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HomeMy WebLinkAbout6565 RESOLUTION NO, 6565 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA, APPROVING GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT NO, 05-01 CHANGING THE LAND USE DESIGNATION OF CERTAIN PROPERTY UNDER THE ARCADIA GENERAL PLAN FROM "HORSE RACING" AND "COMMERCIAL" TO "THE SHOPS A T SANTA ANITA PARK SPECIFIC PLAN"; AND MAKING VARIOUS TEXT AMENDMENTS TO THE ARCADIA GENERAL PLAN WITH RESPECT TO THE SHOPS AT SANTA ANITA PARK WHEREAS, local governments are authorized by Government Code Section 65350 et seq. to prepare, adopt and amend general plans; and WHEREAS, in April 2006, Caruso Property Management submitted an application for the following land use entitlements on an approximately 304-acre property more commonly known as Santa Anita Park ("Project Site"): a General Plan Amendment ("GPA") (05-01), along with applications for adoption of The Shops at Santa Anita Park Specific Plan (05-01), Zone Change (05-04), Development Agreement, and Architectural Design Review including the Santa Anita Park Design Guidelines and Sign Program ("Design Review") for the Shops at Santa Anita Park Specific Plan Project (the "Project"), The Project generally consists of (1) an 806,405 square foot ("sf') commercial, retail, and office center, arranged as a new pedestrian-oriented Main Street, to be constructed on the southern parking lot of the Project Site; (2) relocation of the 1938 Saddling Barn to the original 1934 location in the Paddock Gardens to the west of the existing Kingsbury Memorial Fountain, and demolition of the south ticket gates; (3) a 1.4 acre landscaped open space area linking the existing Paddock Gardens with the proposed new comnlercial, retail, and office center; (4) a 3,5 acre water feature located within a 7.5 acre open space area at the southern end of the Project Site; (5) improvements to vehicle and pedestrian access, parking, infrastructure, and other 1 6565 ancillary facilities throughout the Project Site, as well as off site, to support the development, which will result in the demolition of four non-historic structures in the stable area; and (6) a new wireless electric trolley traveling on fixed rails between the expanded Paddock Gardens at the north end of Main Street and the water feature and promenade at the south end of Main Street; and WHEREAS, the proposed GP A as included in the EIR was sent to affected public entities for their review and comment; and WHEREAS, on March 19, 2007, a duly noticed public hearing was held before the Planning Commission on the GPA, along with the other applications identified above, including the Final Environmental Impact Report ("EIR") for the Project, at which time all interested persons were given full opportunity to be heard and to present evidence; and WHEREAS, the proposed GP A and the Project were reviewed and studied in the EIR (the EIR actually studied a somewhat larger proposed project consisting of a proposed commercial, retail and office center of 829,250 square feet), all in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA"), as more fully described below; and WHEREAS, after the public hearing, on March 21, 2007 the Planning Commission adopted Resolution No, 1757 recommending to the City Council approval of General Plan Amendment (05-01), Specific Plan (05-01), Zone Change (05-04), the Development Agreement, and Architectural Design Review for the Shops at Santa Anita Park Project and certification of the EIR, as recommended by the Development Services Department and subject to certain conditions of approval; and 2 6565 WHEREAS, on April 11, 2007, a duly noticed public hearing was held before the City Council on said applications, including the EIR, at which time all interested persons were given full opportunity to be heard and to present evidence; and WHEREAS, all other legal prerequisites to the adoption of this Resolution have occurred, NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA, CALIFORNIA, DOES HEREBY FIND, DETERMINE AND RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1, That the factual data submitted by the Development Services Department in the associated Staff Report and EIR is true and correct. SECTION 2. The City Council finds, based upon the entire record, including all written and oral evidence presented, that for the reasons set forth in attached Exhibit "A", the proposed GPA promotes the goals and objectives of the General Plan and leaves the General Plan compatible, integrated, and internally consistent. SECTION 3, An Environmental Impact Report ("EIR") (State Clearing House No, 2005031131) has been prepared for the proposed GP A and the Project in accordance with CEQA and State CEQA Guidelines, SECTION 4, Based upon the EIR, the administrative record, and all written and oral evidence presented to the City Council, the City Council finds that the environmental impacts of the Project and the GP A are either less than significant, can be mitigated to a level of less than significant through implementation of the mitigation monitoring and reporting program outlined in the EIR, or with respect to those environmental impacts ofthe Project and the GPA that have been found to not be mitigable to a level less than significant, these impacts are identified in the EIR and a Statement of Overriding Considerations has been 3 6565 adopted by the City Council for those impacts which outlines the economic, social, legal, or technological benefits to the community that outweigh those environmental impacts, As discussed in greater detail in the City Council's Resolution 6564 certifying the EIR for the Project, the City Council finds that the EIR is supported by substantial evidence and that it contains a complete, objective, and accurate reporting of the environmental impacts associated with the Project and the GPA and reflects the independent judgment of the City Council. SECTION 5, The City Council further finds and declares that the Project and the GPA comply with CEQA as set forth in Resolution No,6564 for the Proj ect. SECTION 6, That for the foregoing reasons the City Council approves General Plan Amendment (05-01), the text of which is set forth in attached Exhibit "B", for the Shops at Santa Anita Park Project, and amendment to the General Plan Land Use Map as set forth in attached Exhibit "c", SECTION 7, Any and all references to the Simulcast Center in this Resolution or in any Exhibit attached hereto shall be deemed to be not a part of this Resolution, and shall be deemed to constitute typographical errors which may hereafter be corrected by City Staff, SECTION 8, Severability, If any section, subsection, subdivision, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase of this Resolution, or any part thereof, is for any reason held to be unconstitutional or otherwise invalid, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this Resolution or any part thereof. The City Council hereby declares that it would have passed each section, subsection, subdivision, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase thereof, irrespective of the fact that anyone or more sections, subsections, subdivisions, paragraphs, sentences, clauses or phrases be declared unconstitutional or otherwise invalid, 4 6565 SECTION 9, The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this Resolution, Passed, approved and adopted this 17th day of April ,2007, tJ cU-- MayoZ';e City of Arcadia ATTEST: ~<41?