Resolution-PC 2015-083RESOLUTION NO. PC2015-083
A RESOLUTION OF THE ANAHEIM CITY PLANNING COMMISSION
RECOMMENDING THAT THE ANAHEIM CITY COUNCIL
CERTIFY FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT NO. 2013-00348 AND ADOPT
FINDINGS AND A STATEMENT OF OVERRIDING CONSIDERATIONS, MITIGATION
MONITORING PROGRAM NO. 312 AND
A WATER SUPPLY ASSESSMENT FOR
THE ANAHEIM CANYON SPECIFIC PLAN AND RELATED ACTIONS
(DEV2011-00125)
WHEREAS, the Anaheim Canyon encompasses approximately 2,600 acres in the
northern portion of the City of Anaheim, roughly bounded on the north by Orangethorpe Avenue, on
the south by the Santa Ana River, on the east by Imperial Highway (SR -90), and on the west by the
Orange Freeway (SR -57); and
WHEREAS, in 1989, the Anaheim City Council approved the PacifiCenter Anaheim
Specific Plan No. 88-3 (the "SP 88-3 Specific Plan") together with zoning and development standards
applicable to the SP 88-3 Specific Plan area that are set forth in Chapter 18.106 (PacifiCenter Anaheim
Specific Plan No. 88-3 (SP88-3) Zoning and Development Standards) (the "SP 88-3 Zone") of the
Anaheim Municipal Code (the "Code") to guide development of a mixed use center that would include
offices, retail, restaurants and a hotel with supporting services to encourage transit use and facilitate
business operations on approximately 26 acres, located south of La Palma Avenue, west of Tustin
Avenue, north of the Riverside Freeway (SR -91) and east of the Metrolink rail line; and
WHEREAS, in 1995, the Anaheim City Council approved the Northeast Area Specific
Plan No. 94-1 (the "SP94-1 Specific Plan") together with zoning and development standards applicable
to the SP 94-1 Specific Plan area that are set forth in Chapter 18.120 (Northeast Area Specific Plan No.
94-1(SP94-1) Zoning and Development Standards) (the "SP 94-1 Zone") of the Code to provide for a
wide variety of industrial and commercial uses within an area generally consistent with the Anaheim
Canyon, excluding properties within the SP88-3 Specific Plan area; and
WHEREAS, in 2011, the City of Anaheim was awarded a grant from the California
Strategic Growth Council to prepare a Specific Plan for Anaheim Canyon to replace the development
requirements of the existing zoning on the properties in this area, remove regulatory obstacles to the
reuse of existing structures, promote infill development of currently vacant or underutilized properties,
encourage sustainable development, and create a business environment attractive to a wide variety of
industries; and
WHEREAS, staff has initiated the preparation of a proposed Specific Plan for the
establishment of the Anaheim Canyon Specific Plan Area in the form presented to this Planning
Commission; and
WHEREAS, staff determined that several properties outside of the SP94-1 Specific Plan
Area should also be included within the boundaries of the proposed Anaheim Canyon Specific Plan
Area because they have uses that are similar to the uses on adjacent properties within the SP94-1
Specific Plan Area, which additional properties include commercial properties located east of SR -90,
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properties adjacent to and including the Santa Ana River, and property located southwest of the
intersection of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe rail line and Tustin Avenue, currently designated for
industrial use; and
WHEREAS, there are currently approximately 27.9 million square feet of non-
residential buildings within the boundaries of the proposed Anaheim Canyon Specific Plan Area.
