5-18-2021 AGENDA ITEM NO.3 - CONSIDERATION OF SECOND READING AND ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO.2482 - ZONE CHANGE NO.20-02, ADOPTING THE WALNUT GROVE SPECIFIC PLAN (SP-30)AGENDA ITEM NO.3
AGENDA STAFF REPORT
City of West Covina I Office of the City Manager
DATE: May 18, 2021
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: David Carmany
City Manager
SUBJECT: CONSIDERATION OF SECOND READING AND ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 2482
- ZONE CHANGE NO.20-02, ADOPTING THE WALNUT GROVE SPECIFIC PLAN (SP-30)
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council adopt the following ordinance:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA,
APPROVING ZONE CHANGE NO.20-02 AND ADOPTING THE WALNUT GROVE SPECIFIC
PLAN (SP-30)
BACKGROUND:
Request for the Zone Change No. 20-02 (Ordinance No. 2482) to change the zoning designation for 1651 E,
Rowland Avenue from Single -Family Residential (R-1) to the Walnut Grove Specific Plan (SP-30) was processed
with an application package involving the following entitlements:
• Precise Plan to allow the development of the site.
• Tentative Tract Map to allow for the condominium subdivision of airspace rights.
• Tree Removal Permit for the removal of nine (9) significant trees.
• General Plan Amendment to change the land -use designation to Neighborhood Medium to allow up to 20
residential units per acre.
The project involved a request to demolish all existing school buildings/uses on the site and construct 158
residential condominium units (66 two-story single-family residential style detached units: ranging from 1,471 sq.
ft. to 1,798 sq. ft. and 92 attached three-story townhome style units: ranging from 1,310 sq. ft. to 1,721 sq. ft.),
internal drive aisles, common open space, guest parking spaces, and other associated incidental improvements on a
9.14 acre site.
The project was reviewed by the Planning Commission on March 9 and March 23, 2021. The Planning Commission
voted 3-2 to recommend that the City Council approve the project.
The City Council held a public hearing on May 4, 2021 and voted 4-1 to approve the project, which included the
introduction of the Ordinance.
DISCUSSION:
This Ordinance was first introduced at the May 4, 2021, City Council meeting. The purpose of Ordinance No. 2482
is to change the zoning of 1651 E. Rowland Avenue from Single -Family Residential (R-1) to the Walnut Grove
Specific Plan (SP-30). The Specific Plan provides standards for the development of a 158-unit multifamily
residential development consisting of 66 two-story single-family residential style detached units and 92 attached
three-story townhome units.
The Ordinance will take effect on the 31 st day after its adoption, which is on or about June 18, 2021.
LEGAL REVIEW:
The City Attorney's Office has reviewed the ordinance and approved it as to form.
OPTIONS:
The City Council has the following options:
1. Conduct the second reading and adopt Ordinance No. 2482; or
2. Provide alternative direction
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
Pursuant to the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), a Mitigated Negative
Declaration of Environmental Impact was prepared and adopted by the City Council on May 4, 2021 (Resolution
No. 2021-28).
Prepared by: Jo -Anne Burns, Planning Manager
Attachments
Attachment No. 1 - Ordinance No. 2482
CITY COUNCIL GOALS & OBJECTIVES: Enhance the City Image and Effectiveness
ATTACHMENT NO.1
ORDINANCE NO. 2482
AN ORDINANCEOF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING ZONE
CHANGE NO. 20-02 AND ADOPTING THE WALNUT
GROVE SPECIFIC PLAN
WHEREAS, there was filed with this City a verified application on the forms prescribed
in Section 26-153 and 26-199 of the West Covina Municipal Code, for the following
reclassification:
From Single -Family Residential (R-1) to a Specific Plan
on that certain property generally described as follows:
Assessor's Parcel Number 8442-018-900 in the records ofthe Los Angeles County Assessor;
and
WHEREAS, local governments are authorized by Government Code section 65450 et seq.,
to prepare specific plans for the systematic implementation of the general plan; and
WHEREAS, the Specific Plan implements the policies of the General Plan by providing
an orderly, functional and compatible land use pattern; and
WHEREAS, consistent with the request, the applicant has also requested a General Plan
Amendment (No. 20-01) to amend the designation of the Land Use Element on the subject property
from "Civic: School" to "Neighborhood Medium;" and
WHEREAS, consistent with this request, said zone change application is requested to
allow for the adoption of a new Specific Plan known as "Specific Plan-30: Walnut Grove Specific
Plari'; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Connivssion, upon giving the required notice, did on March 9,
2021 and March 23, 2021, conduct duly noticed public hearings to consider said application and
did give all persons interested therein an opportunity to be heard, and voted to recommend the City
Council's approval of the above stated application; and
WHEREAS, the City Council upon giving the required notice, did on May 4, 2021,
conduct a duly noticed public hearing to consider the zone change application; and
WHEREAS, studies and investigations made by the City Council and on its behalf reveal
the following:
1. The project consists of a specific plan intended to allow for and guide the
development of a 158-unit multifamily condominium complex and provide a
detailed description of proposed infrastructure and development standards.
2. The project includes a general plan amendment requesting to amend the land use
designation of the property located at 1651 E. Rowland Avenue (former Pioneer
School) from "Civic: Schools" to "Neighborhood Medium" to allow for
development to occur as indicated by the Specific Plan
3. The project includes a Tentative Tract Map to allow for the condominium
subdivision of air rights.
4. The project includes a precise plan to demolish all existing school bu$dings/uses
on the site and construct 158 residential condominium units (66 two-story single-
family residential style detached units: ranging from 1,471 sq. ft. to 1,798 sq. ft.
and 92 attached three-story townhome style wets: ranging from 1,310 sq. ft. to
1,721 sq. ft.), internal drive aisles, common open space, guest parking spaces, and
other associated incidental improvements on a 9.14 acre site.
5. The project includes a tree removal permit to remove nine (9) significant trees on
the site (5 Oak trees, 2 Maple trees, and 2 Bottle Brush trees).
6. Pursuant to the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
of 1970, a MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL
IMPACT has been prepared indicating the project will not have a significant effect
on the environment.
NOW THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST COVINA,
CALIFORNIA, DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Based on the evidence presented, Zone Change No. 20-02 is found to be
consistent with the City's General Plan (as amended) and the land uses permitted within said zone
classification
SECTION 2. The City Council does hereby approve Zone Change No. 20-02, adopting
"Specific Plan-30: Walnut Grove Specific Plan" and changing the caning designation for subject
property as set forth on Exhibit A and amending the Zoning Map of the City of West Covina.
SECTION 3. The City Clerk shall certify passage of this ordinance and shall cause the
same to be published as required by law.
SECTION 4. This ordinance shall take effect and be in force thirty (30) days from and
after the date of its passage.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED on this 18th day of May, 2021.
APPROVED AS TO FORM
Thomas P. Duarte
City Attorney
Letty Lopez-Viado
Mayor
ATTEST
Lisa Sherrick
Assistant City Clerk
I, LISA SBERRICK, Assistant City Clerk of the City of West Covina, California, do
hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution No. 2482 was introduced at a regular meeting of the
City Council held on the 4th day of May, 2021, and adopted at a regular meeting of the City
Council held on the 18th day of May, 2021, by the following vote of the City Council:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Lisa Sherrick
Assistant City Clerk
EXHIBIT A
Subject Property; R-1
1651 E. Rowland Avenue
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E ROW'LAND ANTNUF, i ■ ■N ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
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Indicates the area to bechangedfrom "Single -Family Residential"(R-1)to
"Specific Plan-30: Walnut Grove Specific Plan"