- ity Clerk c ~ - APPROVED AS TO FORM: ~(J(~ Stephen p, Deitsch City Attorney 5 6565 EXIDBIT "A" Findinl!:s of General Plan Consistencv for General Plan Amendment 05-01 The Courts in Sequoyah Hills Homeowners Assn, v, City of Oakland (1993) 23 Cal.App.4th 704, 712, 717 and Greenbaum v, City of Los Angeles (1984) 153 Cal. App,3d 391, 406-407 recognized that no project could completely satisfy every single policy or standard stated in a general plan, and that State law imposes no such requirement. Rather, a general plan is a document that tries to accommodate a wide range of competing interests, including those of developers, neighboring homeowners, prospective homebuyers, environmentalists, current and prospective business owners, jobseekers, taxpayers, and providers and recipients of all types of city-provided services, Therefore, as noted in Napa Citizens for Honest Government v, Napa County Board of Supervisors (2001) 91 Cal. App.4th 342, 379- 380, a project will nevertheless be deemed consistent with the general plan, if considering all its aspects, it is compatible with and will not frustrate the general plan's goals and policies, even if it does not satisfy each and every provision of the general plan to the letter. ' Therefore, for the following reasons, and as discussed in the EIR, the General Plan Amendment promotes the goals and objectives of the General Plan, is consistent with the current General Plan and leaves the General Plan compatible, integrated, and internally consistent: I, Community Development ("CD") Chapter: The GP A is integrated and compatible with the Community Development Chapter in that it provides an appropriate orientation and relationship between land uses within and adjacent to the Project Site, and promotes orderly development beyond the Project Site's boundaries for the following reasons: The GPA changes the land use designation of the approximately 304-acre Project Site from Horse Racing and Commercial to Specific Plan to specify the intent that the development of this property will be controlled by a Specific Plan which is being adopted concurrently, in order to comply with the General Plan direction to have a Specific Plan, The GPA also revises language in the approaches section of Chapter 2 regarding future development, community context, commercial uses, urban design, and circulation and parking, to refine the approach and solution to the relevant issues based on the analysis conducted for the Santa Anita Park Specific Plan, 6 6565 A. Economic Vitality of the Santa Anita Park Racetrack. One of the primary goals articulated in the General Plan is the continued economic vitality of the Santa Anita Park Racetrack (the "Park" or "Racetrack") through development of compatible commercial uses, To accomplish this goal, the General Plan has, since the 1996 Update, envisioned the redevelopment of the southern parking lot from surplus parking space into a mixture of commercial uses of "urban intensity" to provide a regional attraction that will draw visitors to the Park and surrounding areas. Additionally, the General Plan acknowledges that the Park and neighboring Westfield Mall are currently separated by fencing and other barriers. The General Plan envisions the development of "functional linkages" between the properties so that patrons of the Mall, Racetrack and Project may walk, bicycle or drive between the properties so that patrons may more freely move between the properties without using the external public roadway system, increasing cross-patronage of each location while reducing traffic impacts, The GPA provides for development of the Project via the adoption and implementation of a Specific Plan, as opposed to the more general "commercial" designation, which will provide special design and development standards consistent with the goals and objectives of the General Plan and which recognize the unique characteristics and needs of this area. The Specific Plan, along with corresponding Zoning Amendments, Development Agreement and Architectural Design Review, and their conditions of approval and mitigation measures, will provide additional development guidelines consistent with the goals and objectives of the General Plan outlined above. While the General Plan also emphasizes Arcadia's identity as a community of homes" and endeavors to protect the integrity and quality of existing residential neighborhoods, the GPA and Project propose to redevelop an existing commercial parking lot upon which no residential uses currently exist (although a portion of the Project Site is zoned "R-l"), Further, as indicated above, the GPA, Specific Plan, and related land use entitlements, conditions of approval, and mitigation measures for the Project will ensure that the Project is compatible in style and scale with the existing primarily residential nature of the community. (GPS CD-I, CD-4 through CD-6, CD-21 through 22; Standards #1,2,4,8-13,17; Draft EIR, Sect. 4.8, pgs, 35-36, 40-44, 83-86, 88-90) For these reasons, the GPA is consistent with the terms of the current General Plan in that it will help to maintain the economic vitality of the Santa 7 6565 Anita Park Racetrack, B. Maintain the Economic and Social Vitality of the Community, The General Plan sets the following Community Development goals: 1, To provide for the retail and commercial service needs of Arcadia residents, 2, To provide appropriate opportumtles for employment generating office uses consistent with the overall character of the community, 3, To reserve adequate land for public and quasi-public services, and to create physical places for Arcadia residents to interact and exchange ideas, and promote the development of a municipal auditorium or performing arts center. 