|
DATE: |
February 28, 2024, and April 10, 2024 |
12 |
SUBJECT
NOTICED PUBLIC HEARING:
Title
HILLSIDE MEADOWS OPEN SPACE VACATION AND AN ADDENDUM TO PREVIOUSLY ADOPTED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT; LAKESIDE COMMUNITY PLAN AREA (2/28/2024 - SET HEARING; 4/10/2024 - HOLD HEARING) (DISTRICT: 2)
Body
OVERVIEW
On February 28, 2024 (03), the Board of Supervisors set a Hearing for April 10, 2024.
Planning & Development Services (PDS) is processing a request from Gleich Properties, LLC C/O Randy Lang (Applicant) for an Open Space Easement Vacation (Vacation) (see Attachment B, open space area to be vacated on Final Map 16556) for the Hillside Meadows project that is located on privately owned parcels (see Attachment E, ownership disclosure form) in the Lakeside Community Plan Area (see Attachment A, vicinity map).
The Vacation is proposed on nine individual lots located northeast of the extension of Mast Boulevard, west of Pinery Grove, and east of Ranchitos Place in the Lakeside Community Planning Area, within unincorporated San Diego County (APN 379-024-23). The parcel is privately owned by Lakeside Investment Company, L.P. and the property owner has authorized Gleich Properties, LLC C/O Randy Lang, the Applicant, to process the requested vacation. The Hillside Meadows project (Project) is located within an Infill Area under the County’s Transportation Study Guide (TSG) for Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT). The Project is a major subdivision that subdivides 37 acres into 142 single family lots, 2 industrial lots, a public park, and 20-foot trail easement.
The temporary easement for open space was granted as part of Final Map 16556 (see Attachment B). The Project proposes to vacate a temporary easement for open space on nine individual lots, initially dedicated based on a project condition that nine lots remain in open space until an agreement is reached with the neighbor (Hilliker Egg Ranch) to fund the construction of concrete floors at the existing egg ranch. This open space easement was not implemented as a mitigation measure. The condition also noted that the overall cost should not exceed $100,000. An agreement has been reached between the property owners and the vacation can proceed (Attachment H), allowing the open space easement to be vacated and nine lots to be developed with single family residences. This Vacation is required for the future development of single family homes on lots 92, 135-141, and 143, identified in sheet 7 of Attachment B.
If the Vacation is approved, construction of all the homes within the project can proceed, which includes up to 142 single family homes. If the Vacation is not approved, the Project could still move forward, including construction of up to 133 homes, but nine of the lots would not be able to be developed with single family homes.
Today’s request requires two steps: February 28, 2024, it is requested that the County of San Diego Board of Supervisors (Board) set a date for a public hearing on April 10, 2024, and provide public notice of that hearing, which includes posting at the project site. If the Board takes action recommended on February 28, 2024, then on April 10, 2024, it is requested that the Board consider and adopt a resolution to vacate a portion of the referenced open space easement and record A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO VACATING THE OPEN SPACE EASEMENT.
RECOMMENDATION(S)
CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
1. Adopt the environmental findings, which include findings in accordance with Section 15162 and 15164 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines. Confirm that there are no substantial changes in the Vacation or in the circumstances under which the Vacation is undertaken that involve significant new environmental impacts which were not considered in the Upper San Diego River Improvement Project Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Report (EIR), Log No. 98-10-014, State Clearinghouse (SCH) Number 98041146, completed in August 2000 (see Attachment C, environmental documentation) and An Addendum to the Previously Adopted Environmental Impact Report for the Upper San Diego River Improvement Project (USDRIP) for Purposes of Consideration of Hillside Meadows, TM 5203RPL1, Log No. 00-14-016 (Addendum), SCH Number 2002119034, completed in September 2002 (Attachment C). Confirm that the EIR and Addendum analyzed the impacts of all 142 residential units, that there is no substantial increase in the severity of previously identified significant effects, and that no new information of substantial importance has become available since the EIR and Addendum were adopted (Attachment C).
2. Adopt the Resolution entitled A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO VACATING THE OPEN SPACE EASEMENT PDS2023-VAC-23-003 (Attachment D).
3. Direct the Clerk of the Board to record the Resolution pursuant to the Streets and Highways Code Section 8325.
EQUITY IMPACT STATEMENT
The approval of this Vacation is a step towards fostering increased housing development in the community. By removing the open space easement, this Vacation supports the goal of expanding residential opportunities and reflects a commitment to accommodating community growth and housing needs in the unincorporated area.
SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT STATEMENT
The proposed action to vacate an existing open space easement facilitates a residential development aligned with the elements of the San Diego County General Plan, and the Upper San Diego River Improvement Project Specific Plan, demonstrating a commitment to organized and planned growth. The Vacation also aligns with the Lakeside Community Plan, specifically the policy and recommendation to confine higher density residential development to the areas that have all necessary public facilities; are within the existing sewer districts; and are adjacent to major roads and commercial areas. The proposed project is also within an Infill Area under the County’s Transportation Study Guide (TSG) for Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT). The development will also provide a public park and an equestrian trail. The proposed action will support development with a sustainability-conscious approach by ensuring reliance on existing infrastructure, reducing the need for extensive new infrastructure, and enhancing accessibility to green spaces and recreational opportunities.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funds for this request are included in the Fiscal Year 2023-24 Operational Plan in Planning & Development Services. If approved, this request will result in estimated costs and revenue of $10,699 for the Open Space Vacation and will cover the staff time involved with preparing the resolution, public notice, Board letter, and public hearing documents. The funding source for this project is provided by Gleich Properties, LLC C/O Randy Lang (The Applicant). There will be no change in net General Fund cost and no additional staff years.
