For Economic Development Committee [March 27, 2024]
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 Review
Body
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 January 10th, 2024
On January 10, 2024, the specific plan amendment was presented to the Planning Commission. The Planning Commission expressed they were in support of the specific plan amendment and voted to adopt a resolution (5-0, 2 vacancies) recommending that the City Council approve the project.
On July 27, 2022, 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. The Planning Division presented a draft vision to the City Manager who shared the vision with the City Council. Staff then presented the vision to the Planning Commission on September 14, 2022, for the Commission review and comments.
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.
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.”
The EDC was in support of the “Vision Statement” and appreciated the Route 66 theme inclusion into the plan for Foothill Boulevard. Suggestions from the EDC committee for the draft specific plan included allowing residential as a permitted use in the downtown area to encourage more activity and completion of a market study. It was also important to the EDC committee to preserve land uses for existing businesses and current allowed land uses. The only recommended use by the EDC committee was to removed pawnshops in the downtown area as a permitted use. Any legally established pawnshops may remain and will be considered legal nonconforming.
The EDC committee expressed support of allowing residential projects on vacant sites in the downtown area similar to other local cities. The Foothill Central Specific Plan update and the updated Vision Statement with the Route 66 theme were presented to the City Manager who shared the vision with the City Council. Staff then presented the vision to the Planning Commission on September 14, 2022, for the Commission review and comments.
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.
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, two (2) Economic Development 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)
April 27, 2022 Economic Development Committee Update
July 27, 2022 Economic Development Committee Update
September 14, 2022, Planning Commission Update
October 6th, 2022, Virtual Public Outreach Meeting
October 13, 2022, In-Person Public Outreach Meeting at St. Catherine’s
January 25, 2023 Economic Development Committee Update
April 26, 2023, Economic Development Committee Timeline Update
June 2023 Community Outreach Event
June 27, 2023 City Council Meeting Update
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
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. The grant will be fully exhausted with all work and meetings being completed by WSP.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the EDC receive the update and provide comments.