MEETING DATE:
September 23, 2014
SUBJECT:
Title
RESOLUTION NO. 2014-7985 - CITY OF SAN MARCOS COMPREHENSIVE ANNEXATION POLICY
Body
Recommendation
Staff recommends the City Council adopt the attached comprehensive annexation policy.
Body
Board or Commission Action
Not Applicable
Relevant Council Strategic Theme
Planning for the Future
Quality of Life
Service Delivery
Good Governance
Relevant Department Goal
Not Applicable
Introduction
At the June 10, 2014 City Council meeting, Councilmember Orlando requested and the City Council concurred that staff look into a process for applying the spirit and principles of the Ridgeline Protection Ordinance for projects proposing to annex into the City. There was discussion on the approach and the possible affect on the ballot measure that was approved by the voters. The City Attorney indicated that the approved map of primary and secondary ridgelines could not be changed without a vote of the people. The conclusion and direction was to formulate a policy.
Discussion
Although the direction given at the June 10, 2014 City Council meeting was more focused on ridgeline issues, staff prepared the attached draft comprehensive annexation policy for City Council consideration. This is a comprehensive policy dealing with all aspects of annexation in to the City. The policy addresses the following areas:
· Delivery of facilities and services - this will require proof that facilities, services and infrastructure being provided are adequate to serve the proposed annexation, consistent with Proposition R.
· Compatibility with land uses - this will require proposed annexations to complement the adjoining land use areas envisioned by the City's General Plan.
· Avoiding fiscal and environmental impacts - by demonstrating project improvements will be financed by the applicant and will not serve as an impact to delivery of public services or environmental impacts.
· Compliance with General Plan policies - by requiring annexations to be consistent with each of the adopted General Plan elements.
· Compliance with the City's Urban Wildland/Interface Area and City development standards - by demonstrating projects comply with the City Fire Code requirements and fuel management criteria.
· Preservation of significant landforms - by requiring annexations to comply with the Ridgeline Protection Ordinance.
With regard to the specific direction provided by the City Council, the last policy area listed above requires those properties requesting to be annexed adjacent to designated Primary and Secondary Ridgelines to extend the preservation of these landforms in accordance with identified guidelines. The guidelines call for the preservation of scenic resources and prominent landforms/canyon areas; encourages use of land use plans, architectural, and landscaping designs that enhance and complement hillsides, ridgelines, canyons, and view corridors, as well as respecting the topography and topographic landforms. If the attached policy is adopted by the City Council any annexation project would be required to comply with the comprehensive policy
Fiscal Impact
The adoption of the attached resolution has no fiscal impact to the City.
Attachment(s)
Draft Annexation Policy
Resolution
Prepared by: Jerry Backoff, Planning Division Director
Submitted/Reviewed by: Lydia Romero, Deputy City Manager
Approved by: Jack Griffin, City Manager