MEETING DATE:
October 22, 2024
SUBJECT:
Title
RESOLUTION NO. 2024-9366 - RESCINDING RESOLUTION 2007-6932 AND SUBSEQUENT MODIFICATIONS ESTABLISHING THE SAN MARCOS CREEK SPECIFIC PLAN OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE
Body
Recommendation
Recommendation
ADOPT a resolution rescinding Resolution 2007-6932 and its subsequent modification establishing the San Marcos Creek Specific Plan Oversight Committee.
Body
Board or Commission Action
Not Applicable
Relevant Council Strategic Theme
Planning for the Future
Executive Summary
The San Marcos Creek Specific Plan, adopted in 2007, aimed to revitalize San Marcos Boulevard into a mixed-use district but saw limited progress through 2017. After identifying barriers to development, the City secured funding in 2024 for establishing a new plan, incorporating community input and prior recommendations, with adoption expected in 2026. As the Committee overseeing the Plan is no longer active, staff recommends dissolving it and relying on existing oversight bodies for guidance moving forward.
Discussion
In 2007, the City adopted the San Marcos Creek Specific Plan, which was developed with community input to envision a new downtown area along San Marcos Boulevard. The plan aimed to transform the existing industrial and strip commercial land uses into a vibrant, mixed-use district. To oversee its implementation, the San Marcos Creek Oversight Committee was established.
However, from the plan's adoption through 2017, only two developments were realized, both affordable housing projects funded by the City's former redevelopment agency. In 2017, the City sought to understand the lack of market-rate development and tasked the Committee with evaluating potential barriers to implementation. Between 2017 and 2020, the Committee met to identify these barriers, ultimately providing several recommendations to guide future updates to the Plan.
Despite these efforts, the lack of new market-rate development in line with the Plan led to the need for a fresh vision for the area. In 2024, the City secured funding to create a new specific plan that incorporates both the Committee's recommendations and contemporary public feedback. The City expects to have this revised plan ready for adoption by early 2026.
The Committee has not convened since 2020, and given the current applications in process, it is unlikely to meet before the new plan's adoption. As there are no longer any active members of the Committee, staff recommends formally dissolving it. Moving forward, staff may collaborate with existing oversight bodies, such as the Planning Commission, to ensure the Committee’s recommendations are integrated into the new plan
Environmental Review
The activity performed under this action is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines; and is therefore not subject to environmental review pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15060(c)(3).
Fiscal Impact
The proposed action will not have a fiscal impact.
Attachment(s)
Resolution 2024-9366
Prepared by: Isaac Etchamendy, Director of Development Services
Approved by: Michelle Bender, City Manager