4, To ensure an adequate supply of lands which can generate municipal revenue stream for the City to continue providing residents high quality services, As indicated above, the GP A will facilitate the adoption of a Specific Plan, Zoning Amendment, and related land use entitlements that will provide for the redevelopment of the southern parking lot at the Santa Anita Park into a mixture of commercial uses of "urban intensity" that will significantly expand the retail and commercial opportunities for both residents and visitors to the Park and surrounding areas, The GPA will also permit the development of approximately 25,000 square feet of office uses, Although intended for occupancy by Arcadia Unified School District Employees, this office use would not preclude other employment- generating office projects within the City, Therefore, the GP A would not be in conflict with the current General Plan, The GP A would not remove land previously allocated for public facilities or prohibit redevelopment of these types of uses on other sites, Further, the GPA would facilitate the development of a Project that includes open plazas, pedestrian networks, eating areas, and 7.5 acres of open space area, as well as providing functional linkages between the Westfield Mall, the Project and the Racetrack, Additionally the Project would provide a space for community performing arts, 8 6565 school productions, and local organization meetings, with a seating capacity of approximately 400. All of these amenities will contribute to a vibrant day and evening environment within which Arcadia citizens may interact. The GP A would facilitate a Project governed by a Specific Plan that will serve as a diverse trade area with a mix of fashion retailers, restaurants, and shops, catering to upscale sophisticated patrons in the City and the surrounding area. Total sales from the Project are estimated to exceed $300 Million per year, generating substantial tax revenue for the City, while also providing significant employment opportunities with the City (estimated at 1,300 permanent jobs). For these reasons, the GPA is consistent with the above-referenced Community Development goals of the General Plan and it will help to maintain the economic and social vitality of the community, (GPS CD-3 and CD-16b; Draft EIR, Sect. 4,8, pgs, 41-43) C. Architectural Compatibility with the Racetrack Grandstand, The General Plan contains several approaches for development of the Project Site to maintain architectural compatibility with the existing historical Racetrack Grandstand and to preserve important community views of the Grandstand. However, the General Plan also acknowledges that development to the south of the Grandstand will not be able to preserve unobstructed views of the entire Grandstand structure, Therefore, the General Plan emphasizes that the Grandstand remain "recognizable from key locations along the perimeter of the Racetrack", including the views travelers get from Huntington Drive/Colorado Place, directly east of the Racetrack, as well as views of the unique architecture of the southerly Grandstand face. (General Plan, pgs, 2-17 through 2-19) As such, the General Plan requires any new commercial buildings and structures to respect these views and that the Grandstand remain "recognizable", However, no provision of the General Plan mandates that views of the Grandstand be maintained from any particular location in perpetuity, The GPA is consistent with these General Plan approaches in that it continues to emphasize maintaining the visibility of the Grandstand from Huntington Drive/Colorado Place and Huntington Drive/Centennial Way, The GPA would facilitate a Project that will retain all historical vehicular access points and would provide for pedestrian access points to the Project. Entryways will be improved with decorative walkways, landscaping and signage to create a sense of place for visitors, Fencing and walls will be limited in the Project and will be decorative, appropriately transparent, and 9 6565 employ materials, colors and textures that mmmllze graffiti, glare, heat and reflection. (Standard #6; Draft EIR, Sect. 4,8, pg, 87) Although the GP A will facilitate a Project governed by a Specific Plan that proposes to relocate some of the previous views of the Grandstand, it would ultimately result in increased overall opportunities for individuals to have "up close" experiences in viewing the Grandstand, ensuring the Grandstand's "recognizability" as called for in the General Plan while redeveloping the southern parking lot into a viable commercial project, as also called for in the General Plan, Further, the Project is designed with a "Main Street" concept at a human scale, with varied architecture that is intended to complement the Grandstand's architecture rather than to clash with or obscure it. Additionally, the Project will enhance the economic vitality of Racetrack operations. (GPS CD-16c; Standards #3,5 and 6; Draft EIR, Sect. 4,8, pgs, 38-39,44, 85-87) For these reasons, the GP A is consistent with the approaches and other provisions of the current General Plan in that it will facilitate the development of a Project that will maintain architectural compatibility with the Racetrack Grandstand, D. Open Space and Parks, The General Plan contains policies for preserving the integrity and viability of existing open space areas, as well as providing a system of active and passive parks and open spaces of sufficient size and in appropriate locations to serve the needs ofresidents of all ages, The GPA will not remove any open space, Rather, it will facilitate a Project governed by a Specific Plan that adds 7,5 acres of open space, including a 3,5 acre water feature at the southern end of the Project site and a 1.4 acre landscaped open space area in the northern portion of the Project adjacent to the Paddock Gardens, all of which will be accessible to the public, Further, the water feature will be dedicated for passive use only, There will be no swimming, bathing, wading, boating or fishing in the water feature, The City's existing system of parks and recreational facilities is adequate to serve the Project beyond the open space to be provided, Additionally, all new landscaping shall relate to the overall Site Plan in order to enhance the structures and soften its effect upon the neighborhood, protect views, and protect it from s.un and wind. (GPS CD-29 and FS-31; Standard #17; Draft EIR Sect. 4,8, pgs, 45, 51; 65 and 90) For these reasons, the GP A is consistent with the terms of the current General Plan in that it will facilitate the development of a Project that will increase the amount of open space within the City of Arcadia, 10 6565 II. Municipal Facilities and Services ("FS") Chapter: The GP A is integrated and compatible with the Municipal Facilities and Services Chapter in that it merely provides clarifying language in two respects (Police Services and Traffic) to reflect the reality of development and operation of a Project of this size. The GP A does not conflict with any of the goals and policies set forth in the General Plan with regard to these impacts. A. Police Services. The GP A makes one minor