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Home My WebLink AboutItem 4.5 - 1213 Sierra Business Center Rezone Page 1 of 2 STAFF REPORT CITY COUNCIL DATE: November 15, 2016 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers FROM: Christopher L. Foss, City Manager SUBJECT: PLPA 2014-00034 Sierra Business Center Rezone Prepared by: Martha Battaglia, Associate Planne r EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The City Council will consider the adoption of an Ordinance rezoning the Sierra Business Center from the M-1 (Light Industrial) Zoning District to the M-P (Industrial Park) Zoning District. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Waive the reading and adopt an Ordinance Approving a Rezoning from the M-1 Zoning District to the M-P Zoning District for the Sierra Business Center. DESCRIPTION: The Sierra Business Center is located at 6549 Sierra Lane. The site is irregularly shaped and is located northeast of Sierra Lane and west of Dougherty Road as shown in the map below. The site has a General Plan land use designation of Business Park/Industrial and is located in the M-1 Light Industrial Zoning District. Surrounding uses include the Sierra Business Park to the north and west, Tralee mixed -use development (residential and commercial) to the southwest and a retail shopping and auto service station to the east that fronts onto Dougherty Road. Page 2 of 2 Figure 1: Sierra Business Center Location The Applicant is currently requesting approval to rezone the site from M -1 (Light Industrial) to M-P (Industrial Park). The City Council, at their November 1, 2016 meeting, adopted a resolution approving a Negative Declaration for the Rezoning of the Sierra Busines s Center from the M-1 Zoning District to the M-P Zoning District. The City Council also waived the reading and introduced an Ordinance approving the rezoning. Please refer to the City Council Staff Report dated November 1, 2016 for a complete discussion of the project (Attachment 1). Staff recommends that the City Council waive the second reading and adopt the Ordinance rezoning the Sierra Business Park from the M -1 Zoning District to the M-P Zoning District (Attachment 2). ATTACHMENTS: 1. Nov. 1, 2016 City Council Staff Report 2. Ordinance Approving a Rezoning From the M-1 Zoning District to the M-P Zoning District for the Sierra Business Center Page 1 of 5 STAFF REPORT CITY COUNCIL DATE: November 1, 2016 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers FROM: Christopher L. Foss, City Manager SUBJECT: PLPA 2014-00034 Sierra Business Center Rezone Prepared by: Martha Battaglia, Associate Planner EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The City Council will consider approval of a request to rezone Sierra Business Center from the current M-1 (Light Industrial) Zoning District to the M-P (Industrial Park) Zoning District. Under the current M-1 Zoning District, Professional and Administrative Offices are not permitted. Professional and Administrative Offices are a permitted use in the proposed M-P Zoning District. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the City Council conduct the public hearing, deliberate, adopt the Resolution Approving a Negative Declaration for the Rezoning of the Sierra Business Center From the M-1 Zoning District to the M-P Zoning District 6549 Sierra Lane (APN 941-0205-020) PLPA 2014-00034; and, waive the reading and INTRODUCE an Ordinance Approving Ordinance Approving a Rezoning from the M-1 Zoning District to the M-P Zoning District for the Sierra Business Center Located at 6549 Sierra Lane APN 941-0205-020) PLPA 2014-00034. DESCRIPTION: Project Location The Sierra Business Center is located at 6549 Sierra Lane. The site is irregularly shaped and is located northeast of Sierra Lane and west of Dougherty Road. The site has a General Plan land use designation of Business Park/Industrial and is located in the M-1 Light Industrial Zoning District. Surrounding uses include a continuation of the Sierra Business Park to the north and west, Tralee mixed -use development (residential and commercial) to the southwest and a retail shopping and auto service station to the east that fronts onto Dougherty Road. Figure 1: Sierra Business Center Location Page 2 of 5 The project site has been developed with a number of single -story light industrial buildings with two smaller buildings fronting on Sierra Lane and a larger building located in the central and northern portion of the site. A total of 12 suites of varying sizes are located within the three buildings. A small parking area is located off of Sierra Lane with a larger parking lot located in the center of the site