Agenda Item Wording:
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Second reading and adoption of Ordinance No. 2025-02: A request to authorize the City to sign and enter into a Development Agreement pursuant to Government Code Section 65864 et. seq., and Chapter 17.60 of the City of Visalia Municipal Code pertaining to the Shirk & Riggin Industrial Park located on approximately 284 acres, on the north side of Riggin Avenue between Shirk Street and Kelsey Street (APN:077-840-004, 005, 006).
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Deadline for Action: 4/7/2025
Submitting Department: Community Development
Contact Name and Phone Number:
Brandon Smith, Principal Planner, (559) 713-4636, brandon.smith@visalia.city <mailto:brandon.smith@visalia.city>;
Paul Bernal, Planning & Community Preservation Director, (559) 713-4025, paul.bernal@visalia.city <mailto:paul.bernal@visalia.city>
Department Recommendation:
Staff recommends that the City Council conduct the second reading and adopt Ordinance No. 2025-02 pertaining to a Development Agreement for the Shirk & Riggin Industrial Park.
Summary:
On March 17, 2025, the City Council held a public hearing to consider the Shirk & Riggin Industrial Park project, which included the approval of a General Plan Amendment, initiation of an annexation, and certification of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR). The entire project is a request for the development of an industrial park with a total building footprint of approximately 3,720,149 square feet on 284 acres. The industrial park will primarily contain industrial uses as well as commercial elements on property located outside of City limits and within the Tier I urban development boundary
Following the public hearing, the City Council voted (4-0 with one councilmember absent) to certify the EIR, approve the General Plan Amendment, initiate the Annexation, and conduct the First Reading of Ordinance No. 2025-02 (included herein as Attachment 1) for entering into a Development Agreement.
The applicant has chosen at their discretion for the project to be entered into a Development Agreement. The Development Agreement (included herein as Attachment 2) seeks to establish terms and understandings on subjects including but not limited to post-entitlement approvals, vested rights, commitments toward providing infrastructure, project phasing, and establishment of project fees.
The second reading of the Ordinance is the final action that the City Council takes before the Development Agreement can be entered into, in accordance with Visalia Municipal Code Chapter 17.60. Following the second reading and Council adoption of the ordinance approving the development agreement taking effect, the city may enter into the agreement.
Fiscal Impact:
None.
Prior Council Action: On March 17, 2025, Council voted (4-0) to certify an EIR, approve General Plan Amendment No. 2025-01, initiate Annexation No. 2024-03 and to conduct the First Reading of Ordinance No. 2025-02 for authorization to enter into a Development Agreement.
Committee /Commission Review and Action: The Planning Commission conducted a public hearing on February 10, 2025, to consider the project, including requests for Conditional Use Permit and Tentative Parcel Map on the project site. Planning Commissioners made a motion for each individual entitlement, and each item passed on a 5-0 vote, resulting in approval of the Conditional Use Permit No. 2024-26 and Tentative Parcel Map No. 2024-08, and recommendations that the City Council certify the EIR, approve the Development Agreement and General Plan Amendment No. 2025-01, and initiate Annexation No. 2024-03.
Alternatives: None.
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
I move to approve the second reading of Ordinance No. 2025-02 for authorization to enter into a Development Agreement.end
Environmental Assessment Status: A Draft and Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) (State Clearinghouse Number 2022080658), incorporated herein by reference, was prepared in association with the Shirk and Riggin Industrial Park project, in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The City Council adopted the Environmental Impact Report on March 17, 2025. No further action is needed for the 2nd reading.
CEQA Review: A Draft and Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) (State Clearinghouse Number 2022080658), incorporated herein by reference, was prepared in association with the Shirk and Riggin Industrial Park project, in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The City Council adopted the Environmental Impact Report on March 17, 2025. No further action is needed for the 2nd reading.
Attachments:
1. Attachment 1: Ordinance No. 2025-02 for Development Agreement
2. Attachment 2: Development Agreement
3. Aerial Photo