amendment to the last bullet point in the General Plan at Page 2-16. This bullet requires that any development of the southern parking lot provide sufficient on-site security for the Project. The only change made by the GPA is that the on-site security be provided so as to "minimize impacts to" the services of the Arcadia Police Department. The current General Plan language requires security "so as not to impact" the services of the Arcadia Police Department. The change made by the GPA does not fundamentally alter the policy called for in the General Plan, which is crime orevention, not crime elimination, which is an impossibility. The GPA merely acknowledges that a developer cannot ensure sufficient security such that there will be no impact on the Arcadia Police Department. But, a developer can realistically minimize impacts on the Department through prudent security measures, which are required to be implemented through the Specific Plan and related land use entitlements for the Project. The project will mitigate all impacts to the Police Department. B. Traffic/Circulation. The GP A also amends' the General Plan language discussing circulation and parking issues on page 2-20 to indicate that traffic/circulation impacts are to be analyzed and mitigated to the extent feasible. Further, the GPA requires that development should "minimize" adverse traffic impacts of the development on the Methodist Hospital and existing residential neighborhoods. The current language that is amended by the GP A speaks in terms of ensuring "no impact" on traffic. As with Police Services discussed above, the change made by the GPA does not fundamentally alter the policy called for in the General Plan. Rather, the GPA acknowledges that a developer cannot eliminate all traffic impacts while developing a project within the City. Rather, the remainder of the General Plan expresses the need to balance potential growth with neighborhood protection needs and to accommodate traffic. It is clear that the intent of the General Plan is that adverse traffic impacts be minimized, which a developer can realistically do through prudent design, which is required to be implemented through the Specific Plan and related land use entitlements for the Project. Impacts to all intersections located within the City of Arcadia and under 11 6565 the City's sole jurisdiction have been mitigated. (See also, Arcadia City Council Resolution No. 6493) III. Environmental Resources ("ER") Chapter: The GP A does not propose to amend any provisions of the Environmental Resources Chapter of the General Plan. As such, the GP A does not conflict with any of the goals and policies set forth in the General Plan with regard to this Chapter, leaving the General Plan compatible, integrated and internally consistent. IV. Environmental Hazards ("EH") Chapter: The GPA does not propose to amend any provisions of the Environmental Hazards Chapter of the General Plan. As such, the GP A does not conflict with any of the goals and policies set forth in the General Plan with regard to this Chapter, leaving the General Plan compatible, integrated and internally consistent. V. Housinl!: Element: The GPA does not propose to amend any provisions of the Housing Element and the Project does not propose to incorporate any residential housing into its plan. Although the Project Site includes certain property that is, , zoned "R-l", the Project is located in an area of the City that has historically been identified as commercial and horse racing. Further, while the Housing Element identifies several locations within the City that are areas of opportunity for housing production, the Project Site is not so identified. As such, the GP A does not conflict with any of the goals and policies set forth in the General Plan with regard to this Chapter, leaving the General Plan compatible, integrated and internally consistent. 12 6565 EXHIBIT "B" Text of General Plan Amendment [attached behind this page] 13 6565 2.0 Community Development Table 2-A - City General Plan Land Use Designations Planned Maximum City Sphere land Use Desll::matlon Intensity Acreage Acreage Multiple Family (MFR - 24) - Provides Up to 24 dulac 363.6 26.0 for a range of mid to high density housing types and sizes with the intent of providing incentives for affordable housing within a neighborhood context. Appropriate uses include single and multiple family residences ranging from duplexes to 22 units per acre or 24 units per acre if provisions for affordable housing are met. Senior housing projects on sites of Y. acre or more may be permitted with a density of up to 30 units per acre. CommercIal Land Uses 0.50 FAR', including 310.40 26.9 the Westfield Shopping Commercial (C) - Provides appropriate Center; up to 50 dulac located areas for the general commercial for market rate senior and professional office needs of the area housing projects, and residents, workers and visitors. up to 63 dulac for Appropriate uses include a range of affordable_senior common retail and personal service housing projects as uses, specialty retail, offices, auto related defined by the uses, financial institutions and hotels and California Government motels. Code! Specific Plan - Santa Anita (SP-SA) - . 304.350 Provides for the adoption of a specific 0.30 FAR for the plan that regulates uses and development of the development of the 304.35 acre Santa southerly racetrack Anita Park racetrack property to pennit a parking lot. Existing commercial development in the southerly seating and infield racetrack parl<ing lot and related capacity for the infrastructure and circulation together racetrack area. S with the ongoing use of the Santa Anita Park race track for horse racing and related activities and a simulcast center. Appropriate uses for the racetrack area include stabling and training of race and show horses, horse racing, parimutuel waoerina on horse racina, horse shows . 1 Floor Area Ratio (FAR). This represents the maximum non-residential building square footage that may be permitted. FAR is based on net square footage and is measured by dividing building square footage by net lot area existing prior to development. 2 Amended by CC Res. 6326 adopted 10/15/02 3 Amended by CC Res. 6565 ARCADIA GENERAL PLAN 2.11 September 3, 1996-(R~. 61<1tfJ2 6305) (ReIJ. 411103 (347) (Rev. xu, nu) and equestrian events, aAQ.