HomeMy WebLinkAbout4. GP Consistency RLASC Sports ComplexSTAFF REPORT
PLANNING DIVISION
DATE: FEBRUARY 17, 2021
TO: PLANNING COMMISSION
SUBMITTED BY: ALDO E. SCHINDLER, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
REVIEWED BY: CRYSTAL LANDAVAZO, CITY PLANNER
PREPARED BY: IRVING ANAYA, ASSOCIATE PLANNER
SUBJECT: PLN-21-00014 (GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY) – A REQUEST TO
FIND THAT THE RANCHO LOS AMIGOS SOUTH CAMPUS SPORTS
CENTER PROJECT IS CONSISTENT WITH THE GENERAL PLAN.
LOCATION: Southeastern Portion of Rancho Los Amigos South Campus
(APN: 6245-016-934)
ZONING: SPECIFIC PLAN 88-1 (Rancho Business Center)
REPORT SUMMARY
The County of Los Angeles has completed the design and planning procedures and now
intends to move forward with plans to redevelop the southeastern five acres of the
Rancho Los Amigos South Campus for recreational purposes. The project has been
titled the “Rancho Los Amigos South Campus Sports Center”.
According to Section 65402(b) of the state’s Planning and Zoning Laws, “A county shall
not construct or authorize a public building or structure within the corporate limits of a
city, if such city has adopted a General Plan, until the location, purpose and extent of
such public building or structure have been submitted to and reported on by the planning
agency having jurisdiction, as to conformity with said adopted general plan or part
thereof.” The County of Los Angeles therefore seeks the Downey Planning
Commission’s determination that it’s proposed Rancho Los Amigos South Campus
Sports Center Project conforms to the Downey General Plan.
BACKGROUND
The City of Downey has been in communication with the County of Los Angeles staff
and former County Supervisor Don Knabe for several years regarding the use of the
Rancho Los Amigos South Campus area for recreational uses. At their November 22,
2016 Board of Supervisor’s meeting, Supervisor Knabe submitted a recommendation
which was approved by the Board; this motion established and approved the Rancho
Los Amigos South Campus Sports Center Project. The Board of Supervisors approved
five acres to be used for recreational purposes within the southeastern portion of the
Rancho Los Amigo South Campus, generally bordered by Erickson Avenue to the west,
PC AGENDA PAGE 1
Rancho Los Amigos South Campus Sports Center Project General Plan Consistency (PLN-21-00014)
February 17, 2021 - Page 2
Bonita Street to the north, St. Pius X - St. Matthias Academy to the east, and
Gardendale Street to the south.
DISCUSSION
The County of Los Angeles proposes the construction and installment of three multi-use
synthetic-turf or grass soccer fields of various sizes to support play of youth through high-school
level competition. The site will accommodate on-site parking and a 2,100 to 3,000 square foot
building for restrooms, concessions, administrative offices, storage, and meeting space. The
site will also preserve two existing structures, one of which is utilized by the Downey Rose Float
Association.
The City is currently developing new land use policies for the Rancho Los Amigos South
Campus area which specifically identifies the southeastern portion of the area as Community
Serving. The proposed Sports Center will provide a community serving recreation use and is
consistent with the planned land use designations of the area as well as various General Plan
goals and policies as described below:
With respect to the Downey General Plan – Vision 2025, the proposed project will implement
several of the Plan’s goals and policies as follows:
Goal 1.1.: Provide sufficient land areas for uses that serve the needs of
residents, visitors, and businesses.
Policy 1.1.1.: Maintain a balance of land uses.
Program 1.1.1.2.: Monitor land uses to retain the balance of land uses.
The proposed construction and installation of the Rancho Los Amigos South Campus Sports
Center will support a balanced land use in the City of Downey by increasing additional open
space to better serve the recreational needs of residents and visitors. The subject site is also
surrounded by different land uses including single-family residential to the south, an educational
institution to the east, and future County facilities as part of the Rancho Los Amigos South
Campus Project.
Policy 1.1.5.: Provide an appropriate amount of land area for recreation and
entertainment.
