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HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-10749 - Apprpving a use permit for a mixeduse project in the foothill blvd special planning areaRESOLUTION NO. 10749 (2016 SERIES) A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING A USE PERMIT FOR A MIXED- USE PROJECT IN THE FOOTHILL BOULEVARD SPECIAL PLANNING AREA, A 40 PERCENT PARKING REDUCTION AND THE USE OF MECHANICAL PARKING LIFTS INCLUDING A CATEGORICAL EXEMPTION FROM CEQA AND A RECOMMENDATION OF APPROVAL OF A HEIGHT EXCEPTION AS AN AFFORDABLE HOUSING INCENTIVE AS REPRESENTED IN THE CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT AND ATTACHMENTS DATED OCTOBER 18, 2016 (22 CHORRO, USE -2882-2016) WHEREAS, the Planning Commission of the City of San Luis Obispo conducted a public hearing in the Council Chamber of City Hall, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, California, on August 24, 2016 for the purpose of considering a use permit application USE -2882-2016 for a mixed-use project in the Foothill Boulevard special focus area, a 40 percent parking reduction and the use of mechanical parking lifts, and a height exception as an affordable housing incentive to accommodate the development of the proposed project at 22 Chorro Street; and WHEREAS, San Luis Obispo Development Group, LLC, the applicant, filed an appeal of the Planning Commission's action on August 31, 2016; and WHEREAS, notices of said public hearing were made at the time and in the manner required by law; and WHEREAS, the City Council has duly considered all evidence, including the testimony of the applicant, interested parties, and the evaluation and recommendations by staff, presented at said hearing. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of San Luis Obispo as follows: SECTION 1. Findings. Based upon all the evidence, the City Council makes the following findings in support of the project approval that includes a use permit for a mixed-use project in the Foothill Boulevard special focus area, a 40 percent parking reduction and the use of mechanical parking lifts and recommends approval of a height exception as an affordable housing incentive of the proposed project: That the project will not be detrimental to the health, safety, or welfare of those working or residing in the vicinity because the proposed project is consistent with the Foothill Boulevard/Santa Rosa Special Focus Area of the Land Use Element and Zoning Regulations. R 10749 Resolution No. 10749 (2016) Findinzs for Affordable Housing Incentives: Page 2 1. That the project is consistent with Housing Element, Goal 2 because the project includes units for very -low income households which helps meet the City's affordable housing objectives. 2. That with 11 percent of the units restricted for very -low income households, the applicant is entitled up to a 35 percent maximum density bonus under State law and the City's Municipal Code, Chapter 17.90. Therefore, the proposed density bonus for the project of 35 percent is consistent with established criteria for density bonuses. 3. That the proposed height of 43 feet to accommodate the development of the proposed project is appropriate as an incentive consistent with the Zoning Regulations Section 17.90.060.B(1) that a reduction in site development standards or modification of zoning code requirements or architectural design requirements that exceeds the minimum building standards approved by the California Building Standards Commission as provided in Part 2.5 (commencing with Section 18901) of Division 13 of the Health and Safety Code. Findines for 40 Percent Parkine Reduction: 4. That the proposed project complies with San Luis Obispo Municipal Code Section 17.16.060.A, Parking Space Requirements, in that it satisfies the intent of that section which is "... to minimize the area devoted exclusively to parking and drives when typical demands may be satisfied more efficiently by shared facilities." Moreover, the project satisfies the requirement for a shared parking reduction specified in San Luis Obispo Municipal Code Section 17.16.060.B because there are multiple uses that share common parking areas. In addition, in accordance with the provisions of Section 17.16.060.C, the times of maximum parking demand from the proposed uses will not coincide. 5. That the proposed project is consistent with the San Luis Obispo Municipal Code Section 17.16.060.G and provides 30 additional bicycle parking spaces (above the bicycle parking required for the project) for a 10 percent parking reduction at the rate of one car space for each five bicycle spaces provided. 6. That the proposed parking reduction will safe, and will not be detrimental to the surrounding area or cause a decline in quality of life because project is located close proximity to grocery stores, restaurants, entertainment, schools, employment and two bus stops allowing for alternative modes of transportation such as walking, biking or taking public transportation. Findin s for Mechanical Parki= Lifts: 7. That the use of mechanical lift parking results in superior design and implementation of City goals and policies for infill development by placing parking within the structure and screening it from public view. R 10749 Resolution No. 10749 (2016) Page 3 8. That the mechanical lift parking is adequately screened and, as conditioned, shall be reviewed by the Architectural Review Commission for compliance with Community Design Guidelines for compatibility with the building and site design. 9. That the mechanical lift parking systems complies with all development standards including but not limited to height and setback requirements, and Parking and Driveway Standards with the exception of minimum parking stall sizes which are established by lift specifications. 10. That, as conditioned, the mechanical parking systems will be safely operated and maintained in continual operation with the exception of limited periods of maintenance. 