-special events and other existing activities that will remain in accordance with the provisiol)s of the S-1 Zone. Appropriate commercial uses for the commercial area Include a range of common and specialty retail and personal service as well as entertainment uses, as provided for in the Santa Anita Park Soecific Plan.3 Mixed Uses 0.50 FAR for mixed 15.3 uses, and up to 22 CommerciaVMu/tiple Family (MU -C1MF) dulac, + 25%.density - Provides opportunities for development bonus for affordable of commercial and residential mixed use family housing projects projects close to local services and as defined by the facilities and which foster the use of California Government alternative modes of circulation such as Code; up to 50 dulac pedestrian or bicycles. Commercial uses for market rate senior allowed within this designation are housing projects, and intended to service the needs of the local up to 63 dulac for. residents as well as promote community affordable senior interactiOn. Appropriate uses include housing projects as medium to high density residential, defined by the medical and professional offices, retail California Government commercial and personal services Code.2 CONTINUED ON PAGE 2-13 3 Amended by CC Res. 6565 3 Amended by CC Res. 6565 3 Amended by CC Res. 6565 2 Amended by CC Res. 6347 adopted 4/1/03 ARCADIA GENERAL PLAN 2.12A September 3, 1996 - (Rnr. 6/41(16305) (Rw. 41JIOJ 6341) 2.0 Community Developm~nL_ . -q-- I Land Use Transitions The Arcadia General Plan projects land use patterns well into the future, and it plans for an increase in the intensity of development. Key to this approach are four areas which are currently undergoing transition or possess opportunities for transitioning in the future. These areas; which are shown in FigUre 2-4, include the following: . Santa Anita Race Track . . Downtown Residential District . Mixed Use Area along Santa Clara Street and Huntington Drive . Industrial Area along Lower Azusa Road. Santa Anita Race Track / ..~ The Santa Anita racetrack is a key community feature, and an important component of Arcadia's character. The retention of live horse racing at this facility, and the ongoing economic vitality of the racetrack are also critical to Arcadia's future fiscal health. Over the past ten years, there has been a reduction in attendance at the Santa Anita racetrack, largely due to the advent of off-track wagering facilities and a long-term downturn in the racing industry. As a result, it is no longer necessary to reserve both of the racetrack's large open parking areas exclusively for racetrack event parking. The combination of dwindling attendance and the potential availability ofa portion of the race track's parking areas for other uses has given rise to much community discussion regarding the positives and negatives of pennitting additional uses within the race track's parking area. It is Arcadia's long-term vision to retain live horse racing at the Santa Anita racetrack and to preserve the existing grandstand structure. There also exists the opportunity to create a development or urban intensity in the race track's southerly parking lot which recognizes the unique attributes of the race track to the north and the Santa Anita Fashion Park mall to the west, and to cultivate this unique combination of regional attractions into a cohesive center. It is the intent of the General Plan to ensure that new commercial development within the southerly race track parking area is respectful of Arcadia's existing community character, one of well preserved, peaceful and safe residential neighborhoods. Because future development within the southerly racetrack parking lot has the potential for impacting the community, future development must be gUided by a specific plan process that balances competing policies and addresses the following needs: . Achieving land use compal1bility with, and a logical physical relationship to the adjacent Santa Anita Fashion Park and residential uses. ARCADIA GENERAL PLAN 2-14 Stptembu 3,1996 - (Rev. 12//0101- Res. /6&1) (Rev. date-Ru.X:1:x) 2.0 Community Developm~~t . Retaining the ability of area roadways to maintain Level of Service D (Level of Service C on local residential streets), as outlined in the Municipal Services and Facilities Chapter of the General Plan. . Providing sufficient on-site parking so as not to exacerbate existing problems of racetrack patrons parking offsite within nearby residential neighborhoods. . Maintaining architectural compatibility with the existing racetrack grandstands. . Maintaining the visibility of the racetrack grandstands from locations along Huntington Drive (Huntington DrivelColorado Place and Huntington Drive/Centennial Street) and providing new and pedestrian-scaled views of the existing racetrack grandstand from within the new development. . Foster the successful continued operations of the Santa Anita Park racetrack by attracting new visitors to the property. . Providing sufficient on-site security so as to minimize impacts to the services of the Arcadia Police Department. The purpose of designating the area south of the race' track grandstands as a Specific Plan (SP) area, is to assist in facilitating free market forces to introduce new, compatible commercial uses with comptementary market segments to the existing mall, downtown area and ,other commercial areas within the City. Overall, the Specific Plan designation of the southerly racetrack parking lot is intended to assist in achieving the City's Mission and the related economic development and public infrastructure goals that are included in the Mission Statement. Specific Plans are a significant planning tool and provide a means of achieving adequate development flexibility for innovation in building types, land use mixes, site design and development concepts. By reinforcing the need for the Specific Plan to establish linkages between new uses and existing ones, and between the racetrack and mall, the General Plan also seeks to create a synergistic economic relationship between the malJ, racetrack and new commercial uses in the racetrack's southerly parking area. New developmenfwithin the portion of the racetrack which is designated Specific Plan is to be implemented through a specific plan pursuant to Article 9, Part 9, Division 6 of the Arcadia Municipal Code (commence with Section 9296) adopted by the City, and is to be consistent with the following provisions. Existing Community Context The Santa Anita Race Track is a vital component of the community's identity, its cultural heritage and its economic well-being. Further, it is a bonafide regional destination, drawing visitors from throughout Southern California. The racetrack is one of three major live horse racing venues in Southern California and possesses a distinct cultural heritage and recreational identity. It consists of the grandstands, track, paddock area, stables, other ancilIary buildings, and two large surface parking areas, one to the north and one to the south of the track itself. The southerly surface parking area provides a unique physical opportunity for master planned infill development which builds upon the site's regional identity and central location. Development within the site's southerly parking area needs to be carefully planned so as to avoid or minimize adverse impacts to existing and established neighborhoods and commercial areas within Arcadia. . ARCADIA GENERAL PL4N 2-16 SqJkmbuJ.1996-(Rev. 121J0I01-Ru. 1683) (Rev. M~-R~.Xx:r) 2.0 Community Develo~~n! --- ..' ~~11>'~\ ~.'