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HomeMy WebLinkAbout5/21/2008 - STAFF REPORTS - 3.A. QpLM SAR i2 u` m s -011FOR�� CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT DATE: May 21, 2008 NEW BUSINESS SUBJECT: INITIATION OF MUSEUM MARKET PLAZA SPECIFIC PLAN, INCLUDING APPROVAL OF REVIEW PROGRAM AND TIMELINE FROM: David H. Ready, City Manager BY: Planning Department SUMMARY On April 30, 2008, Wessman Development, Inc. submitted to the Planning Department a draft Specific Plan for the Desert Fashion Plaza and surrounding properties. The name of the proposal is the "Museum Market Plaza" and it represents a significant reorganization of the affected lands in the City's Central Business District to include new streets; a mix of residential, retail and office uses; taller buildings, and increased densities. That evening, the applicant unveiled to the City Council and public the general elements of the proposed Specific Plan. Following the applicant's presentation, the City Council directed staff to prepare a schedule and list of processing milestones that could be followed in reviewing the application. The schedule outline is attached for the City Council's review and approval. No public hearing is required. RECOMMENDATION: Adopt a motion, as follows: 1. Initiate the Specific Plan review, including approval of the attached schedule for processing the Plan. 2. Providing other direction to staff, as determined by the City Council. STAFF ANALYSIS: Processing a Specific Plan is governed by State laws and the Palm Springs Zoning Code. According to the California Government Code, a Specific Plan is to be processed in accordance with the same procedures as an amendment to the General Plan. Both State Item No. 3 . A e City Council Staff Report May 21, 2008 Schedule for Review of Museum Market Plaza Specific Plan Page 2 of 3 and City laws provide direction on General Plan amendments. In summary, there are three basic requirements in the review process before a Specific Plan can be adopted: 1. Preparation of an Environmental Impact Report under the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) 2. One (or more) public hearings and a recommendation by the Planning Commission. 3. One (or more) public hearings and action by the City Council. The action by the City Council to approve a Specific Plan would be in the form of a resolution; except that when a Specific Plan also includes zoning standards (as an amendment to the Zoning Code) the Plan must be adopted by Ordinance. In this case, the Specific Plan will require adoption by Ordinance, as it includes development standards. Due to the complexity of both the proposed Museum Market Plaza Specific Plan and the review procedures, it is expected that project review will require nine to twelve months. Staff has prepared the attached schedule of milestones for processing the Museum Market Plaza Specific Plan, and recommends that the Council approve the schedule as part of its action to initiate the Specific Plan review, and provide any other direction it deems appropriate. Staff believes that the schedule is ambitious but reasonable. Certain assumptions are included regarding the performance of sub-consultants in preparing specialty reports (such as a traffic analysis), and staff will work to maintain the March / April 2009 completion date to the greatest degree possible. Staff will provide regular project updates to the City Council in the form of written reports submitted monthly or bi-monthly, as needed, including any necessary schedule revisions. Based on Council direction to initiate the Specific Plan (per Government Code Section 65450) staff will implement the schedule and commence review of the Specific Plan. FISCAL IMPACT: No fiscal impact. i wing, P Thomas J. Wils -n Director of PI ni Services Assistant City onager, Dev't Svcs David H. Ready City Manager cc: Draft List of Milestones and Proposed Schedule 000022 o�?pLM SA .y y [ G u w •^ ryc 'hheghi[ c'9<IFORN�P- Milestones and Proposed Schedules for Processing Museum Market Plaza Specific Plan (May 21 , 2008) 1. Preparation of Initial Conformance Report Staff June 4, 2008 2. Preparation of Initial Study/NOP Consultant / Staff June 27, 2008 3. Filing Notice of Intent to Prepare EIR Consultant/ Staff June 27, 2008 4. Scoping Meeting Consultant / Staff July 11, 2008 5. Preparation Draft EIR Consultant 120 days 6. Screencheck EIR for City review Consultant October 15, 2008 7. Review by Architectural Advisory Comm. Staff (during prep of EIR) 8. Release of Draft EIR for Public Comment Staff November 15, 2008 9. Public comment period 45 days1 Ill 5/2008-111/2009 10. Preparation of Response to Comments' Consultant 30 days 11. Planning Commission Public Hearingz Staff/ PC 30 days (= Feb-Mar. 2009) 12. City Council Public Hearing and Action3 Staff/ CC 30 days (= March-Apr. 2009) ' Preparation of Response to Comments will allow issuance of a Final EIR for consideration by the Planning Commission and City Council- 2 It is anticipated that the Planning Commission will conduct at least two public hearings, following which it will adopt its recommendation on the project. 3 It is anticipated that the City Council will conduct at least two public hearings where it will consider the Final EIR and the Planning Commission recommendation.