Program 1.1.5.3.: Promote recreation and entertainment uses that serve needs of the
public.
As previously stated, the five-acre project is designed to provide open space to better serve the
recreational and entertainment needs of the public. Specifically, the new sports center will
include multi-use soccer fields of various sizes to accommodate for different sports. Additionally,
the project includes the construction of a facility to house restrooms, concessions,
administrative offices and storage and meeting space, while preserving an existing building
utilized by the Downey Rose Float Association.
Goal 1.2.: Advance livable community concepts.
Policy 1.2.1.: Promote livable communities concepts that allow flexibility in
addressing land use needs.
Program 1.2.1.1.: Promote project designs that reduce dependency on vehicles and
promote pedestrian, transit, and alternate modes of travel.
PC AGENDA PAGE 2
Rancho Los Amigos South Campus Sports Center Project General Plan Consistency (PLN-21-00014)
February 17, 2021 - Page 3
As part of the Rancho Los Amigos South Campus Project, a new Metro transit station is
proposed northwest of Gardendale Street, east of Laurel Street. The new station will promote a
new Transit Oriented Development (TOD) and provide alternative modes of transportation to the
proposed sports center. The Rancho Los Amigos South Campus Sports Center project will help
enhance the communal environment of all age groups through a new urban design in an area
currently not quite utilized.
Goal 1.3.: Address changes in land uses and zoning trends.
Policy 1.3.1.: Minimize or eliminate conflicts where incompatible land uses are in
proximity to each other.
Program 1.3.1.2.: Promote certain land use designations or land use as buffers
between incompatible land uses.
The proposed sports center project will be consistent with area’s planned designation as
Community Serving. In addition, the proposed project will function as a buffer between the
future TOD located northwest of the project site and St. Pius X-St. Matthias Academy located
immediately adjacent to the east.
Policy 1.3.2.: Monitor and address changes in land use trends.
Program 1.3.2.6.: Coordinate with and monitor actions by federal, state, regional, and
other local agencies regarding issues that impact Downey.
As previously stated in the report, the city has been coordinating with the County of Los Angeles
for some years to ensure the Rancho Los Amigos South Campus Sports Center Project will be
a beneficial development for residents and visitors within the region.
Program 7.1.1.5 Promote the creation of and expansion of areas designated for open
space.
The Rancho Los Amigos South Campus Sports Center aims to promote and continue to expand
designated areas for open space by providing recreational fields to existing and future residents,
in addition to providing a visual break from the built environment.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS
Staff has reviewed the General Plan Consistency for compliance with the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Upon completion of this review staff has determined that
CEQA is not applicable to this action, pursuant to CEQA Guideline Section No. 15061 (b)(3). A
finding of consistency with the City’s General Plan does not approve, adopt, or fund the
aforementioned project.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Planning Commission adopt the attached Resolution making the
determination that the County of Los Angeles’ proposed Rancho Los Amigos South Campus
Sports Center Project conforms to the Downey General Plan.
EXHIBITS
A.Site Plan
B.Draft Resolution
PC AGENDA PAGE 3
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EXHIBIT A
PC AGENDA PAGE 4
RESOLUTION NO. 20-
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
DOWNEY ADOPTING A FINDING THAT THE RANCHO LOS AMIGOS SOUTH
CAMPUS SPORTS CENTER IS CONSISTENT WITH THE CITY OF DOWNEY
GENERAL PLAN
THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY DOES RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The Planning Commission of the City of Downey does hereby find,
determine and declare that:
A.The City of Downey General Plan (Vision 2025) was adopted on January 25,
2005; and,
B.On November 22, 2016, the County of Los Angeles Board of Supervisors
approved the Rancho Los Amigos South Campus Sports Center Project; and,
C.Pursuant to State of California Government Code Section 65402(b), a county
shall submit and report on new public buildings and structures to the planning
agency having jurisdiction and verify conformity with the jurisdiction’s adopted
general plan; and,
D.On February 17, 2021, the Planning Commission reviewed said request and
considered all factors relating to the General Plan consistency for the Rancho
Los Amigos South Campus Sports Center project.
