Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 11a - Huntington Plaza Project Update DATE: March 5, 2024 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council FROM: Jason Kruckeberg, Assistant City Manager/Development Services Director SUBJECT: REPORT, DISCUSSION, AND DIRECTION RELATED TO THE PROGRESS OF THE “HUNTINGTON PLAZA” MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT AT 117-129 E. HUNTINGTON DRIVE AND 124-136 WHEELER AVENUE AND THE RELATED DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT FOR THIS PROJECT CEQA: Not a Project Recommendation: Receive and File SUMMARY The proposed mixed-use development at 117-129 E. Huntington Drive and 124-136 Wheeler Avenue, known as the “Huntington Plaza” mixed-use development (the “Project”), was approved by the City Council on August 18, 2020. The Project included a Development Agreement between the property owner (New World International, LLC), and the City, to ensure public parking was provided to benefit the businesses and visitors of Downtown Arcadia. The purpose of this report is to provide the City Council an update on the progress of this Project. BACKGROUND On August 18, 2020, the City Council approved a mixed-use development project on the subject site, which included 10,200 square feet of commercial space, 139 condominiums, a publicly accessible plaza fronting Huntington Drive, and a single level of subterranean parking. To facilitate the Project, a portion of the alley between Huntington Drive and Wheeler Avenue must be vacated to accommodate the basement parking. An easement for public access will subsequently be granted to maintain surface-level vehicular and pedestrian access through the alley. Furthermore, the Project included a Development Agreement between the City and the Applicant/Property Owner. The Development Agreement allowed for the inclusion of the City-owned public parking lot on Wheeler Avenue as part of the Project, subject to the replacement of 55 public parking spaces within the project boundaries. A parking and access easement agreement was also recorded along with the Development Agreement to facilitate public parking. Huntington Plaza Project March 5, 2024 Page 2 of 3 ANALYSIS Construction plans were submitted to the City’s Building Division for review on May 20, 2021. No Building Permit has been issued to date for the Project. The plans have undergone five rounds of review, and a sixth plan-check is currently in progress. In addition, many of the steps necessary to facilitate the issuance of a building permit have not yet been accomplished, including relocation of public utilities out of the adjacent public alley and the formal vacation of the public alley (requires City Council review). Additionally, the Vesting Tentative Tract Map for the Project has been extended twice, once administratively, and once by the Planning Commission; the Tract Map is now set to expire on August 18, 2024. Development Services Department staff have repeatedly expressed concerns about the Applicant’s slow progress in meetings and in writing (Refer to attached letters dated May 12, 2022, August 18, 2022, and May 12, 2023). This correspondence was provided to the Planning Commission during the hearing to extend the Tract Map, and at that time, it was made clear to the Commission and Applicant that a review of the project was forthcoming; this is that review. To date, significant concerns remain about the ongoing delays and the Applicant’s ability to successfully complete the Project. During this time, the subject property has also created numerous code enforcement issues, with multiple notices of violation and citations for maintenance, graffiti, and safety concerns. There was also a significant fire at 128 Wheeler Avenue, which destroyed the building and damaged the adjacent buildings at 124 and 134 Wheeler Avenue. This fire occurred on October 8, 2022. It took nearly one year for these properties to be demolished, and they have remained a source of concern for Downtown businesses, a public eyesore, and a nuisance to the area. A verbal report will be provided to the City Council at the Council Meeting on March 5, 2024. Representatives of New World International, LLC will be present at the meeting to provide a presentation and answer questions about the state of the Project. ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS The California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) determination was made at project approval by the City Council on August 18, 2020. This review is not considered a project under CEQA. FISCAL IMPACT There is no impact to the City’s budget as a result of receiving and filing this report. Huntington Plaza Project March 5, 2024 Page 3 of 3 RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that the City Council determine that this action does not constitute a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”); and receive and file this report. Attachment No. 1: Letter dated May 12, 2022, detailing Plan Check corrections Attachment No. 2: Letter dated August 18, 2022, detailing delays in process Attachment No. 3: Letter dated May 12, 2023, notice of Planning Commission hearing on Tract Map Extension Attachment No. 1 Attachment No. 2 Attachment No. 3