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HomeMy WebLinkAbout8.1 Fredrich Prop GPor 19 82 /ii � 111 DATE: TO: FROM: STAFF REPORT CITY COUNCIL August 21, 2012 Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers Joni Pattillo City Manager""' SUBJECT: Fredrich Property General Plan and Eastern Dublin Specific Plan Amendment Study Initiation request Prepared by Michael Porto, Consulting Planner EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: CITY CLERK File #420 -30 The City Council will consider a request to initiate a General Plan and Eastern Dublin Specific Plan Amendment Study to evaluate a proposal to change the General Plan and Eastern Dublin Specific Plan land use designation of a 6.17 -acre property ( "Study Area ") known as the Fredrich property from Medium /High Density Residential (MHDR) (14.1 to 25.0 dwelling units per acre) and Neighborhood Commercial to Medium Density Residential (MDR) (6.1 to 14.0 dwelling units per acre). The Study Area is located on the west side of Tassajara Road north of Fallon Road and east of Tassajara Creek. FINANCIAL IMPACT: No financial impact to the City. All costs associated with preparing the General Plan Amendment/Eastern Dublin Specific Plan Amendment Study, if authorized by the City Council, would be borne by the Project Proponent. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the City Council adopt Resolution approving the initiation of a General Plan and Eastern Dublin Specific Plan Amendment Study to evaluate a proposal to change the land use designation of a parcel known as the Fredrich property from Medium /High Density Residential and Neighborhood Commercial to Medium Density Residential; OR adopt Resolution denying the initiation of a General Plan and Eastern Dublin Specific Plan Amendment Study to evaluate a proposal to change the land use designation of a parcel known as the Fredrich property from Medium /High Density Residential and Neighborhood Commercial to Medium Density Residential. Submitted By Director of Community Development Reviewed By Assistant City Manager Page 1 of 6 ITEM NO. 8.1 DESCRIPTION: Background The Fredrich property is a 6.17 -acre site located on the west side of Tassajara Road immediately north of the recently constructed intersection with Fallon Road. The Fredrich property is triangularly shaped and characterized as a low hilltop east of Tassajara Creek and the Wallis Ranch project (Dublin Ranch West). A tributary of Tassajara Creek, referred to as Moller /Casamira Creek, flows beneath Tassajara Road to the east from Chateau at Fallon Crossing and runs across the southerly portion of the Study Area. The drainage area is vegetated with dense trees, shrubs, and ground cover but also supports sparse riparian vegetation. Improvements include a single - family residence with ancillary agriculture - related structures which continue to be used for that purpose. The property was included with the 2007 annexation application for the project along the east side of Tassajara Road now known as Chateau at Fallon Crossing (formerly Mission Peak). Pre - annexation activities, including Stage 1 Planned Development prezoning actions, were associated with the Fallon Crossing project (PA 04 -016). At the time of prezoning and annexation, the precise alignment and improvement plans for Tassajara Road and its intersection with Fallon Road were nearing completion. In gross acreage, the property was identified as approximately 7.9 acres with two different land use designations on one parcel: a) 3.4 acres were designated for Medium /High Density Residential (14.1 to 25 dwelling units per acre); and b) 4.5 acres as Neighborhood Commercial associated with the Tassajara Village planning area (Planning Area F) shown in the Eastern Dublin Specific Plan. As a result of improvements to Tassajara Road and other adjacent public infrastructure, the proportionate distribution of land uses over the 6.17 -acre Fredrich property site was allocated as approximately 3.52 acres for Neighborhood Commercial use and 2.65 acres for Medium /High Density Residential. The completed improvements to the intersection of Tassajara Road and Fallon Road substantially affected commercial development along the west side. The Neighborhood Commercial uses anticipated for the Tassajara Village planning area are shown on Figure 7.28 of the Eastern Dublin Specific Plan. Page 2 of 6 With approval of the Wallis Ranch project and completed improvements to the Tassajara Road /Fallon Road intersection, the Tassajara Village concept was re- evaluated based on a division of the area by Tassajara Creek and the restrictions on