FROM:
Planning Department
SUBJECT:
Title
Master Case No. 23-094 and Specific Plan Amendment No. 23-003 - An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Fontana, California, approving Specific Plan Amendment No. 23-003 to modify the West End Specific Plan to add “escape rooms” as a permitted use within the light industrial zoning district generally located west of cherry avenue ease of east avenue, north of foot hill boulevard, and south of base line avenue pursuant to a categorical exemption in accordance with CEQA Guidelines Sections 15060(c), 15061(B)(3) (the common-sense exemption), and Sections No. 3.01 and 10.59 of the 2019 Local Guidelines for Implementing CEQA and in the alternative Section 15301 (Existing Facilities) and 15303 (New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures) and direct staff to File a Notice of Exemption.
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RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Based on the information in the staff report staff recommends that the City Council adopt Ordinance No. 1940; and,
1. Determine that this Ordinance is categorically exempt pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Sections 15060(c), 15061(B)(3) (the common-sense exemption), and Sections No. 3.01 and 10.59 of the 2019 Local Guidelines for Implementing CEQA, in that the activity is covered by the general rule that CEQA applies only to projects which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment where it can be found with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA and direct staff to File a Notice of Exemption;
2. Read by title only and waive further reading of and introduce Ordinance No. 1940, an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Fontana, approving Master Case No. 23-094 and Specific Plan Amendment (SPA) No. 23-003 to amend the West End Specific Plan to add “Escape Room” as a permitted use within the Light Industrial District (BP2) District in the West End Specific Plan; and that the reading of the title constitutes the first reading thereof.
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COUNCIL GOALS:
• Promote economic development by concentrating on job creation.
• Promote economic development by pursuing business attraction, retention, and expansion.
• Promote economic development by being business friendly at all levels and striving to constantly improve the city's competitiveness.
DISCUSSION:
Background:
The Planning Commission considered the project on January 16, 2024, and voted (3-0) to adopt Resolution PC No. 2024-002, thereby forwarding a recommendation of approval to the City Council.
Project Description/Analysis:
The West End Specific Plan was adopted on February 2, 1985, and included the establishment of the BP2 land use district; this district was intended to provide an attractive and convenient setting for business park and light industrial uses to support the surrounding residential community, adjacent business park and rail industrial areas. The BP2 district provides for uses such as gymnasium, taekwondo studio, rock climbing, and indoor playgrounds which provide various interactive and/or recreational facilities that serve the surrounding residential community.
The applicant is proposing to establish the use of an escape room. The escape room is a themed, interactive entertainment venue where participants are immersed in a specially designed environment and tasked with solving a series of puzzles, riddles, and challenges to achieve a common objective, typically escaping from the room within a set time limit. These experiences are created to engage participants' problem-solving skills, teamwork, and creativity, providing an engaging and intellectually stimulating form of entertainment. Escape rooms are a popular recreational activity and team-building exercise, offering a unique and controlled adventure for visitors of all ages.
Escape rooms are not currently permitted within the BP2 land use district of the West End Specific Plan. The amendment proposes to update the permitted uses section of the BP2 District to include the use of “Escape Room” as a permitted use. Staff supports the addition of the requested use as it is a low intensity use that will provide an additional interactive recreational activity for the community and for businesses. The proposed use will be compatible to uses that are currently permitted in the BP2 district. The proposed use will meet the intent of the BP2 District by providing an attractive and convenient use that supports the surrounding residential community. Additionally, the BP2 District is generally developed with various commercial and industrial business park buildings; therefore, new users would be leased one of the suites and establish themselves within the existing suites of the buildings.
There are other recreational type uses that are permitted in the BP2 that are more intensive than the use of an escape room, in part by virtue of having longer operating hours and generating more vehicular trips. These uses include car washes, childcare centers, hotels and motels, and health and athletic facilities. Existing nearby uses within the BP2 district include light manufacturing uses such as a dentist, an urgent care, a pediatrics facility, a church, a cross-fit facility, and an MMA & Fitness training center. The proposed use would not conflict with the permitted and existing uses.
In summary, the proposed amendment will provide an additional recreational facility for the community that is compatible with the surrounding uses within the BP2 land use district and would not negatively impact other permitted uses within the district.
The proposed amendment has been provided in Exhibit “A” as part of Attachment No. 1
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.
MOTION:
Approve staff recommendation.
ATTACHMENT:
Attachment No. 1 - Ordinance
Attachment No. 2 - Notice of Determination
Attachment No. 3 - Notice of Public Hearing