Resolution - 2019-83RESOLUTION NO.2019-83
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST
COVINA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT
NO. 18-02
GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT NO. 18-02
CERTIFICATION OF DRAFT PROGRAM ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT
APPLICANT: Emanate Health (formerly Citrus Valley Health Partners)
LOCATION: 1615 West Merced Avenue
WHEREAS, there was filed with this City a verified application on the forms prescribed
in Chapter 26, Article VI of the West Covina Municipal Code, requesting the redesignation of land
use as set forth in the General Plan from:
"Parks and Open Space" to "Commercial" on that certain property generally described as:
Assessor's Parcel Number 8468-016-910 in the records of the Los Angeles County
Assessor; and
WHEREAS, consistent with this request, the applicant has also requested a zone change
(ZC 17-02) from "Residential 20" to "Specific Plan."; and
WHEREAS, consistent with this request, the applicant has also requested the approval of
a new and updated Queen of the Valley Hospital Specific Plan, which would allow for the
development of up to 1,580,000 Square Feet of Gross Floor Area and up to 525 Hospital Beds;
and
WHEREAS, as the Lead Agency, the City of West Covina is responsible for
implementing a CEQA review of the proposed Project, and to this end, a Program Environmental
Impact Report (EIR) has been prepared pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA) and Public Resources Code Section 21000 et seq.; and
WHEREAS, the CEQA process is intended to inform the public of the potential
environmental effects of government decision and to encourage informed decision -making by
public agencies, and CEQA requires state and local agencies to identify the significant
environmental effects of their actions, and to avoid or mitigate those impacts, if feasible; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to State Law, the City circulated the Notice of Preparation for a
Program FIR for public review through the State Clearinghouse and through direct mailing to
agencies and interested parties, properly noticed the Intent to Prepare a Program EIR in the San
Resolution No. 2019-83
General Plan Amendment No. 18-02
November 5, 2019 - Page 2
Gabriel Valley Tribune newspaper of general circulation in the area, posted at the Los Angeles
County Clerk's Office, and made copies of these documents available at specified locations and
on the City's website; and
WHEREAS, a 30-day public review period for the Notice of Preparation commenced on
October 30, 2018 and ended on November 30, 2018, and all interested individuals and public
agencies were encouraged to submit written comments regarding the information and
determinations in these documents; and
WHEREAS, The City of West Covina, as the Lead Agency, held a Scoping Meeting for
the Queen of the Valley Hospital Specific Plan Program EIR on Thursday, November 15, 2018
at 6:00 PM at the Hospital to receive public input from on environmental issues to be addressed
in the EIR; and
WHEREAS, Pursuant to the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA) of 1970, a Program Environmental Impact Report has been prepared indicating that the
project could have significant effect on the environment, despite implemented mitigation
measures.
WHEREAS, it is a stated policy of the Our Natural Community Chapter of the General
Plan to "Minimize the adverse impacts of growth and development on air quality and climate,"
and
WHEREAS, it is a stated policy of the Our Natural Community Chapter of the General
Plan to "During the review of public and private development projects, analyze potential impacts
to views of natural areas from public streets; parks, trails, and community facilities," and
WHEREAS, it is a stated policy of the Our Well Planned Community Chapter of the
General Plan that "New growth will complete, enhance, and reinforce the form and character of
the unique West Covina neighborhoods, districts, and corridors," and
WHEREAS, it is a stated policy of the Our Well Planned Communities Chapter of the
General Plan to "Direct new growth to downtown area and the corridors. Adapt economically
underused and blighted buildings, consistent with the character of surrounding districts and
neighborhoods, to support new uses that can be more successful. Provide opportunities for
healthy living, commerce, employment, recreation, education, culture, entertainment, civic
engagement, and socializing," and
WHEREAS, it is a stated policy of the Our Well Planned Community Chapter of the
General Plan to "Support the growth of Queen of the Valley Hospital while developing a
unifying vision and code for Sunset Avenue," and
WHEREAS, it is a stated action of the Our Well Planned Community Chapter of the
General Plan to "Partner with Queen of the Valley hospital to develop a Corridor Plan and
Development Code for Sunset Avenue that accommodates future hospital growth in a contextual
marmer with enhancements to Sunset Avenue Corridor," and
Resolution No. 2019-83
General Plan Amendment No. 18-02
November 5, 2019 - Page 3
WHEREAS, it is a stated policy of the Our Accessible Community Chapter of the
General Plan to "Allocate street space equitably among all modes," and
WHEREAS, it is a stated policy of the Our Accessible Community Chapter of the