Formation of the Anaheim Canyon Specific Plan Area in accordance with the proposed Specific Plan
would result in the potential to develop an additional 19.6 million square feet of non-residential
building area; and
WHEREAS, there are currently 312 multi -family residential units in the Transit Core
Area (Development Area 4) of the SP94-1 Zone. Formation of the Anaheim Canyon Specific Plan
Area would result in the potential to develop an additional 2,607 multi -family residential units within
Development Area 3: Transit -Oriented Area of the proposed Anaheim Canyon Specific Plan; and
WHEREAS, a series of actions is required to establish a Specific Plan for the Anaheim
Canyon Specific Plan Area (collectively, the "Project Actions"), including:
1. General Plan Amendment No. 2014-00492 to amend the Land Use, Circulation,
Green, Economic Development and Community Design Elements of the General Plan of the City of
Anaheim to be consistent with the proposed Anaheim Canyon Specific Plan No. 2015-01; and
2. Specific Plan Amendment No. 2014-00065 to rescind PacifiCenter Anaheim
Specific Plan No. 88-3 and Northeast Area Specific Plan No. 94-1 and adopt the Anaheim Canyon
Specific Plan No. 2015-1; and
3. Zoning Code Amendment No. 2014-00115 to amend Title 18 (Zoning) of the
Anaheim Municipal Code to (a) rescind Chapter 18.106 (PacifiCenter Anaheim Specific Plan No. 88-3
(SP 88-3) Zoning and Development Standards) and Chapter 18.120 (Northeast Area Specific Plan No.
94-1 (SP 94-1) Zoning and Development Standards), (b) adopt Chapter 18.120 (Anaheim Canyon
Specific Plan No. 2015-01 (SP 2015-01) Zoning and Development Standards), and (c) amend other
portions of the Anaheim Municipal Code to be consistent with the addition of said new Chapter
18.120; and
4. Reclassification No. 2014-00262 to apply the zoning and development standards of
the proposed new Chapter 18.120 (Anaheim Canyon Specific Plan No. 2015-01 (SP 2015-01) Zoning
and Development Standards) to those properties within the Anaheim Canyon Specific Plan Area that
are currently classified under the SP 88-3 Zone, the SP 94-1 Zone, the "I" Industrial Zone, the "C -G"
General Commercial Zone, the "T" Transition Zone, and the Scenic Corridor (SC) Overlay Zone.
WHEREAS, pursuant to and in accordance with the provisions of the California
Environmental Quality Act (Public Resources Code Section 21000 et seq.; herein referred to as
"CEQA"), the State of California Guidelines for Implementation of the California Environmental
Quality Act (herein referred to as the "CEQA Guidelines"), and the City's Local CEQA Procedure
Manual, the City is the "lead agency" for the preparation and consideration of environmental
documents for the Proposed Actions; and
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WHEREAS, in September 2013, City Council approved a contract with Placeworks
(formerly The Planning Center DC&E) to prepare Environmental Impact Report No. 2013-00348
("EIR No. 348") for the Proposed Actions; and
WHEREAS, a Notice of Preparation ("NOP") for Draft EIR No. 348 was distributed to
the public on October 28, 2013. The public review period for the initial study ended on November 27,
2013. The City held a public scoping meeting on November 12, 2013 to provide members of the public
with an opportunity to learn about the Proposed Actions, ask questions and provide comments about
the scope and content of the information to be addressed in Draft EIR No. 348; and
WHEREAS, Draft EIR No. 348 was made available for a 45 -day public review period
from May 28, 2015 to July 13, 2015. The Notice of Availability ("NOA"), which also included
noticing for the Planning Commission public hearing and a tentative date for the City Council public
hearing, was sent to a list of interested persons, agencies and organizations, as well as property owners
within the proposed Anaheim Canyon Specific Plan Area and within a 300 -foot radius thereof. The
Notice of Completion ("NOC") was sent to the State Clearinghouse in Sacramento for distribution to
public agencies. The NOA was posted at the Orange County Clerk -Recorder's office on May 28,
2015. Copies of Draft EIR No. 348 were made available for public review at the City of Anaheim
Planning Department and has been available for download via the City's website; and,
WHEREAS, in accordance with California Water Code Section 10910, Draft EIR No.
