Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-11-21; Planning Commission; ; CUP 12-07 - CARLSBAD FIRE STATION NO. 3 The City of Carlsbad Planning Department A REPORT TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION Item No. Application complete date: October 9, 2012 P.C. AGENDA OF: November 21, 2012 Project Planner: Barbara Kennedy Project Engineer: Steve Bobbett SUBJECT: CUP 12-07 – CARLSBAD FIRE STATION NO. 3 – Request for the adoption of a Negative Declaration and approval of a Conditional Use Permit for construction of a new fire station on a graded, two acre site located northwest of the intersection of Cannon Road and Wind Trail Way, in the Open Space (O-S) zone, within Planning Area 12 of the Robertson Ranch Master Plan and in Local Facilities Management Zone 14. I. RECOMMENDATION That the Planning Commission ADOPT Planning Commission Resolution No. 6929 ADOPTING a Negative Declaration and ADOPT Planning Commission Resolution No. 6930 APPROVING Conditional Use Permit (CUP 12-07) based on the findings and subject to the conditions contained therein. II. INTRODUCTION The City of Carlsbad proposes to construct a new Fire Station No. 3 (FS #3) on a previously graded, two acre site within Planning Area 12 (PA 12) of the Robertson Ranch Master Plan (Master Plan). The site for the new facility has a zone designation of Planned Community (P C) with an underlying zone designation of Open Space (O-S). The O-S zone permits public/quasi- public buildings and facilities subject to approval of a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) by the Planning Commission. The project complies with City standards and all necessary findings can be made for the approvals being requested. III. PROJECT DESCRIPTION AND BACKGROUND Background The Zone 14 Local Facilities Management Plan (LFMP) discusses facility planning and build-out situations for Fire Facilities. The LFMP identifies that the City of Carlsbad Fire Department plans to relocate the existing fire station No. 3 from its temporary location at 3701 Catalina Drive (southwest corner of Chestnut Avenue/Catalina Drive) easterly into the central part of Zone 7, on a one acre site at the southwest corner of Carlsbad Village Drive and Glasgow Road, adjacent to Calavera Park. The Capital Improvement Program anticipated this relocation to occur in 2012-2014. During the development of the Master Plan, the Fire Department needs assessment determined that the relocation of FS #3 would better serve the community if it was closer to the vicinity of El Camino Real, Cannon Road, and College Boulevard and on a two acre site rather than at the one acre public facility site located at Calavera Park. Two sites on the south side of Cannon Road were evaluated by the fire department. However, the fire department 1 CUP 12-07 – CARLSBAD FIRE STATION NO. 3 November 21, 2012 Page 2 ultimately decided on the subject property as the permanent site for FS #3. The construction of the fire station is budgeted as a 2010-2011 FY Capital Improvement Project. Project Description The two acre project site is located northwest of the intersection of Cannon Road and Wind Trail Way, within the easternmost portion of PA 12. The site was rough graded in 2008 with the mass grading of the Robertson Ranch East Village (the Foothills development). Future residential development (PA 13) is proposed north of the site, Cannon Road (a major arterial) is located south of the site, an affordable housing apartment project is located across Wind Trail Way (a modified secondary arterial) to the east and a future 13.5 acre city park site is adjacent to the site on the west. The site is devoid of any vegetation; however, an HOA-maintained landscaped slope that ranges in height from about 5 to 10 feet separates the site from the roadways on the east and south. Additional grading will be necessary to raise the pad of the fire station to accommodate ingress and egress of the apparatus. This will be accomplished by importing approximately 14,000 cubic yards of fill from the adjacent park site. Off-site grading is also necessary for construction of the new street improvements. A new local public cul-de-sac street (Street “A”), designed with a landscaped roundabout, will provide access to FS #3. This street will provide access to the parking areas for the future park site and it will provide a secondary access point for future residential development in PA 13. On-street parking will not be permitted on Street “A”. Two driveways are shown on