-~~.".I s; ...., ~i!i!f ~ ,~,:o.!!.!.!.~;."" G SanJa Anita Race Track ~\ -A"i:.~-= 7 j~-- 1/ '.., /h ~CIVIC Race Track -ff.f1 1fN"~ ParkingLol }~~o/ a:/,tt' LEGEND: ~ Race: Trac:k '/ e (hu. Numb." if' I -< ~ ~ i2 ~ Santa Anila FamionParlr: (MaIO ====8 - " . Figure 2-S. Existing Conditions ,~ ~ . ':; Located immediately southwest of the racetrack, the Santa Anita Fashion Park mall is Arcadia's primary retail sales tax gen.erator, consisting of 1.3 minion square feet with four major anchors. It serves Arcadia residents, as well as residents from surroWlding communities. . '1' . ..... ~ ~~ ... f.\"'; Although the racetrack and mall are contiguous to each other, each has a large common boundary, and share a common set of access roadways, there are no common activities' or functional linkages between these two uses. A chain link fence topped with barbed wire currently separates the southerly parking lot of the racetrack from the easterly mall parking area. Another physical separation occurs during horse racing season when the racetrack's Baldwin A venue entry gate at the northerly boWldary of the mall is closed off to the mall. Large arterial roadways separate the race track/mall complex from adjacent uses. These roadways, Baldwin Avenue and Huntington Drive, are wide with landscaped medians and represent the public/private edge for the racetrack and mall. Both the, racetrack and mall are set far back ,from Huntington Drive and Baldwin Avenue, minimizing visual impacts. The location of the racetrack parking areas to the north and south of the racetrack and grandstands has increased the visibility of these features. The unique architectural of the southerly grandstand fa~ade has become an important community landmark. It is important to the role of Santa Anita Park in the commUnity that visual and physical access to its recognizable , grandstands be maintained and enhanced by attracting new visitors to the property as part of the development of the southerly parking lot. These views would be more accessible to the public in a walking environment than they would be when merely driving by the site. ARCADIA GENERAL PLAN 2-17 &p~mher J, 1996 - (Ri!\'. [111M/! - Rei. 1681) (R6v. dm. - Rb. .'6:r) 2.0 Community Development _ 'S; The architectural design of commercial buildings that are introduced to the southerly racetrack parking area needs to be compatible with existing racetrack architectural design and functionally build upon the racetrack's attributes. The mall has a significant setback with a fairly dense landscaped buffer at the roadways' edge, limiting visibility of the mall, particularly from Baldwin Avenue. Of utmost concern to the City is the continued success of the mall and racetrack. Proposed Commercial Uses The area where will occur within the southerly portion of the Santa Anita racetrack is strategically located between an established commercial use (race track) and commercial retail use (mall). The mix of uses within this development area should add to and enhance the range of existing retail in the City and provide uses which can draw from and contribute to existing patronage at the mall and racetrack. The mix of uses and the design of new commercial development should work together to create a place where people can and will WlUlt to come for shopping and enjoyment. A wide range of compatible land uses is desired that will increase the area's retail sales potential by bringing more activity and buyers to the area. Thus, the retail component of new development within the southerly portion of the racetrack should provide a Wlique shopping experience, emphasizing a mix of general retailing and specialty goods. Attracting -a wide variety of sit-down restaurants and other types of eating establishments is important to the success of establishing a functional link between the mall's commercial uses and the racetrack's entertainment identity. A variety of entertainment experiences are desired to support the dominant commercial use of the site and to increase patronage of the area's retail sector without creating a "theme park" or "amusement park." Desirable entertainment uses include both ticketed and non-ticketed venues. Office should, at most, be a minor portion of new development, and be supportive of the overall commercial character of the site. It is Wlderstood that, although market forceswill bring an array of new and Wlique uses to the area, other uses will invariably compete with existing commercial areas in the City. Emphasis should be placed ,upon new uses and uses either having complementary market segments or a different scale and character than those currently existing within the City of Arcadia. Urban Design There are several strong existing attributes that influence the potential new Commercial area's design. At this time, the mall and racetrack are two separate entities with no physical or commercial linkage. Development of new commerCial uses in the southerly portion of the racetrack property represents a potential third major entity in the center of Arcadia. In order to benefit from the locale of the two existing regional attractions, and to maXimize potential economic benefits, new commercial uses should be designed to establish linkages with the two existing major attractions (mall and race track), rather than simply create a third entity in the same area. The intent of such linkages is to facilitate each attraction's ability to draw patronage from, as well as contribute patronage to the other attractions, thereby increasing the success of the mall, racetrack and new commercial development. ARCADIA GENERAL PLAN 2-18 SepwnbuJ, 1996-(Rev. 121J0I01-Re3. J68J) (Rev. dtJte - Ru. ~ ; :~ ':;.;"t '. !. .' ~ .:", 2.0 Community DeveloPlll~~L__ .... .'',' ,~ :::".