General Plan to "Take into account the special mobility needs of aging populations," and
WHEREAS, it is a stated policy of the Our Resilient Community Chapter of the General
Plan to "Continue existing beneficial energy conservation programs, including adhering to the
California Energy Code in new construction & major renovations.," and
WHEREAS, it is a stated policy of the Our Resilient Community Chapter of the General
Plan to "Consider incorporating community gardens as part of city parks and recreation planning,
and work with local schools Hurst Ranch, and Queen of the Valley Hospital to facilitate the
development, administration and operation of additional community gardens throughout the
city.," and
WHEREAS, it is a stated policy of the Our Healthy and Safe Community Chapter of the
General Plan to "Promote and support transportation decision that reduce driving and increase
rates of transit use, walking, and biking," and
WHEREAS, it is a stated policy of the Our Healthy and Safe Community Chapter of the
General Plan that "New and renovated buildings should be designed and constructed to improve
the health of the residents, workers, and visitors," and
WHEREAS, it is a stated policy of the Our Healthy and Safe Community Chapter of the
General Plan to "Support and partner with health providers to offer active living activities and
events," and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission, upon giving required notice, did on the 24n' day of
September 2019, conduct a duly advertised public hearing as prescribed by law, at which time the
Planning Commission adopted Resolution No. 19-6005 recommending to the City Council approval
of General Plan Amendment No. 18-02; and
WHEREAS, the City Council considered evidence presented by the Planning
Commission, Planning Department, and other interested parties at a duly advertised public
hearing on the 5"' day of November, 2019; and
WHEREAS, studies and investigations made by this Council and on its behalf reveal
the following facts:
1. The project consists of a general plan amendment requesting to amend the land
use designation of the property located at 1615 West Merced Avenue (former Sunset
Field) from "Parks and Open Space" to "Commercial" to allow for development to occur
as specified by the Queen of the Valley Hospital Specific Plan.
Resolution No. 2019-83
General Plan Amendment No. 18-02
November 5, 2019 - Page 4
2. The project includes a zone change requesting to change the zone of the property
located at 1615 West Merced Avenue (former Sunset Field) from "Residential 20 du/ac"
to "Specific Plan" that will allow future development to occur as indicated by the
Specific Plan.
3. The project includes a specific plan intended to guide the development of the
Queen of the Valley Hospital and provide a detailed description of proposed land uses,
infrastructure, and implementation requirements for future improvements.
4. Pursuant to the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA) of 1970, a Program Environmental Impact Report has been prepared indicating
that the project could have significant effect on the environment, despite implemented
mitigation measures.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of West Covina as
follows:
SECTION NO. 1: The above recitals are true and correct and are incorporated herein as if set
forth herein in full.
SECTION NO. 2: Based on the evidence presented, both oral and documentary, the City
Council approves General Plan Amendment No. 18-02, amending the land use designation for
the subject property as set forth on the Land Use Map of the Land Use Element as depicted on
Exhibit A; and
SECTION NO. 3: The City Council has reviewed and analyzed the EIR and finds that the
documents constituting the EIR are an adequate assessment of the potentially significant
environmental impacts of the proposed project and set forth a range of alternative to this project.
SECTION NO. 4: Should any provision of this Resolution, or its application to any person
or circumstance, be determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unlawful,
unenforceable or otherwise void, that determination shall have no effect on any other provision
of this Resolution or the application of this Resolution to any other person or circumstance and,
to that end, the provisions hereof are severable. The City Council of the City of West Covina
declares that it would have adopted all the provisions of this Resolution that remain valid if any
provisions of this Resolution are declared invalid.
Resolution No. 2019-83
General Plan Amendment No. 18-02
November 5, 2019 - Page 5
PASSED AND ADOPTED this
APPROVY,DAS FORM
/ (!/,'lr Vl i r1
City Attorney
day of 2019.
Lloyd Johns n
Mayor
ATTTfEST J�'
Carrie Gallagher, CMC
Assistant City Clerk
Resolution No. 2019-83
General Plan Amendment No. 18-02
November 5, 2019 - Page 6
I, CARRIE GALLAGHER, ASSISTANT CITY CLERK, custodian of the original records,
which are public records which I maintain custody and control for the City of West
Covina, California, do HEREBY CERTIFY, the foregoing resolution, being Resolution
No. 2019-83 was adopted at a Regular Meeting of the City Council on October 15, 2019,
by the following roll call vote:
AYES:
Castellanos, Lopez-Viado, Shewmaker, Johnson
NOES:
Wu
ABSTAIN:
None
ABSENT:
None
Carrie Gallagher, CMC
Assistant City Clerk