HomeMy WebLinkAbout21 - NB-5 - Selection of City Council Subcommittee - 12/17/20191
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
MEETING DATE: NOVEMBER 5, 2019 ITEM NUMBER: NB-5
SUBJECT: SELECTION OF CITY COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEE FOR ONE METRO
WEST PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT
DATE: DECEMBER 17, 2019
FROM: PLANNING DIVISION/DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT
PRESENTATION
BY:
BARRY CURTIS, DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC AND
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT:
BARRY CURTIS (714) 754-5278
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council create a subcommittee to work directly with
staff regarding the negotiations with the applicant for the One Metro West Project (Rose
Equities) and designate three members of the City Council to serve along with staff as a
negotiation subcommittee. All subcommittee recommendations would need to be
reviewed and approved by the full City Council for final adoption.
BACKGROUND ANALYSIS:
At its March 5, 2019, meeting the City Council directed staff to process a General Plan
Amendment for the development of a 15.23-acre parcel with 1,057 residential units,
6,000 square feet of specialty retail space, a 25,000-square-foot office building, and 1.7
acres of park/open space. Staff, the applicant and their respective consultants have
been processing the proposed project since that time with the project planned for
hearings in the spring of 2020. In all, the proposed project consists of requests for a
General Plan Amendment, Zone Change, Specific Plan, an Environmental Impact
Report (EIR) and a potential Parcel Map. As a component of its request, the applicant
is also proposing a Development Agreement to extend the term of the entitlements for
the project.
Staff is requesting the City Council designate three members of the Council to serve as
a subcommittee. The subcommittee will help negotiate the Development Agreement
terms on behalf of the City with support from the City Manager, City Attorney and
Director of Development Services. The subcommittee will provide the City Council with
regular updates and the City Council will retain sole and final authority to approve or
deny the terms of any proposed Development Agreement.
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The applicant is requesting a Development Agreement for the proposed One Metro
West mixed use project. Through this process, the developer is seeking long-term
security to allow the phased project to proceed beyond the current two years that would
be afforded through the proposed entitlements. For the One Metro West project, the
applicant is requesting a term of 25 years.
In exchange for requested long-term security provided by a Development Agreement,
the City can seek appropriate public benefits through the agreement. Such public
benefits would be negotiated by staff with assistance and direction from the
subcommittee and could include items such as the number and affordability term for
affordable housing units, improvements within the public right-of-way, payments above
and beyond the City’s adopted fees, and additional amenities, to name a few.
PUBLIC NOTICE:
There is no public notice requirement to create a City Council subcommittee.
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION:
Selection of a City Council subcommittee to help negotiate the terms of a Development
Agreement is exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA) in accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3), the “general rule”
exemption, because it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the
activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment.
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED:
The City Council has sole discretion to decide if a Development Agreement is appropriate
and beneficial to the City. The City could request a variety of public benefits or a shorter
agreement duration.
FISCAL REVIEW:
The terms and public benefits are unknown at this time.
LEGAL REVIEW:
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed this agenda report and approves it as to form.
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CITY COUNCIL GOALS & PRIORITIES:
In 2019, the City Council adopted a list of goals and priorities. This project works toward
achieving the following City Council goals and objectives:
Goal 2: Improve our Neighborhoods and Quality of Life.
a) Improve, expand, and add to our neighborhood parks; e) Work to enhance our
overall park and community services system.
Goal 4: Address Housing Shortages and Homelessness.
Improve housing and end homelessness in Costa Mesa using a comprehensive way,
addressing the full continuum of housing needs from crisis-shelter to supportive housing
to affordable to market rate for all.
CONCLUSION:
Staff recommends that the City Council direct staff to initiate negotiations with the
applicant for the One Metro West project (Rose Equities), and designate three
members of the City Council to serve along with staff as a negotiation subcommittee.
Attachments: 1. Vicinity Map
BARRY CURTIS, AICP
Director of Economic and Development
Services
KELLY TELFORD, CPA KIMBERLY HALL BARLOW
Finance Director City Attorney