City of Yucaipa City Council
Minutes
Special Meeting of April 17, 2023
A Special meeting of the City Council of the City of Yucaipa, California was called to order in the Council Chambers, 34272 Yucaipa Boulevard, Yucaipa, California, on April 17, 2023, at 5:00 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Beaver called the meeting to order at 5:05 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Pledge of Allegiance was led by San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department Captain Mike Walker.
CITY COUNCIL ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Justin Beaver, Mayor
Bobby Duncan, Mayor Pro Tern
Matt Garner, Councilmember
Jon Thorp, Councilmember
Chris Venable, Councilmember
ABSENT: None
STAFF
PRESENT: Chris Mann, City Manager
Jennifer Crawford, Assistant City Manager
Steven Graham, City Attorney
Ana Sauseda, Director of General Services/City Clerk
Mayor Beaver asked the public to maintain decorum and civility during public comment.
PUBLIC HEARING (continued on next page)
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1. SUBJECT: PREMIUM LAND DEVELOPMENT ON BEHALF OF YUCAIPA 52, LLC CASE NO. 22-150/PDP/FDP/TTM 20375: A PLANNED DEVELOPMENT PROJECT
THAT INCLUDES A PRELIMINARY DEVELOPMENT PLAN AND TENTATIVE TRACT MAP (TTM 20375)/FINAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR THE PROPOSED SERRANO ESTATES PROJECT, WHICH WILL ESTABLISH 51 SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL LOTS ON PARCELS GREATER THAN 12,000 SQUARE FEET AND AVERAGING OVER 20,000 SQUARE FEET, OF WHICH 41 OF THE LOTS WILL BE AGE RESTRICTED TO THOSE OVER 55, SEVERAL LETTERED LOTS FOR WATER QUALITY BASINS, AND A COMBINED 12-ACRE AREA AS PART OF A "LOT 52" AND REMAINDER LOT THAT WOULD INCLUDE SPACE FOR VINEYARDS, AND 13 ACRES OF PERMANENT OPEN SPACE, LOCATED ON THREE EXISTING PARCELS TOTALING 52 ACRES ALONG THE EAST SIDE OF
YUCAIPA RIDGE ROAD DIRECTLY SOUTH OF THE CITY LIMITS TO UNINCORPORATED SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY. APNS: 0320-161-08, 09, AND
28. RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council conduct a public hearing and consider the Planning Commission's recommendation to:
Adopt Resolution No. 2023-03, approving a Preliminary Development Plan for the Serrano Estates Project; and
2. Approve Final Development Plan/Tentative Tract Map No. 20375 (Case No. 22- 150/FDP/TTM 20375), subject to the Conditions of Approval as contained in this Agenda Report; and
3. Adopt the Findings as contained in this Agenda Report; and
4. Adopt the Mitigated Negative Declaration and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program, finding the mitigation measures and standard measures and procedures will reduce the potential level of environmental impact to less than significant; and
5. Direct staff to file a Notice of Determination.
DISCUSSION: Mayor Beaver opened the Public Hearing. Planning Manager/City Planner Matlock presented the Agenda Report.
Public Comment
Wendy Derosier, Yucaipa, stated her appreciation for what the developer has attempted to do but expressed her concerns with the egress. Ms. Derosier also expressed that the spirit of the development doesn't match the spirit of the North Bench area.
William Jochimesen, Yucaipa, questioned why the developer purchased the property knowing the land use designation was RL-I.
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Dede Chudy, Yucaipa, expressed her opposition to the proposed project and encouraged the Council to listen to the position of the area residents that will be impacted.
Philip Schneider, Yucaipa, stated that in his opinion, if the proposed project is approved, the Council will be breaking State law.
City Attorney Graham addressed public comment.
Planning Manager/City Planner Matlock addressed public comment.
Bill Tilbury, Yucaipa, encouraged both sides of the argument to come to an agreement.
Holly Grimm, Yucaipa, stated that the existing General Plan should be followed if it is the developer that is requesting a deviation to the Plan.
Tim Brickley, Yucaipa, stated his concern that if the proposed project is approved, Council's action may set a precedence for other developers to propose the same.
Steve Freeman, Yucaipa, stated that the Council has a legal and moral obligation to existing law and the wishes and needs of the citizens of the North Bench and the entire community.
David Whitloch, Yucaipa, requested that the City Council mantain the one -acre lot designation.
Russ Caldwell, Yucaipa, urged the City Council to vote down this planned development.
Alesia Miller, Yucaipa, stated her opposition to the proposed project development.
Nino Valmasson, Yucaipa, stated that his property borders the proposed project development, and he does not wish the developer to use his easement for this project.
Kathleen Reynolds, Yucaipa, stated her opposition to the proposed project.
Bethanne Keirnan, Yucaipa, stated her support of City Manager Mann and the City Council.
Deborah Davidson, Yucaipa, stated a variety of reasons why she is opposed to the proposed development project.
Tim Casey, Yucaipa, stated the expressed opposition to the proposed project is not to oppose development but to oppose development that is consistent with lots less than one acre and as small as one quarter acre. Mr. Casey urged the Council to deny the project.
Heather Dent, Yucaipa, stated her opposition to the proposed development project and listed the reasons why it makes no sense for the area.
Karen Pierce, Yucaipa, expressed her concerns, as a realtor for the area, that she has made promises based on the City's General Plan and urged the Council to oppose the project.
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Ray Snodgrass, Yucaipa, stated that many of the undeveloped properties located in the North Bench area are owned by limited liability corporations, partnerships, limited partnerships, or investment groups and that at some point in the future they will be built out. Mr. Snodgrass further commented that, as a city, we have the opportunity to guide the future development of these properties to ensure that as much as 50% of the land remains open space and agriculture.
Hansen Wang, Yucaipa, explained that Craig Heaps stated publicly that, if approved, this project will be precedent setting. Mr. Wang stated that senior citizens require a certain amount of care and concern, and the proposed project is not a reflection of that.
Colleen Wang, Yucaipa, requested that a full EIR is performed to confirm there are no rare or endangered species in the area. Ms. Wang submitted a signed petition (to include approximately 1,200 signatures) to protect the North Bench from high -density development and to preserve the rural living standards and one -acre minimum lot size.
Joel McCabe, Yucaipa, stated his opposition to the proposed project.
Kathleen Woolsey, Yucaipa, questioned the comparison of the proposed project with the Reserve at Crafton, Stanley Ranch, and Mountain Gate development projects and identified several differences. Ms. Woolsey stated her objection to the project is based on the non- compliance with the goals of the city's General Plan and asked that the City Council deny the project.
Kevin Miskin, Yucaipa, stated his opposition to the proposed project and questioned the results of the project's evaluated environmental impact.
Robin Miskin, Yucaipa, stated that the project's environmental impact is significant with regard to land use and planning as it relates to rural living and other environmental factors.
Ms. Miskin requested that staff recommend 33 homes per one acre for the project site.
Martha Glubka, Yucaipa, appealed to the Council concerning the proposed development project and urged the Council to vote according to their moral standard.
The City Council recessed at 7:32 p.m. The City Council reconvened at 7:47 p.m.
Kristine Mohler, Yucaipa, contested the mitigated negative declaration and proposed that the Council deny its adoption and provided copies of the natural hazard zone disclosure report for all three parcels, for the record.
Scott Riley, Yucaipa, urged the Council to maintain the RL-1 designation.
Mike Ball, Yucaipa, expressed concerns with traffic in the area that would preclude the development of additional residential projects.
Ramona Etheridge, Yucaipa, expressed her opposition to the Serrano Estates project.
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Terri Boon, Yucaipa, provided documentation for the record, objected to the mitigated negative declaration, and requested a formal visual impact assessment of the project. Ms.
Boon requested that the Council deny the plans for the Serrano Estates project.
Kathy Sellers, Yucaipa, questioned why the developer should be afforded special rights/privileges to make changes to the area designation. Ms. Sellers provided written documentation for the record and requested that the Council deny the project. Finally, Ms.
Sellers thanked everyone for their support of her husband who is fighting a cancer diagnosis related to his service in the Vietnam War.
Brian Bleyenberg, Yucaipa, stated his opposition to the proposed project and encouraged the Council to vote in accord with the voice of the people.
Alice Ames, Yucaipa, stated that she has lived in the North Bench for twenty years and, as a social worker, she has had to make many decisions that impact families as does the Council and urged the Council to not make a decision that will negatively impact the families in the North Bench.
Denise Work, Yucaipa, reminded the Council (Councilmember Garner specifically) that the Council is not beholden to any one applicant or their proposed project.
Jean Chadsey, Yucaipa, thanked the Council and staff and addressed the issues pertaining to lot size and the perceived precedence on the approval of this project.
Joshua Morgan, Yucaipa, spoke in support of a denial of the proposed project.
Daniel Morgan, Yucaipa, stated that he researched the area and the lot designation prior to moving to the North Bench and urged the Council to represent the people and vote to deny the project.
Melony Martindale, Yucaipa, stated her support of the Serrano Estates project and controlled growth. Ms. Martindale urged the Council to approve the project.
Dennis Miller, Yucaipa, stated that he sat on the first general plan committee for Yucaipa and opposes the proposed project as it lacks consistency for the area.
Kim Shapiro, Yucaipa, stated her opposition to the proposed project.
Cesar Roldan, Yucaipa, urged the Council approve the project in order to preserve the land and the rural atmosphere of the North Bench.
Gwendolyn Waters, Yucaipa, stated her opposition to the proposed project based on the increased traffic that is expected with the development and the wall that will be built effectively separating the new development from the existing neighborhood.
Sherilyn Long, Yucaipa, spoke to the expected increase in traffic related to the approval of the proposed project and the traffic impact in cases of emergency.
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Kathy Dupper, Yucaipa, voiced her opposition to the Serrano Estates project and stated her concerns for the senior citizens coming into the area.
The City Council recessed at 8:44 p.m. The City Council reconvened at 9:00 p.m.
Applicant Rebuttal
Craig Heaps, the Applicant, addressed the concerns raised during public comment pertaining to fire hazards and the expected increase in traffic to the area. Mr. Heaps provided clarification of the proposed planned development and referenced State law to exhibit other ways the property may be developed.
Mayor Beaver closed the Public Hearing at 9:18 p.m.
After Council discussion, the following Motion was made:
ACTION: MOTION BY MAYOR PRO TEM DUNCAN, SECOND BY
COUNCILMEMBER VENABLE, CARRIED 3-2 (COUNCILMEMBER THORP
AND MAYOR BEAVER VOTED NO), TO APPROVE STAFF
RECOMMENDATION.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 9:34 p.m. The next regularly scheduled meeting will be April 24, 2023 at 6:00 p.m.
Justin Beaver, Mayor
Ana auseda, CMC
City Clerk
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