall include, but are not limited to, the following:
1. The design, location, shape, size, and operating characteristics are suitable for the proposed use;
2. The highways or streets that provide access to the site are of sufficient width and are improved as necessary to carry the kind and quantity of traffic such proposal would generate;
3. Public protection service (e.g., Fire protection, Sheriff protection, etc.) are readily available; and
4. The provision of utilities (e.g. potable water, schools, solid waste collection and disposal, storm drainage, wastewater collection, treatment, and disposal, etc.) is adequate to serve the site.
The proposal is physically suitable for the site in terms of location, shape, size, and operating characteristics. The amendments are minor and do not change the scope or goals of the various Planning documents or the City’s General Plan. No development is proposed or would be approved by the amendments, and any future development that may occur under the revised amendments would require development review and environmental analysis at the time the projects are submitted. The City currently receives adequate service from the Los Angeles County Fire Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. The project area is likewise served by all applicable utilities. Nothing in the proposed amendments would increase the need for fire or police protection services, or increase demand for utilities.
SECTION 4. ADDITIONAL FINDINGS FOR UDC AMENDMENT 22-001. Based upon the foregoing facts and findings for Master Case 22-027, including UDC Amendment 22-001, the City Council hereby finds as follows:
A. The amendment is consistent with the adjacent area, if applicable;
The proposed amendments would apply to properties throughout the City and are consistent with the principles of the General Plan. No new development is included with the proposed amendments.
B. The amendment is consistent with the principles of the General Plan;
The proposed amendments would not alter the General Plan Land Use Map or Zoning Map, nor would the proposed amendments change development densities or population projections for the City. The proposed amendments consist of updates to the UDC, and are intended to increase consistency amongst the documents, reflect new legislation, and revise certain code sections to be clearer, easier to read, and easier to interpret.
Specifically, the proposed amendments would implement the following objectives and policies of the General Plan:
Objective LU 1.2: Maintain the distinctive community character of villages and neighborhoods throughout the planning area by establishing uses, densities, and design guidelines appropriate to the particular needs and goals of each area…
Policy LU 4.1.4: Promote economic opportunity for all segments of the community, including small businesses and new businesses.
The proposed amendments are consistent with the objectives and policies listed above because they would provide updated Planning documents that are internally consistent, easier to read, and that provide clearer direction than the existing code documents provide. The proposed amendments support the character of the City’s neighborhoods and promote economic opportunities by providing development standards that are easier to understand and that provide a clear review process.
C. Approval of the amendment will be in the interest of public health, convenience, safety, and general welfare and in conformity with good zoning practice;
The proposed amendments would support the public health, convenience, safety, and general welfare of the community, and are in conformity with good zoning practice because the proposed amendments would standardize Planning language and development standards across the Planning documents, updating certain sections to reflect new legislation, clarify certain code sections for readability and ease of use, and add new land use categories that support existing and future businesses.
D. The amendment is consistent with other applicable provisions of this code; and
The proposed text amendments to the UDC have been prepared to be consistent with all other provisions of this code. Further, the proposed text amendments enhance consistency between the UDC and the Old Town Newhall Specific Plan.
E. Is necessary to implement the General Plan and/or that the public convenience, the general welfare or good zoning practice justifies such action.
The proposed amendments are consistent with the applicable provisions of the UDC and the proposed revisions would standardize language between the documents and make the documents more consistent with each other. Therefore, the amendments
would promote the general welfare and public convenience and would constitute good zoning practice.
SECTION 5. Based upon the staff report, including the materials considered by and the recommendations made by the Planning Commission, the testimony at the public hearing, and the findings as set forth in this ordinance, the City Council hereby approves Master Case 22-027, consisting UDC Amendment 22-001, amending the UDC as shown in Exhibit A.
SECTION 6. If any portion of this ordinance is held to be invalid, that portion shall be stricken and severed, and the remaining portions shall be unaffected and remain in full force and effect.
SECTION 7. This ordinance shall be in full for and effect 30 days from its passage and adoption.
SECTION 8. The City Clerk shall certify to the passage of this ordinance and shall cause the same to be published as required by law.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this 28th day of June, 2022.
_______________________
MAYOR
ATTEST:
CITY CLERK
DATE: ______________________________
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES )
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA )
I, Mary Cusick, City Clerk of the City of Santa Clarita, do hereby certify that the foregoing Ordinance 22-__ was regularly introduced and placed upon its first reading at a regular meeting of the City Council on 28th day of June 2022. That thereafter, said ordinance was duly passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council on the 12th day of July, 2022, by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS:
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS:
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS:
AND I FURTHER CERTIFY that the forgoing is the original of Ordinance No. 22-__ and was published in The Signal newspaper in accordance with State Law (G.C. 40806).