348 includes a Water Supply Assessment ("WSA") dated October 2014 as Appendix J, which
concludes that a sufficient water supply and its reliability is and will be available for the Anaheim
Canyon Specific Plan Area; and
WHEREAS, in conformance with the requirements of CEQA, the CEQA Guidelines
and the City's Local CEQA Procedure Manual, the City will prepare or cause to be prepared prior to
the City Council Public Hearing to consider the Planning Commission's recommendations and the
Proposed Actions, tentatively scheduled for September 15, 2015, Findings and Statement of
Overriding Considerations and Mitigation Monitoring Program No. 312 relating to EIR No.348; and
WHEREAS, in conformance with Sections 15132 and 15362(b) of the CEQA
Guidelines, Final EIR No. 348 will consist of Draft EIR No. 348; comments and recommendations
received on Draft EIR No. 348 either verbatim or in summary; a list of persons, organizations and
public agencies that submitted comments on Draft EIR No. 348; and the responses of the City, as lead
agency, to significant points raised in the review and consultation process; and Mitigation Monitoring
Program No. 312; and
WHEREAS, on August 24, 2015, the Planning Commission of the City of Anaheim
(hereinafter referred to as "Planning Commission") did hold a public hearing, which was continued to
October 5, 2015 and, due to a lack of a quorum on that date, continued to October 19, 2015, notice of
said public hearing having been duly given as required by law and in accordance with the provisions of
Chapter 18.60 of the Code, to hear and consider evidence and testimony concerning the contents and
sufficiency of Draft EIR No. 348 and for and against the Project Actions, and to investigate and make
findings in connection therewith; and
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WHEREAS, at said public hearing, the Planning Commission did receive evidence and
reports, including all written and verbal comments received during the 45 -day public review period,
concerning the contents and sufficiency of Draft EIR No. 348; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission, based on the information and evidence received
concerning EIR No. 348, does hereby find and determine as follows:
• Draft EIR No. 348 has been presented to and independently reviewed and
considered by the Planning Commission;
• Draft EIR No. 2008-00340 reflects the independent judgment and analysis of the
Planning Commission;
• Draft EIR No. 348 has been processed and completed in compliance with the
requirements of CEQA, the CEQA Guidelines and the City's Local CEQA
Procedure Manual; and
• Draft EIR No. 348 is adequate to serve as the environmental documentation for
the Project Actions.
WHEREAS, to the extent authorized by law, the City desires and intends to use Draft
EIR No. 348 as the environmental documentation required by CEQA, the CEQA Guidelines and the
City's Local CEQA Procedure Manual for the Project Actions; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Planning Commission has reviewed
and considered the environmental information contained in Draft EIR No. 348 and does hereby
recommend that the City Council find that Final EIR No. 348 provides an adequate assessment of the
potentially significant environmental impacts of the Project Actions and certify EIR No. 348, including
the adoption of Findings and a Statement of Overriding Considerations and Mitigation Monitoring
Program 312, and determine that Draft EIR No. 348 fully complies with CEQA, the CEQA Guidelines
and the City's Local CEQA Procedure Manual, and is adequate to serve as the environmental
documentation for the Project Actions.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Planning Commission recommends that the
City Council approve and adopt the WSA.
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THE FOREGOING RESOLUTION was adopted at the Planning Commission meeting
of October 19, 2015. Said resolution is subject to the appeal provisions set forth in Chapter 18.60
(Procedures) of the Anaheim Municipal Code pertaining to appeal procedures.
CHA AN, PLANNING COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF ANAHEIM
ATTEST:
SECRETARY, PLANNING COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF ANAHEIM
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF ORANGE ) ss.
CITY OF ANAHEIM )
I, Eleanor Morris, Secretary of the Planning Commission of the City of Anaheim, do
hereby certify that the foregoing resolution was passed and adopted at a meeting of the Planning
Commission of the City of Anaheim held on October 19, 2015, by the following vote of the members
thereof:
AYES: COMMISSIONERS: CALDWELL, HENNINGER, LIEBERMAN, RAMIREZ,
SEYMOUR
NOES: COMMISSIONERS: NONE
ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: BOSTWICK, DALATI
111711-v2/TJR
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 19`h day of October, 2015.
, Z6'.. = � , V- '-/ "
SECRETARY, PLANNING COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF ANAHEIM
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