Notice of Public Hearing – City Council – December 2, 2024, 7:00 p.m.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on Monday, December 2, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. the Montclair City Council will conduct a public hearing in the Council Chambers at 5111 Benito Street, Montclair, CA 91763, at which time all interested parties are invited to appear and be heard, to consider the following items under Planning Case No. 2024–55:

• City of Montclair 2020 General Plan Update
• Arrow Highway Mixed-Use District (AHMUD) Specific Plan
• Montclair Corridors Code

APPLICANT: City of Montclair

LOCATION:  Citywide

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:  The proposed Montclair 2020 General Plan Update (Project) is a comprehensive update of the City’s General Plan, which has not been comprehensively updated since 1999.  The General Plan will be reorganized and reformatted, with updated goals and policies that reflect the community’s vision of Montclair, which the General Plan seeks to achieve.  The General Plan Land Use Map will also be updated.  The Montclair General Plan features the following eight elements:

1. Our Natural Community (Conservation, Open Space Elements) – Addresses how Montclair can thrive in balance with the community’s natural ecosystems.
2. Our Prosperous Community (Economic Development Element) – Addresses how Montclair can attract and retain high-wage and high-value enterprises, and diversify and increase the local tax base.
3. Our Well Planned Community (Land Use/Design, Housing, Parks and Recreation Elements) – This chapter will feature the preferred land use plan that directs new growth by reinvesting in key opportunity areas like the Downtown, Arrow Highway Mixed-Use District, and Corridors while protecting natural resources, respecting stable residential neighborhoods, and making great places by insisting on the highest standard in architecture, landscaping, and urban design.
4. Our Accessible Community (Circulation Element) – Addresses transportation choices advocated by SB 375 and AB 1358 by strengthening and balancing pedestrian, bike, and transit connections in the City and surrounding region.
5. Our Healthy Community (Public Health, Noise, and Land Use Element) – Will seek to build effective partnerships that improve physical and mental health and social well-being.
6. Our Safe Community (Safety Element) – Will increase awareness of potential emergencies, and minimize threats to life and damage to structures from hazards.
7. Our Active Community (Land Use, Open Space, Parks and Recreation Elements) – Addresses parks and open spaces to provide enriching recreational options for the entire community.
8. Our Creative Community (Culture Element) – Weave arts, cultural events, and community programs into everyday life.

As part of the Project, the City intends to also adopt the following documents to implement the land use and regulatory goals of the General Plan update:

• The AHMUD Specific Plan focuses on the northwest and northeast corners of Montclair, along the Arrow Highway Corridor. The AHMUD Specific Plan includes provisions to allow new residential development, a new public park, new development on the north and south side of Arrow Highway, new development facing Central Avenue, and phasing of public infrastructure such as improvements to streetscapes, San Antonio Channel Creek, and parks.  The AHMUD Specific Plan will replace the existing North Montclair Specific Plan (1997).
• The Montclair Corridors Code —The City will also amend its Development Code (MMC Chapter 11) and Zoning Map to implement the updated General Plan via the Montclair Corridors Code. The code will include the creation of new zoning designations and development standards for the Central Avenue (south of the I-10 Freeway), Holt Boulevard, and Mission Boulevard corridors.

To maintain consistency with the General Plan Update, the City is also considering the following actions:

1. Repeal the existing North Montclair Specific Plan to be replaced by the AHMUD Specific Plan; and
2. Amendment of Title 11 (Zoning and Development) of the Montclair Municipal Code to repeal Chapters 11.24, 11.26, 11.28, 11.30, 11.32, and 11.34 to be replaced with five new land use designations (Neighborhood Residential, Neighborhood Edge; Commerce–Mixed Use, Commerce-Industrial, and Civic) and development standards proposed by the Corridors Code.
3. Repeal the existing Holt Boulevard Specific Plan to be replaced by the Corridors Code (an area approximately 2.2 miles along Holt Boulevard from Mills Avenue on the west to Benson Avenue on the east); and
4. Repeal the existing Montclair Parkway Place Specific Plan to be replaced by the Corridors Code (a 600-acre area bounded by State Street on the north, Benson Avenue on the east, Howard Street on the south, and the San Antonio Wash flood control channel near East End Avenue on the west).

In addition, a Climate Action Plan (CAP) has also been prepared concurrently with the General Plan. Collectively, the Montclair 2020 General Plan Update and Climate Action Plan are hereinafter referred to as the “Project.”

The Planning Commission reviewed the Project and forwards its recommendation to the City Council for their approval. The Planning Commission also recommends the City Council certify the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and adoption of the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP), the adoption of environmental findings, including a statement of overriding considerations, and approval of the Project.

On November 12, 2024, the Montclair Planning Commission adopted the following Resolutions recommending City Council approval of the following noted items:

• PC Resolution No. 24–2000 (Environmental Impact Report) by a 4–0–1 vote;
• PC Resolution No. 24–2001–A–B (General Plan – Elements and Land Use Map) by a 3–0–1–1 vote; and
• PC Resolution No. 24–2001–C (Arrow Highway Mixed–Use District Specific Plan) by a 4–0–1 vote.

At an adjourned and special meeting on November 19, 2024, the Planning Commission adopted the following resolutions recommending City Council approval of the following noted items:

• PC Resolution No. 24–2001–D (Montclair Corridors Code) by a 3–0–2 vote; and
• PC Resolution No. 24–2002 (Climate Action Plan) by a 5–0 vote.

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT: In compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), a Draft Environmental Impact Report (“DEIR”) was prepared to analyze the potential environmental impacts that may result from the implementation of the proposed Project. The DEIR evaluated potential environmental impacts associated with the implementation of the Project and provided information regarding short–term, long–term, direct, indirect, and cumulative environmental effects of the Project. It also identified feasible mitigation measures and/or alternatives that would minimize or eliminate the potentially significant impacts associated with the implementation of the Project.

The above referenced documents and CEQA documentation (including the DEIR) may be viewed at the Community Development Department located at the above address from 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., Monday – Thursday, before the public hearing. For further information concerning this project, please contact Michael Diaz, the project coordinator, at mdiaz@cityofmontclair.org or (909) 625–9432. Written comments on the project may be sent by mail to P.O. Box 2308, Montclair, CA 91763, or by facsimile transmittal to the Department at (909) 626–3691. Si desea información en español acerca de esta propuesta, por favor comuníquese con Silvia Gutierrez en la ciudad de Montclair, al teléfono (909) 625–9435.

Pursuant to GC 65009(b)(2) legal challenges to the City’s action on this project may be limited to only those issues raised in testimony during the public hearing process. The City of Montclair does not discriminate against persons with disabilities. If you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, contact the project coordinator.  Notification prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting.  (28 CFR 35.102–35.104 ADA Title II)