For Economic Development Committee [January 30, 2025]
TO: Honorable Economic Development Committee Members
APPROVAL: Colby Cataldi, Director of Community Development
FROM: Paul Gonzales, Community Development Manager
Title
Foothill Central Specific Plan Amendment Presentation
Body
Applicant
City of Rialto:
150 S Palm Avenue
Rialto, CA 92276
LOCATION
The Foothill Central Specific Plan Area 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.
BACKGROUND
The Foothill Central Specific Plan amendment updates and merges the existing City of Rialto Foothill Boulevard and Central Area Specific Plans into the Foothill Central Specific Plan (Proposed Project). The Proposed Project increases the allowable residential density within the Foothill Central Area and provides updates to the development guidelines for this area while preserving existing land uses.
The general area of the Foothill Central Specific Plan Area 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.
The Foothill Central Specific Plan was built on the vision, goals, and objectives established in the existing plans and crafted based on the ideas and comments from the City Council, Planning Commission, Economic Development Committee, property owners, business owners, community members, and other stakeholders. The proposed plan will incorporate elements of the Rialto Downtown Vision and Strategic Plan approved in March of 2009 by the City Council.
The revisions will simplify existing zoning, combine planning areas and the proposed zoning (Attachment 2) will allow for existing uses and additional appropriate land uses. The Specific Plan will incorporate the 6th Cycle Housing Element residential overlay to include all properties along Foothill Boulevard.
Planning Commission Action October 16th, 2024
The Foothill Central Specific Plan was reviewed by the Planning Commission on October 16th, 2024. The Planning Commission opened the public hearing, took public comments, and discussed the project. After further discussion, the Planning Commission closed the public hearing and expressed support of the specific plan amendment and voted to recommend to the City Council 4-1 (2 vacancies) to adopt a resolution recommending the City Council approve the project. The project is scheduled for the February 11th, 2025, regularly scheduled City Council meeting.
The FCSPA has previously been reviewed by the Economic Development Committee (EDC) on March 27th, 2024. At this meeting there was discussion regarding commercially zoned parcels and mixed-use zoned parcels. The EDC committee recommended staff review the commercially zoned parcels and consider modifying these zoning areas to residential mixed-use. Staff took the recommendation of the EDC committee and modified the zoning from commercial to mixed-use along Foothill Boulevard and Riverside Avenue in the downtown area.
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.”
Foothill Central Specific Plan Overview
The Foothill Central Specific Plan will guide the development of the Foothill Boulevard corridor and the Rialto Central Area while protecting and enhancing the existing residential neighborhoods in Downtown Rialto. To achieve this, the residential zoning designations established in the Central Area Specific Plan, which include Single Family Residential (SFR), Multi-Family Residential (MFR), and Increased Density Residential (R-X), were preserved and incorporated into the Foothill Central Specific Plan. Additionally, the Foothill Boulevard Specific Plan’s Streetscape and Infrastructure sections were carried over and incorporated into the Proposed Project to provide clear and concise standards to improve the aesthetics and create a pedestrian-friendly environment within the Foothill Central Area. Additionally, the historic Route 66 theme is encouraged for Foothill Boulevard in the revised specific plan.
Economic Development Committee Meetings:
• On April 27, 2022, the Planning Division provided a presentation introducing the proposed Foothill Central Specific Plan to the Economic Development Committee (EDC). The Economic Development Committee offered suggestions and ideas for the vision of the Foothill Central Specific Plan and recommended that the Planning Division and the consultant draft a vision for the specific plan area and asked staff to return to the EDC to receive guidance and input on a vision for the new specific plan.
• On July 27th, 2022, staff brought back the Foothill Central Specific Plan before the EDC committee and introduced the following “Vision Statement” below for the specific plan:
• On January 25, 2023, staff brought back the Foothill Central Specific Plan before the EDC committee and received additional comments and had a discussion on uses in downtown.
• On April 26, 2023, staff presented the project timeline and discussed the proposed changes to the zoning categories and uses.
• On March 27th, 2024, staff presented the project and received comments from the committee
Community Outreach and Meetings
Throughout the timeline for the Foothill Central Specific Plan update, City staff and the consultant, WSP, have held five (5) Pop Up Events, two (2) public workshops, one (1) Planning Commission meeting, one (1) Economic Review Committee meeting, and one (1) City Council presentation to date. Staff also created the Foothill Central Specific Plan webpage on the City of Rialto webpage under Planning in order to provide transparency and updates to the public. The site has been active for the past year and a half. Additionally, staff has sent out mass emails to all property owners, stakeholders, and constituents interested in the specific plan amendment notifying them of upcoming outreach meetings and workshops. Listed below are dates of outreach meetings completed.
April 13, 2022 (City of Rialto Farmer’s Market and Cardenas Market)
April 16, 2022 (City of Rialto Eggstravaganza)
July 27, 2022 Economic Development Committee (EDC) Presentation
September 14, 2022 Planning Commission Presentation
October 6th, 2022 Virtual Public Outreach Meeting
October 13, 2022 In-Person Public Outreach Meeting at St. Catherine’s
June 2023 Community Outreach Event
June 27, 2023 City Council Meeting Presentation
August 1, 2023 National Night Out
August 23, 2023 Farmers Market Booth
August 24, 2023 Virtual Public Meeting
Nov 13, 2023, Virtual Public Meeting
Nov 16, 2023, In Person Public Outreach Meeting
City Webpage Advertising and Meeting Updates April 2022- Present
Consistent Emails to Stake Holders, Property Owners, and Constituents.
Opportunity with the Foothill Central Specific Plan
Highlights from the Specific Plan include:
• Increased Opportunity for Residential and Commercial Development
• Setting the Stage for a Multimodal Mobility Network and Streetscape Improvements
• Detailing required Infrastructure Improvements
• Simplified Zoning Designations and Associated Development Standards
• Providing an Implementation Strategy
• Encouragement for Historic Route 66 Themes along Foothill Boulevard
• Entryway theme across Riverside Avenue in downtown
• Revised Parking lot Standards for more efficient stalls and parking lots
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.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the EDC receive the presentation.