development created by the natural features, topography, and preservation requirements. As part of that approval, the non- residential uses in the vicinity of the proposed Tassajara Village west of Tassajara Creek were re- designated for open space, environmental conservation features, and recreational amenities. However, no concepts were addressed or proposed for the Fredrich property lying immediately east of Tassajara Creek within that node. Therefore, the commercial uses within the Tassajara Village concept plan remained in place on the Fredrich property. The Vargas property to the north was included with the annexation of Moller Ranch to the northeast. The 4.38 acre Vargas property has a General Plan and Specific Plan land use designation of Medium Density Residential (6.1 -14 du /acre). The project proponent has indicated that their intention is to combine the Fredrich property and the Vargas property as a single project. The City received a letter dated July 2, 2012 from STL Company LLC of Roseville, California, requesting consideration of a change to the land use designation as shown in both the General Plan and the Eastern Dublin Specific Plan (Attachment 1). The requested land use amendment from Medium /High Density Residential (14.1 -25 du /acre) and Neighborhood Commercial uses to Medium Density Residential (6.1 -14 du /acre). ANALYSIS: The following table and map provide an overview of the project area and proposed amendments. Table 1: Fredrich Prooerty - Land Uses Use ra oss ac % Existing of site (Proportioned) Proposed units units MHDR 3.4 43% 2.65 ac 37 — 66 units 0 ac NC 4.5 57% 3.52 ac 0 ac MDR 0 0 ac 6.17 ac 37 — 87 units 7.9 6.17 ac 6.17 ac 6.17 ac of MDR 6.1 — 14.0 du /ac = 37 — 69 unit Page 3 of 6 tAia I iNU LANU uat mAr Under the current residential land use designation of Medium /High Density Residential and Neighborhood Community, approximately 37 to 66 units and 92,000 square feet of commercial development would be allowed. A land use amendment and concurrent rezoning of the entire property to Medium Density Residential would allow approximately 37 to 86 units. Therefore, a comparable number of units potentially could be developed within the Study Area under both the existing and proposed land use scenarios, while eliminating Neighborhood Commercial uses which are not viable due to the deeply incised creek. As mentioned above, the potential configuration and development options for Tassajara Village and Neighborhood Commercial uses have been established by the completion of the Tassajara Road /Fallon Road intersection improvements, and the development of several projects in the immediate vicinity such as Silvera Ranch, Chateau at Fallon Crossing, and Wallis Ranch. The General Plan Amendment study would address the feasibility or likelihood of accommodating non - residential uses contemplated for Tassajara Village as identified in the Eastern Dublin Specific Plan. As stated above, a General Plan and Eastern Dublin Specific Plan amendment, if approved as requested, would allow the Study Area and the Vargas property to the north to be combined as one project site of approximately 10.55 acres of Medium Density Residential use. The resulting residential project could be anticipated to range from 64 to 147 residential units. With the elimination of the commercial component, the number of units is consistent with the number of units allowed by the current land use designation. Also, this density would be consistent with that part of Wallis Ranch adjacent to the Study Area west of Tassajara Creek. It has been past practice for the City Council to initiate all General Plan and Specific Plan Amendment Studies prior to accepting an official application and beginning work on such a request. If the City Council authorizes the General Plan and Eastern Dublin Specific Plan Amendment Study, Staff will: 1. Examine if the proposed land use designation and density are appropriate for the site; 2. Evaluate the proposal for consistency with the Housing Element; Page 4 of 6 3. Evaluate any associated environmental impacts from the land use change such as traffic, noise, or view impacts and prepare the appropriate environmental documents; 4. Perform any additional studies that may be required; 5. Evaluate the proposed land plan; and 6. Prepare an analysis for consideration by the Planning Commission and the City Council. When the study is complete, and if it results in a recommendation to amend the existing land uses, Staff would then present the Planning Commission with the proposed General Plan and Eastern Dublin Specific Plan land use amendments for