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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 2025-037 General Plan AmendmentRESOLUTION NO. 2025-037 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BALDWIN PARK FOR THE APPROVAL OF GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT TO CHANGE THE LAND USE DESIGNATION FROM "COMMERCIAL INDUSTRIAL" TO "PARK SPACE" TO ACCOMMODATE THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT OF A PUBLIC PARK LOCATED AT APN NO. 8536-016-902. (APPLICANT: CITY OF BALDWIN PARK; CASE NUMBER: GPA 25-01) THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BALDWIN PARK DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. That the City Council of the City of Baldwin Park does hereby find, determine, and declare as follows: (a) That application for an Amendment to the Land Use Element of the General Plan was submitted for certain real property, located at the northwest corner of Maine Avenue and Joanbridge Street (APN No. 8536-016-902), in the City of Baldwin Park, described more particularly in the Application on file with the Planning Division; and (b) That the application sought approval of a General Plan Amendment to change the land use designation from Commercial/Industrial to Park Space to accommodate the proposed development of a public park (Ana Montenegro Park) and related improvements(" Project"); and (c) The proposed Project is subject to the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and accordingly an Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration for the park improvements was prepared in August 2025 and circulated for public review on August 21, 2025, through September 20, 2025. As required by CEQA, a Notice of Completion along with copies of the Draft IS/MND were sent to the State Clearinghouse soliciting review and comment on the report by the relevant State agencies. The State Clearinghouse subsequently assigned the following State Clearinghouse Number for the Draft IS/MND: 2025080925.. (d) A duly noticed public hearing was held on September 24, 2025, and the Planning Commission, as the recommending body, has carefully considered all pertinent testimony and the staff report offered in the case as presented at the public hearing, and Planning Commission recommended approval with conditions. (e) A duly noticed public hearing was held on October 15, 2025, and the City Council, as the deciding body, has carefully considered all pertinent testimony and the staff report offered in the case as presented at the public hearing. SECTION 2. In accordance with Section153.210.750 of the Baldwin Park Municipal Code, it is found that the Project would not unreasonably interfere with the use or enjoyment of property in the vicinity, and would not adversity affect the public peace, health, safety or general welfare, the City Council hereby approves and adopts said General Plan Amendment based on the following findings: (a) The amendment is consistent with the goals, policies, and objectives of the General Plan. According to the Land Use section of the General Plan, "The Land Use Element represents the City's desire for long range changes and enhancements of land uses within the City. The Land Use Plan builds on the established land use pattern to provide integration between the existing Resolution 2025-037 October 15, 2025 Paae 2 of 3 community qualities and the community's vision for the future" (LU-1, 2020 General Plan). This expression to maintain and promote land uses that are consistent with the qualities of the community is aligned with the proposed park project. The project is consistent with Land Use Goal 3 (Provide for the revitalization of deteriorating land uses and properties) because it will develop a vacant lot currently characterized by trash and weeds into a thriving park space. The project is also consistent with the Urban Design element of the General Plan that calls for beautification of the street frontage through landscaping, lighting, and community amenities near the gateways to the City, including Maine Avenue. Lastly, the project is consistent with the goals for Mini -Parks (pocket parks) in the General Plan in that it is located on a street corner, is designed for safety and security, and will be regularly serviced by City employees (OSC-14, 2020 General Plan). (b) The amendment will not adversely affect surrounding properties. Parks are widely accepted as community amenities that benefit the area that they serve. As a pocket park with no parking provided, it is intended to mainly serve the neighborhood in the immediate vicinity within walking or biking distance. Lighting will be provided for the park area ensuring that the park will be secure during the twilight hours and the park will be locked and closed during the nighttime hours. Light will terminate at the property line in accordance with BPMC. Both characteristics were put in place with security and safety in mind for the park users and for the benefit of the surrounding community. The improvements to the park area including the play structures, benches, water fountain, and bathrooms offer opportunities to the park users to play and rest, which is a benefit to the surrounding properties. In regard to concerns regarding noise and privacy for the neighboring properties to the north and west, the proposed eight -foot - tall wall along those property boundaries is intended to address those concerns and mitigate impact. (c) The amendment promotes public health, safety and general welfare. The City of Baldwin Park is underserved in terms of park space and all new park areas where residents and visitors can recreate and enjoy outdoor natural amenities supports the general welfare of the City. Lighting, walls, fences, gates are physical improvements described in the previous section that promote safety and security on the property. Furthermore, the operational characteristic of closing the park at sunset will also promote safety within the park. (d) The amendment serves the goals and purposes of the zoning code. The Zoning Code implements the vision, goals, and policies of the General Plan. Per state law, the General Plan and the Zoning Can must be consistent. This project is proposing an amendment of the zoning for this property to be open space, which will comply with the proposed Park Space land use for the property. SECTION 3. The Project is subject to the following conditions: a) Prior to issuance of the building permit, the applicant shall coordinate with the Los Angeles County Sanitation District and submit payment for all fees owed for connection to the County sewer. b) A plan that shows the security camera coverage of the park area shall be provided for review and approval during Plan Check and these plans shall reflect that the video coverage area shall not include adjacent private properties, subject to the discretion of the City Planner. ReoNuUon2O2b-037 October 15.2O2G Paqe3of3 c\ Street parking signs shall be installed proximate b) subject property that limit the time permitted for street parking and the time, manner, and placement of the signs shall be subject to the discretion of the Public Works Director. SECTION 4. Based on the aforementioned findings, the City Council does approve the General Plan Amendment No. 25-01, amending the General Plan Land Use Map from "Commercial Industrial" to "Park Space" for the property located at APN No. 8536-016-902. SECTION 5. The City Clerk shall certify the adoption of this Resolution and forward copy hereof to the Applicant, STATE OFCALIFORNIA COUNTY 0FLOSANGELES eS. CITY OF BALDWIN PARK I 1,CH0STOPHER SA|NZ,City Clerk of the Baldwin Park City Council, do hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution No. 2025-037was duly and regularly approved and adopted by the City Council at a regular meeting thereof, held on the 15 th day of October, 2025 by the following vote: AYES: AYALA, ESTRADA, [[]ZANO. []AjMIAN.AVIL/\ NOES: N//\ ABSTAIN: N//\ CITY CLERK