AGENDA TITLE:
title
Consider a Resolution to Adopt the Initial Study, Mitigated Negative Declaration, and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP) for an Affordable Housing Development project, and Amend the General Plan Map from Undesignated Public Right of Way to High Density Residential, and Consider Introducing an Ordinance Amending the Zoning Map from Undesignated Right of Way to High Density Residential (HDR) for approximately 3.0 acres (APNs 062-280-02 and 062-280-04) (Applicant: Delta Communities Development Corporation, File Numbers: PL2023-037 Z and PL2023-038 GPA; CEQA Determination: Mitigated Negative Declaration) (CD)end
MEETING DATE:
August 21, 2024
PREPARED BY:
Cynthia Marsh, City Planner
recommendation
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Consider a Resolution to adopt the Initial Study, Mitigated Negative Declaration, and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP) for an affordable housing development project, and amend the General Plan Map from undesignated right of way to High Density Residential, and consider introducing an ordinance amending the Zoning Map from undesignated right of way to High Density Residential (HDR) for approximately 3.0 acres (APN 062-280-04) (Applicant: Delta Communities Development Corporation (Housing Authority of San Joaquin), File Numbers: PL2023-037 Z and PL2023-038 GPA; CEQA Determination: Mitigated Negative Declaration)end
body
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Delta Community Developers Corporation (Applicant), the development entity for the Housing Authority of the County of San Joaquin, plans to construct a 110-unit senior affordable apartment complex consisting of two three-story buildings on a site currently owned by the City. The proposed apartment complex will have a density of 37 dwelling units per acre which will include a density bonus for senior housing as outlined in Lodi Municipal Code (LMC) section 17.36.050. However, the site does not have a General Plan or zoning designation (except for the portion currently within Salas Park), and therefore a multifamily project is not currently allowed on the site. For this reason, a rezone to Residential High Density (RHD) to a multifamily project of the planned density on the site with a density bonus is recommended. For consistency, a General Plan amendment to add a General Plan designation of High Density Residential to the site is also recommended. Affordable housing projects are exempt from the Growth Allocation process. Proactively pursuing the zoning and General Plan changes will facilitate the senior affordable apartment complex.
The site is located north of Salas Park between the Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) tracks and South Stockton Street and is within parcel (APN 062-280-04) - a former right-of-way for Century Boulevard. Century Boulevard was at one time planned to be extended from South Stockton Street westward over the UPRR tracks to South Hutchins Street. A portion of this will provide ingress and egress for the site and an access easement for the mini-storage adjacent to the north of the site.
To encourage development of affordable housing, the City of Lodi (City) previously entered into an agreement with the Applicant. On August 16, 2023, the City Council adopted Resolution 2023-174 to enter a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Housing Authority of the County of San Joaquin and a Disposition and Development Agreement with the Applicant to transfer title of the site from the City to the Applicant to develop senior affordable housing units. The development of the site will be restricted to charging affordable rent to very low-income seniors for approximately 55 years. Upon completion of the City-initiated boundary line adjustment and the recording of the reconfigured parcel, the City will sell the land to the Applicant for an amount equal to the restricted fair market value which is five percent of the highest and best use value. Upon sale of the site, the City will receive a promissory note from the Applicant in the amount equal to the purchase price at 0.01 percent simple interest with the principal amount due and payable at the end of the 55-year term. Any affordable housing development on the site will provide units toward the City’s Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) for housing available for very low-income households.
An Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) were prepared pursuant to CEQA for the Project and released for public review on March 18, 2024. The environmental analysis discussed impacts related to air quality, cultural resources, greenhouse gas, and hydrology amongst other topics. The Initial Study concluded that the Project would result in less-than significant impacts to most environmental topics and includes mitigation measures related to construction emissions and excavation of human remains as provided in the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program. As a result of the development occurring adjacent to the edge of Salas Park, the San Joaquin Council of Governments (SJCOG) required the MND to include adequate measures to be taken to avoid inadvertent take of bird nests.
The Planning Commission recommended approval of the proposed General Plan Amendment and Rezoning, and adoption of the MND and MMRP, at a public hearing held on June 26, 2024. The proposed senior affordable apartment complex project will require review future approval by the Site Plan and Architectural Review Committee (SPARC), Planning Commission and City Council. SPARC is anticipated to consider the item in the coming months.
STRATEGIC VISION:
4A. Housing: New housing opportunities with market values.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Not applicable.
FUNDING AVAILABLE:
Not applicable.
_______________________________________
John Della Monica
Community Development Director
_______________________________________
Scott R. Carney
City Manager