~""",,~y ~~ New commercial building and structures in the southerly portion of the racetrack property need to respect the architectural and cultural heritage represented by existing racetrack buildings. Because any proposed development would be located closer to Huntington Drive than the existing racetrack structures, potential visual impacts of new development must be . carefully analyzed. An appropriate building setback buffer and/or public edge landscape treatment needs to be provided to minimize potential visual impacts along Huntington Drive, While it is not possible for new development south of the grandstands to preserve unobstructed views of the entire grandstand structure, it is important that to preserve public visual accessibility of the grandstands by both allowing the grandstands to remain recognizable from locations along the perimeter of the race track and providing improved pedestrian and visual access to the race track. Existing views which merit preservation include the views travelers get of the grandstands from Huntington Drive/Colorado Place, directly east of the track (Gate 5) and views of the unique architectural of the southerly grandstand fagade, particularly those of architectural details toward the center and easterly portion of the grandstands as seen from Gate 4 at Centennial Way: Elevations of new commercial buildings visible from Huntington Drive, the race track and the mall should avoid long, uninterrupted planes, using articulated components such as staggered setbacks for different buildings levels, recessed windows, projecting balconies, ,-., arcades, etc. The design of the building facades and loading or service areas visible from the public right of way should be cognizant and respectful of adjacent uses, and the need for establishing viable linkages with the mall and racetrack. The size and design of exterior building and project signage exposed to public roadways for new development within the southerly portion of the race track needs to be compatible with the immediately adjacent architectural, Thus, while signage is important to assist visitors to the site, signs should not be the dominant visual feature of the built environment. '. Landscaping for new commercial development should establish a project identity along the public edge and at the entries, and identify the vehicular roadways, pedestrian walkways, building entries, and plazas, Development of this site should also provide the opportunity to construct an integrated and consistent landScape treatment along Huntington Drive. The General Plan aclrnowledges that new commercial development south of the racetrack grandstands will introduce a new and potentially substantial source of nighttime lighting, Lighting needs to be integrated into project design, and not appear to be tacked on as an "afterthought." Lighting structures need to be in scale with the surrounding buildings, Also, while on-site lighting needs to be bright enough to promote the general safety of new uses, great care must be taken to minimize "spillage" of lighting and glare into nearby residential neighborhoods. ARCADIA GENERAL PLAN 2-19 September 3, 1996-(Rev. 121J0I02-RQ. 164J) (Rtn'. dJJt6.-Ru.Xu:) 2.0 Community DeveloPD1~Il~__. n___'_' "': Circulation and Parking Given the potential intensity of new development south of the racetrack grandstands, new commercial uses could generate a substantial amount of traffic. Because of the key location of the commercial development area, and its proximity to two major traffic generators (race track and mall), if not properly managed, traffic from new commercial development could result in traffic congestion. Traffic resulting from new commercial development needs to be analyzed and mitigated to the extent feasible from both a roadway capacity perspective (both ADT and peak bour), and from a land use compatibility perspective. Thus, new commercial development must not exceed the roadway performance capacity thresholds identifie!i in the Circulation Element. In addition, to the maximum possible extent, commercial traffic needs to be accommodated on existing roadways serving commercial uses. Development should minimize adverse traffic effects of the development on the hospital and existing residential neighborhoods. Because access points are well established and appropriately spaced, the internal circulation system for new development south of the race track grandstands should be connected to existing points of ingress/egress. Because commercial uses are often characterized by significant pedestrian traffic, the internal circulation system of any new commercial project (or increment thereof) needs to assign a high priority to pedestrian movement in terms of ease, safety and legibility. As the result of new development, on-site merging of racetrack related traffic with traffic from new commercial uses and the mall will occur. It is the intent of the General Plan that patrons of the race tack, mall, and new commercial development be able to walk between these uses, and that automobile traffic between these uses not be forced to use the external public roadway system as the only means of access between them. Continued on Page 2-21 ARCADIA GENERAL PLAN 2-20 S~ptvnbu3,1996-(R~. 12/J0I01-RD. 168J) (Rev. dou - ReJ. JW) & ~ . .,,~..!!.!!~,..,. 2.0 Community Develop~~ent --_.._~- I ~ ~ i Sanla Anita Race Track ~~_ ~-= ~ ~/ ~ ~;1'O Santa Anita Potential /./1' . FashIon Park)r r'\Development OJ (Mall) \lilUDDDV A#r<a '1 LEGEND: r I (J~gruJUO I Pol<n!ial linkas. loCAtions A Rail. Track =8 O/" V Gate Numbers Figure 2-6 Area Linkage ... or The General Plan recognizes that, by encouraging development within an 85 acre area south of the racetrack grandstands, a substantial amount of racetrack parking will be diverted from the track's southerly parking area to its northerly parking area on a. daily basis. Because of the proximity of residential neighborhoods north of the race rack, race track-related traffic increases onto 'Colorado Place need to be limited. Thus access to the racetrack parking area needs to continue to be provided from Huntington Drive and Baldwin A venue. At the same time, it is important that the internal circulation system south of the race track efficiently move traffic from parking entries along Baldwin Avenue and Huntington Drive thrOugh or around new commercial development into race track parking areas and that traffic queuing up to enter race . . track parking areas not block entries into the commercial area parking or uses. It is also importaDt that an efficient system of pedestrian access routes connecting mall and commercial parking and uses be provided, and that safe crossings of vehicular access routes are provided. ow ';. .; ....' .) - All requisite parking for new commercial uses must be accommodated on site. The net effect of the physical arrangement of commercial, race track, and mall parking, along with the. pricing structure for commercial and race track parking, must not exacerbate the problem of race track patrons parking off site. ARCADIA GENERAL PLAN 2-21 S~pu,"buJ.I996-(Rev. /1/10IrJ2-Ra. 168J) (Rn. dDt. - Ru. Xu) 2.0 Community DeveloPIll~l1.t_.