RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA
MARIA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING THE GENERAL PLAN LAND
USE POLICY MAP FOR LOTUS MANAGEMENT, INC. (GPZ2022-
0001) ON 2.13-ACRES LOCATED AT THE 2000 BLOCK OF
ROEMER COURT FROM HCM (HEAVY COMMERCIAL
MANUFACTURING) TO CC (COMMUNITY COMMERCIAL)
FOR HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS
WHEREAS, the applicant, Lotus Management, Inc. initiated a General Plan Land Use amendment and zone change ( GPZ2022-0001) to amend the General Plan Land Use Policy Map and Zoning Map on a 2.13-acre property at the 2000 block of Roemer Court; and a Planned Development Permit (PD2022-0001) is on file to construct a 4-story, 93 room hotel, herein referred to as the Project; and
WHEREAS, on January 17 , 202 4, with a 5-0 vote, the Planning Comm ission recommended the City Council authorize the filing of a Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Holiday Inn Project, in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act of 1970 (CEQA), Public Resources Code Section 21000 et. seq., as amended; and
WHEREAS, on January 17, 2024, with a 5-0 vote, the Planning Commission made its recommendation in writing that the City Council amend the General Plan Land Use Policy Map of the City of Santa Maria for the Project site (Resolution No. 2826); and
WHEREAS, a duly noticed public hearing was held on this amendment to the General Plan Land Use Policy Map by the City Council on March 5, 2024; and WHEREAS, the City Council made no substantial modification of the proposed amendment to the General Plan Land Use Policy Map which had not been previously considered by the Planning Commission; and
WHEREAS, the City Council considered all written and oral testimony; and
WHEREAS, the City Council considered and relied on the Planning Commission’s recommendations to adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Project, in making its decision on the amendment to the Land Use Policy Map of the City’s General Plan.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY RE SOLVED by the City Council of the City of Santa Maria, California, as follows:
1. The above recitals are true and correct and incorporated herein by reference.
2. The City Council finds that:
(a) The proposed project is consistent with applicable goals and policies of the General Plan. The purpose of the Community Commercial General Plan Land Use designation as described on page LU -18 of the City’s General Plan Land Use section is “ to include the majority of retail uses outside the central core, particularly along the lineal development corridors which have emerged. The majority of these uses would be geared to the area -wide market.” The site location and the proposed hotel development are consistent with the Community Commercial Land Use description. The project meets the vision, intent, and requirements of the General Plan because it would be located along one of the ‘lineal development corridors’ ‘outside the central core’. The designation is meant to provi de more flexibility in regard to the types of commercial uses that could be developed at the site including a proposed hotel; and (b) The proposed project would not significantly disrupt any of the various land uses in the vicinity because the Project will establish a commercial use compatible with the same commercial uses and intensity and land use pattern in the area . No land use conflicts would be established as identified in the City’s General Plan Land Use Element ( Goal L.U.7 ) because the project site is adjacent to development and zoning that is either the same Land Use designation as proposed by the project, or is designated for less-intensive industrial type uses; and (c) The types of general commercial uses permitted in the C-2 zone district are les s intensive than the types of uses permitted in the CM zone district such as manufacturing and processing businesses , equipment rental, and wholesaling. The proposed C -2 zoning and CC land use designation will align the property with the existing properties zoned C- 2 adjacent to the site, and the existing hotels along the west side of Roemer Court. The proximity of the project site to the Broadway commercial corridor and Highway 101 interchange makes the project site a desirable location for travel ers or tourists visiting the area .
Therefore, the proposed modifications are required for public necessity, convenience, and general welfare; and
(d) The proposed project is afforded the appropriate services and facilities in that all infrastructure is currently available to serve the project site because the project vicinity has been previously developed with infrastructure to accommodate commercial and industrial projects of a similar size including hotels in the project vicinity.
3. The City Council of the City of Santa Maria approves an amendment to the General Plan Land Use Policy Map for 2.13-acres FROM HCM (Heavy Commercial Manufacturing ) TO CC ( Community Commercial) as shown on Attachment D of the Council Agenda Report dated March 5, 2024, incorporated herein by reference.
4. The Director of Community Development , or designee, is hereby authorized and directed to make corresponding changes on the Land Use Policy Map of the General Plan in conformity with this Resolution.
5. The Chief Depu ty City Clerk is hereby authorized to make m inor changes herein to address clerical errors, so long as substantial conformance of the intent of this document is maintained. In doing so, the Chief Deputy City Clerk shall consult with the City Manager and City Attorney concerning any changes deemed necessary.
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Santa Maria, California, held this 5th day of March 2024.
ATTEST:
Chief Deputy City Clerk
Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
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City Attorney
APPROVED AS TO CONTENT:
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Department Director
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Interim City Manager