For City Council Meeting September 13, 2022
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
APPROVAL: Marcus Fuller, City Manager
FROM: Paul Gonzales, Community Development Manager
Title
Request City Council Adopt Resolution No. 7970 Authorizing a Specific Plan Amendment to change the land use designation of two parcels located at 1364 W Foothill Boulevard and 475 N Linden Avenue within the Foothill Boulevard Specific Plan from Residential-Mixed use (R-MU) to Commercial-Pedestrian (C-P).
Body
BACKGROUND
At the June 29, 2022, Economic Development Committee (EDC) meeting, the EDC recommended that the Planning Division begin the process of a Specific Plan Amendment to change the land use designation of two (2) parcels located at the northeast corner of Foothill Boulevard and Linden Avenue in the Foothill Boulevard Specific Plan. Pursuant to Section 18.78.060 of the Rialto Municipal Code, City proposed specific plan amendments shall be initiated by the City Planning Commission and authorized by resolution of the City Council. At the August 31, 2022, Planning Commission meeting, the Planning Commission initiated the Specific Plan Amendment with a vote of 5 Ayes, 0 Nays, and 2 Vacancies.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION
With the action taken by the Planning Commission, Staff is commencing the process to amend the Specific Plan to change the zoning designation of two adjacent parcels located at 1364 W Foothill Boulevard (APN: 012801132) and 475 N Linden Avenue (APN: 012801133). The parcels are located on the northeast corner of West Foothill Boulevard and North Linden Avenue. Both parcels are designated Residential Mixed-Use (R-MU) and have remained vacant. All parcels located on the same block adjacent to Foothill Boulevard are designated Commercial-Pedestrian (C-P) and have been developed with a multi-tenant shopping center anchored by Food 4 Less with a gas station, two drive-thru restaurants, and a childcare facility.
The City has received multiple inquiries about developing the subject properties with a gas station and/or car wash. Neither use is permitted in the existing R-MU zoning designation but are, however, permitted in the proposed C-P zoning designation. These are a few of the uses that may be developed on these parcels if a Specific Plan Amendment is approved. The subject parcels may attract better development opportunities if the zoning of these parcels is changed the C-P zoning designation. An aerial with land use designations is provided for reference on the following page.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
Pursuant to Section 15378 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), an Initial Study will be prepared for the Specific Plan Amendment.
GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY
Approval of a Specific Plan Amendment complies with Policy 2-1.1 of the City of Rialto General Plan which is to:
Provide new opportunities along the Foothill Boulevard Corridor for mixed-use residential, retail, and commercial uses.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney has reviewed and supports this staff report
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Operating Budget Impact
The rezoning of the subject site from R-MU to C-P would produce positive economic results for the City because it would facilitate development of two (2) vacant parcels.
Staff would complete the work in-house including amending maps, conducting tribal consultation pursuant to SB 18, and preparing environmental documentation. In total, the City will incur approximately $8,000 including direct costs and staff time.
Capital Improvement Budget Impact
No impact.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the resolution authorizing a Specific Plan Amendment to change the Land Use Designation of two (2) parcels located at 1364 W Foothill Boulevard (APN: 012801132) and 475 N Linden Avenue (APN: 012801133) from Residential-Mixed Use (R-MU) to Commercial-Pedestrian (C-P) within the Foothill Boulevard Specific Plan and request staff to return to the Planning Commission and City Council with the proposed amendment for consideration and action.