recommendation to the City Council. The City Council could then take action on the General Plan and Eastern Dublin Specific Plan Amendment. Any development of the site still would require related application materials which would be presented for consideration concurrently with the requested land use amendments, including: the Planned Development Stage 1 Rezone Amendment; a Stage 2 Development Plan consistent with the proposed land use amendment and Stage 1 Rezone; Site Development Review (SDR); Vesting Tentative Tract or Parcel Map, as appropriate; and any required environmental determination under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Staff has prepared alternative draft resolutions approving (Attachment 2) and denying (Attachment 3) the initiation of a General Plan and Eastern Dublin Specific Plan Amendment Study to change the land use designation from Medium /High Density Residential and Neighborhood Commercial to Medium Density Residential. NOTICING REQUIREMENTS /PUBLIC OUTREACH: Although a public notice is not required to review a request to initiate a General Plan or Specific Plan Amendment Study, the City mailed notices to all property owners and tenants within 300 feet of the proposed Study Area. A public notice also was published in the Valley Times and posted in the designated posting places. A copy of this Staff Report was distributed to the Project Proponent. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW: The General Plan and Eastern Dublin Specific Plan Amendment Study initiation request has been reviewed in accordance with the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and was found to be Categorically Exempt under Section 15306, Class 6 of the State CEQA Guidelines (Information Collection). ATTACHMENTS: 1. Project Proponent's Letter of Request dated July 2, 2012, from James L. Meek of STL Company LLC of Roseville, California 2. Resolution approving the initiation of a General Plan and Eastern Dublin Specific Plan Amendment Study to evaluate a proposal to change the land use designation of a parcel known as the Fredrich property from Medium /High Density Residential and Neighborhood Commercial to Medium Density Residential 3. Resolution denying the initiation of a General Plan and Eastern Dublin Specific Plan Amendment Study to evaluate a proposal to change the land use designation of a parcel known as the Fredrich Page 5 of 6 property from Medium /High Density Residential and Neighborhood Commercial to Medium Density Residential Page 6 of 6 July 2, 2012 Jeff Baker Planning Manager 100 Civic Plaza Dublin, CA 94568 RE. Vargas Property (Jose &Violeta Vargas, 7020 Tassajara Road, APN 986- 0004- 002 -01) and Fredrich Property (Fredrich Family Trust, 6960 Tassajara Road, APN 986- 0004 - 002-03) Dear Mr. Baker: As you know, we are in contract to purchase the Vargas and Fredrich properties on Tassajara Road. Pursuant to our preliminary discussions with you, we wish to seek entitlements to allow us to develop a single residential project spanning both properties. We understand that the Vargas property should not pose a problem, as it has received PD zoning approval for the development of up to 33 units under a Medium Density (6.1 to 14 units per acre) designation. However, with respect to the Fredrich property, the current GP designation is for Medium-High density residential and Neighborhood Commercial. We recognize that, if we want to develop both properties as a single project, we will need a General Plan amendment changing the designation for the Fredrich parcel to match the Medium Density (6.1 to 14 units per acre) already in place for Vargas. Per our conversations with you, it is our understanding that the first step in the General Plan Amendment process is to have the City Council approve the commencement of a study by staff of the proposed General Plan Amendment. We hereby formally request that you seek City Council approval to commence such a study with respect to our proposed change to the General Plan designation for the Fredrich property. Please let us know if there is anything else you need in order to start the amendment process. Also, please let us know when you think you will have the results of your study. Thank you for your assistance in this matter. We look forward to working with you further.