SECTION 2. The Planning Commission further finds, determines, and declares that the
proposed project was reviewed for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA), and is exempt from CEQA, pursuant to Guideline Section 15061 (b)(3).
SECTION 3. The Planning Commission does hereby find and determine that the
Rancho Los Amigos South Campus Sports Center is consistent with the City of Downey’s
adopted General Plan because the project contained herein is consistent with the following
General Plan goals and policies:
Goal 1.1.: Provide sufficient land areas for uses that serve the needs of
residents, visitors, and businesses.
Policy 1.1.1.: Maintain a balance of land uses.
Program 1.1.1.2.: Monitor land uses to retain the balance of land uses.
The proposed construction and installation of the Rancho Los Amigos South Campus
Sports Center will support a balanced land use in the City of Downey by increasing
additional open space to better serve the recreational needs of residents and visitors.
The subject site is also surrounded by different land uses including single-family
residential to the south, an educational institution to the east, and future County facilities
as part of the Rancho Los Amigos South Campus Project.
Policy 1.1.5.: Provide an appropriate amount of land area for recreation and
entertainment.
Program 1.1.5.3.: Promote recreation and entertainment uses that serve needs
of the public.
PC AGENDA PAGE 5
Resolution No. 20-
Downey Planning Commission
Rancho Los Amigos South Campus Sports Center Project General Plan Consistency (PLN-21-00014)
February 17, 2021 - Page 2
The five-acre project is designed to provide open space to better serve the recreational
and entertainment needs of the public. Specifically, the new sports center will include
multi-use soccer fields of various sizes to accommodate for different sports. Additionally,
the project includes the construction of a facility to house restrooms, concessions,
administrative offices and storage and meeting space, while preserving an existing
building utilized by the Downey Rose Float Association.
Goal 1.2.: Advance livable community concepts.
Policy 1.2.1.: Promote livable communities concepts that allow flexibility in
addressing land use needs.
Program 1.2.1.1.: Promote project designs that reduce dependency on vehicles
and promote pedestrian, transit, and alternate modes of
travel.
As part of the Rancho Los Amigos South Campus Project, a new Metro transit station is
proposed northwest of Gardendale Street, east of Laurel Street. The new station will
promote a new Transit Oriented Development (TOD) and provide alternative modes of
transportation to the proposed sports center. The Rancho Los Amigos South Campus
Sports Center project will help enhance the communal environment of all age groups
through a new urban design in an area currently not quite utilized.
Goal 1.3.: Address changes in land uses and zoning trends.
Policy 1.3.1.: Minimize or eliminate conflicts where incompatible land uses
are in proximity to each other.
Program 1.3.1.2.: Promote certain land use designations or land use as buffers
between incompatible land uses.
The proposed sports center project will be consistent with the area’s planned
designation as Community Serving. In addition, the proposed project will function as a
buffer between the future TOD located northwest of the project site and St. Pius X-St.
Matthias Academy located immediately adjacent to the east.
Policy 1.3.2.: Monitor and address changes in land use trends.
Program 1.3.2.6.: Coordinate with and monitor actions by federal, state,
regional, and other local agencies regarding issues that
impact Downey.
The city has been coordinating with the County of Los Angeles for some years to ensure
the Rancho Los Amigos South Campus Sports Center Project will be a beneficial
development for residents and visitors within the region.
Program 7.1.1.5 Promote the creation of and expansion of areas designated
for open space.
The Rancho Los Amigos South Campus Sports Center aims to promote and continue to
expand designated areas for open space by providing recreational fields to existing and
future residents, in addition to providing a visual break from the built environment.
PC AGENDA PAGE 6
Resolution No. 20-
Downey Planning Commission
Rancho Los Amigos South Campus Sports Center Project General Plan Consistency (PLN-21-00014)
February 17, 2021 - Page 3
SECTION 4. The Secretary shall certify the adoption of this Resolution.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 17th day of February 2021.
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 17th day of
February 2021, by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: COMMISSIONERS:
NOES: COMMISSIONERS:
ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS:
Mary Cavanagh, Secretary
City Planning Commission
PC AGENDA PAGE 7