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HomeMy Public PortalAbout14) 8B 2nd Reading & Adoption of Ord. No. 13-976 Downtown Specific Plan modificationAGENDA ITEM 8.8. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM DATE: August 6, 2013 TO: The Honorable City Council FROM: Jose E. Pulido, City Manager (f Via: Mark Persico, AICP, Community Development Director Via: Geoffrey Starns, AICP, Planning Manager By: Andrew J. Coyne, Management Analyst SUBJECT: SECOND READING AND ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 13-976 AMENDING THE DOWNTOWN SPECIFIC PLAN TO ADD MIXED USE DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS AND MODIFY THE REQUIREMENTS FOR MULTI-FAMILY AND SENIOR CITIZEN HOUSING PROJECTS RECOMMENDATION: The City Council is requested to waive further reading and adopt Ordinance No. 13-976 (Attachment "A") amending the Downtown Specific Plan to add mixed use development standards and modify the requirements for multi-family and senior citizen housing projects. BACKGROUND: 1. On March 2, 1993, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 93-736 establishing the Downtown Specific Plan and rezoning the commercial area fro nting Las Tunas Drive into four land use districts with an accompanying land use matrix, development standards, development incentives/bonuses, design guidelines, sign regulations, and other requirements and criteria to ensure the orderly development of the area . 2. On December 17, 2002, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 02-880 amending the Downtown Specific Plan (DSP) and establishing six districts, with accompanying development standards and sign regulations for each district and providing criteria and guidelines for the overall development within the DSP area. 3. Between 2009 and 2011, the City Council adopted several amendments to the DSP to revise its land use matrix to allow additional permitted and conditionally permitted uses in some downtown districts. City Council August 6, 2013 Page 2 of 5 4. On May 7, 2013, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 13-4908, approving the City's 2008-2014 Housing Element update. The Housing Element called for the City to adopt several adjustments to the development standards within the DSP, affecting the requirements for multi-family residential, senior housing, and mixed use developments. 5. On June 5, 2013, the City Code Review Standing Committee (i.e., Councilmembers Chavez and Vizcarra) reviewed the draft development standards for the DSP. The Committee concurred with staff's recommended changes to the DSP. 6. On June 11, 2013, the Planning Commission approved Resolution No. 13-2375, which recommended that the City Council amend the DSP to add mixed use development standards and modify the requirements for multi-family and senior citizen housing projects. 7. On July 1, 2013, a public notice regarding the hearing for proposed Ordinance No. 13-976, an amendment to the City's Downtown Specific Plan adding mixed use development standards and modifying the requirements for multi-family and senior citizen housing project was published in the Temple City Tribune. 8. On July 16, 2013, at its regular meeting, the City Council introduced Ordinance No. 13-976 for first reading. No public comments were received. ANALYSIS: Consistent with the California Department of Housing and Community Development's (HCD) approval of the City's 2008-2014 Housing Element, this amendment to the Downtown Specific Plan (DSP) is one of several policy changes that will help the City reach its Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) allotment. These changes must be implemented prior to the City submitting the updated 2013-2021 Housing Element for review by HCD in October 2013. Since mixed use development is a valuable means for the City to achieve the housing goals in the Housing Element, as well as helps to expand commercial, retail, and dining opportunities, staff conducted a review of the current regulations for mixed use in the DSP. A number of shortcomings were identified, including project size, height, parking requirements that hinder development, and an absence of development standards that would ensure quality in a project's design. The proposed amendment seeks to remedy these deficiencies by incorporating both the policy changes in the Housing Element and new development standards for mixed use projects. City Council August 6, 2013 Page 3 of 5 I. Policy Changes The first component of this amendment contains policy changes described in the recently approved 2008-2014 Housing Element, mandated by HCD. The modifications affect mixed use, residential, and senior housing development projects: • Allowance for horizontal (side-by-side) commercial/residential mixed uses with ground floor residential in all districts, with the exception of parcels fronting on Las Tunas Drive in the City Center (CC) Commercial District; • Establishment of R-3 residential densities for