the site plan: the northwesterly driveway provides public and employee access to the site and serves as the return driveway for apparatus, while the driveway on the northeast is designed as a response driveway (egress only) for emergency vehicles. Thirteen visitor parking spaces are provided in close proximity to the entrance of the building and 20 staff parking spaces are located in a secure parking lot at the rear of the fire station (south side). Approximately 40% of the site is paved due to the nature of the use and the need for adequate space for apparatus turning movements. Therefore, a large bio-retention basin has been located at the south end of the site to capture and treat stormwater runoff from the paved areas prior to entering the storm drain system. This feature and other smaller bioswales have been integrated into the overall landscape design concept. The site is landscaped with low water use plants and all off-site graded areas will be landscaped to prevent soil erosion. The state of the art, 10,863 square foot fire station building contains eight dormitories, including a separate dormitory for captains on shift, individual showers and bathrooms, day room, exercise room, kitchen and dining area and other supporting spaces. The double deep apparatus bay will have drive-thru capabilities and enough depth to accommodate a 63-foot aerial ladder truck. The 28 foot tall, one-story building features a 38 foot tall entry element. The exterior walls are designed using a combination of brick and stucco elements, concrete roof tile, and accent features such as metal awnings, metal trellis with brick pilasters, precast trim, and clerestory windows. The design of the 38 foot tall, 528 square foot hose drying tower is similar to the entry element on the fire station building with a brick exterior, decorative arched windows surrounded by precast trim, and clerestory windows. The color scheme for the station uses medium to light earth tones accented with reddish-brown tones of brick, doors, trellis, and awnings. CUP 12-07 – CARLSBAD FIRE STATION NO. 3 November 21, 2012 Page 3 Other features on the site consist of an emergency generator, trash enclosure, and sand pit along the west property line and a hose rack and bio retention basin located at the south end of the site near the hose drying tower. Fencing around the site consists of a combination retaining wall/tubular steel fence on the south, a 6 foot high tubular steel fence on the east, and a 6 foot high solid block wall on the west, accented with stone pilasters that are consistent with the fencing theme of the Master Plan. IV. ANALYSIS The project is subject to the following land use plans, policies, programs and zoning regulations: A. General Plan – Open Space (OS); B. Robertson Ranch Master Plan (MP 02-03), underlying O-S zone designation (Carlsbad Municipal Code (CMC) Chapter 21.33); C. Conditional Use Permits (CMC Chapter 21.42); and D. Growth Management Regulations (Zone 14 Local Facilities Management Plan). The recommendation of approval for this project was developed by analyzing the project's consistency with the applicable policies and regulations listed above. The following analysis section discusses compliance with each of these regulations/policies utilizing both text and tables. A. General Plan The General Plan Land Use designation for the property is Open Space (OS). The following Table A identifies General Plan goals and objectives relevant to the proposed project and indicates if the project is in compliance with those goals and objectives. TABLE 1 – GENERAL PLAN COMPLIANCE ELEMENT USE, CLASSIFICATION, GOAL, OBJECTIVE, OR PROGRAM PROPOSED USES & IMPROVEMENTS COMPLIANCE Land Use A City which maintains a system of public facilities adequate for the projected population. The proposed FS #3 will replace the existing Fire Station No. 3 and will provide fire and emergency services as required under the City’s Growth Management Ordinance. Yes Land Use A City which provides for an orderly balance of both public and private land uses …and ensures that all such uses, type, amount, design, and arrangement serve to protect and enhance the environment, character and image of the City. The project provides a needed public facility and is designed in a manner that is compatible with the surrounding residential development. Yes CUP 12-07 – CARLSBAD FIRE STATION NO. 3 November 21, 2012 Page 4 TABLE 1 – GENERAL PLAN COMPLIANCE CONTINUED ELEMENT USE, CLASSIFICATION, GOAL, OBJECTIVE, OR PROGRAM