HomeMy WebLinkAbout3. Vacant Land Sale - Consistency FindingCit ofDowney STAFF REPORT
PLANNING DIVISION
DATE: May 20, 2020
TO: PLANNING COMMISSION
SUBMITTED BY: ALDO E. SCHINDLER, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPME
PREPARED BY: CRYSTAL LANDAVAZO, CITY PLANNER
SUBJECT: GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY FINDING — A REQUEST TO FIND
THAT THE SALE OF CITY -OWNED PROPERTY IS CONSISTENT WITH
THE GENERAL PLAN
LOCATION: NORTHWEST CORNER OF CONGRESSMAN STEVE HORN WAY &
BELLFLOWER BOULEVARD
ZONING: SP 01-1 (DOWNEY LANDING)
REPORT SUMMARY
The City of Downey owns 19.69 acres of vacant land between the Promenade at Downey
shopping center and Bellflower Boulevard. This land is located within the Tierra Luna
Marketplace area of the Downing Landing Specific Plan. As such, the City of Downey has
retained ownership of the property until such time that a buyer was available to develop the site
in accordance with the goals of the Specific Plan. The City has recently been approached by
such a buyer who will purchase and develop 8.76 acres located at the northwest corner of
Congressman Steve Horn Way and Bellflower Boulevard. Prior to the City selling the land,
California Government Code Section 65402(a) requires the Planning Commission to adopt a
finding that the disposal of said property is consistent with the General Plan. Based on the
analysis contained within this report, staff is recommending the Planning Commission adopt the
following titled resolution:
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
DOWNEY FINDING THE DISPOSAL OF REAL PROPERTY LOCATED AT
THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF CONGRESSMAN STEVE HORN WAY &
BELLFLOWER BOULEVARD IS CONSISTENT WITH THE CITY'S ADOPTED
GENERAL PLAN
PC AGENDA PAGE 1
BACKGROUND & ANALYSIS
The subject site is approximately 8.76 acres of vacant land located on the northwest corner of
the intersection at Congressman Steve Horn Way and Bellflower Boulevard adjacent to the
Promenade at Downey shopping center. The City of Downey has retained ownership of said
land until an appropriate buyer was able to purchase and develop the site in accordance with
the goals of the Tierra Luna Marketplace area of the Downey Landing Specific Plan.
Aerial View of Vacant Land
The City of Downey was recently approached by Holdings Downey, LLC and IRG Downey, LLC
with a proposal to purchase 8.76 acres of the City's property. The applicant shares the City's long-
term vision to complete the goals of the Promenade development through development of retail,
office, and hospitality development. The City will now pursue the sale of this land to enable the next
phase of development in the Specific Plan area.
Pursuant to Government Code 65402(a), prior to the City being able to sell the property, the
Planning Commission must find that the sale of the property is consistent with the General Plan.
The sale of this vacant land would be consistent with Goal 9.3 of the Economic Development
Element of the General Plan, which states the City should "Ensure the continued fiscal balance of
the community." The disposition of an excess property will generate revenue for the City and
relieve the City from liabilities and burdens that accompany property management. Additionally, the
sale will be consistent with Program 9.1.1.4 " Promote sites available for development" and
General Plan Consistency — NW Corner of Congressman Steve Horn Way & Bellflower Blvd
May 20, 2020 - Page 2
PC AGENDA PAGE 2
Program 9.1.1.5 "Continue the revitalization of commercial and industrial corridors" because the
site will be available for development as permitted and encouraged by the Tierra Luna Marketplace
land use designation within the Downey Landing Specific Plan.
The General Plan Land Use Element designates the entire Specific Plan area as MU (Mixed Use)
which is intended to allow for development of a variety of uses within close proximity to each other.
The Land Use Element further details that the Downey Landing Specific Plan area, which
encompasses the Tierra Luna Marketplace area, was adopted to promote a variety of uses
throughout the 168 acre area. The City's sale of the 8.67 acre vacant land will make the area
available for development as encouraged by the General Plan.
DEVELOPMENT REVIEW COMMITTEE
The proposed project did not require a review from the Development Review Committee (DRC).
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS
Staff has reviewed the proposed use in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA) Guidelines and determined that it is categorically exempt from CEQA, pursuant to
Guideline Section No. 15312 (Class 12, Surplus Government Property Sales). Categorical
Exemptions are projects which have been exempted from the requirements of CEQA because they
do not have a significant effect on the environment. Class 12 exemptions allow the disposal of
surplus property, such as the subject site.
CONCLUSION
Based on the analysis contained within this report, staff is concluding the sale of the vacant land
located at the northwest corner of the Congressman Steve Horn Way and Bellflower Boulevard
intersection is consistent with the General Plan.
EXHIBITS
A. Draft Resolution
General Plan Consistency — NW Corner of Congressman Steve Horn Way & Bellflower Blvd
May 20, 2020 - Page 3
PC AGENDA PAGE 3
Resolution No. 20 -
Downey Planning Commission
corner of the Congressman Steve Horn Way and Bellflower Boulevard intersection is consistent
with the General Plan.
SECTION 4. The Secretary shall certify the adoption of this Resolution.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 20th day of May 2020
Miguel Duarte, Chairman
City Planning Commission
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing is a true copy of a Resolution adopted by the Planning
Commission of the City of Downey at a regular meeting thereof held on the 20th day of May
2020 by the following vote, to wit:
AYES:
COMMISSIONERS:
NOES:
COMMISSIONERS:
ABSENT:
COMMISSIONERS:
ABSTAIN:
COMMISSIONERS:
Mary Cavanagh, Secretary
City Planning Commission
PC AGENDA PAGE 5