SUBJECT: Annexation and Pre-zoning Application #23-03, General Plan Amendment #23-04, Establishment of Planned Development #80, Adoption of VST Specific Plan and Environmental Review #23-44 all initiated by the Virginia Smith Trust (VST), Property Owner. The application would involve the annexation of approximately 654 acres of land generally located at the northeast corner of Cardella and Lake Roads (4600 Lake Road), the Pre-zoning of the property as Planned Development (P-D) #80, the adoption of the VST Specific Plan, and an amendment to the text of the General Plan. This property is located at 4600 Lake Road (APNs 060-010-004 and 060-020-048) and is generally bounded by the University of California, Merced, Campus to the north, agriculturally zoned land in Merced County to the south, agriculturally zoned land in Merced County to the east, and Lake and Cardella Roads to the west **PUBLIC HEARING** ACTION PLANNING COMMISSION: Recommendation to City Council 1) Annexation and Pre-zoning Application #23-03 2) General Plan Amendment #23-04 3) Establishment of Planned Development (P-D) #80 4) Adoption of the Virginia Smith Trust Specific Plan 5) Environmental Review #23-44 CITY COUNCIL: Approve/Disapprove/Modify 1) Annexation and Pre-zoning Application #23-03 2) General Plan Amendment #23-04 3) Approval of Pre-Annexation Development Agreement 4) Establishment of Planned Development (P-D) #80 5) Adoption of the Virginia Smith Trust Specific Plan 6) Environmental Review #23-44 SUMMARY This is a request to amend the General Plan land use designations for approximately 654 acres of land south of the University of California, Merced campus. This request also asks that you recommend to the City Council adoption of the Virginia Smith Trust (VST) Specific Plan, Annex and and Pre-zone the property in line with the new Specific Plan and General Plan designations, approve the accompanying environmental review which acknowledges and adopts the Environmental Impact Report prepared for and adopted by the County, and establish Planned Development (P-D) #80. The proposed land use changes would allow the development of university-supporting residential, mixed use and commercial projects, including a percentage of affordable housing, in areas not currently designated for such uses. RECOMMENDATION Planning staff recommends that the Planning Commission recommend approval to the City Council of Annexation and Pre-zoning Application #23-03, General Plan Amendment #23-04, Establishment of Planned Development (P-D) #80 (including the adoption of Draft Planning Commission Resolution #4127 as Attachment A of Planning Commission Staff Report #23-1114), Adoption of the Virginia Smith Trust Specific Plan and Environmental Review #23-44 subject to the conditions and the findings/considerations (Exhibits A and B, respectively) of Draft Resolution #4127.

Committee

Planning Commission

Introduced

December 7, 2023

On agenda

December 20, 2023