CITY CLERK
EXHIBIT A:
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS – REDLINE/STRIKETHROUGH
Note that new proposed language is shown in blue underline and current language proposed to be removed is shown in red strikethrough.
Amendments to Design Standards
17.51.050.C Outdoor Lighting Standards:
10. Lighting for public and/or private facilities which are 35 feet in height or less including but not limited to prisons, airports, sports fields/playfields, helipads/heliports, and hospitals.
11. Lighting for public facilities including, but not limited to, sports fields/playfields, community centers and other facilities for public assembly, that are owned and operated by the City of Santa Clarita and that exceed 35 feet in height shall be subject to an Administrative Permit (refer to Section 17.23.100 (Administrative Permit)) and be subject to lighting standards provided for in Section D of this chapter with a further requirement for a photometric study and renderings of the project.
17.66.050 Gating of Access and Roadways:
E. Commercial Property Gating. Gating of Commercial property shall be subject to the review and an Administrative Permit provided that: gating may be approved, subject to approval of an minor use permit. 1) All commercial gates meet the residential and commercial gating standards as outlined within this section; 2) a queueing analysis demonstrates that anticipated traffic will not spill over into an existing right-of-way; and 3) on-site parking that is open to the public is not gated. Where commercial property may be affected by a proposed gate subject to a minor use permit or a conditional use permit, the applicant(s) shall submit an economic analysis as part of the application submittal to address the economic impacts of the gate upon affected commercial properties.
17.51.080Q.4.b.ii Sign Regulations (Private Property):
(A) The use of a special event banner for each establishment shall be limited to no more than two thirty (30) days periods each calendar year within the period beginning January 1st and ending June 30th, and an additional thirty (30) days within the period of July 1st and ending December 31st. The number of events within each six (6) month period may not exceed three (3) and no single event shall exceed thirty (30) consecutive days. The two thirty (30) day periods may be consecutive.
Amendments to Land Use
17.67.030 Regulations
K. Charitable, or school sponsored DDrop-off bins for recycling of cans, newspapers, or similar items, for drop -off of clothes and small items are prohibited. Bins shall be located in the parking lots of businesses within the C and/or I zones or other public or semi-public property on a temporary basis when written permission is granted by the property owner or business owner. Said bins shall be kept in a neat and orderly manner, shall not take up any required landscaping area or parking spaces, and shall not be visible from a public right -of-way.
P. Short-term special events shall not be conducted subject to limitations and conditions as deemed appropriate by the Director for more than six (6) weekends or seven (7) days during any twelve (12) month period, except where an extended time period is approved pursuant to Section 17.23.200(B)(2) (Extended-Term Temporary Use Permit).
17.44.010 Industrial Use Types:
14. Recycling—the following are recycling types: Parking b. Collection of Trucks and/or Bins as an Accessory Use—includes automobiles, trucks, trailers or vans, licensed by the Department of Motor Vehicles, which are used for the collection of recyclable materials and includes the bins, boxes or containers transported by trucks, vans or trailers, and used for the collection of recyclable materials in return for monetary payment.
Charitable, private or school sponsored drop-off bins for recycling of cans, newspapers, or similar items, or for the drop-off of clothes and small items shall be permitted with a Minor Use Permit only when accessory to an approved Thrift Store or Second-Hand Store, or at the discretion of the Director. Otherwise, these types of uses are prohibited.
No additional parking
needed, but bin
placement cannot
impact on-site
parking.
NU1 NU2 NU3 NU4 NU5 UR1 UR2 UR3 UR4 UR5 CR CC CN BP I
X X X X X X X X X X M M M M M
17.43.010.9 Commercial Land Use Types:
d. Ghost Kitchens – Includes commercial kitchens engaged in the preparation of food for off-site consumption. Ghost Kitchens include public seating areas no greater than 10% of the total square footage, and contemplate pickup and delivery of the prepared food items by operators of third-party food delivery services, not by the general public.
1 space per 250 square feet
OR at the discretion of the
Director
NU1 NU2 NU3 NU4 NU5 UR1 UR2 UR3 UR4 UR5 CR CC CN BP I
X X X X X X X X X X P P M P X
d. e. Restaurants—includes establishments primarily engaged in the preparation and retail sale of food and/or beverages for immediate or semi-immediate consumption either on or off site. Restaurants are further classified as:
e. f. Alcohol Production/Storage—includes wineries, wine bars, beer gardens, and other similar establishments where wine, beer, or other spirits are prepared, bottled, stored, and sold for on - or off-site consumption. Sales can be either wholesale or retail in nature, subject to the specific development requirements in Section 17.66.020 (Alcohol Sales).