non-senior housing, with no established density cap for senior housing; • Elimination of the Conditional Use Permit (CUP) requirement for residential and senior housing projects; and • Elimination of the one acre minimum lot size requirement for mixed use. These modifications will help the City meet its RHNA allotment by making multi-family residential and mixed use developments more feasible in the DSP. The modifications can be viewed in the exhibits attached to the Ordinance (Attachment "A"). II. Design Changes In addition to the above policy changes, the proposed amendment also adds new mixed use development standards to the DSP, which would affect the design of mixed use projects. The following is a brief overview of the individual components of the proposed mixed use development standards: • Conditional Use Permit Requirement More clear and objective conditions for approval of a CUP; • Lot Size No minimum project size required; • Building Height Opportunity for height bonuses for projects that meet the goals and objectives of the DSP and incorporate desirable design elements; • Ground Floor Heights Minimum ground floor heights to ensure quality design and visually appealing street frontage; • Bulk and Massing Required varied roof lines and vertical attachments to clearly define base, middle, and top of buildings; City Council August 6, 2013 Page 4 of 5 • Setbacks Projects facing Las Tunas Drive or Temple City Boulevard must be built to front property line; Setbacks established for projects adjacent to residential zones; • Parking Requirements Streamlined parking requirements for both residential and commercial components of mixed use projects; Incentives to reduce overall parking requirements; • Open Space Minimum 10 percent landscaping requirement; • Design Incentives Opportunity for floor area ratio (F.A.R.) and height bonuses for projects that include desirable design elements; and • Exceptions City Council may approve alternate design guidelines for projects on a case- by-case basis. The aforementioned development standards will help ensure that all future mixed use projects are designed and constructed in a manner that reflects the community's values and commitment to quality, well-designed development. Such developments will provide a positive economic boost to Temple City by adding a greater mix of commercial, retail, dining, and residential uses in the downtown. Combined with the implementation of the Housing Element policy changes, these modifications will ensure that the City is prepared to effectively guide new residential and commercial development in the near future. By adopting this Ordinance, City Council will be removing impediments to the implementation of the newly approved 2008-2014 Housing Element, taking a proactive step to streamlining the development process, and ultimately helping encourage investment in the downtown. CONCLUSION: In order to implement policies called for in the recently adopted 2008-2014 Housing Element, proceed with the 2013-2021 Housing Element update, and ensure quality mixed commercial and residential development projects in the downtown, the City Council is requested to adopt Ordinance No. 13-976 amending the City's Downtown Specific Plan to add mixed use development standards and modify the requirements for multi-family and senior citizen housing projects. City Council August 6, 2013 Page 5 of 5 FISCAL IMPACT: This action does not have an impact on the Fiscal Year 2013-14 City Budget. ATTACHMENT: A. Ordinance No. 13-976 ATTACHMENT A ORDINANCE NO. 13-976 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TEMPLE CITY AMENDING THE DOWNTOWN SPECIFIC PLAN TO ADD MIXED USE DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS AND MODIFY THE REQUIREMENTS FOR MULTI-FAMILY AND SENIOR CITIZEN HOUSING PROJECTS. THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TEMPLE CITY HEREBY ORDAINS AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. Based upon information presented in the Planning Commission Staff Report dated June 25, 2013; and based upon public input which was received at the noticed public hearing before the Planning Commission on June 25, 2013 to consider amending the Downtown Specific Plan to add mixed use development standards and modify the requirements for multi-family and senior housing projects, the City Council hereby amends the Downtown Specific Plan as described below. SECTION 2. This project, which is included as a program in the 2008-2014 General Plan Housing Element update, is not anticipated to result in any significant effects upon the environment and a Negative Declaration has already been prepared as part of the General Plan Housing Element update, in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines. Those portions of this project not included in the Housing Element update are Categorically Exempt, under Section 15061 (b) (3) of CEQA. The initial statement as prepared indicates that there is no potential for adverse