PROPOSED USES & IMPROVEMENTS COMPLIANCE Noise Control harmful or undesirable sounds through the planning and regulatory process with emphasis on noise/land use compatibility planning. The project is conditioned to ensure that the 45 dBA interior noise standard is not exceeded. Periodic noise from the sirens is necessary for public safety. Yes Open Space & Conservation Utilize Best Management Practices for control of storm water and to protect water quality. Project will conform to all NPDES requirements and Best Management Practices. The project will implement hydromodification features on the site. Yes Public Safety A City which optimizes the organization and delivery of emergency services. To maintain an initial emergency travel response time of five (5) minutes. The new fire station will provide essential emergency services and will improve response times. Yes B. Robertson Ranch Master Plan and underlying O-S zone (CMC Chapter 21.33) The proposed fire station is located within a portion of PA 12 of the Master Plan. PA 12 has an underlying zone designation of Open Space (O-S) which allows for public/quasi-public buildings and facilities subject to approval of a conditional use permit. The project is required to comply with the standards and special design criteria outlined in the Master Plan and all applicable regulations and development standards of the O-S zone. The O-S zone does not specify any setbacks, lot coverage, or lot size requirements. It does however specify that structures shall not exceed 25 feet tall unless a higher elevation is approved by the Planning Commission through a conditional use permit. This topic is discussed in Section C, Conditional Use Permit. The project’s compliance with the unique Development Standards of the Master Plan and the Special Design Criteria for PA 12 is outlined in Table 2. TABLE 2 – COMPLIANCE WITH THE ROBERTSON RANCH MASTER PLAN Setbacks A 40 foot structural setback shall be provided from the r.o.w. on Cannon Road. A minimum10 foot setback between Wind Trail Way and any parking area. The hose drying tower, which is the closest structures to Cannon Road, is set back over 100 feet from the r.o.w. Parking areas are setback over 55 feet from Wind Trail Way. CUP 12-07 – CARLSBAD FIRE STATION NO. 3 November 21, 2012 Page 5 TABLE 2 – COMPLIANCE WITH THE ROBERTSON RANCH MASTER PLAN CONTINUED Trash Enclosure Trash enclosures shall be screened from off- site views The trash enclosure is located over 130 feet from the street and is screened by a 6 foot high decorative block wall. Architectural Design Guidelines Compliance with the building materials and use of colors that are appropriate to the architectural style Building mass, form, and scale Screen mechanical equipment Utilizes acceptable materials such as brick, stucco, and concrete tile roof in light to medium colors with brown and red tones compatible with the design of a fire station. Incorporates offsetting planes, one and two-story elements, overhead structures, details are carried throughout the building design. Mechanical equipment is located on the roof and is screened by architectural elements. Landscape Concept & Plant Palette Compliance with the Master Plan’s informal landscape theme, street tree selections, and plant varieties. The Conceptual Landscape Plans have been found to comply with the Master Plan. Theme Walls View fence along arterial streets and entry roads. Tubular steel fencing with stone pilasters is used at the top of slope along Cannon Road and Wind Trail Way. Although there are no specific architectural guidelines for the fire station, the building design incorporates offsetting planes, one- and two-story elements, overhead structures, and details which are carried throughout the building design. The building materials are typical of those used throughout the residential areas of the master plan and include brick, stucco, and concrete roof tile. The building design incorporates colors which typify a fire station such as the reddish- brown tones of the brick and deep red accent color for the doors, trellises, awnings and bi-fold apparatus bay doors. The combination of the reddish hues and light to medium brown colors that are used for walls, roof and accent features are compatible with the earth-tone colors used within the residential areas. C. Conditional Use Permits (CMC Chapter 21.42) The proposed fire station is a use (public buildings) which is allowed in the O-S zone subject to the approval of a CUP. Chapter 21.42 of the