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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRDA RES 207RESOLUTION NO. 207 A RESOLUTION OF THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY BOARD OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING THE COMMERCIAL CORE AREA SPECIFIC PLAN CASE NO. GPA 87-Z. WHEREAS, the Redevelopment Agency Board of the City of Palm Desert, California, did on the 14th day of May, 1987, hold a duly noticed public meeting to consider the Commercial Core Area Specific Plan and associated Negative Declaration of Environ- mental Impact establishing Planning and Redevelopment Agency policies for the City's El Paseo/Highway 111/Alessandro Drive commercial corridor. WHEREAS, said application has complied with the requirements of the "City of Palm Desert Procedure for Implementation of the California Environmental Quality Act, Resolution No. 80-89", in that the Director of Community Development/Planning has determined that the project will not have an adverse impact on the environment and a negative declaration has been prepared. WHEREAS, at said public hearing, upon hearing and considering all testimony and arguments, if any, of all interested persons desiring to be heard, said Redevelopment Agency Board did find the following facts and reasons to exist to justify their approval: 1. The proposed land uses and policies promote a more logical and compatible pattern of commercial develop- ment than existing conditions. 2. The proposed policies are designed to increase the economic potential of existing commercial areas while protecting adjacent residential areas from the potential negative impacts of increased commercial activity. 3. The proposed land uses and policies are consistent with the goals of the Palm Desert General Plan and will promote the health, safety and general welfare. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Redevelopment Agency Board of the City of Palm Desert, as follows: 1. That the above recitations are true and correct and constitute the findings of the Redevelopment Agency Board in this case. 2. That a negative declaration of environmental impact, "Exhibit A", is hereby approved. RESOLUTION NO. 207 3. That the Commercial Core Area Specific Plan,.GPA 87-2, Exhibit "B", is hereby approved. PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Palm Desert City Council, held on this 23rd day of July, 1987, by the following vote, to wit: AYES: BENSON, CRITES, SNYDER, KELLY NOES: NONE ABSENT: WILSON ABSTAIN: NONE c.aL RIC RD S. KELLY, CHA RMAN / ATTEST: SIrEILA R. GILLIGAN CITY CLERK EXHIBIT "A" NEGATIVE DECLARAT I ON Pursuant to Title 14. Division 6. Article 7. Section 15083 of the California Administrative Code. CASE NO: GPA 87-2 PALM DESERT COMMERCIAL CORE AREA SPECIFIC PLAN APPLICANT/PROJECT SPONSOR: CITY OF PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY PROJECT OESCRiPTiON/LOCATION: A specific plan establishing planning and redevelopment policies for the Palm Desert Highway 111. El Paseo and Alessandro Drive Commercial Core (see attached meal. The Director of the Department of Community Development. City of Palm Desert. California. has found that the described project will not have a significant effect on the environment. A coov of the initial study has been attached to document the reasons In support of this finding. Mitigation measures. If any. included in the project to avoid Potentially significant effects. may also be found attached. RAMON A. OLAZ. DATE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT /dig EXPLANATION FOR RESPONSES IN INITIAL STUDY GPA 87-2 PALM DESERT COMMERCIAL CORE SPECIFIC PLAN 1. EARTH The proposal Involves projects in an already highly urbanized area. There will be no significant impacts. 2. AIR EMISSIONS The proposals Involve changes to traffic circulation Patterns to improve access and safety for existing commercial areas and provisions for additional off-street narking. No significant increase in air emissions are anticipated. 3. WATER No significant impacts. 485 PLANT AND ANIMAL LIFE Area is an existing highly urbanized commercial district with no significant plant or animal resources. 610 NATURAL RESOURCES & ENERGY The proposal represents a reorganization of the existing land resources to achieve greater land use efficiency. There will not be a significant increase in the consumption of natural resources. 8. RISK OF UPSET The city's zoning. fire. health and safety ordinances strictly regulate use of hazardous substances to protect public safety. The existing commercial zoning does not oermit industrial type uses. 9. The area is not subject to unusual flooding or geologic hazards. 10. NOISE The or000sal recommends creation of substantial buffer area between commercial and residential uses diminishing potential noise impacts. II. LAND USE The or000sai will result in a 12 foot expansion of the commercial zone along the northern boundary of the study area. Presently this area Is composed of a mixture of vacant lots. apartments. professional offices• parking lots and single family homes. The elan Is designed to create a more compatible mix of commercial land uses with a substantial buffer zone adjacent to the single family residential zone. GPA 87-2 CONTINUED 12. OPEN SPACE There Is no designated existing open space in the area. 13. POPULATION The area does not presently contain a significant resident population. 