RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF SANTA MARIA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING THE
PLANNED DEVELOPMENT PERMIT PD2022-0008
WHEREAS, the applicant, Coastal Community Builders , applied for a Planned Development Permit (PD2022-0008) to construct 142 single -family, 100 -percent age - restricted senior market -rate residential units on individual lots with common amenities including private roads, a 2,862 -square-foot community clubhouse with pool, spa and other outdoor activity areas, a pe t-friendly pocket park, and associated infrastructure on a 14.43-net-acre site, herein referred to as the Project; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission of the City of Santa Maria held a public meeting on November 6, 2024, to review the Planned Development Permit; and
WHEREAS, a duly noticed public hearing was held on the Planned Development Permit by the Santa Maria City Council on December 17, 2024; and
WHEREAS, the Santa Maria City Council made no modification of the proposed Planned Development Permit which had been previously considered by the Planning Commission; and
WHEREAS, the City Council considered and relied on the Planning Commission’s recommendation to adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration and Mitigation Monitoring Program for the Project, in making its decision on the proposed project; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Santa Maria has reviewed the Bellecrest Senior Residences Planned Development project in accordance with the application submitted and hereby makes the required findings in accordance with Section 12-35.203 of the Municipal Code, including the following:
A. That the project meets the vision, intent, and requirements of the General Plan.
The project would allow for the construction of a single-family residential subdivision that would establish a residential use for seniors on a site zoned for Medium Residential development (PD/R -2). The project is consistent with the City’s General Plan Land Use Element Policy L.U.1 to establish residential areas for the provision of a variety of home sites, housing types, and lifestyles. Except for the requested modifications to setbacks and development standards discussed below, the project is consistent with the City of Santa Maria Municipal Code.
B. That the site for the proposed use is adequate in size and topography to accommodate the use, and all yards, spaces, walls and fences, parking, loading , and landscaping are adequate to properly adapt such use with the land and uses in the vicinity. With the approval of the requested modifications in this permit and accompanying Tentative Tract Map, the project will be consistent with applicable Municipal Code design measures and development standards for the PD/R -2 zone, including but not limited to parking, landscaping, buildin g height , and vehicular access. The site is adequately sized to accommodate the proposed residential use, and the construction of the age-restricted small lot single-family residential development would adapt with the land and uses in the vicinity which includes a similar land use pattern of lower and medium-density residential development.
C. That the site for the proposed use relates to streets and highways adequate in width and pavement type to carry the quantity and kind of traffic generated by the proposed use. The design of new private roads within the project site has been reviewed and approved by the City’s Public Works Engineering Division and the Fire Department for access and safety. Main Street adjacent to the site, as well as the area intersections, are all adequately designed in width and pavement type to serve the project.
D. That the proposed use will have no adverse effect upon abutting property as the construction of the single-family residential development and the establishment of the residential use would be self-sustained by providing adequate on-site parking including one- or two-car garages and sufficient driveway space to provide parking for two vehicles per lot, plus additional staff and guest parking, in an area of the City that has established residential development of a similar density and scale.
E. That the establishment, maintenance, and/or conducting of the use for which the planned development review is sought will not, under the circumstances of the particular case, be detrimental to the health, safety, morals, or welfare of persons residing or working in the neighborhood of such use and will not, under the circumstances of the particular case, be detrimental to the public welfare, injurious to property or improvements in the neighborhood; nor shall the use be inconsistent with the character of the neighborhood or contrary to its orderly development because the construction of the residential project and the establishment of such use would adapt with the land and uses in the vicinity . With the approval of the requested modifications, the project will be consistent with applicable Municipal Code design measures and development standards for the PD/R-2 zone, including but not limited to parking, landscaping, setbacks, building height , and vehicular access. The project would provide adequate space for setbacks, parking, and landscaping to ensure that no nuisances would be created by the establishment of the project.
The mitigation measures from the Mitigated Negative Declaration/Initi al Study , conditions of approval , and development standards required for this project address and alleviate any potentially adverse impacts that could result from the proposed use. Therefore, the project would be compatible with the adjoining land uses and would not be more obnoxious or detrimental to the health of the public than any of the uses established at the project area, or any of the uses listed in the PD/R-2 section of the Municipal Code.