Carlsbad Municipal Code requires that four findings be made in order to approve a conditional use permit. In addition, pursuant to the O-S zone requirements, any building height over 25 feet must be approved as part of the CUP. All of these findings and justification for the increase in building height can be made for this project as discussed below: CUP 12-07 – CARLSBAD FIRE STATION NO. 3 November 21, 2012 Page 6 1. That the requested use is necessary or desirable for the development of the community, and is in harmony with the various elements and objectives of the General Plan. The project will replace the existing Fire Station No. 3 located at 3701 Catalina Drive and is needed to maintain the fire protection standards required by the Growth Management Plan for the northeast quadrant, and to meet the present and future functional needs of the Fire Department. Furthermore, the project complies with the various elements and objectives of the General Plan including the Land Use Element, Noise Element, Open Space and Conservation Element, and Public Safety Element as described previously, in Section A of the staff report. 2. That the requested use is not detrimental to existing uses or to uses specifically permitted in the zone in which the proposed use is to be located. The project is located within the Planned Community (P-C) zone with an underlying zone designation of Open Space (O-S). The O-S zone permits public/quasi-public buildings and facilities subject to approval of a Conditional Use Permit by the Planning Commission. The site is adjacent to a future park site on the west and future residential development is planned for the property located north of the site. The project has been designed in coordination with the Parks and Recreation Department to ensure that the design and location of the fire station will not impact access or development of the future park site. Additionally, the design of new Street “A” has been coordinated with the owner (Shapell Homes) of property located north of the site to ensure that road improvements will meet the needs of the future residential development. 3. That the site for the proposed conditional use is adequate in size and shape to accommodate the yards, setbacks, walls, fences, parking, loading facilities, buffer areas, landscaping and other development features prescribed in this code and required by the City Planner, planning commission or city council, in order to integrate the use with other uses in the neighborhood. The two acre site is adequately sized for the construction of the proposed fire station and can accommodate the ingress and egress driveways, parking for visitors and personnel, bio-retention features, landscaping, and other site features without the need for variances from setback requirements. A solid block wall will be provided along the west property line to provide a barrier between the fire station and the future park and tubular steel fencing with stone pilasters will be provided for security on the east and south sides of the site, in keeping with the Robertson Ranch fencing theme. The project also complies with other aspects of the master plan as noted earlier. 4. That the street system serving the proposed use is adequate to properly handle all traffic generated by the proposed use. The fire station is expected to generate an estimated 48 ADT and would not result in an increase in traffic that is substantial in relation to the existing or anticipated traffic load and capacity of the street system. The fire station site is located off of a side street from Cannon Road and an opticom system will be installed on the traffic signal at the intersection of Wind Trail Way and Cannon Road in order to aid the fire department in CUP 12-07 – CARLSBAD FIRE STATION NO. 3 November 21, 2012 Page 7 responding to emergencies, while also providing safer driving conditions at the intersection. 5. That the increase in the height limit of 25 feet for the O-S zone is necessary for the proposed building. An increase in the O-S zone height limit from 25 feet to 28 feet is necessary to accommodate the apparatus and associated equipment, and to integrate clerestory windows into the building design to allow for natural lighting. An increase in height to 38 feet is needed for the tower element in order to identify the entrance to the building and provide an architectural focal point. The height increase to 38 feet for the hose drying tower is necessary for it to function properly. D. Growth Management The proposed project is located within Local Facilities Management Zone 14 in the northeast quadrant of the City. The impacts on public facilities created by this project, and its compliance with the adopted performance standards, are summarized in Table 3 as follows: TABLE 3 – GROWTH MANAGEMENT STANDARD IMPACTS COMPLIANCE? City Administration N/A Yes Library N/A Yes Waste Water Treatment 6 EDU Yes Parks N/A Yes Drainage Drainage Basin B/ 7.5 CFS Yes Circulation 48 ADT Yes Fire Station No. 3 and 5 Yes Open Space N/A Yes Schools N/A Yes Sewer Collection System 6 EDU Yes Water 2,460 GPD Yes V. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the Environmental Protection Ordinance (Title 19) of the Carlsbad Municipal Code, staff has conducted an environmental impact assessment to determine if the project could have any potentially significant impacts on the environment. The environmental impact assessment identified that there were no potentially significant impacts resulting from the project that had not previously been identified in EIR 03-03 (SCH #2004051039) and/or mitigated, in accordance with the MMRP, with the mass grading of the Robertson Ranch East Village in 2008. The EIR identified that the traffic noise on Cannon Road could potentially result in an impact that would increase interior noise levels above the City’s interior noise level threshold of 45 dBA. A mitigation measure was included that would require architectural features to be incorporated into the design of the building to achieve the interior noise standard. This mitigation measure has been included as a condition of approval for the project. Consequently, a Notice of Intent to adopt a Negative Declaration (ND) was CUP 12-07 – CARLSBAD FIRE STATION NO. 3 November 21, 2012 Page 8 published in the newspaper for review and comment. No comment letters were received during the 20-day public review period, which began on October 18, 2012 and ended on November 7, 2012. ATTACHMENTS: 1. Planning Commission Resolution No. 6929 (ND) 2. Planning Commission Resolution No. 6930 (CUP) 3. Location Map 4. Disclosure Form 5. Background Data Sheet 6. Local Facilities Impact Form 7. Reduced Exhibits 8. Full Size Exhibits “A” – “R” dated November 21, 2012 .. ~~------------------.. ..J «~~ ~,...C IT Y 0 F DISCLOSURE STATEMENT P-1(A) Development Services Planning DMsJon 1635 Faraday Avenue {760) 602-4610 www.carlsbadca.gov CARLSBAD Applicanfs statement or disclosure of certain ownership Interests on all applications which will requrre discretionary action on the part of the City Council or any appointed Board, Commission or Committee. The following lnfonnation .MY.§! be disclosed at the time of application submittal. Your project cannot be reviewed until this information is completed. Please print. ~~~te:-·····~.·-~~-. ·~: ... : ·· --··-~>-· ··· · ·. :: ·. . · .. · ·· ·· · · · · ·· ··· · · · · ·:· ·:·· ·-~-... ···. ·· ~ "! :Person is defined· as "Ahy in<;!Mduaf, finn, '¢o-partnership, joint venture, association, so.~lal club, f.ratemab :organlzatlora; corporation. es'tate, trust. ·receiver, syndicate, in.thfs.and any other ceurity~ city and. oounty,j ;city munlclpallty, district or other political subdivision or any o.tJ:ler.group or comblnatlo~ _act{ng as a unit" 1 j . . • • • • :-.:, ..... f • • •• •• • • • • • ~Agents may _sign this clocu~e~t; h~wever, ~e leQa·l:·nam·e~~~·~. e'~Q~ty. ?f th~i,a~P,.H~·ryt ~,~:~ifroperty ow~e~ 'm_l,l_stb...~.P.(QYt~J!Itbj~J.Q'!Y.: .... _ __;_:_L ..... ____ : . ·:. :·. ;_ · ... ' .. /~'5-:.i...:.'!-if· . ~.::.. .. ·: .,·,;..:..::.:~; . .:._,_::~~·..:·:t:._ .. ___ --~·-·-. 1. APPLICANT (Not the applicant's agent) Provide the COMPLETE, LEGAL names and addresses of ALL persons having a financial interest in the application. If the applicant includes a corporation or partnership, Include the names, titles, addresses of all Individuals owning more than 10% of the shares. IF NO INDIVIDUALS OWN MORE THAN 10% OF THE SHARES, PLEASE INDICATE NON-APPLICABLE (N/A) IN THE SPACE BELOW. If a publicly-owned corporation, include the names, titles, and addresses of the corporate officers. (A separate page may be attached If necessary.) Person Kelley Needham Corp/Part. __________ _ Title Principal Title WLCARCHITECTS,INC. '--------------- Address 8163 Rochester Av&., Suite 100 Address ___________ _ Rancho Cucamonga, CA91730 2. OWNER (Not the owner's agent} P-1(A) Provide the COMPLETE. LEGAL names and addresses of ALL persons having any ownership interest in the property involved. Also, provide