17.43.010.3 Commercial Land Use Types:
i. Veterinary Clinic—includes a fully enclosed veterinary facility providing routine examinations and treatment of small animals (less than two hundred fifty (250) pounds), including vaccinations, and may include short-term boarding (not overnight) and grooming services for patients. Boarding shall be in accordance with the provisions of Section 17.66.090 (Kennels).
1 space per 250
square feet of area
(excluding area
devoted to housing
of animals)
NU1 NU2 NU3 NU4 NU5 UR1 UR2 UR3 UR4 UR5 CR CC CN BP I
M M M M M X X X X X MP P MP X P
j. Veterinary Hospital—includes a veterinary facility where animals are given medical or surgical treatment and may include long-term boarding (one (1) or more night stay) and grooming services for patients. Boarding shall be in accordance with the provisions of Section 17.66.090 (Kennels). (1) Small Animals—a veterinary hospital for animals weighing less than two hundred fifty (250) pounds.
1 space per 250
square feet of area
(excluding area
devoted to housing
of animals)
NU1 NU2 NU3 NU4 NU5 UR1 UR2 UR3 UR4 UR5 CR CC CN BP I
CM CM CM CM CM X X X X X X MP MP X P
Amendments to Procedures
17.38.070 RP - Ridgeline Preservation Overlay Zone:
B. Applicability. Significant ridgelines are ridgelines which are highly visible to the community and dominate the landscape. The general locations of the City’s designated significant ridgelines are identified on the adopted ridgeline map on file in the Planning Division. Any development including but not limited to grading permits, building permits and land use entitlements, in the vicinity of a generally designated significant ridgeline, shall submit an exhibit prepared by a licensed civil engineer utilizing site-specific topographic mapping to precisely locate the vertical and horizontal position of the ridgeline in relation to the proposed development. The precise ridgelines are defined as the line formed by the meeting of the tops of sloping surfaces of land. The RP overlay zone shall be established to protect the visual integrity of the area within one hundred (100) feet vertical and one hundred (100) feet horizontal distance from the ridgeline. A proposed development may be exempt from the RP overlay subject to the discretion of the Director if: 1) the subject property or properties have been subsequently and significantly disturbed; 2) these disturbances have been previously permitted and 3) where the proposed development is within an area that is substantially urbanized.
17.08.050 Grounds for Revocation or Revisions:
I. For projects originally approved by the Planning Commission, after a public hearing, as provided for in this chapter, the Commission may revoke or revise any approval which has been granted by the review authority, in compliance with either the provisions of this code or on any one (1) or more of the following grounds:
B. That the use for which such approval was granted and once commenced, is thereafter is not being used, has ceased or has been suspended for six (6) months two (2) years or more;
II. For projects originally approved by the Director, the Director may make a determination of revocation or revision. After such decision the permittee or party otherwise subject to the determination of revocation or revision, may request reconsideration by the Director. Such reconsideration is a less formal process than a hearing and the permittee or party otherwise subject to the determination of revocation or revision may submit additional information in writing to the Director within 10 calendar days of notice of revocation or revision for the Director to review. After such reconsideration, the Director may determine by written notice within 10 days of the Director’s review, to revoke or revise any approval which has been granted by the Director, on any one (1) or more of the following grounds:
A. That such approval was obtained by fraud;
B. That the use for which such approval was granted and once commenced, is not being used, has ceased or has been suspended for six (6) months two (2) years or more; C. That any person making use of or relying upon the permit, variance or other approval is violating or has violated any conditions of such permit, or has been used contrary to the terms or conditions of such approval, or in violation of any statute, ordinance, law, or regulation; D. That the use for which the approval was granted is being used to be detrimental to the public health or safety, or is a public nuisance; or
E. Upon final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction declaring one (1) or more of such conditions to be void or ineffective, or enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the enforcement or operation of one (1) or more conditions of approval, the permit or entitlement shall cease to be valid. (Ord. 13-8 § 4 (Exh. A), 6/11/13)
17.09.020.A Application:
5. Modifications to Conditional Use Permits for alcohol sales require the review and approval of a Minor Use Permit.
Amendments for Consistency
17.57.030 Multifamily Residential Development Standards:
M. Height. In the Urban Residential 4 and Urban Residential 5 zones exceeding thirty-five (35) feet in height shall require approval of a conditional use permit. At the discretion of the Director, architectural treatments may exceed thirty-five (35) feet in height without a conditional use permit; provided, that (1) the addition does not exceed ten (10) feet in height (for a maximum height of forty-five (45) feet); (2) that the allowance would be compatible with the architectural design; and (3) that the allowance would provide additional articulation that could otherwise not be achieved within thirty-five (35) feet. This shall not apply to small-scale, attached multi-family dwellings such as duplexes, triplexes and quadplexes.