14. EMPLOYMENT The process' will allow for increased economic activity and emoloyment within the existing commercial core area. 15. HOUSING The plan wilt initially slightly decrease the number of housing units in the plan area. Efforts will be made to 'replace this housing on land oresently owned by the redevelopment agency in the neighborhood to the north. The Palm Desert General Plan Housing Element and the Palma Village Specific Plan contains oolf-" es and programs which have significantly promoted the construction • affordable housing to reolace those eliminated as part of this plan. 16. TRANSPORTATION/CIRCULATION Along Highway 111. the olan or000ses redesign to increase business accessibility while reducing existing traffic conflicts at cross street//' frontage road intersections. These changes will have a Positive Impact on circulation patterns. The 120 foot expansion of the commercial zone on the north side of Alessandro Drive and north of the alley between Monterey Avenue and Las Palmas Avenue will add approximately 18 acres of land for professional offices and retail/service use. Under the existing combination of multi family and single family land uses. the area would accommodate 180 residential units generating 1260 ADT. Under the proposed plan the 18 acre commercial expansion would permit 313.632 square feet of additional office/retail/service development generating 6586 AOT (assuming 21 AOT per 1000 square feet based upon 2/3 office at 12 ADT and 1/3 specialty retail at 40 ADT from institute of Traffic Engineers Handbook). The net increase over the existing land use will be an additional 5326 trios spaced over the 1.5 mile commercial strip. Since plan implemen- tation will occur over a 10 year period the annual increase will be aooroximate)y 532 trios Per year. The clan or000ses that a major portion of the expanded area be used for off-street narking to accommodate the increased commercial development. 2 GPA 87-2 CONTINUED MITIGATION To prevent this additional traffic from adversely effecting adjacent residential zones. local residential streets which presently intersect Alessandro Drive will be cul-de-saced. The redesign of the frontage road/Highway 111/cross street circulation system will result In safer more convenient access this mitigating the increase level of traffic. 17. PUBLIC SERVICES The project will involve participation by the Palm Desert Redevelopment Agency in the areas of oublic road reconstruction. Parking lot development. landscaping and maintenance. These programs will be funded through redevelopment tax increment and assessment districts. 18. PUBLIC FISCAL BALANCE Public expenditures will correspond to increased revenued generated by the redevelopment area. 19. UTILITIES No significant utility modifications are proposed. 20. HUMAN HEALTH The or000sed circulation changes will Improve oublic safety. 21. SOCIAL SERVICES No Impact. 22. AESTHETICS The or000sed landscaoing programs for the frontage road and El Paseo will greatly enhance the aesthetic auality of the area. 23. LIGHT AND GLARE All commercial lighting must meet stringent standards which prevent light spillover into residential areas. 24. ARCHEOLOGICAL/HISTORICAL There are no significant archeological/historical resources in the area. 3 �l . CASE TO. Cf5t.laCT ®Z 00W416 Rci ri L c: c 0.e • �l Cc.c �<<. lPL4t1/41 "/IV? 7 effif ErrntoNnwTSL BEAM CES DEPT . INITIAL STUDY EYVIRQNUE`iTAL EVALUATION CHECKLIST NOTE: The availability of data necessary to address the topics listed below shall form the basis of a decision as to whether the application is considered complete for purposes of environmental assessment. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS (Explanations of all "yes" and "maybe" answers, possible mitigation -- measures and comments are provided on attached sheets). Yes Maw. No 1. Earth. Will the proposal result in: a. Unstable earth conditions or in changes in . geologic substructures? b. Oisruptions, displacements, gampaction, or overcovering of the soil? c. Change in topography or ground surface relief features? d. The destruction, covering. or modification of any unique geologic or physical features? e. Any increase in wind or water erosion of soils, either an or off the site? 2. Air. Will the proposal result in: • aMIIMED i • a. Air emissions or deterioration of ambient air quality? ✓ b. The creation of objectionable odors? c. Alteration of air movement, moisture, or temperature, or any change in climate, either locally or regionally? 3. Water. "Will the proposal result in: }_.Changes.in currents, or the course or 1 direction of water' movements? b. Changes in-absarptfon rates, drainage . patterns, or the rats and' amount of surface water runoff? c. Alterations to the course or flaw.of flood waters? d. Alteration of.the direction or rata of flow of ground waters? e. Change in the quantity of ground waters, either through direct additions or with- drawals, ar through interception of an aquifer by cuts or excavations? f. Reduction in the amount of water other- . wise available for public water supplies? 4. Plant life. Will the proposal result in: a. Change in the diversity of species, or numbers of any species of plants (including trees, shrubs, grass, and crops)? b. Reduction of the numbers of any unique, rare, or endangered species of plants? . c. Introduction of new species of plants into an area, or in a barrier to the normal replenishment of existing species? 