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AGENDA REPORT
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| | | | | | | | DATE:
| March 2, 2021
| TO:
| Mayor and City Council
| FROM:
| Stefan T. Chatwin, City Manager
| | SUBJECT: | Public Hearing;
and First Reading and Introduction of Ordinance 2021-03 of the City Council of the City of Fairfield Amending Chapter 25, Article I of the Fairfield City Code (Also known as the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Fairfield) Amending the Zoning Map of the City of Fairfield to Rezone Two Parcels at the Southwest Corner of Peabody Road and Cement Hill Road from IL (Limited Industrial) (APN: 0170-250-030 and -040) to CN (Neighborhood Commercial)
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| | | | | | | | | RECOMMENDED ACTION | | Hold public hearing; waive full reading, read by title only; and introduce ordinance for first reading. |
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| | | | | | | | | STATEMENT OF ISSUE | | The City has received an application from Milestone Associates that seeks rezoning of two parcels on the south side of Cement Hill Road, west of Peabody Road. The purpose of the rezoning is to permit the development of a car wash, gas station, and convenience market on the site. The parcels are currently zoned IL (Limited Industrial) which does not permit these uses. The request seeks rezoning to the CN (Neighborhood Commercial) zoning district. |
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| | | | | | | | | DISCUSSION | In 2020, Milestone Associates submitted a request for Minor Development Review and Use Permit approval to allow the construction and operation of an automated car wash, gas station and 5,200 square foot convenience retail building in northeast Fairfield. The project site, at the southwest corner of Cement Hill Road and Peabody Road is currently zoned IL (Limited Industrial), which does not allow the full range of uses proposed by Milestone Associates.
The General Plan designation for the site is Mixed Use Commercial and identifies the project site for neighborhood commercial uses. The Mixed Use designation, approved in 2015, reflects earlier planning for the Hawthorne Mill project, a mixed residential and commercial project on the south side of Cement Hill Road. The Hawthorne Mill project was not developed, and the associated Zone Change to implement the Mixed-Use designation was not finalized. Milestone has applied for and is seeking approval of a zone change to CN (Neighborhood Commercial) to allow their project.
The project proposed by Milestone Associates provides smaller-scale local and community serving commercial land uses at the intersection of two major arterial roadways. While these uses are automobile-oriented, the convenience market is large enough to also serve developing residential neighborhoods in the area. As such, a CN (Neighborhood Commercial) zoning designation is appropriate for both the development proposal and the underlying General Plan land use designation. As described in the Ordinance, the Zone Change meets all criteria in the Zoning Ordinance for said change.
Environmental Review: The project, including this Zone Change, is considered an “infill” development, as existing urban development surrounds the parcels on three sides. Thus, it is considered “exempt” under Section 15332, In-Fill Development Projects. The Zone Change also brings the Zoning into conformance with the General Plan. Note also that the Environmental Impact Report for the original Hawthorne Mill project proposed for the area south of Cement Hill Road found no wetlands or sensitive species on this site.
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| | | | | | | | | FINANCIAL IMPACT | | There are no direct financial impacts to the City from the rezoning. Subsequent construction on the property and operation of the intended land uses will generate an undetermined amount of additional property and sales tax revenue. |
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| | | | | | | | | PUBLIC CONTACT/ADVISORY BODY RECOMMENDATION | At its meeting on February 10, 2021, the Planning Commission held a public hearing that was duly noticed in the Daily Republic on January 30, 2020. At the meeting, the Planning Commission adopted Resolution No. 2021-02. The resolution approved the Development Review and Use Permit entitlements for the project and recommended that the City Council adopt the proposed Ordinance amending the zoning from IL to CN. The Planning Commission approvals are contingent upon the City Council approving the zoning amendment.
For the March 2, 2021 City Council meeting, a public hearing notice was published in the Daily Republic newspaper on February 19, 2021, mailed to all persons who own property within 500 feet of the subject property, and posted on site. The City has received no questions or comments regarding this proposal at the time of this writing.
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| | | | | | | | | ALTERNATIVE ACTION | | The City Council may choose to not adopt the proposed Ordinance. With such action, the proposed development project could not move forward as the land uses are not consistent with the proposed commercial uses. |
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| REVIEWERS: | | Reviewer | Action | Date | | Gassaway, David | Approved | 2/16/2021 - 7:39 PM | | Alexander, Amber | Approved | 2/17/2021 - 4:39 PM | | Alexander, Amber | Approved | 2/22/2021 - 11:45 AM |
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