SR-810929-10Ey EP 8 18$S}
Santa .Monica, California, Septertaer 3, 1981
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TO: `.3ayor and City Council ~`~Z~ 1 ~~/
FROP•4: City Staff
SU3JECT: Recommendations of the Citizens Task Force on
Development in Commercial and Industrial Zones
' and Commerts`'and Suggested Amendments from the
City Planning'Commission.
Introduction
This. report forwards to-the City Council both therecommendations
of the Citizens Task Force on Development in Commercial and Indus-
trial Zones and the comments and suggested amendments to these
recommendations by the Planning Commission.
Background
On May 26, 1981 file City Council, by Resolution 627Q, established
a Citizens Task Force on Development in Commercial and Industrial
zones.. The Tas;c Force ,vas requested_ to study and forward recom-
mendations to the Planning Commissian for hearing by August 15
on the following Priority I issues:
1) The limitation of height, bulk, lot coverage, .setbacks,
etc „ of .buildings;
27 T,ie mixing of commercial, industrial and/or•residential
..uses in protects;
31 `Phe rezoning of commercial or industrial areas to
residential;
g} Tne preservation of existing community service or
recreational. uses;
5 The enforcement of City policies;
6 .The producing of affordable housing; and ~® ~~
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SEP $ aQU,
ifayor and City Council ''
s2_ September 8, 1981,
7)_ The satisfying of increased demands for recreational,
cultural, transportion, or social services caused by
increased commercial or industrial development.
The Task Force held 14 meetings over a six week period. A public
notice was placed ire the. newspaper advertising the existence. of
the Task Force and providing a general schedule of meeting days.
.All callers were informed by the Planning Department staff as
to the particulars of each meeting and most meetings had several
members of the. public present. Each person was given ample
opportunity to comment on Task Force discussion and proposals.
As the City Council requested, the-.Task Force ,sought sn its
de1.i12erations and its formulating of recommendations.toc
1) .Assure the maintenance of a human scale, generally
lowmrise character of development in the. City;
2) 23inimize the negative impacts on residents from noise,
traffic and congestion;
3) riaintain the. public peace, health-and .safety,.
4) Maintain the integrity of residential zones;
5) Promote the development of housing oPPortunities
affordable to persons of low and moderate incomep
- 5) Assure the economic vitality and fiscal health of
City; and
77 .Relieve the City infrastructure of unnecessary and
un~,rise burdens.
The following general concepts appeared to be the focus of the
Task Force's decisions and recommendations.
1) While commercial and industrial development creates
jobs that are filled by persons who may create demands
Mayor and City Council -3- September 8, 1981-
. for local housing and City services, good develop-
ment may benefit the community as taell;
2) The current maximum commercial and industrial "build
out" would produce unacceptable impacts related to
traffic, noise„ pollution and congestion. A general
- reduction of the development potential is wise and
of merit.
3) Certain areas of the City currently serve specific
purposes and provide functions important to the
residents of Santa idonica which could. be displaced
by development of a different character, so these
areas and functions should be protected; and
4) The City is not able or willing to satisfy on its
own the demand for housing and services that commercial
and industrial development may create. Commercial
and industrial development must contribute to satis-
Eying these demands.
The Task Force anticipates that developers of commercial and
industrial projects are willing to toork with the City in creating
projects where all parties concerned profit from the devehopment.
After extensive discussion and review, the Task Foree adopted
its recommendations for development in commercial and industrial
zones on August 13, 1981. These recommendations consist of
general principles of intent and recommendations based on these
principles in each of four categories:" Zoning and Uses Permitted
in the Zone, Building and Development Standards, Housing and In-
Lieu Fees, and Development Review for each of the City's commercial
and industrial zoning districts. (See attached document.)
The Task Force's principles and recommendations were forwarded
to the Planning Commission which held a public hearing on August 17,
.Sayor and City Council -4- September 8,.1981
1981r It concluded its review of the recommendations at its
August 31, 1981 meeting.
The Planning Commission is in general agreement with many of the
principles and recommendations offered by the Task Force. How-
ever, the Commission could not endorse the specific proposals
as appropriate without further study. The Commission desires
ko more carefully study the inndividual recommendations. In addi-
tioh, mindful that the Housinq Element is in the process of being
.adopted, the Planning Commission feels it appropriate to delay
its recommendations on some of the recommended actions relating
to housing until the Housing Element is adopted.
The Planning Commission's comments and suggested amendments have
been inserted in the appropriate sections of the Task Force
recommendation document
Alternatives
The City Council may accept, Modify. or reject the recommendations
of the Citizens Task Force on Development in Commercial and
Industrial Zones and the Planning Commission.
Recommendations
It is recommended that following its review of the recommendations
of the Citizens Task Force on Development in Commercial and
Industrial Zones and the Planning Commission°s comments and
suggested amendments, the City Council request the Planning
Mayor and City Council
-5- September 8, 1981
Commission to consider appropriate code, map and procedural
changes, in accordance with established procedures for such matters
and establish an order of priority for consideration which is
mindful of both the Commission's current workload and the new
responsibility to be added by modification of procedures as the
moratorium is lifted..
Prepared by: Patricia Reilly
Christopher Rudd
PR:CR:Ik