the nature of the legal ownership (I.e., partnership, tenants in common, non-profit, corporation, etc.). If the ownership includes a corporation or partnership, include the names, titles, addresses of all Individuals owning more than 10% of the shares. IF NO INDIVIDUALS OWN MORE THAN 10% OF THE SHARES, PLEASE INDICATE NON-APPLICABLE {N/A) IN THE SPACE BELOW. If a publicly-owned corooratlon. Include the names, titles, and addresses of the corporate officers. (A separate page may be attached if necessary.) Person Patrick McGarry Title Project Manager Address City of Carlsbad 405 Oak Avenue Carlsbad CA 92008 Corp/Part. __________ _ Title. ________________________ ___ Address. _____________ __ Page 1 of2 Revised 07/10 Revised 01/06 BACKGROUND DATA SHEET CASE NO: CUP 12-07 CASE NAME: CARLSBAD FIRE STATION NO. 3 APPLICANT: CITY OF CARLSBAD REQUEST AND LOCATION: Request for approval of a Conditional Use Permit for a new fire station on a graded, two-acre site located northwest of the intersection of Cannon Road and Wind Trail Way, within Planning Area 12 of the Robertson Ranch Master Plan and in Local Facilities Management Zone 14. LEGAL DESCRIPTION: A Portion of Parcel 2 of Lot Line Adjustment ADJ 01-13 per Certificate of Compliance CE 01-55, Recorded November 28, 2001 as File No. 2001-0865065 APN: Portion of 208-010-38 & -42 Acres: 2 acres Proposed No. of Lots/Units: N/A GENERAL PLAN AND ZONING Existing Land Use Designation: Open Space (OS) Proposed Land Use Designation: N/A Density Allowed: N/A Density Proposed: N/A Existing Zone: P-C (underlying zone: O-S) Proposed Zone: N/A Surrounding Zoning, General Plan and Land Use: Zoning (underlying zone) General Plan Current Land Use Site P-C (O-S) OS vacant/graded North P-C (RD-M) RM vacant/graded South P-C (O-S) Major Arterial OS Cannon Road open space/water quality facility East P-C (RH) Secondary Arterial RH Wind Trail Way apartments West P-C (O-S) OS vacant/graded LOCAL COASTAL PROGRAM Coastal Zone: Yes No Local Coastal Program Segment: N/A Within Appeal Jurisdiction: Yes No Coastal Development Permit: Yes No Local Coastal Program Amendment: Yes No Existing LCP Land Use Designation: N/A Proposed LCP Land Use Designation: N/A Existing LCP Zone: N/A Proposed LCP Zone: N/A Revised 01/06 PUBLIC FACILITIES School District: Carlsbad Unified Water District: Carlsbad Sewer District: Carlsbad Equivalent Dwelling Units (Sewer Capacity): 6 EDU ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT Categorical Exemption, Negative Declaration, issued October 18, 2012 Certified Environmental Impact Report, Other, CITY OF CARLSBAD GROWTH MANAGEMENT PROGRAM LOCAL FACILITIES IMPACTS ASSESSMENT FORM (To be Submitted with Development Application) PROJECT IDENTITY AND IMPACT ASSESSMENT: FILE NAME AND NO: CARLSBAD FIRE STATION NO. 3 – CUP 12-07 LOCAL FACILITY MANAGEMENT ZONE: 14 GENERAL PLAN: OS ZONING: P-C (underlying zone designation: O-S) DEVELOPER’S NAME: City of Carlsbad (Project Manager: Patrick McGarry) ADDRESS: 405 Oak Street, Carlsbad, CA 92008 PHONE NO.: (760) 434-2949 ASSESSOR’S PARCEL NO.: 208-010-38 & 42 QUANTITY OF LAND USE/DEVELOPMENT (AC., SQ. FT., DU): 2 AC. ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: May 2014 A. City Administrative Facilities: Demand in Square Footage = N/A B. Library: Demand in Square Footage = N/A C. Wastewater Treatment Capacity (Calculate with J. Sewer) 6 EDU D. Park: Demand in Acreage = N/A E. Drainage: Demand in CFS = 7.5 Identify Drainage Basin = B (Identify master plan facilities on site plan) F. Circulation: Demand in ADT = 48 (Identify Trip Distribution on site plan) G. Fire: Served by Fire Station No. = 3 & 5 H. Open Space: Acreage Provided = N/A I. Schools: N/A (Demands to be determined by staff) J. Sewer: Demands in EDU 6 Identify Sub Basin = N/A (Identify trunk line(s) impacted on site plan) K. Water: Demand in GPD = 2460 Community & Economic Development 1635 Faraday Ave. Carlsbad, CA 92008 760-602-2710 760-602-8560 fax ERRATA SHEET FOR AGENDA ITEM #1 Memorandum November 21, 2012 To: Planning Commission From: Scott Donnell, Senior Planner Via Don Neu, City Planner Re: Errata Sheet for Agenda Item #1 – CUP 12-07-Fire Station No. 3 Staff is recommending that the Planning Commission revise Planning Commission Resolution No. 6930 by adding the following condition: While exiting the fire station, to reduce periodic noise impacts, emergency vehicles shall be restricted from employing sirens until just before entering Cannon Road, unless public safety warrants otherwise.