5. Animal. life. Will the proposal 'result in: a. Changes in the diversity of species, ar numbers of any species of animals (birds, land animals including reptiles, or insects)? b: Reduction of the numbers of any unique, rare, ar endangered species of animals? c. Introduction of new species of animals into an area, or result in a barrier to the migration or movement of animals? d. Oeterioration to existing wildlife habitat? Z, Yes M_ aybe No WMIUM • • elIMMW i ►/IMMINO amMIIMIM amilmMM IMIMIMMS ✓' 6. Natural Resources. Will the proposal result in: a. Increase in:.the rate of use of any natural resources? b. Depletion of any non-renewable natural resource? 7. Enemy. Will the proposal result in: a. Use of substantial amounts of fuel or energy? b. Oemand upon existing sources of energy, or re- quire the.deeelopment of new sources of energy? . 8. Risk of Upset.. Does the proposal involve a risk of an explosion or the release of hazardous substances (including, but not limited to, pesticides, oil, chemicals, or radiation) in the event of an accident or upset conditions? 9. E-onomid Lass. Will the proposal result. in: a. A change in•the value of property and improvements endangered by flooding? b. A change in the value of property and improvements exposed to geologic hazards beyond accepted. community risk standards? 10. Noise. Will the proposal increase existing noise levels to the point at which accepted community noise and vibration levels are exceeded? 11. Land Use. Will .the proposal result in the alteration of the present developed or planned land use of an area? • 12. Open Space. Will the proposal lead to a decrease in the:amount of designated open space? 13. Population. Will the proposal result in: a. Alteraticn or the location, distribution. density, or growth rate of the human population of the City? b. Change in the population distribution by . aye. income, religion, racial, or ethnic group. occupational class. household type? . 3. Yes twit No WINMENIMD .aL i • 14. Employment. Will the proposal result in additional new long-term jobs provided, or a change in the number and per cant employed, unemployed, and underemployed? 15. Mousing. Will the proposal result in: a. Change in number and per cent of housing units by type (price or rent range, zoning category, owner -occupied Ind rental, etc.) relative to demand or to number of families in various income classes in the City? b. Impacts on existing housing or creation of a demand for additional housing? 16. Transoortation/Circulation. Will the proposal result in: a.* Generation of additional vehicular movement? b. Effects an existing parking facilities, or demand for new parking? c. Impact upon existing transportation systems? d. Alterations to present patterns of circulation or movement of people and/or goods? e. Increase in traffic hazards to motor vehicles, bicyclists, or pedestrians? 17. Public Services. Will the proposal have an effect upon, or result in a need for, new or altered governmental services in any of the following areas: a. Fire protection? •b. Police protection? c. Schools? . d. Parks or other recreational facilities? e. Maintenance of public facilities, including roads? f. Other governmental services? 4. Yes Maybe No • _z• -.id ommiMMI • IL Public Fiscal Balance. Will the proposal result.in a net change in government fiscal flow (revenues less operating expenditures and annualized capital expenditures)? 19. Utilities. Will the proposal result in a need tor new systems, or alterations to the following utilities: a. Power or natural gas? b. Communications system? c. Water? d. Sewer or septic tanks? e. Storm water drainage? f. Solid waste and disposal? 20. Human Health. Will the proposal result in: a. The creation of any health hazard or potential health hazard? b. A change in the level of community health care provided? 21. Social Services. Will the proposal result in an increased demand for provision of general social. services? 22. Aesthetics. Will the proposal result in: a. Obstruction of any scenic vista.or view open to the public? b. The creation of an aesthetically offensive site open to public view?. • c. Lessening of the overall neighborhood (or area) attractiveness, pleasantness, and uniqueness? 23. Light and Glars. Will the proposal produce new 11ght or glare? 24. Archeological/Historical. Will the proposal result in an alteration of a significant archeological or historical site. structure, object. or building? Yes Maybe No omMININI OM IA WI i NM UM mmImmo tv ./ 25. Mandatory Findings of Significance. a. Ooes the project have the potential to degrade the quality of the environment or to curtail the diversity in the environment b. Ooes the project have the potential to achieve short-term, to the disadvantage of long-term, environmental.goals? (A short-term impact on the environment is one which occurs in a relatively brief, definitive period of time while long-term impacts will endure well into the future.) c. Ooes the project have impacts which are indi- vidually limited, but cumulatively considerable? (A project may impact on two or more separate resources where the impact on each resource is relatively small, but where the effect of the total of those impacts on the environment is significant.) d. Ooes the project have environmental effects which will cause substantial adverse effects on human beings, either directly or indirectly? '"�'� Y p Y Initial Stud Pre ared 8 1 6. Yes Maybe No