For City Council Meeting January 14
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: G. Michael Milhiser, Interim City Manager
AUTHOR: Colby Cataldi, Director of Community Development
Title
Request City Council to Set a Public Hearing for February 11, 2025, to consider (1) Specific Plan Amendment No. 2022-04, and Environmental Assessment Review No. 2024-002, a request to amend the Foothill Central and Central Specific Plan Areas. The Proposed Project will update and combine the existing Foothill Boulevard Specific Plan and Central Area Specific Plan into the Foothill Central Specific Plan (Proposed Project). The Project if approved, would increase the allowable residential density within the Foothill Central Area and provides updates to the development guidelines for this area while preserving existing land uses (2) and Foothill Boulevard Specific Plan Mitigated Negative Declaration prepared for the project, in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
Body
APPLICANT:
City of Rialto
150 S. Palm Avenue
Rialto, CA 92376
LOCATION:
The Foothill Central Specific Plan Area (Attachment 1) encompasses parcels adjacent to the north and south sides of Foothill Boulevard throughout the City of Rialto and is bounded by Maple Avenue to the west and Pepper Avenue to east. The project site also encompasses Merrill Avenue to the south, Foothill Boulevard to the north, Willow Avenue to the west, and Sycamore Avenue to the east.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council set a Public Hearing for February 11th, to consider Specific Plan Amendment No. 2022-04, and Environmental Assessment Review No. 2024-002, a request to amend the Foothill Central and Central Specific Plan Areas.
BACKGROUND
Planning Commission Action
On October 16, 2024, the specific plan amendment was presented to the Planning Commission. The Planning Commission opened the public hearing and discussed the project during the public meeting. After further discussion, the Planning Commission closed the public hearing. The Planning Commission expressed they were in support of the specific plan amendment and voted to recommend to the City Council to approve the Foothill Central Specific Plan with a vote of 3 Ayes and 1 Noes (2 vacancies) to adopt a resolution recommending the City Council approve the project. A copy of the Planning Commission resolution is attached as Attachment 4.
Project Background
The City Council adopted the Rialto Central Area Specific Plan in November of 1983 for the Central area (downtown) of the City of Rialto. The Rialto Central Specific Plan is generally bounded by Foothill Boulevard to the north, Merrill Avenue to the south, Willow Avenue to the west, and Sycamore Avenue to the east. The specific plan provided the vision for the future of the downtown area of Rialto along with development standards, permitted uses, and other regulatory standards specific to downtown.
In August of 2010, the City Council adopted the Foothill Boulevard Specific Plan. The Foothill Boulevard Specific Plan is generally bounded by Maple Avenue to the west, Pepper Avenue to the east, and parcels on the north and south sides of Foothill Boulevard. The specific plan incorporates the vision for the future of Foothill Boulevard along with development standards, permitted uses, and other regulatory standards unique for a major thoroughfare across the City.
Since the adoption of both specific plans, only minor amendments have been approved to facilitate private investment on site specific projects. Neither the Central Area nor Foothill Boulevard specific plans have been significantly updated since their original adoption. Recognizing the need to revisit and update the Central Area and Foothill Boulevard specific plans, City Council authorized at a regularly scheduled meeting on January 26, 2021, the submittal of an application to the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) for technical assistance to facilitate amendments to Central Area and Foothill Boulevard specific plans. This provided an opportunity to combine the Rialto Central Area Specific Plan and the Foothill Boulevard Specific Plan into one current and pertinent plan rebranded as the Foothill Central Specific Plan.
Vision Statement
“For the next 30 years, Downtown Rialto will continue to be the heart of the City, defined by its hometown character and functioning as an important job center and transportation hub. The historic Route 66, Foothill Boulevard, will continue to serve as a gateway corridor through the City and to the downtown core. The Foothill Central Specific Plan area will continue to evolve as a lively mixed-use destination that integrates housing for all income levels and ages with shopping, restaurants, entertainment, and civic and arts uses while preserving existing landmarks.
The Specific Plan will be a tool to implement high-quality development standards along Foothill Boulevard and within Downtown Rialto that complement and enrich a public realm that is safe, green, and beautiful, incorporating landscaping, lighting and public art. Streets and sidewalks will be designed for all ages, abilities and modes including pedestrians, bicyclists, transit, and cars.”
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION
In accordance with Section 18.78.060G of the Rialto Municipal Code, the City Council is to set the matter for public hearing. A more comprehensive staff report will follow once the hearing has been set.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
A Mitigated Negative Declaration has been prepared for the project pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney's Office has reviewed the staff report.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney's Office has reviewed the resolution and approved it as to form.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Staff time to manage the project is budgeted and available in General Fund Account No. 010-500-4260-1001. The consultant, WSP, is funded by SCAG’s Sustainable Communities Program.