HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC RESO 2005 - 18RESOLUTION NO. 2005 — 18
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF NATIONAL CITY
ADOPTING THE NATIONAL CITY DOWNTOWN SPECIFIC PLAN
AND AN AMENDMENT TO THE GENERAL PLAN FOR
RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL AND MIXED -USE DEVELOPMENT
WITHIN DOWNTOWN NATIONAL CITY
CASE FILE NO.: GP-2004-4/SP-2004-2
WHEREAS, the Community Development Commission of the City of
National City has drawn its attention to the Renaissance of the downtown area as a
juncture of favorable circumstances. This vision commences with the creation of the
National City Downtown Specific Plan. The downtown area is envisioned to be a
desirable and attractive destination to live, invest and thrive through the implementation
of innovative policies, standards and procedures which in turn would generate a vibrant
catalyst for further redevelopment and the full revitalization of Downtown National City;
and
WHEREAS, the Community Development Commission has prepared and
processed the National City Downtown Specific Plan which has been prepared pursuant to
the regulations of Sections 65450 to 65457 of the California Government Code, which
have been adopted and incorporated under Section 18.08.030 of the City's Municipal
Code, and the General Plan Amendment has been processed pursuant to Chapter 18.112
(Amendments) of the City's Municipal Code; and
WHEREAS, the intent of the National City Downtown Specific Plan is to
reinforce the downtown as the civic center, hub of commercial commerce, attraction to
modern living, and heart of National City. All new developments and the
revitalization/rehabilitation of existing buildings and structures within the downtown area
would be governed by the National City Downtown Specific Plan and the City's General
Plan. The National City Downtown Specific Plan land use designations, development
standards, design guidelines, and development review procedures will be incorporated by
reference in the General Plan. Where there is a conflict with the City's Land Use Code the
National City Downtown Specific Plan shall take precedent. Where the National City
Downtown Specific Plan is silent on issues, the Land Use Code shall be the governing
document. The Land Use Code states the authority for an adopted specific plan to
override Code requirements; and
WHEREAS, a Program Environmental Impact Report has been prepared for
the Community Development Commission, pursuant to the requirements of the California
Environmental Quality Act, to evaluate the potential environmental impacts that could
occur with the approval and implementation of the National City Downtown Specific Plan.
Accordingly, on September 15, 2004, the Notice of Completion was prepared and filed
with the State Clearinghouse of the Governor's Office of Planning and Research. The
mandatory 45-day public review period commenced on September 17, 2004, and ended
on November 1, 2004, at 5:00 p.m.; and
WHEREAS, no public comments on the Program Environmental Impact
Report were received; and
Resolution No. 2005 —18
February 1, 2005
Page Two
WHEREAS, on November 1, 2004, the Planning Commission held a duly
advertised public hearing to consider the proposed National City Downtown Specific
Plan and General Plan Amendment, along with all evidence and testimony presented at
said hearing, and upon the conclusion of the public hearing the Planning Commission
approved the National City Downtown Specific Plan and forwarded a recommendation
of approval to the City Council; and
WHEREAS, on February 1, 2005, the Community Development
Commission, as the Lead Agency, held a duly advertised public hearing and certified
the Program Environmental Impact Report for the proposed National City Downtown
Specific Plan and General Plan Amendment, pursuant to the requirements of the
California Environmental Quality Act; and
WHEREAS, on November 26, 2004, a Public Hearing Notice was
published in the National City Star News and The Daily Transcript, pursuant to the
requirements of the California Government Code; and
WHEREAS, on December 7, 2004 and February 1, 2005, the City Council
held duly advertised public hearings to consider the recommendation and findings of the
Planning Commission for approval of the National City Downtown Specific Plan and
General Plan Amendment, along with evidence and testimony presented; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission and City Council have caused and
duly held studies and proceedings for the timely amendment to the General Plan of the
City of National City, pursuant to Title 7, Chapter 3, Article 6 of the Government Code of
the State of California.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council finds that the
National City Downtown Specific Plan and General Plan Amendment is in the public
interest and is consistent with General Plan policies due to the fact that the intent of the
National City Downtown Specific Plan is to reinforce the downtown as the civic center, hub
of commercial commerce, attraction to modem living, and heart of National City, and as
such the City Council has made the following findings:
1. The Community Development Commission has certified the Program
Environmental Impact Report, adopted the Findings of Facts and Statement of
Overriding Considerations, and approved the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting
Program.
2. The amendment to the General Plan and adoption of the National City Downtown
Specific Plan, which would allow for revitalization of the downtown area through the
implementation of new land use and development standards, design guidelines,
and development review procedures, is in the public interest and is consistent with
Resolution No. 2005 — 18
February 1, 2005
Page Three
General Plan policies due to the fact that the National City Downtown Specific Plan
would facilitate the transformation of the downtown area into a vibrant core
community.
3. The amendment to the General Plan and adoption of the National City Downtown
Specific Plan would not affect the City's certified Housing Element in which National
City shall comply with the provisions of Article 10.6 of the California Government
Code, including addressing the needs of all income levels, and due to the fact that
no governmental constraints have been approved by the National City Downtown
Specific Plan that would limit construction on the properties affordable to all
household income levels.
4. The National City Downtown Specific Plan conforms to the proposed General Plan
policy which calls for the reinforcement of the Downtown d as the City's heart, civic
center, and commercial hub; by encouraging intensive commercial, residential and
mixed -use, pedestrian -oriented development; and containing development
standards that involve taller structures and higher densities, and also require lesser
setbacks and fewer on -site parking spaces, relative to other areas of the City.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council amends Chapter II —
Overall Urban Framework, on page 13, as Policy A of the General Plan to read as
follows:
The Downtown shall be reinforced as the City's heart, civic center, and
commercial hub. To accomplish this, a specific plan should be drafted
encouraging intensive commercial, residential and mixed -use, pedestrian -
oriented development. Development standards of the specific plan may
involve taller structures and higher densities, as well as require lesser
setbacks and fewer on -site parking spaces, relative to other areas of the
City.
PASSED and ADOPTED this 1st day of February, 2005.
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
or)
Mich --I Della, C' y Clerk George Eiser, III
City Attorney