BUSINESS IMPACT STATEMENT
N/A
Details
ADVISORY BOARD STATEMENT
The proposed Vacation has been reviewed by the Lakeside Community Planning Group (LCPG). On December 6, 2023, the LCPG recommended approval of the Vacation by a vote of 13-0-0-2 (Ayes - 13, Noes - 0, Abstain - 0, Vacant/Absent - 2) (Attachment G).
BACKGROUND
Planning & Development Services (PDS) is processing a request from the Applicant to vacate a temporary easement for open space (Vacation) in the Lakeside Community Planning Area, within unincorporated San Diego County (see Attachment A, vicinity map). The Vacation is proposed for nine individual lots located northeast of the extension of Mast Boulevard, west of Pinery Grove, and east of Ranchitos Place. Currently, these nine lots are recorded as Open Space on Final Map 16556 (Attachment B) in accordance with Tentative Map Decision of Approval (TM-5203RPL1) dated November 13, 2002 (Attachment F).
The temporary easement for open space was granted over lots 92, 135-141, and 143 until such time that that the owner and their neighbor, Hilliker Egg Ranch, came to an agreement for payment to install concrete floors in the existing chicken houses. An agreement has been reached and recorded between the property owners (Attachment H). As a result, the open space easement is no longer needed as indicated in the condition of approval.
If the Vacation is approved, construction of the nine additional residential lots can begin, which would allow a total of 142 homes within the project. If the Vacation is not approved, the open space easement would remain on the nine lots, but the remaining project could be developed, including up to 133 homes.
Today’s request requires two steps in accordance with the California Streets and Highways Code: On February 28, 2024, it is requested that the Board of Supervisors (Board) set a date for a public hearing on April 10, 2024, and provide public notice of that hearing, which includes posting at the project site. If the Board takes the actions recommended on February 28, 2024, then on April 10, 2024, it is requested that the Board consider and adopt a resolution to vacate the referenced Open Space Easement.
Board Policy I-103; Open Space Easement Vacations
Board Policy I-103 requires the vacation to be: (1) consistent with the County General Plan; (2) unnecessary for current or future public use as a public service easement; and (3) in compliance with CEQA and State and County Guidelines, and not have a significant effect on the environment. The Vacation is consistent with the County General Plan because the existing use on the subject parcel will not change, and it is in conformance with the Lakeside Community Plan, the Specific Plan for the Upper San Diego River Improvement Project, and Lakeside Community Plan. The Vacation complies with CEQA and County Guidelines because it does not present a substantial change to the previously approved Environmental Impact Report completed in August 2000 or the Addendum completed in September 2002 and the easement was not required for any type of environmental mitigation. Because there are no substantial changes in circumstances, no new environmental effects, and no substantial increase in the severity of previously identified significant effects which would require major revisions to the previously adopted EIR and Addendum, an Addendum was prepared.
ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT
The proposed Open Space Easement vacation has been reviewed for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The final EIR dated August 2000, as Log No. 98-10-014, and Addendum dated September 2002, as Log No. 00-14-016, was adopted on November 13, 2002 (see Attachment C). The Vacation does not present a substantial change to the previously approved project and was not required for any type of environmental mitigation. The proposed easement vacation is unnecessary for current or future public use as a public service easement, and the removal of the easement will not take away a designated space that benefits the public. There are no substantial changes in the Project or in the circumstances under which it was approved which were not considered in the previously adopted EIR and Addendum; there is no substantial increase in the severity of previously identified significant effects; and there is no new information of substantial importance that has become available since the EIR and Addendum were adopted. Pursuant to Sections 15162 and 15164 of CEQA, the Vacation may rely on the previously adopted EIR and Addendum with the preparation of an Addendum.
LINKAGE TO THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO STRATEGIC PLAN
Today’s proposed action supports the Sustainability, Community, and Equity (Resiliency/Housing) strategic initiatives in the County of San Diego’s 2024-2029 Strategic Plan by focusing on sustainability and conservation of land in perpetuity that promotes an environment and utilizes policies, facilities, and infrastructure to provide housing opportunities where communities can prosper.
Respectfully submitted,
Brian Albright
Interim Deputy Chief Administrative Officer
ATTACHMENT(S)
Note: Due to the size of the attachments, the documents are available online through the Clerk of the Board's website at <https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/cob/bosa.html>.
Attachment A - Vicinity Map
Attachment B - Open Space Area to be Vacated on Final Map 16556
Attachment C - Environmental Documentation (Addendum)
Attachment D - A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO VACATING THE OPEN SPACE EASEMENT
Attachment E - Ownership Disclosure
Attachment F - RESOLUTION OF THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS APPROVING CONDITIONS FOR TENTATIVE MAP NO. 5203RPL1
Attachment G - Public Correspondence
Attachment H - Signed Agreement for Construction of Improvements between the Owner and Hilliker Ranch Fresh Eggs, Inc.