HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 03032009 - C.27RECOMMENDATION(S):
INTRODUCE Ordinance No. 2009-06, which repeals the existing development moratorium
in the North Richmond area, WAIVE reading, and FIX March 17, 2009 as the date for
adoption.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.
BACKGROUND:
On June 5, 2007, the Board of Supervisors authorized the Department of Conservation and
Development to undertake a General Plan Amendment study relating to multiple parcels in
an underutilized industrial area of North Richmond (County File: GP#07-0008). The
purpose of the study was to evaluate changing the General Plan land use designations from
Heavy Industry (HI) and Light Industry (LI) to residential, commercial, and potentially
public uses in support of a proposed master planned development. The General Plan study
area is bounded by 3rd Street to the west, the Union Pacific Railroad tracks to the east,
APPROVE OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY
ADMINISTRATOR
RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD
COMMITTEE
Action of Board On: 03/03/2009 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER
Clerks Notes:
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS
Contact: David
Brockbank, 5-7237
I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the
minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: March 3, 2009
David J. Twa, County Administrator and Clerk of the Board of
Supervisors
By: , Deputy
cc:
C.27
To:Board of Supervisors
From:Catherine Kutsuris, Conservation & Development Director
Date:March 3, 2009
Contra
Costa
County
Subject:Proposed Ordinance to Repeal a Moratorium on Certain Land Use Development in the North Richmond Area
Wildcat Creek and San Pablo Creek. An aerial photograph
BACKGROUND: (CONT'D)
of the study area has been attached to this report.
In addition to the General Plan Study, the Board of Supervisors authorized a County
initiated Specific Plan that would provide policy direction on future proposals for
residential and commercial development within this northern industrial area. The specific
plan would potentially authorize residential, commercial and public uses and establish
planning regulations and standards for such uses. This would encompass the type,
location, and intensity of uses, design and capacity of public improvements and
infrastructure, and the resources necessary to finance and implement public
improvements and infrastructure.
Pursuant to the provisions of Government Code Section 65858, the Board of Supervisors
adopted an urgency interim ordinance prohibiting certain land use developments in a
specified area of North Richmond (Ord. No. 2007-27). As an urgency measure, the
interim ordinance became effective immediately and extended forty-five days to July 20,
2007. Under the same provisions of Government Code Section 65858, the Board of
Supervisors extended the urgency interim ordinance on July 10, 2007 (Ord. No.
2007-30). This first extension was granted for 10 months and 15 days. The Board of
Supervisors extended the urgency interim ordinance a second time (Ord. No. 2008-18) on
May 13, 2008. This second extension extended the period of the urgency interim
ordinance for one year, and is due to expire on May 13, 2009. No further extensions are
permitted.
On June 3, 2008, Signature Properties withdrew their financial sponsorship of the General
Plan/Specific Plan project due to the dramatic downturn in the housing market. The
Contra Costa County Redevelopment Agency agreed to assume financial sponsorship of
the initiatives on September 23, 2008. This setback delayed the project that was already
under a under a restricted time frame, and has prevented staff from being able to
accomplish everything needed to complete the new specific plan and associated
Environmental Impact Report (EIR). Since the General Plan study / Specific Plan project
is clearly going to extend beyond the May 13, 2009 expiration date, the moratorium
serves no purpose. Terminating the Urgency Interim Ordinance at this time will permit
property owners to seek economic compensation through developing their properties,
establishing new land use entitlements, or selling their properties. In summation, the
urgency and economic conditions that previously existed making the moratorium
necessary in 2007 are no longer present in North Richmond.
If the Urgency Interim Ordinance were to be repealed, it would be lawful to proceed with
property development within the specified area of North Richmond through the standard
County permitting process, including compliance with the North Richmond
Redevelopment Area Planned Unit District requirements. Certain land uses and activities
allowed under the Heavy Industry (HI) and Light Industry (LI) land use designations,
would be possible to establish again.
The County’s Redevelopment Agency is continuing to financially sponsor the General
Plan study analysis and Specific Plan process. Staff will continue performing the
necessary work activities associated with the preparation of the Specific Plan and General
Plan Amendment study. These activities include working with the contracted consulting
firms to assist in preparing the Specific Plan and associated EIR. Staff has already
initiated the public outreach process by setting up community meetings with the local
business community, the faith based community, and the neighborhood advisory
organizations. The purpose of this outreach effort is to engage these interested parties in
the development of the new Specific Plan.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
If the Board decides not to take action on this item, the current Urgency Interim
Ordinance adopted by the Board on May 13, 2008 would remain in effect, but expire on
May 13, 2009. No further extension is permitted by law. Certain land uses and activities
in the General Plan study area would continue to be prohibited, and the property owners
could lose potential economic sources normally associated with the development allowed
in the current HI and LI General Plan land use designations.
ATTACHMENTS
Ord
Map