impact to the environment as it relates to all wild animals, birds, plants, fish, amphibians and related ecological communities, including the habitat upon which the wildlife depends for its continued viability. SECTION 3. The Downtown Specific Plan shall be revised by making the following changes to Section Ill "Land Use and Development Standards": 1. Add a subsection, "(4) Mixed Use Developments" to Section Ill (F) "Development Requirements for Special Uses." The new subsection is shown in Exhibit A. 2. Add "multi-family residential" as a "permitted use" and change "senior citizen/congregate care" from a "conditional use" to a "permitted use" in the Land Use Matrix (Page 111-24). The new designations will apply throughout the Downtown Specific Plan area, with the exception of the City Center Commercial District (CC) for multi-family residential projects. The changes are shown in Exhibit B. Ordinance 13-976 Downtown Specific Plan Amendment Page 2 3. Remove the "minimum one-acre site" requirement for mixed use projects from the Land Use Matrix. The change is also shown in Exhibit B. 4. Revise the footnote in the Land Use Matrix to read as follows: "Any proposed residential project shall be developed in accordance with the R-3 development standards, accept as provided herein." The change is also shown in Exhibit B. 5. Remove the footnote in the legend of the Downtown Specific Plan map in order to make the map consistent with the changes to the Land Use Matrix. The revised map is shown in Exhibit C. 6. Revise Subsection F (3) "Development Requirements for Special Uses- Senior Citizen Housing" to encourage Senior Citizen Housing throughout the Downtown Specific Plan area. The changes are shown in Exhibit D. SECTION 4. The City Clerk shall certify to the passage and adoption of this ordinance and to its approval by the Mayor and shall cause the same to be published according to law. APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS 16th DAY OF JULY 2013. Mayor ATTEST: CITY CLERK I, City Clerk of the City of Temple City, hereby certify that the foregoing Ordinance 13- 976 was introduced at the regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Temple City held on the 16th day of July 2013 and was duly passed, approved and adopted by said Council, approved and signed by the Mayor and attested to by the City Clerk at the regular meeting held on the 16th day of July, 2013 by the following vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: Councilmember- Councilmember - Councilmember - Ordinance 13-976 Downtown Specific Plan Amendment Page 3 ATTEST: CITY CLERK d' ....... ..c ..c X w 4. Mixed Use Developments a. Purpose The purpose and intent of this section is to provide standards for mixed use developments. Mixed use developments offer opportunities for people to live, work, shop, and recreate without having to use their vehicles. Furthermore, they are consistent with the overall goals and objectives of the Downtown Specific Plan as well as the Temple City General Plan. The purpose of this section is to set forth the conditions and requirements under which a mixed use development, as defined below, may be approved. b. Definition A mixed use project shall mean a project that combines residential uses with one or more of the following uses: office, retail, entertainment, restaurant, or community facilities. Mixed use projects may be arranged vertically (ground-level retail, second-floor office, ground level live/work, restaurant, entertainment, or community facility with residential uses above) or horizontally on sites not fronting Las Tunas Drive in the City Center (CC) Commercial District (commercial uses on a portion of the property linked by pedestrian connections to residential uses as part of a unified development project). c. Conditional Use Permit Required A mixed use development may only be established after first obtaining a Conditional Use Petmit approved by the Planning Commission after a public hearing and in conformance with the required development standards of the Downtown Specific Plan. Where there is a conflict between the standards of this section and any other section of the Downtown Specific Plan applicable to mixed use development projects, the development standards provided in this section shall prevail. City of Temple City Downtown Spec{fic Plan Land Use and Development Standards III· 52 d. Limitations and Requirements I. Lot Size There shall be no minimum lot size requirement for mixed use developments within any of the Downtown Specific Plan districts. However, there are incentives for projects that involve consolidation of adjacent lots (see Section IV "Development Incentive Bonuses", D "Lot Consolidation Incentives" for requirements). 