2019-04 RESOLUTION NO. 2019-04
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
GRAND TERRACE RECOMMENDING THAT THE CITY COUNCIL
ADOPT GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT 18-01 AMENDING POLICY
2.2.1, TABLE 2.3 AND TABLE 2.6 OF THE GENERAL PLAN LAND USE
ELEMENT RELATING TO THE HILLSIDE LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL
LAND USE DESIGNATION
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 65300 of the State Planning and Zoning Law
(Division 1 Title 7 of the California Government Code)on April 27, 2010, the City of Grand
Terrace adopted Resolution 2010-10 adopting a General Plan to provide comprehensive,
long-range planning guidelines for future growth and development which incorporates the
following nine elements: Land Use, Circulation, Open Space and Conservation, Public
Health and Safety, Noise, Public Services, Housing, and Sustainable Development. Each
element of the General Plan provides Goals, Programs, and Policies as required by State
Law; and
WHEREAS, the Hillside Low Density Residential (HLDR)designation is applied to
the hillside areas of Blue Mountain located considered a natural resource subject to
special consideration to protect the scenic views and environmental resources of the
mountain; and
WHEREAS, the HLDR designation of the General Plan requires that properties
within the designated areas demonstrate that building pads and streets can be graded
with minimal impact to the hillside and views, and that adequate utilities and public
services, including drainage, domestic water, sanitary sewer, fire protection can be
provided. It requires that proposed developments within the HLDR prepare a specific
plan; and
WHEREAS, General Plan Amendment 18-01 proposes to amend the General Plan
Land Use Element so that properties of a certain size with infrastructure readily available
and that can be readily provided fire protection services may be developed without the
requirement for a specific plan; and
WHEREAS, General Plan Amendment 18-01 is exempt from the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) in that the activity is
covered by the general rule that CEQA applies only to projects, which have the potential
for causing a significant effect on the environment.
WHEREAS, on April 18, 2019, the Planning Commission conducted a duly noticed
public hearing on General Plan Amendment 18-at the Grand Terrace Council Chambers
located at 22795 Barton Road, Grand Terrace, California 92313 and concluded the
hearing on said date; and
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WHEREAS, all legal prerequisites to the adoption of this Resolution have
occurred.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Planning Commission of the City
of Grand Terrace:
1. The Recitals set forth above are true and correct and incorporated herein by this
reference.
2. Based upon the forgoing, oral and written testimony presented by members of the
public and City staff (including reports and presentations made at the public
hearing), the Planning Commission herebyfinds thatthe General Plan Amendment
18-01 satisfies the requirements of CEQA because:
a. The activity is covered by the general rule that CEQA applies only to
projects, which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the
environment. Where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility
that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment,
the activity is not subject to CEQA. The project will not have a significant
effect on the environment because the amendment only changes
administration procedures to the requirement of the specific plan.
3. Based upon the forgoing, oral and written testimony presented by members of the
public and City staff (including reports and presentations made at the public
hearing), the Planning Commission finds as follows with respect to General Plan
Amendment 18-01:
a. General Plan Amendment 18-01 is consistent with the intent of the Hillside
Low Density Residential designation of the General Plan Land Use
Element. The existing designation identifies that the HLDR designation
requires preparation of a specific plan in the hillside area. Given the
topography of the hillside area, lack of infrastructure (i.e. sewer, water, etc.);
lack of access and challenges related to fire protection services, the
preparation of a specific plan is appropriate. However, the HLDR
designation does not provide consideration for properties that do not exhibit
those characteristics.
General Plan Amendment 18-01 proposes to amend the Land Use Element
so that it provides consideration from specific plan requirements for those
properties that are one acre or less in size, are readily served by existing
infrastructure where topography, adequate infrastructure, and access are
present. It appropriate to amend the Land Use Element, as proposed,
because the amendment carves out only limited circumstances where a
specific plan would not be required, and therefore, the amendment is a
procedural change. In all other circumstances, a specific plan would be
required in accordance with the General Plan. Therefore, this amendment
is consistent with the General Plan.
