AGENDA TITLE:
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Set a Public Hearing for August 21, 2024, to Consider Adoption of the Initial Study, Mitigated Negative Declaration, and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP) for an Affordable Housing Development Project, to Consider a Resolution Amending 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 (APNs 062-280-02 and 062-280-04) (CD)end
MEETING DATE:
August 7, 2024
PREPARED BY:
Cynthia Marsh, Deputy Director of Community Development / City Planner
recommendation
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Set a Public Hearing for August 21, 2024, to Consider Adoption of the Initial Study, Mitigated Negative Declaration, and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (“MMRP”) for an affordable housing development project, to consider a Resolution amending 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 (APNs 062-280-02 and 062-280-04)
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BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The project is located north of Salas Park between the Union Pacific Railroad (“UPRR”) tracks and South Stockton Street (“the Site”) and is predominantly 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.
The Delta Communities Development Corporation (“Applicant”) is planning to construct a 110-unit senior affordable apartment complex comprising of two three-story buildings on the Site. The Site is currently designated as former right of way. For this reason, the Applicant requests a rezone to Residential High Density (“RHD”), which allows a multifamily project on the Site. For consistency with the General Plan, the Applicant requests a General Plan amendment to add a General Plan designation of “High Density Residential” to the Site. Affordable housing projects are exempt from the Growth Allocation process.
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 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 adjustment of the property boundary into the edge of Salas Park, the San Joaquin Council of Governments (“SJCOG”) has required the MND to include adequate measures to be taken to avoid inadvertent take of bird nests.
The proposed project requires review approval by the Site Plan and Architectural Review Committee (“SPARC”), Planning Commission and City Council. The Planning Commission recommended approval of the General Plan Amendment and Rezoning, and adoption of the MND and MMRP, at a public hearing held on June 26, 2024. 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.
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John Della Monica
Community Development Director
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Scott R. Carney
City Manager