connected with various drive aisles. Landscaped planters are located throughout the site, adjacent to some buildings and within portions of the parking lot. As shown on Figure 2 below, there are several adjacent properties which are zoned M-1 Light Industrial) and PD (Planned Development) and allow uses consistent with the M- P (Industrial Park) Zoning District. The surrounding M-1 and PD Zoning Districts allow for a variety of industrial, office and commercial uses. The Applicant is currently requesting approval to rezone the site from M -1 (Light Industrial) to M-P (Industrial Park). Page 3 of 5 Figure 2: Surrounding Zoning Districts ANALYSIS: The project site is currently zoned M-1. Generally buildings located in the M-1 Zoning District have roll up doors and high ceilings to accommodate light industrial uses such as manufacturing, printing, and laboratories. The buildings within the Sierra Business Center lack the design attributes that are common in most light industrial buildings. The project site is unique in that it is designed and functio ns more like an office park than a light industrial park. The site was designed with ample parking to support office uses as well as light industrial uses. Many of the tenant suites do not have high ceilings and large storage spaces with roll-up doors, which are typical of light industrial designed tenant suites. The property owners have had difficulty in the last few years in renting out spaces because the allowable uses are not consistent with the design of the tenant suites. Many of the tenant spaces are designed to accommodate office uses; however, office uses are not allowed in the existing M-1 Zoning District. The proposed M-P Zoning District is more consistent with the design of the project site. This Zoning District allows a wide variety of uses including Light Industrial, Office, Indoor Recreational Facilities, and Community Facilities. The M-P Zoning District restricts or prohibits certain industrial uses that are currently allowed, such as automobile/vehicle repair, vehicle storage yard, and equipment and materials storage yard. None of these uses currently operate at the site. Furthermore, the M -P District does not permit residential use. Page 4 of 5 The proposed M-P Zoning District is compatible with the design of the site because it allows Office and Light Industrial uses and as previously discussed, the existing site is designed as more of an Office Park than a Light Industrial Park and office uses are not permitted in the M-1, Light Industrial Zoning District. Similarly, the City Council approved the rezoning of the Sierra Trinity Business Park located to the west of the project site) in 2010 to allow M -P (Industrial Park) uses, including office uses. This has resulted in the successful tenanting of the center. If the rezoning is approved by the City, the project Applicant would have flexibility to lease existing floor space to office uses, which are currently not allowed in the existing M-1 Zoning District. An Ordinance rezoning the project site from M-1 to M-P is included as Attachment 1. CONSISTENCY WITH THE GENERAL PLAN AND ZONING ORDINANCE: The proposed rezone is consistent with the General Plan land use designation of Business Park/Industrial because the proposed rezone will allow non -retail uses that do not involve heavy trucking or generate nuisances on the surrounding properties. The proposed rezone is consistent with the Zoning Ordinance and the General Plan in that the rezone will allow uses to operate on the site which are compatible with the surrounding area and the proposed uses will increase the economic viability of the site. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW: The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requires that certain projects be reviewed for environmental impacts and that environmental documents be prepared. An Initial Study has been prepared in accordance with the provisions of CEQA, CEQA Guidelines, and City of Dublin Environmental Guidelines. Upon completion of the Initial Study, it was determined that there was no substantial evidence that the project would have a significant adverse effect on the environment and a Negative Declaration was prepared. The Initial Study/Draft Negative Declaration was circulated for public review from August 25, 2016 to September 14, 2016. The City received one comment letter during the public review letter. The letter was from the Dublin San Ramon Services District (DSRSD). DSRSD agreed with the IS/ND analysis regarding water and wastewater. A Resolution adopting a Negative Declaration is included as Attachment 2 with the Initial Study included as Exhibit