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b. The Amendment promotes Land Use Goal 2.2 to preserve and enhance the
quality and character of the City's residential neighborhoods because it
maintains the integrity of the intent of the specific plan requirement.
C. Adoption of this General Plan Amendment is not in conflict with Section
65358(b) of the Government Code relating to the number of amendments
permitted per year, because this amendment is the first amendment of
calendar year 2019.
4. Based upon the forgoing, oral and written testimony presented by members of the
public and City staff (including reports and presentations made at the public
hearing), this Commission hereby recommends that the City Council adopt
General Plan Amendment 18-01, attached hereto as Exhibits 1.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED by the Planning Commission of the City
of Grand Terrace, California, at a regular meeting held on the 18s' day of April 2019.
Debra L. Thomas T m Comstock
City Clerk Chairman
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STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO )
CITY OF GRAND TERRACE )
I Debra L. Thomas, City Clerk of the CITY OF GRAND TERRACE, CALIFORNIA,
DO HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Resolution, being Resolution No. 2019-04 was
duly passed, approved and adopted by the Planning Commission, approved and signed
by the Chairman, and attested by the City Clerk, at the regular meeting of said Planning
Commission held on the 1811 day of April 2019, and that the same was passed and
adopted by the following vote:
AYES: Commissioners Briggs, McConnell, Giroux; Vice-Chair Cesena;
Chairman Comstock
NOES: None.
ABSENT: None.
ABSTAIN: None.
Executed this 19th day of April 2019, at Grand Terrace, California.
�
e ra . Thomas
City Clerk
[SEAL]
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Exhibit 1
General Plan Amendment 18-01
POLICY 2.2.1 OF THE GENERAL PLAN LAND USE ELEMENT IS REVISED TO READ
AS FOLLOWS:
Any development occurring within the Hillside residential designation shall be required
to prepare a Specific Plan. Except that a specific plan may not be required for existing
Policy 2.2.1: parcels that are one acre or less in size, are readily served by existing infrastructure,have
public access, and fire services can be readily provided.
TABLE 2.3 OF THE GENERAL PLAN LAND USE ELEMENT IS REVISED TO READ
AS FOLLOWS:
Table 2.3
City of Grand Terrace
#� General Plan Land Use Designations
It�BIDfGN't'1
Hillside Low Density Residential The hillside areas of Blue Mountain located at the far eastern edge
(HLDR) of the City are considered a natural resource that requires special
Maximum Density— l dwelling consideration to protect the scenic views and environmental
unit per gross acre resources of the mountain. Any development proposed within the
Hillside designation will require special evaluation of all
environmental issues and must include provisions for the protection
of all natural resources within the area. Properties within the
designated areas must demonstrate that building pads and streets
can be graded with minimal impact to the hillside and views, and
that adequate utilities and public services, including drainage,
domestic water, sanitary sewer, fire protection can be provided.
Proposed developments within this area shall be required to prepare
a Specific Plan. A Specific Plan may not be required for existing
parcels that are one acre or less in size,are readily served by
existing infrastructure,have public access and fire services can be
readily provided. Clustered development that protects sensitive
slopes and natural resources shall be strongly encouraged.
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TABLE 2.6 GENERAL PLAN IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAM OF THE GENERAL PLAN LAND USE ELEMENT IS REVISED
TO READ AS FOLLOWS:
v
p
�E a c o o c 2
°' ro any' c 3 g
a° a. � Policy/Action a
Land Use Element j
Goal 2.2: Preserve and enhance the quality and character of the City's residential neighborhoods.
2.2.1 X Any development occurring within the Hillside Residential designation shall be required
to prepare a Specific Plan. A Specific Plan may not be required for existing parcels
that are one acre or less in size,are readily served by existing infrastructure,have
public access, and fire services can be readily provided. {
a.Enforce the current requirement for the preparation of a Specific Plan for CD CA GF 1
development proposed in areas designated as Hillside Residential.
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