FROM:
Planning Department
TITLE:
Title
Master Case No. 24-069: Specific Plan Amendment No. 24-002, a request to modify Chapter 5.6 of the Southwest Industrial Park Specific Plan to allow legal nonconforming “Pallet Yards” to expand operations within the Southwest Industrial Park Specific Plan, pursuant to a categorical exemption in accordance with CEQA Guidelines sections 15162 through 15164, and Section 15183.
End
RECOMMENDATION:
Based on the information in the staff report and subject to the findings staff recommends that the Planning Commission adopt Resolution No. PC 2024-____; and recommend that the City Council:
1. Determine that this Ordinance is categorically exempt pursuant to Sections 15162 through 15164, and Section 15183 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and Section 8.10 of the City of Fontana’s 2019 Local Guidelines for Implementing CEQA, it has been determined that the previously certified Southwest Industrial Park Specific Plan Program Environmental Impact Report (SWIP PEIR) (State Clearinghouse [SCH] No. 2009091089) has adequately identified the impacts associated with the Specific Plan Amendment (“proposed project”) and direct staff to File a Notice of Exemption;
2. Adopt an Ordinance for Specific Plan Amendment (SPA) No. 24-002 to modify text within Chapter 5.6 of the Southwest Industrial Park (SWIP) Specific Plan to allow expansions to legally established pallet yards within an existing site.
APPLICANT:
City of Fontana-Planning Department
8358 Sierra Avenue
Fontana, CA 92335
LOCATION:
The Southwest Industrial Park (“SWIP”) Specific Plan project area is primarily located south of the Interstate 10 freeway, east of the Interstate 15 freeway and north of State Route 60, with limited areas located north of Interstate 10. The SWIP Specific Plan includes nine land use districts with approximately 3,110 acres of industrial, manufacturing, office, commercial, research and development, and flex-tech development.
REQUEST:
Specific Plan Amendment (SPA) No. 24-002 is a request to modify the Southwest Industrial Park Specific Plan, Chapter 5.6, Nonconforming Structures, Uses and Lots, to allow internal expansions to legally established pallet yards.
PROJECT PLANNER:
Alejandro Rico, Associate Planner
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The Southwest Industrial Park Specific Plan was adopted by the City of Fontana on June 12, 2012, to regulate truck, trailer, warehouse, industrial, and other uses. The SWIP Specific Plan includes nine Specific Plan Area zoning districts: Freeway Industrial/Commercial District, Jurupa North Research and Development District, Jurupa South Industrial District, Slover Central Manufacturing District, Slover East Industrial District, Slover West Industrial District, Speedway Industrial District, Residential Truck District, and Public Facilities District.
The Specific Plan includes provisions related to nonconforming uses; staff is proposing to revise the nonconforming section to allow internal expansion of legally nonconforming pallet yards, thus providing for the improvement of properties containing these uses within the Southwest Industrial Park specific plan.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
City staff initiated Specific Plan Amendment No. 24-002 to amend the Southwest Industrial Park (SWIP) Specific Plan by revising the nonconforming provisions of Chapter 5.6 to allow for the internal expansion of legally nonconforming pallet yards. This Amendment will allow such pallet yard operators the opportunity to expand operations within an existing site by providing guidance and regulations for internal expansions only, thus providing for business and operational improvements without increasing the overall area of individual pallet yard sites.
ANALYSIS:
Pallet yards are not currently a permitted use within any of the SWIP land use districts and thus, previously permitted operational pallet yards are considered to be legally nonconforming. Nonconforming uses within the SWIP cannot expand either buildings or other operational areas even within their own sites, which has the effect of disallowing improvements such as building additions and site improvements. Such property improvements can provide enhancements that are positive additions to both the businesses, those businesses that they support, and the surrounding community. The proposed amendment is intended to allow for additional building and operations, when within the site of an existing, legally operating business.
The proposed amendment has been provided in Exhibit “A” of Attachment No. 1
MOTION:
Approve Staff recommendation
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution/Exhibit “A”
2. Notice of Exemption
3. Public Hearing Notice