2. Building Height City of Temple City Downtown Specific Plan A mixed use development project may exceed the maximum building heights established in Section Ill E. of this specific plan (see page III-44 "Specific Plan Zoning Summary"), if the Planning Commission determines that the project meets the following criteria: a. The location and characteristics of the proposed buildings and/or structures, and the allowed uses, will not adversely impact adjacent properties. b. The project is consistent with the goals and objectives of the Downtown Specific Plan and/or the Temple City General Plan. c. For projects that abut an Rl or R2 zone and meet the above two criteria, the buildings may be built to a maximum height of 35 feet. For projects that are adjacent to all other residential zones and have a lot depth that is less than 150 feet, the building height may reach a maximum of 45 feet; where the lot depth is 150 feet or greater, the building height may reach a maximum of 55 feet. d. Notwithstanding any of the above or other applicable standards in the Downtown Specific Plan, or in the Zoning Code, the City Council, after consideration of a recommendation by the Planning Commission, may establish a greater maximum building height for a particular project if one or more of the design elements specified in Subsection 8 ("Design Incentives"), are incorporated into the project. Land Use and Development Standards III-53 3. Ground Floor Heights a. All commercial floor space provided on the ground floor of a mixed-use development project must have a minimum floor-to-ceiling height of 15 feet. b. Ground floor display windows must have a minimum height of I 0 feet. 4. Bulk and Massing Mixed-use development projects must use varied roof lines and vertical attachments in conjunction with other appropriate architectural features as necessary to clearly define the base, middle, and top of each building. 5. Setbacks City of Temple City Downtown Specific Plan a. Street-facing Setbacks: For portions of the building favade that are 20 feet in height or less, no setback is required; for portions that are above 20 feet, a 5 foot setback is required. For mixed use development projects fronting Las Tunas Drive or Temple City Boulevard, the ground floor must be built to the front property line, except that up to 30% of the frontage may include insets, recessed entry-ways, patios, and other pedestrian amenities. On corner lots, only the first 25% of walls facing non- arterial streets are required to be built to the property line, starting at the corner. b. Side and Rear Setbacks on Lots Abutting Residential Zones: For portions of the building favade that have a height of 20 feet or less, a 10 foot setback is required; portions that are greater than 20 feet in height require a 60 degree clear zone angle, measured 20 feet above grade and 10 feet from the side and rear property lines. For portions of the building that are taller than 35 feet and adjacent to a residential zone, a 35 foot setback is required. Land Use and Development Standards [If-54 b. Commercial Parking: Off street parking for commercial occupancies in a mixed use development shall be provided in compliance with all standards contained in Sections 9291 and 9293 of the Zoning Code. The total number of off street parking spaces provided shall be the sum of the spaces required for residential dwellings and for commercial occupancies in the mixed use development. c. Commercial Parking Reduction: A reduction in the number of off-street parking spaces required for commercial occupancies by the Zoning Code may be granted for mixed-use development projects that incorporate one or more transportation demand and trip reduction measures that would not otherwise be required by Section 9191 of the Zoning Code. The parking requirement may be reduced, following submittal of a parking study subject to approval by the community development director, to the following: 1. All Commercial Uses (Restaurant & Retail): I space/250 sq ft. 11. Guest parking required for the residential component may be counted towards the requirement for commercial uses. 7. Open Space/ Landscaping A minimum 10% of the lot area must be retained for open space/landscaping. 8. Design Incentives City of Temple City Downt01vn Specific Plan Mixed use development projects that incorporate one or more of the following design features may be granted a height or F .A.R. bonus, above what is allowed in the underlying land use district, subject to the findings in Sub-section 9 ("Findings") below. Land Use and Development Standards 111-56 a. Architectural Character and Massing: Exceptional design that is appropriate to the site and neighborhood, such as 360 degree architecture (architectural and design features incorporated on all sides of the building), balconies and/or bays on the upper levels overlooking the street, insets, recessed entry-ways. high quality windows (such as those with true divided light window sashes), natural building materials or synthetic materials that faithfully simulate the natural materials and have equal or better weathering characteristics. b. Residential Amenities: Well-designed functional common spaces and/or facilities, such as community rooms, gyms, pools, and outdoor dining/barbequing areas. c. Pedestrian Oriented Design Elements: Features that are visible and accessible to the public, including plazas, paseos, arcades, colonnades, fountains and other water features, public art, street furniture or other seating surfaces, and high quality hardscaping/paving materials. d. Conservation: Projects that incorporate sustainable building techniques and design in a mmmer consistent with ce1tification at the "Silver" level under the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system; landscaping that utilizes native and drought- tolerant plants. 