17.51.060 Parking Standards:
I. On-Site Bicycle Parking Requirement. Except as otherwise provided in this section, every use shall provide on- site bicycle parking facilities to accommodate the required number of bicycle parking spaces. All bicycle parkin g shall be conveniently located near the street or entrance to the building, to the satisfaction of the Director.
1. Number of Bicycle Spaces Required. A number of on-site parking spaces shall be provided in accordance with the California Green Building Standards Code.Every use shall provide on-site bicycle parking spaces in accordance with the following ratios:
Retail/Commercial Uses Per Building Code
Office Uses Per Building Code
Industrial Uses Per Building Code
Multifamily Residential Uses 1 space per each 5 residential units Mixed Uses Subject to the review and approval of the Director
K. Fuel-Efficient, Low-Emitting, and Carpool/Van Pool Vehicles. Except as otherwise provided in this section, every use shall provide the required number of designated parking for any combination of fuel-efficient, low- emitting, and carpool/van pool vehicles as follows:
1. Number of Spaces Required. A number of on-site parking spaces shall be provided in accordance with the California Green Building Standards Code.
Total Number of Parking Spaces Number of Required Spaces 0—9 0
10—25 1
26—50 3
51—75 6
76—100 8
101—150 11
151—200 16
201 and over At least 8 percent of total
2. Future Electric Vehicle Charging Stations. A number of on-site parking spaces shall be provided in accordance with the California Green Building Standards Code. When the electrical infrastructure is required or provided for future electric vehicle charging stations (EVCS), at least one (1) future EVCS vehicle space shall comply with the disabled accessibility provisions of the California Building Code Chapter 11B.
17.57.060 Setbacks:
B. Zero lot line parcels shall have a side yard setback of zero (0) feet on the side of the zero lot line, and ten (10) feet on the opposite side. Required front and rear yard setbacks shall be maintained in accordance with the underlying zone or as otherwise permitted in this section. Swimming pools shall maintain a side yard setback of five (5) feet from either the zero lot line or the opposite provided the foundation and other physical improvements or infrastructure associated with the swimming pool do not encroach onto an adjacent property.
17.57.050 Distance Between Buildings:
E. Distance Between Accessory Buildings. A minimum distance of six (6) feet shall be required between accessory buildings.
17.62.020 Keeping of Large Animals:
C.3. In addition to Los Angeles County Health Department requirements, all buildings or structures, including, but not limited to, barns, corrals, training arenas, etc., used in conjunction with the keeping of large animals shall be located a minimum of thirty-five (35) fifty (50) feet from any street or highway or any building used for human habitation.
17.57.070.G.1 Walls and Fences:
Figure 17.57-6
Retaining Wall Height Within the Front Yard Setback
Figure 17.57-6 Figure 17.57-7
Retaining Walls
17.51.010 Development Impact Fees:
Subsections:
G. Parking in Lieu Fee Program
17.51.010.G Parking in Lieu Fee Program:
4. Applicability.
a. The fee shall apply to any nonresidential/commercial development in the urban center zone (Main Street area) of the Old Town Newhall Specific Plan Arts & Entertainment (AE) zone (Main Street area) or in the Neighborhood (N) zone with Walnut Street frontage of the Old Town Newhall Specific Plan, that adds new or expanded nonresidential/commercial square footage to the subject property. This includes an outdoor patio, deck, balcony, terrace, or other outdoor area on private property that will accommodate or support commercial activity and generate a demand for parking facilities. Outdoor dining in the public right-of-way is exempt from this fee.
b. The nonresidential/commercial properties within the urban center zone (Main Street area) of the Old Town Newhall Specific Plan Arts & Entertainment (AE) zone (Main Street area) or in the Neighborhood (N) zone with Walnut Street frontage of the Old Town Newhall Specific Plan, are permitted to satisfy all or part of the parking spaces required by payment to the City of a parking in lieu fee.
6. Exemptions from Fee. Developments that do not add any new or expand nonresidential/commercial square footage in the urban center zone (Main Street area) of the Old Town Newhall Specific Plan Arts & Entertainment (AE) zone (Main Street area) or in the Neighborhood (N) zone with Walnut Street frontage of the Old Town Newhall Specific Plan are exempt. (Ord. 13-8 § 4 (Exh. A), 6/11/13; Ord. 17-16 § 1, 12/12/17)