For City Council Meeting [November 15, 2022]
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
APPROVAL: Marcus Fuller, City Manager
FROM: Paul Gonzales, Community Development Manager
Title
Request that the City Council: (1) Receive a Presentation on Outdoor Truck Storage Yards; and (2) Provide Direction to Staff
(ACTION)
Body
BACKGROUND
On January 26, 2021, the City Council adopted the Outdoor Storage Yard Ordinance No.1654 (Zoning Code Amendment No. 2020-004) to regulate truck parking and storage yards related to industrial developments.
There have been several outdoor storage yards operating within the City without City approvals. The purpose of this item is to provide an update regarding outdoor storage yards, both permitted and unpermitted, and Ordinance No. 1654 development standards that were adopted to reduce exposure of residential neighborhoods from the disruption and potentially negative effects of distribution and truck traffic.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION:
Ordinance No. 1654 was adopted to address the concerns related to outdoor trucking facilities while also supporting a vital component of the City’s economy. This included establishing new and updated development standards to protect sensitive uses such as residential neighborhoods, schools, and parks and open space from the disruption and potentially negative health effects of distribution uses and truck traffic.
Regulations for Outdoor Storage Uses
After further analyzing the existing outdoor storage yard standards in Chapter 18 of the Development Code, additional zoning regulations for outdoor storage uses were amended (Attachment 1: Ordinance for Outdoor Storage Uses) and added to Ord. 1654. The revised regulations clarified truck yards are a type of outdoor storage use and specific provisions were added.
Outdoor storage facilities require a Conditional Development Permit in the Light Industrial and General Industrial zones City wide and within the Industrial planning areas in the different Specific Plans as show in the maps included as the presentation in Attachment No. 2.
Below is a summary of the requirements included in the adopted Ordinance 1654 for outdoor storage uses:
• Process: Conditional Development Permit (CDP) required for outdoor storage truck yard uses.
• Locational Requirements: Prohibits truck yards adjacent to residences, schools, parks, and open space.
• Truck Routing: Truck route plan required to avoid traveling past residences, schools, parks, and open space to the greatest extent feasible.
• Building and Site Design: Buildings associated with outdoor storage uses must comply with the City’s Design Guidelines, including paving for drive aisles and parking/storage areas.
• Screening: Screening of stored items, including eight (8) to fourteen (14) foot minimum decorative walls along street frontages outside required front and side yard setbacks.
• Parking and Access: On-site parking and stacking/queuing required.
• Landscaping: Landscaping required in parkway and visible to the public.
• Security: On-site lighting and security cameras that are connected to the City’s law enforcement system.
• Maintenance: Anti-graffiti wall treatments or equivalent measures.
Exemptions: Exemptions for uses that rely on the outdoor display of goods such as vehicle, boat, and recreational vehicle dealerships and temporary seasonal displays and uses (e.g., Christmas tree lots, overflow merchandise storage, etc.).
Previous Engagement and City Actions.
Staff previously received input from the Economic Development Committee and Planning Commission in developing standards. On November 18, 2020, the Economic Development Committee considered the components of the draft regulations, heard public comments from an industry stakeholder, and directed staff to proceed.
On November 18, 2020, the Planning Commission held a public workshop to discuss the proposed regulations and hear public comments. The Planning Commission supported the concept of routing traffic away from sensitive uses, buffering adjacent uses, and ensuring facilities are designed to function in a manner that does not affect nearby uses.
On December 9, 2020, a regularly scheduled Planning Commission meeting was held and the Commission recommended the City Council approve the amended Outdoor Storage Uses. At the January 12, 2021, regularly scheduled City Council meeting, the City Council recommended adoption of the Outdoor Storage Facility Ordinance 1654 and on January 26, 2021, the second reading was held and adopted by the City Council.
Outdoor Storage Site Update
Since the adoption of the revised outdoor storage facilities ordinance on January 26, 2021, staff has received three (3) applications for outdoor storage facilities. Of the three (3) applications, one (1) has been approved in the City and is currently in the permit issuance process. Additionally, there are currently three (3) sites operating without the benefit of permit that are currently under Community Compliance action. The sites are generally located as shown on Attachment No. 2.
This item allows for a discussion of these outdoor storage facility (truck yards) as a means of allowing the City Council to provide direction as may be appropriate on any changes to the development standards, or consideration of a moratorium on the development of any new outdoor storage facilities.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
This action is exempt from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15378(b)(5) of the CEQA Guidelines because the preparation of a budget plan is a governmental administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment.
GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY
General Plan Guiding Principle 3 - Rialto’s Economic Environment is Healthy and Diverse - specifically our City Government will lead by example, and will operate in an open, transparent, and responsive manner that meets the needs of the citizens is a good place to do business
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney has reviewed and recommends approval of this staff report.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Operating Budget Impact
There is no impact to the Operating Budget with this item.
Capital Improvement Budget Impact
There is no impact to the Capital Improvement Budget with this item.
Licensing
Not applicable with this item.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council:
(1) Receive a Presentation on Outdoor Truck Storage Yards; and
(2) Provide Direction to Staff