` Sincerely, James L. Meek Director of Acquisitions 3300 Douglas Blvd, Bldg. 400 Suite 450 o Roseville- CA- 95661 - 9161783 -2300 a 9161783 -2303 Fax RESOLUTION NO. XX - 12 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DUBLIN APPROVING THE INITIATION OF A GENERAL PLAN AND EASTERN DUBLIN SPECIFIC PLAN AMENDMENT STUDY TO EVALUATE A PROPOSAL TO CHANGE THE LAND USE DESIGNATION OF A PARCEL KNOWN AS THE FREDRICH PROPERTY FROM MEDIUM /HIGH DENSITY RESIDENTIAL AND NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL TO MEDIUM DENSITY RESIDENTIAL (APN 985 - 0004 - 002 -03) WHEREAS, the City has received a request from the STL Company, LLC ( "Project Proponent ") to initiate a General Plan and Eastern Dublin Specific Plan Amendment Study to change the land use designation of a 6.17 -acre parcel known as the Fredrich property (APN 985 - 0004 - 002 -03) ( "Study Area "); and WHEREAS, the Study Area is located along the west side of Tassajara Road north of Fallon Road; and WHEREAS, the Study Area currently is designated for Medium /High Density Residential (14.1 to 25.0 dwelling units per acre) and Neighborhood Commercial land use in the General Plan and Eastern Dublin Specific Plan; and WHEREAS, the Project Proponent, on behalf of the property owner, requests initiation of a General Plan and Eastern Dublin Specific Plan Amendment Study to change the land use designation to Medium Density Residential (6.1 to 14.0 dwelling units per acre); and WHEREAS, the General Plan and Eastern Dublin Specific Plan Amendment Study initiation request has been reviewed in accordance with the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and was found to be Categorically Exempt under Section 15306, Class 6 of the State CEQA Guidelines (Information Collection); and WHEREAS, a Staff Report was submitted outlining the issues surrounding the General Plan and Eastern Dublin Specific Plan Amendment Study initiation request; and WHEREAS, the City Council did hear and consider all such reports, recommendations, and testimony hereinabove set forth. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Dublin does hereby approve the initiation of a General Plan and Eastern Dublin Specific Plan Amendment Study to change the land use designation of the Study Area referenced above. PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Dublin on this 21St day of August 2012 by the following vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: ATTEST: City Clerk Mayor G:IAgendas1201ZFredrich GPA Initiation RequestlCC Reso- Approve GPA Initiation. doc RESOLUTION NO. XX - 12 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DUBLIN DENYING THE INITIATION OF A GENERAL PLAN AND EASTERN DUBLIN SPECIFIC PLAN AMENDMENT STUDY TO EVALUATE A PROPOSAL TO CHANGE THE LAND USE DESIGNATION OF A PARCEL KNOWN AS THE FREDRICH PROPERTY FROM MEDIUM /HIGH DENSITY RESIDENTIAL AND NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL TO MEDIUM DENSITY RESIDENTIAL (APN 985 - 0004 - 002 -03) WHEREAS, the City has received a request from the STL Company, LLC ( "Project Proponent ") to initiate a General Plan and Eastern Dublin Specific Plan Amendment Study to change the land use designation of a 6.17 -acre parcel known as the Fredrich property (APN 985 - 0004 - 002 -03) ( "Study Area "); and WHEREAS, the Study Area is located along the west side of Tassajara Road north of Fallon Road; and WHEREAS, the Study Area currently is designated for Medium /High Density Residential (14.1 to 25.0 dwelling units per acre) and Neighborhood Commercial land use in the General Plan and Eastern Dublin Specific Plan; and WHEREAS, the Project Proponent, on behalf of the property owner, requests initiation of a General Plan and Eastern Dublin Specific Plan Amendment Study to change the land use designation to Medium Density Residential (6.1 to 14.0 dwelling units per acre); and WHEREAS, the General Plan and Eastern Dublin Specific Plan Amendment Study initiation request has been reviewed in accordance with the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and was found to be Categorically Exempt under Section 15306, Class 6 of the State CEQA Guidelines (Information Collection); and WHEREAS, a Staff Report was submitted outlining the issues surrounding the General Plan and Eastern Dublin Specific Plan Amendment Study initiation request; and WHEREAS, the City Council did hear and consider all such reports, recommendations, and testimony hereinabove set forth. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Dublin does hereby deny the initiation of a General Plan and Eastern Dublin Specific Plan Amendment Study to change the land use designation of the Study Area referenced above. PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Dublin on this 21St day of August 2011 by the following vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: ATTEST: City Clerk Mayor G:IAgendas1201ZFredrich GPA Initiation RequestlCC Reso -Deny GPA Initiation. doc