TITLE
Adopt resolution amending the Local Coastal Program and forwarding the supporting material to the California Coastal Commission for approval and certification. (District 2)
DISCUSSION
In the past four months, the California Coastal Commission (CCC) took action on two items that were previously approved by the City Council, the Golden Shore Master Plan and the Aquarium of the Pacific expansion. In addition, the State Lands Commission recently approved a land exchange removing the Tidelands Trust restrictions from the Queensway Bay Parcel (Subarea 5 of PD-6, the "Pike") that was also previously approved by the City Council. Since all of these changes affect the Downtown Shoreline Planned Development District (PD-6), they are being grouped into one ordinance amendment for consideration by the City Council. If approved, the Ordinance will be forwarded to the CCC for final approval.
The CCC approved the Golden Shore Master Plan on June 16, 2011 with suggested modifications including bicycle access, transportation demand management, bird-safe building design and lower-cost overnight accommodations. The Aquarium of the Pacific expansion was approved by the CCC on April 13, 2011 with a suggested modification to include language for unenclosed public recreation.
On June 21, 2011, the City Council authorized the City Manager to execute an exchange agreement that included removing the Tidelands Trust restrictions from the Queensway Bay Parcel (The Pike) and adding the Tidelands Trust restrictions to the Bixby Park parcel, the Colorado Lagoon Parcel and the Marine Stadium Channel Parcel. The State Lands Commission approved the exchange on June 23, 2011. To comply with this recent agreement and to update the Downtown Shoreline Planned Development District (PD-6), any language included in Subarea 5 that refers to Tidelands Trust restrictions is being removed.
Staff believes that these projects will provide a positive contribution to the Downtown Shoreline area and that the suggested modifications will allow development to proceed while ensuring that the requirements of the Coastal Act are met.
This letter was reviewed by Assistant City Attorney Michael Mais on July 19, 2011 and by Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on July 21, 2011.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
The Coastal Act requires the City's adoption of the suggested modifications be completed within six months of the April 13, 2011 Coastal Commission action.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact and no local job impact as a result of the recommended action.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
BODY
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LONG BEACH ADOPTING, AFTER PUBLIC HEARING, AMENDMENTS TO THE LOCAL COASTAL PROGRAM ELEMENT OF THE GENERAL PLAN OF THE CITY OF LONG BEACH; AND AUTHORIZING THE DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT SERVICES TO SUBMIT CERTIFIED COPIES OF THIS RESOLUTION TOGETHER WITH ALL SUPPORTING MATERIALS AND THE ORDINANCE AMENDING THE DOWNTOWN SHORELINE PLANNED DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT (PD-6) TO THE CALIFORNIA COASTAL COMMISSION FOR APPROVAL AND CERTIFICATION
Respectfully Submitted,
AMY J. BODEK, AICP
DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER