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1 Agenda Item No. 5(A) ORDINANCE 2014–03 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EL CERRITO REZONING 1715 ELM STREET TO A PLANNED DEVELOPMENT ZONING DISTRICT – APPLICATION 6133 THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EL CERRITO DOES HEREBY ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. RECITALS A. The Applicant, the Edward and Loretta Biggs Revocable Trust, proposes a development project that includes the conversion and renovation of an existing historical single-family detached house on the Property into a community center, the construction of 14 new one- and two-bedroom dwelling units, and the preservation of an existing historic stone lined channel on 0.42 acre site. The project proposes a Planned Development District; a Planned Development Use Permit; Design Review; a subdivision map and condominium plan; and this Development Agreement. The proposed development and applications are collectively known as the “Project”; related approvals of the applications are collectively known as the “Project Approvals.” B. The Project site is located at 1715 Elm Street in El Cerrito, California (the “Property”). C. The Applicant has applied to change the zoning of the Property to a Planned Development District subject to certain terms, attached to this ordinance, and to amend the City’s Zoning Map accordingly. D. The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), together with the state guidelines and City environmental regulations, require that certain projects be reviewed for environmental impacts and that environmental documents be prepared. E. An Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) have been prepared for this Project. All potential impacts identified are reduced to a less than significant level pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act with the implementation of mitigation measures. F. On April 16, 2014, the Planning Commission held a properly noticed public hearing on the Project, and adopted Resolution PC14-07 recommending that the City Council adopt the Planned Development Use Permit, which Resolution is incorporated herein by reference and available for review at City Hall during normal business hours. G. On May 21, 2014, the Planning Commission held a properly noticed public hearing on the Project, including the proposed General Plan Amendment, Planned Development District and Development Agreement, and adopted P C Resolution 14-10 recommending that the City Council ---PAGE BREAK--- 2 deny the General Plan Amendment, Planned Development District and Development Agreement, which Resolution is incorporated herein by reference and available for review at City Hall during normal business hours. H. On June 2, 2014, the City Council held a duly noticed public hearing to consider the Project Approval, including the Development Agreement. The City Council closed the hearing and continued consideration of the Project Approvals to June 23. At the June 23 meeting, the City Council requested additional information and continued deliberations. I. A Staff Report, dated August 19, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference, described and analyzed the Project, including the Planned Development rezoning for the City Council. J. On August 19, 2014, the City Council received the additional information requested at the June 23 meeting and held a properly noticed public hearing on the Project, including the proposed Planned Development rezoning at which time all interested parties had the opportunity to be heard. K. On August 19, 2014, the City Council adopted Resolution 2014-44 adopting an Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration and a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program for the Project. L. The City Council considered the adopted Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration and all above-referenced reports, recommendations, and testimony prior to taking action on the Project. SECTION 2. FINDINGS A. Pursuant to Sections 19.14.040.A and 19.40.040.D of the El Cerrito Municipal Code, the City Council finds as follows. 1. The proposed residential Project will be a transit oriented development located within 800 feet of a BART station (1,400 feet by foot). It will add fourteen new dwelling units while preserving an historic building and retaining an existing historic stone lined channel. The balance of all these core values on the site is considered to be in the public interest. 2. The project is consistent with the purposes of the district and conforms in all significant respects with the amended General Plan, as conditioned in that it consists of high density multifamily development that utilizes good urban design principles including reduced parking requirements, parking concealed under the new building, and a mix of unit types. It also preserves an important historic resource and protects an existing historic stone lined channel by including it within its landscaped area. The project will implement the following General Plan goals and policies: Land Use 1.2: Multifamily Neighborhoods, Land Use, 1.3: Quality of Development, Land Use 1.5: Suitable Housing, Land Use 1.6: Variety of Housing Types, Land Use 5.1 BART Station Areas, Community Design 1.3: High-Quality Design, Community Design 1.9: Building Design, Community Design 4.2: Building Articulation, ---PAGE BREAK--- 3 Community Design 5.1: Design Review Process, Community Design 5.2 Planned Development. Community Design 3.5 Creek Preservation. Resources 1.9 Developments near Creeks, Resources 2.1: Historic Preservation, Resources 2.5: Public Awareness. 3. The proposed residential project will be a transit oriented development with good urban design. It will add fourteen new dwelling units to the neighborhood while preserving a historic structure and retaining the e x i s t i n g historic stone lined channel. It will not unduly shade surrounding dwellings or create unacceptable traffic or parking impacts; and as conditioned it will not be detrimental to the abutting properties or neighborhood. 4. An Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) have been approved for this project. All factors are reduced to a less than significant level pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act with the implementation of mitigation measures. The Mitigation Monitoring Plan has been incorporated in the conditions of approval. 5. The proposed residential project will be a transit oriented development with good urban design. It will add fourteen new dwelling units to the neighborhood while preserving a historic structure and retaining the e x i s t i n g historic stone lined channel. It will not unduly shade surrounding dwellings or create unacceptable traffic or parking impacts; and as conditioned it will not be detrimental to the public interest, health, safety, convenience or welfare of the City. 6. The proposed amendment is a planned development district. It is consistent with applicable provisions of the zoning code including the purpose and intent of the Residential Mixed Use zone. 7. The Project will add fourteen new dwelling units to the neighborhood while preserving a historic structure and retaining the existing historic stone lined channel. The site is 0.42 acres in size with a relatively level grade. It has direct access onto Elm Street and will be served by existing utilities in the area. It will not unduly shade surrounding dwellings or create unacceptable traffic or parking impacts; and as conditioned it will not adversely affect the livability of the abutting properties or neighborhood. 8. This project is demonstratively superior to the development that could occur under the standards applicable to the underlying base district in that it represents a balance of many of El Cerrito’s core values. It is a transit oriented development; thereby reducing Vehicle Miles Traveled with good urban design; successful historic preservation and preservation of an existing historic stone lined channel. Had the project been governed by the base district standards and strict interpretation of the creek protection ordinance, much of the open space would have been lost to surface parking spaces, the number of units would have to have been decreased due to the reduced building footprint, the building would two stories with a mansard roof, which would have greatly reduce the number of dwelling units. ---PAGE BREAK--- 4 9. The project is consistent with the purposes of the district and conforms in all significant respects with the General Plan, as conditioned, in that it consists of high density multifamily development that utilizes good urban design principles including reduced parking requirements, parking concealed under the new building, and a mix of unit types. 10. The Project is a transit oriented development, thereby reducing Vehicle Miles Traveled with good urban design, successful historic preservation and preservation of an existing historic stone lined channel. All of these goals are public benefits to the City of El Cerrito. SECTION 3. ZONING MAP AMENDMENT Pursuant to Chapter 19.14 of the City of El Cerrito Municipal Code the City of El Cerrito Zoning Map is amended to rezone the property described below to a Planned Development Zoning District: 0.42 acres at 1715 Elm Street (“Project site”). A map of the rezoning area is shown in Exhibit A. The allowable use of the Property is described in the Planned Development Use Permit for the Project. 11. Compliance with adopted Mitigation Measures. The Applicant/Developer shall comply with all adopted mitigation measures of the Initial Study and Mitigate Negative Declaration prepared for 1715 Elm Street. 12. Confirmation of ownership. The Applicant/Developer shall provide the City with a recorded copy of the deed vesting title to the Property in its name. SECTION 4. NOTICING, POSTING AND PUBLICATION This ordinance is adopted pursuant to the procedures established by state law, and all required notices have been given, and the public hearing has been properly held and conducted. SECTION 5. EFFECTIVE DATE This ordinance shall not take effect until the Development Agreement for the Project takes effect and is recorded on the Property. THE FOREGOING ORDINANCE was introduced at a regular meeting of the City Council on August 19, 2014 and passed by the following vote: AYES: Councilmembers Benassini, Bridges, Friedman and Mayor Abelson NOES: Councilmember Lyman ABSTAIN: None ---PAGE BREAK--- 5 ABSENT: None ADOPTED AND ORDERED published at a regular meeting of the City Council held on October 7, 2014 and passed by the following vote: AYES: Councilmembers NOES: Councilmembers ABSENT: Councilmembers APPROVED: Janet Abelson, Mayor ATTEST: Cheryl Morse, City Clerk IN WITNESS of this action, I sign this document and affix the corporate seal of the City of El Cerrito on October XX, 2014. Cheryl Morse, City Clerk ORDINANCE CERTIFICATION I, Cheryl More, City Clerk of the City of El Cerrito, do hereby certify that this Ordinance is the true and correct original Ordinance No. 2014-03 of the City of El Cerrito, that said Ordinance was duly enacted and adopted by the City Council of the City of El Cerrito at a meeting of the City Council held on the day of October 2014; and that said ordinance has been published and/or posted in the manner required by law. WITNESS my hand and the Official Seal of the City of El Cerrito, California, this day of October, 2014. Cheryl Morse, City Clerk ---PAGE BREAK--- APPRO>CIIo!AlE ONLY. DATE' DECEMBER 20, 2013 DWGNo. X-3509-"1 CALIFORNIA ---PAGE BREAK--- Ordinance 2014-03 Exhibit A