F. That the conditions stated in the decision are necessary to protect the public health, safety, and general welfare.
G. The proposed modification(s) are otherwise consistent with the General Plan, Municipal Code, and applicable Specific Plans. The requested modifications to the setback standards, and corner cutbac k standards, are otherwise consistent with applicable Municipal Code design measures and development standards for the PD/R-2 zone.
H. The project includes superior design elements that mitigate or compensate for any potential impact of the proposed modifi cation(s) on the surrounding area . The requested modifications to the required yard setbacks and corner cutback standards will allow the project to provide seniors with a small single -family lot housing type currently unavailable in Santa Maria with a dens ity of development at 9.8 units per acre.
The project includes superior design elements such as ample amenities and open space areas for residents including a 2,862-square-foot community clubhouse with a pool, spa, and cabanas; an outdoor living and acti vity lawn; and a pet -friendly pocket park with a covered gazebo and outdoor seating. Provision of these community amenities is not required by the Municipal Code beyond the minimum 300 square feet of landscaped open area for each unit and is an added feature for use by the future residents of the project. The project includes 50,736 square feet of general open space areas throughout the site. The project is over -parked according to Chapter 12-32 of the Santa Maria Municipal Code referring to senior age-restricted communities. A total of 363 parking spaces are proposed within the project, whereas only 145 parking spaces are required.
I. The proposed modification(s) are essential to the design of the project . The requested modifications to the required yard setbacks and corner cutback standards will allow the project to provide seniors with a for -sale deed-restricted for seniors, small single -family lot housing type. This housing type is currently unavailable in Santa Maria with this density of development. The project would provide housing at 10 units per acre. The project is consistent with the City’s General Plan Land Use Element Policy L.U.1 to establish residential areas for the provision of a variety of home sites, housing types, and lifestyles.
Further, the project proposes providing ample area for extensive private onsite amenities of the subdivision including a 2,862 -square-foot community clubhouse with a pool, spa, and cabanas; an outdoor living and a ctivity lawn; and a pet - friendly pocket park with a covered gazebo and outdoor seating. The project includes 50,736 square feet of general open space areas throughout the site. The requested setbacks and corner cutbacks modifications from the city standard also allows for the additional guest parking throughout the site, which will benefit the development as there is no on-street parking available.
J. The proposed modification(s) have been minimized to the maximum extent possible consistent with Subsections (a) through (c) of Section 12 -35.203 of the Municipal Code. The requested modifications to the required yard setbacks and corner cutback standards will allow the project to provide seniors with a for -sale deed-restricted for seniors, small single -family l ot housing type currently unavailable in Santa Maria with this density of development. The project would provide housing at 9.8 units per acre. The project is consistent with the City’s General Plan Land Use Element Policy L.U.1 to establish residential areas for the provision of a variety of home sites, housing types, and lifestyles.
Further, the project proposes providing ample area for extensive private onsite amenities of the subdivision including a 2,862 -square-foot community clubhouse with a pool, s pa, and cabanas; an outdoor living and activity lawn; and a pet - friendly pocket park with a covered gazebo and outdoor seating. The project includes 50,736 square feet of general open space areas throughout the site. The requested setbacks and corner cutba cks modifications from city standards also allow for additional guest parking throughout the site, which will benefit the development as there is no on-street parking available.
K. Environmental Review for this project was completed through the preparation of an Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (SCH #2024090050) pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines. No further environmental review is required.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED by the City Council of the Cit y of Santa Maria, California, as follows:
1. The above recitals are true and correct and incorporated herein by reference.
2. The City Council approves the Planned Development Permit (Attachment G of the City Council Agenda report dated December 17, 2024, incorporated herein by reference) , subject to approval of the General Plan Amendment and Rezone for Bellecrest Senior Residences (GPZ2022-0003), located at 1571 East Main Street.
3. The Chief Deputy City Clerk is hereby authorized to make m inor changes h erein 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 17th day of December 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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Interim Department Director
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City Manager