9. Findings City of Temple City Downtown Spec(fic Plan Before a project is granted a design incentive as outlined in Subsection 8 ("Design Incentives"), the Planning Commission must make all of the following findings: a. The project is consistent with the goals and objectives of the Downtown Specific Plan and the Temple City General Plan. b. The project does not adversely affect neighboring residential and commercial properties. Land Use and Development Standards [[[-57 c. The project will provide desired community amenities and increase the m1x of commercial/retail uses in the downtown. d. The project is designed to enhance the surrounding neighborhood, provide an exceptional, high-quality architectural design, and promote pedestrian activity by providing pedestrian oriented design elements and features. e. The project will help the City meet its share of regional housing need and related housing goals. 10. Exceptions City of Temple City Downtown Specific Plan Notwithstanding any of the standards of the Downtown Specific Plan or the Zoning Code, the City Council, after consideration of a recommendation by the Planning Commission, may by resolution establish alternate development standards for a particular project if determined to be warranted within the Downtown Specific Plan area. Land Use and Development Standards III-58 ~ .0 ..c >< w TABLE 1 LAND USE MATRIX (can't) RESIDENTIAL USES * Multi-family Residential Projects Convalescent Homes (including Adult Day Health Care Centers) Mixed Use Projects (Commercial/Residential ) GC p c we p c cc TC EC p p c c c c Senior Citizen/Congregate Care P p p 3 p p *Any proposed residential project shall be developed in accordance with the R-3 zoning district development standards, except as provided herein. Additionally, property in the R-C district may be developed as multi- family residential or commercial when combined with a commercially-designated lot(s) with frontage on Temple City Boulevard or Las Tunas Drive, utilizing the applicable commercial development standards of the abutting or adjoining commerciallot(s). Notes: 1 -Refer to special provisions in Chapter III 2 -Any permitted outdoor operations are subject to approval of a CUP 3 -Residential restricted to upper floors only for properties facing Las Tunas Drive p c s Permitted Use Conditional Use Permit Secondary Use (in conjunction --with a Beauty Salon, Beauty Parlor, or Beauty Shop} City of Temple City Downtown Specific Plan GC -Gateway Commercial District WC -Las Tunas West Commercial District CC-City Center Commercial District TC-Temple City Blvd. Commercial District EC-Las Tunas East Commercial District Land Use and Development Standards 111-25 ~ .0 .c >< w f. Terms and Renewal Any approved sidewalk cafe may be subject to review based upon neighborhood complaints, unlawful assembly, excessive noise, or other similar public nuisances. The Community Development Director may impose additional conditions as deemed necessary to address identified problems associated with the use. Any action taken by the Director may be appealed to the Planning Commission. The Planning Commission shall have the authority to revoke authorization for any sidewalk cafe. Any action of the Planning Commission may be appealed to the City Council. g. Revocation Approval for the sidewalk cafe and/or the business license for the restaurant use may be revoked following notice to the permittee and a public hearing, upon a finding that one or more conditions of the permit or of this section have been violated or that the sidewalk cafe is being operated in a manner which constitutes a nuisance, or that the operation of the sidewalk cafe unduly impedes or restricts the movement of pedestrians past the sidewalk cafe. 3. Senior Citizen Housing The provision of senior citizen housing is encouraged throughout the Downtown Specific Plan area. The following are the development requirements for senior citizen housing: City of Temple City Downtown Specific Plan I. Senior citizen living facilities are restricted from the first floor of the building in the City Center (CC) Commercial District. 2. Senior citizen living facilities may be built up to four stories and a maximum height of 55 feet. 3. There is no established density cap for senior citizen housing. Land Use and Development Standards III-51