A. Planning Commission Action On October 11, 2016, the Planning Commission held a public hearing to review the proposed project. After discussion and deliberation, the Planning Commission voted 4 - 0-1 to adopt a Resolution recommending that the City Council adopt the Negative Declaration and a Resolution recommending that the City Council adopt an Ordinance Page 5 of 5 rezoning the site from the M-1 Zoning District to the M-P Zoning District (Attachments 3 and 4). The draft minutes are included as Attachment 5. NOTICING REQUIREMENTS/PUBLIC OUTREACH: In accordance with State law, a Public Notice was mailed to all property owners and occupants within 300 feet of the proposed Project. A Public Notice was also published in the East Bay Times and posted at several locations throughout the City. To date, the City has received no objections from surrounding property owners regarding the Project. ATTACHMENTS: 1. Approving a Rezoning from the M-1 Zoning District to the M-P Zoning District for the Sierra Business Center Located at 6549 Sierra Lane (APN 941-0205-020) PLPA 2014- 00034 2. Approving a Negative Declaration for the Rezoning of the Sierra Business Center From the M-1 Zoning District to the M-P Zoning District 6549 Sierra Lane (APN 941 - 0205-020) PLPA 2014-00034 3. Exhibit A Initial Study Negative Declaration Final 4. PC Resolution 16-23 Recommending approval of Negative Declaration 5. PC Resolution 16-24 Recommending approval of Ordinance to Rezone 6. Draft Planning Commission minutes 10.11.16 Page 1 of 3 ORDINANCE NO. XX - 16 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DUBLIN * * * * * * * * * * * * * APPROVING A REZONING FROM THE M-1 ZONING DISTRICT TO THE M-P ZONING DISTRICT FOR THE SIERRA BUSINESS CENTER LOCATED AT 6549 SIERRA LANE (APN 941-0205-020) PLPA 2014-00034 THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DUBLIN DOES HEREBY ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. RECITALS A. The Applicant requests to rezone the property located at 6549 Sierra Lane from M-1, Light Industrial to M-P, Industrial Park (PLPA 2014-00034). B. Following a duly noticed public hearing on October 11, 2016, the Planning Com mission adopted Resolution 16-23 recommending that the City Council approve the Initial Study/Negative Declaration for the project, and Resolution 16-24 recommending approval of the requested rezoning, which resolutions are incorporated herein by reference and are available for review at City Hall during normal business hours. C. A Staff Report for the City Council, dated November 1, 2016 and incorporated herein by reference, described and analyzed the rezoning project. At a properly noti ced public hearing on November 1, 2016, the City Council considered the Initial Study/Negative Declaration and the Planning Commission’s recommendation on the rezoning project. Section 2. FINDINGS AND DETERMINATIONS A. Pursuant to Section 8.120.050.B of the Dublin Municipal Code, the City Council finds as follows: 1. The rezoning is consistent with the Dublin General Plan because: the proposed uses are consistent with the General Plan Land use designation of Business Park/Industrial in that the Rezone will allow uses that are non-retail and will not generate nuisances to the surrounding area. No Specific Plans apply to the project site. B. Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), on November 1, 2016, the City Council adopted Resolution 162-16 approving a Negative Declaration for the Sierra Business Center Rezoning, which resolution is incorporated herein by reference. Page 2 of 3 Section 3. ZONING MAP AMENDMENT. Pursuant to Chapter 8.120, Title 8 of the City of Dublin Municipal Code, the Dublin Zoning Map is hereby amended to rezone APN 941-0205-020-00 consisting of 5.3+ gross acres to the M-P (Industrial Park) Zoning District. A map of the rezoning area is shown below: Section 4. EFFECTIVE DATE AND POSTING OF ORDINANCE This Ordinance shall take effect and be in force thirty (30) days from and after the date of its passage. The City Clerk of the City of Dublin shall cause the Ordinance to be posted in a t least three (3) public places in the City of Dublin in accordance with Section 36933 of the Government Code of the State of California. Sierra Business Center Page 3 of 3 PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED BY the City Council of the City of Dublin, on this 15th day of November, 2016 by the following vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: _________________________________ Mayor ATTEST: _______________________________ City Clerk G:\PA\2014\PLPA-2014-00034 Sierra Business Center Rezone\CC Meeting 11.15.16\1. CC Ordinance to Rezone.DOC