___~_______ Vitality of the City's Other Commercial Areas CD-I4 Work with businesses, business organizations, and landowners within commercial districts outside of the downtown to facilitate revitalization of these areas and ensure ongoing high levels of property maintenance. CD-IS Encourage the establishment of new businesses within Arcadia which produce retail sales taxes and other sources of muniCipal revenue in excess of costs when such business can be accommodated in a manner consistent with the neighborhood protection, public services and other provisions of this Plan. CD-I6 Promote programs for the expansion and retention of existing businesses within the City. CD~I6a Promote the commercial reuse of key vacant commercial properties within the City through a program of active solicitation of prospective users, particularly in those retail sectors for which the City is underserved and currently experiencing leakage of sales tax dollars, and through the provision of appropriate development incentives. Santa Anita Park Race Track CD-l6b Promote the continued economic viability of the Santa Anita Park race track by providing opportunities for compatible commercial uses which can serve to mcrease patronage through the adoption of the Santa Anita Park Specific Plan for such development. CD-I6c Recognize that the Santa Anita Park racetrack and live horse racing are historically and commercially important to the community, and that the racetrack facility is a significant community feature that is worthy of preservation. Hillside Management CD-I7 Maintain the visual character of hillsides, recogmzmg both the importance of the exposure of hillside development to off-site public views and the importance of providing panoramic views from hillsides. CD-IS Minimize the alteration of existing landforms and maintain the natural topographic characteristics of hillside areas, allowing only the minimal . disruption. CD-19 Protect the natural chai-acter of hillside areas by means of contour grading to blend graded slopes and terraces with the natural topography. ARCADIA GENERAL PLAN 2-37 September). 1996-(Rno. /2/J0I02-Ra. /68J) (Rev. d4te - Ru. Xx:x) . ~ 6.0 Implementation and~~!!i!Q!:!!lg __ .. Table 6-A General Plan Designations Average Population Desienation Descrintion Intensitv Max. Intensitv Commercial Commercial Provides appropriately NA 0.40 FAR for the (C) located areas for the general Fashion Park commercial and professional maIl, and 0.50 office needs of the area FAR for other residL'Dts, workers and properties visitors. Appropriate uses include a range of common retail and personal service uses, specialty retail, offices, auto related uses, financial institutions and hotels and motels Specific Plan - Provides for the adoption of a NA 0.30 FAR for the Santa Anita specific plan that regulates development of (SP-SA) uses and development of the the southerly 304.35 acre Santa Anita Park race track race track property to permit parking lot. a commercial development in Existing seating the southerly race track and infield parking lot and related capacity for the infrastructure and circulation racetrack area. together with ongoing use of . the Santa Anita Park race track for horse racing and related activities and a simulcast center. Appropriate ',. " uses for the racetrack area include stabling and training of race and show horses, horse racing, Darimutuel wagering on horse racing, horse shows and equestrian events, special events and other existing activities that wiIl remain in accordance with the provisions of the S-I Zone. Appropriate commercial uses for the commercial area include a range of common and specialty retail and personal service as weIl as entertainment uses, as ARCADIA GENERAL PLAN 6-3 Stp~3, 1996-(Rev.n.x:rJ 6.0 Implementation andM~!lj!~!!~g_ . ...., provided for in the Santa Anita Park Specific Plan Industrial Industrial (I) Provides for an array of NA 0.45 FAR warehouse, distribution, manufacturing and assembly uses in appropriate locations. Also included are mineral extraction and reclamation activities in areas currently committed to, or in the past, used for mineral extraction. ARCADIA GENERAL PL4N 6-3a Septembu3,l996-(Rev.raz) EXHIBIT "C" Existing and Proposed General Plan Maps [attached behind this page] 14 6565 V"I - JC0J~ tllJl L iC c: c:= ~ , .... . Dc I I' I .::r~frfftf)ttfrtJfftrffr~(~~I(I~~}frfffiI?~::. c .......................................................................... I. ..................................................................................................................................................... [ .::~:}}~:~:}}~{:~:}}~{:~:}~:::~:~:::~:}~{{:~:~:::}~{:~({:~:}~:::~:~:}~:}~:~:}~:~:~:~:~:}~:::. U" I .:::::~:~:~::::I[:::[:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::[::::::I~I[:))j:::::::::t::::::~:::::::~:~:::~::[::::::::~:::::::~::::::[:::::::::::::[:::::~. ~s - . - '/,. - ~ r ... ...... ....... ..... .............. ..j SP-SA ,.. ..... .............. ............... I . IL- ::::::::::::::::::::::{:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::" :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::" '/, I .......................................................................................... Dc J. I , I i . I '1L; I- :::)' ::J\ 1__ -" ............................ IC ........................... ........................... ........................... ...................................................... 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"'" .................................... -................. ~ s . ..:~:::.I:I:!:.:.:.::.I:....I.I!:~III.::I:I!.:.!I:I:I:1::jl.:.!I.:.!.!.:I:I:I:.::::::::i:::::::~::::::::::::::~:::::::::::~::i:::::j::.:::I!.!.!II':.:I:I:I:.:I!.!.I:II:':::::;::~~:::::..~. . i - z z. it] I ~ ...................................................................................................................................................................................... C 1.~{:.::I:j::::!:..::ji::!!li:jl!::::!:.:!:lj:j.:.::i.:j!.!i::~!~:~..lij:i!.i:.I:.i.ili.~.:.:ij::.:.::i:i~i!j.:I:.::::j.:.j:::.i:jj!i~i:::!!::i:.:i!!jjli.:.:.::i!i:'::i:jJ::::" N EC .....:::;:::::;:::;:::::::::::::::::::::::.:.::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: -~ .;::{t:::::::~:i:::::i::!:::: ::i:i:::::::: :':'rr:r:::::::~:::::: . r'(::;::::::~::::!:::!:::::::f::::" W T tl IE s 1- NO SCAlE e e I-- Ie e iE iE lOt LEGEND 1:=::::::::1 HORSE RACING ,:::: :1 COMMERCIAL -' _. t.1 1,1 .. Existing General Plan Land Use Map ST ATE OF CALIFORNIA ) COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) SS: CITY OF ARCADIA ) I, JAMES H. BARROWS, City Clerk of the City of Arcadia, hereby certifies that the foregoing Resolution No. 6565 was passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of Arcadia, signed by the Mayor and attested to by the City Clerk at a continued adjourned regular meeting of said City Council held on the 17th day of April, 2007 and that said Resolution was adopted by the following vote, to wit: A YES: Council Member Amundson, Harbicht, Segal, Wuo and Chandler NOES: None ABSENT: None a :Li'/ '>-;< /~-,~--- ',- <City Clerk of the City of Arcadia 15 - ( l 1'1 O-llPt-f/fO