RESOLUTION NO. 2023-56
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF VISALIA, APPROVING GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT NO. 2021-16:
A REQUEST BY THE CITY OF VISALIA TO REDESIGNATE APPROXIMATELY 42
ACRES FROM RESIDENTIAL LOW, MEDIUM, AND HIGH DENSITIES TO PARKS/RECREATION TO FACILITATE THE EAST SIDE REGIONAL PARK.
THE PROPOSED PROJECT IS LOCATED ON APPROXIMATELY 42 ACRES, SOUTH OF HOUSTON AVENUE, EAST OF THE ROAD 148 (TOWER STREET) ALIGNMENT. (APN: 103-110-024, 025, 029, 032, 033)
WHEREAS, General Plan Amendment No. 2021-16 is a request by the City of Visalia to redesignate approximately 42 acres from Residential Low, Medium, and High Densities to Parks/Recreation to facilitate the East Side Regional Park. The proposed Project is located on approximately 42 acres, south of Houston Avenue, east of the Road 148 (Tower Street) alignment. (APN: 103-110-024, 025, 029, 032, 033); and, WHEREAS, the Draft Environmental Impact Report (Draft EIR) for the East Side Regional Park & Groundwater Recharge Project, which considered impacts from General Plan Amendment No. 2021 -16, was released on February 2, 2023, for circulation for a period of 45 days; and,
WHEREAS, the Final Environmental Impact Report ( Final EIR) for the East Side Regional Park & Groundwater Recharge Project, was released on October 9, 2023, and consists of the Draft EIR and the revisions of, and additions to, the Draft EIR; the written comments and recommendations received on the Draft EIR; the written responses of the City of Visalia to public comments on the Draft EIR; errata to the foregoi ng; and other information added by the City of Visalia as specified in the record; and,
WHEREAS, the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) required that, in connection with the approval of a project for which an EIR has been prepared that identified one or more significant effects, the decision making body makes certain findings regarding those effects, which in full are contained in Resolution No. 2023 -54 pertaining to the certification of the Final EIR prepared for the East Side Regional Park & Groundwater Recharge Project; and,
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission of the City of Visalia, after duly published notice did hold a public hearing before said Commission on October 23, 2023; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Visalia, after 10 days published notice, held a public hearing before said Council for General Plan Amendment No. 2021 -14 on November 20, 2023; and,
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission and the City Council of the City of Visalia considered General Plan Amendment No. 2021-16 to be in accordance with Section
17.54.070 of the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Visalia based on evidence contained in the staff report and testimony presented at the public hearing.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Visalia finds that Final EIR for the East Side Regional Park & Groundwater Recharge Project , Resolution No. 2023-56
SCH# 2014121076, was prepared consistent with the California Environmental Quality Act and City of Visalia Environmental Guidelines.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Visalia approves General Plan Amendment No. 2021-16 based on the following specific findings and evidence presented:
1. That the proposed General Plan Amendment is consistent with the goals, objectives, and policies of the General Plan, and is not detrimental to the public health, safety, or welfare, or materially injurious to properties or improvements in the vicinity.
2. That the proposed General Plan Amendment creating 128 acres Parks / Recreation designation will not impose new land uses or development that will adversely affect the subject site or adjacent properties.
3. That the General Plan Amendment will help facilitate the development of a regional park use and groundwater recharge basins within the Tier I and II Urban Development Boundaries, consistent with General Plan Policies, including Policy PSCU -P-4 which specifically calls for creating large new park at the City’s eastern edge to enhance the City’s eastern gateway along Highway 198, ensure separation between communities, and provide ample recreation space for the larger area. Furthermore, the proposed park project resulting from the amended General Plan land use map is compatible with the adjacent residential uses.
4. That the project is consistent with the project description contained in the Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) (SCH# 2014121076) for the project associated with this General Plan Amendment , specifically for development is identified and described in the East Side Regional Park and Groundwater Recharge Project, and for which said FEIR is recommended to be certified by the City Council precedent to the Planning Commission and City Council’s consideration of this General Plan Amendment request, consistent with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and City of Visalia Environmental Guidelines.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Visalia approves General Plan Amendment No. 2021-16, as depicted per Exhibit “A”, on the real property described herein, in accordance with the terms of this resolution and under the provisions of Section 17.54.070 of the Ordinance Code of the City of Visalia.
Resolution No. 2023-56
Exhibit “A”
GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT NO. 2021-16
City Council Resolution No. 2023-56