11. That there are no circumstances of the site or development, or particular model or type of mechanical lift system which could result in significant impacts to those living or working on the site or in the vicinity. SECTION 2. Environmental Review. The project is both statutorily exempt under Section 15195 and categorically exempt under Class 32, In -Fill Development Projects, Section 15332 of the CEQA Guidelines, because the project is consistent with General Plan policies for the land use designation, within one-half a mile of a transit stop and is consistent with the applicable zoning designation and regulations. The project site occurs on a property of no more than five acres substantially surrounded by urban uses that has no value as habitat for endangered, rare or threatened species as the site is located on an existing developed property and is served by required utilities and public services. SECTION 3. Action. The City Council does hereby uphold the appeal of the Planning Commission's action to deny the proposed project hereby granting final approval of the application USE -2882-2016 for a mixed-use project in the Foothill Boulevard special focus area, a 40 percent parking reduction and the use of mechanical parking lifts and recommends approval of a height exception as an affordable housing incentive at 22 Chorro Street subject to the following conditions: Planning 1. The applicant shall defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the City and/or its agents, officers, and employees from any claim, action, or proceeding against the City and/or its agents, officers, or employees to attack, set aside, void, or annul the approval by the City of this project, and all actions relating thereto, including but not limited to environmental review ("Indemnified Claims"). The City shall promptly notify the applicant of any Indemnified Claim upon being presented with the Indemnified Claim, and City shall fully cooperate in the defense against an Indemnified Claim. 2. The proposed use shall operate consistent with the project description, approved plans, and other supporting documentation submitted with this application unless otherwise conditioned herein. 3. The project shall be forwarded to the Architectural Review Commission to review the project design for consistency with the Community Design Guidelines and the Mixed R 10749 Resolution No. 10749 (2016) Page 4 Use project design standards (Zoning Regulations section 17.08.072). Specific attention shall be given to the compatibility between the adjacent commercial uses and the residential uses. The Architectural Review Commission shall be responsible for taking action on additional project conditions and code requirements as applicable. 4. The mechanical parking lift shall be reviewed by the Architectural Review Commission for compliance with Community Design Guidelines for compatibility with the building and site design. 5. Prior to building plan approval, the applicant shall record an agreement in a form subject to the approval of the City Attorney that runs with the land that mechanical parking systems will be safely operated and maintained in continual operation with the exception of limited periods of maintenance. 6. All regular (non-mechanical lift) parking spaces shall be available for residential tenants, employees and customers free from restrictions. No regular parking spaces shall be individually labeled or allocated. 7. All mechanical lift parking spaces shall be available for all residential tenants. 8. The project shall include 33 parking spaces, 3 motorcycle spaces and 93 required bicycle parking spaces (70 long-term and 23 short-term). 9. The property owner shall be responsible for maintaining and updating the current parking calculation for the commercial component of the project upon the submittal of Planning and Building permits for tenant changes or improvements to ensure the site does not become under -parked. 10. The project shall have a maximum height of 43 feet. The tallest part of the project shall be located along Foothill Boulevard as shown on the submitted project plans. Any alterations increasing the proposed height or the location of the height on the site will require a modification to the use permit. 11. Plans submitted for building permit review shall show the location of all 93 required bicycle parking spaces (70 long-term and 23 short-term) and include product sheets of the proposed bike racks to be used. All bicycle parking spaces included as part of the project shall comply with City's Municipal Code Section 17.16.060, Table 6.5 and the Community Design Guidelines Section 6.3.F. Transportation 12. Consistent with the City's Bicycle Transportation Plan, the project shall install a bike box on Chorro Street, south of Foothill Boulevard. Building plans shall include the layout and design of the bike box and right turn lane according to design guidance within the NACTO Urban Bikeway Design Guidelines and design shall be reviewed and approved by City Transportation & Engineering Division prior to installation. The installation may require modifications to the existing pedestrian refuge island. R 10749 Resolution No. 10749 (2016) Page 5 13. In regards to the bus turnout and facilities, project plans submitted for the building permit shall be consistent with the plans submitted for the use permit. 14. The applicant shall record a public access easement along the Foothill Boulevard frontage of the project which also allows the City to place and maintain bus facilities such as benches, signs, maps, etc. On motion of Council Member Christianson, seconded by Council Member Rivoire and on the following roll call vote: AYES: Council Members Christianson and Rivoire, Vice Mayor Carpenter and Mayor Marx NOES: Ashbaugh ABSENT: None The foregoing resolution was adopted this 181h day of October 2016. Mayor . 1l Marx ATTEST: 1 �-04J, Carrie Gallagher City Clerk APPROVED AS TO FORM: R 10749 Resolution No. 10749 (2016) Page 6 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of the City of San Luis Obispo, California, this (Qt' h day of �ic,� _ r , -am-1 [-f . 0 Lvvt"-&UA�� Carrie Gallagher City Clerk R 10749