REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Adopt a Resolution to Approve the Annexation of the Butcher Property and Find the Project Categorically Exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act
Report
BACKGROUND
On August 27, 2013, the City Council initiated a request to the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) to annex the Butcher property, an over 5-acre county "island" located at the intersection of East El Camino Real, South Wolfe Road and East Fremont Avenue, with LAFCO offering to assume the cost for processing that annexation (RTC 13-201). Around the same time, the property owner, De Anza Properties, submitted a concept plan (Preliminary Review) to redevelop the property.
LAFCO accepted the City's initiation of annexation, and on October 8, 2013, the City Council considered a draft resolution to complete the annexation of the Butcher property. At the request of the property owner and residents, the City Council decided to postpone the annexation to allow the property owner to further develop plans and share them with the community for input.
On July 28, 2015, the City Council directed staff to move forward with the annexation process independent of and prior to action on the pending rezoning and development applications. In addition, the City Council deferred consideration of the two-year "changed circumstance" finding until action on the rezoning and development applications (Attachment 4, Meeting Minutes from the July 28, 2015 City Council Public Hearing).
Staff recommends that the City Council approve Alternatives 1 and 2: find that the annexation is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to guideline 15319(a), and adopt a resolution to approve the annexation of the Butcher property (Attachment 1, Resolution to Adopt the Annexation of the Butcher Property Island Area). Annexation does not change the City's existing General Plan or zoning designations for the property, and no Council act...
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