HomeMy WebLinkAbout07 - City Hall Land Use Amendments_PA2012-031Agenda Item No. 7
April 24, 2012
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM:
Community Development Department
Kimberly Brandt, AICP, Director
949 - 644- 3226,kbrandt @newportbeachca.gov
PREPARED BY:
James Campbell, Principal Planner
APPROVED:
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TITLE:
City Hall Land Use Amendments (PA2012 -031)
3300 Newport Boulevard
ABSTRACT:
The City is planning for the future use of the City Hall site located at 3300 Newport
Boulevard. During two prior meetings, City Council members indicated a preference for
commercial, residential, and civic uses at the site. Currently, the General Plan, Coastal
Land Use Plan and Zoning Code designate the site "Public Facilities' and this
designation does not accommodate commercial or residential uses. Council Policy K -1
and Zoning Code §20.66.020 require City Council action to initiate City- sponsored
amendments to accommodate the suggested land uses.
RECOMMENDATION:
Initiate amendments of the General Plan, Coastal Land Use Plan, and Zoning Code
necessary to facilitate a change of use of the City Hall site.
FUNDING REQUIREMENTS:
The majority of work will be performed by the Community Development and Public
Works Departments with support from Fire and the Office of the City Attorney. Sufficient
staff resources are available to process the amendments; however staff anticipates
devoting 150 hours of staff time to the effort. Focused analysis by consultants, such as
traffic, environmental, or building massing, may be required. Staff believes that sufficient
funding exists within the approved budget designated for Professional Services (8080
accounts).
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3300 Newport Boulevard
April 24, 2012
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DISCUSSION:
Based upon study to date and City Council comments at the January 25, 2011, and
March 27, 2012, City Council meetings, staff envisions the creation of a mixed -use land
use category and zoning district. The land use category could include the horizontal or
vertical intermixing of limited commercial, residential, and civic uses. Civic uses may
include a community center, public plazas, a fire station and public parking. The type
and intensity of uses and would be determined during the subsequent processing of the
amendment applications, however, 99 residential units and 20,000 square feet of non-
residential uses are contemplated. The companion Zoning District would need to
establish appropriate development standards to accommodate the type and intensity of
use established by the General Plan Amendment. Staff believes that the height limit
would need to accommodate a minimum of four levels and that building setbacks from
streets relate to building height. Specifically, the taller the building, the larger the
setback.
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April 24, 2012
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City Council initiated amendments merely directs staff to commence the amendment
process which will result in public hearings before the Planning Commission and City
Council. Initiation of the process does not have any binding effect on future decisions
and the amendments may ultimately change based upon additional ongoing analysis,
public outreach, or direction from the Planning Commission and City Council. Staff has
prepared the following tentative timeline for the project.
Process and Timeline
Draft Amendments prepared
May
Public Outreach meeting
Late May
Environmental Review
June - August
Planning Commission Hearing
September
City Council Hearing
October
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
The City Council's initiation of land use plan and zoning amendments is exempt from
the California Environmental Quality Act ( "CEQX) pursuant to Section 15262
(Feasibility and Planning Studies) of the CEQA Guidelines, California Code of
Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3, because it has no potential to have a significant effect
on the environment. No final action on the amendments will be taken and the initiation
of the amendments do not have any legally binding effect upon future consideration of
the amendments themselves. Environmental review will be conducted prior to the
consideration and potential approval of any land use plan or zoning amendments.
NOTICING:
The agenda item has been noticed according to the Brown Act (72 hours in advance of
the meeting at which the City Council considers the item).
Kimberly Brandt, AICP, Director
LG7