CITY'S MAJOR PROJECTS & PROGRAMS

• Negotiation of a performance-based contract to ensure that the project is completed in a timely manner, with performance benchmarks for the project’s design, construction start date and construction completion date;

• Initiation of site planning that will lead to full construction document design plans;

• Installation of a new gas main by the Gas Company that will supply natural gas to the fueling station.

It is expected that full design will get underway in late February and take approximately 3 months to complete.  Once designs are approved by the City, we will move forward with ordering equipment and materials.  We will be sure to keep you informed as this project moves forward and will also be sure to provide adequate notice to the public prior to starting construction.

Public Works Department
(818) 898-1222 | PublicWorks@sfcity.org

Public Works Department
(818) 898-1227 | PublicWorks@sfcity.org

Finance Department
(818) 898-7307 | Finance@sfcity.org

Police Department | Sergeant Irwin Rosenberg
(818) 898-1254 | IRosenberg@sfcity.org

Community Development Department
(818) 898-1227 | CommunityDevelopment@sfcity.org

Currently, there are two alternatives for dedicated bus rapid transit service and two for light rail service, along with the federal and state required “no build” and “transportation systems management” alternatives.  Public participation has been a critical part of the study process and as such, Metro has hosted numerous community meetings to update residents, businesses, elected officials and stakeholders on the study progress and to encourage input on the refined alternatives. All potential alternatives are being studied as part of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)/Environmental Impact Report (EIR) as required by federal and state laws. It is anticipated that the public review period for the EIS/EIR and associated public meetings will start up in the second to third quarter of 2017.

Community Development Department
(818) 898-1227 | CommunityDevelopment@sfcity.org

• Place Audit: Review of Demographic and Economic Data, SWOT (Strength, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) Analysis;

• Formulation of Vision, Goals, and Objectives;

• Formulate a Strategy: to implement goals and objectives;

• Establish an Operative or Action Plan: to provide detail on how strategies will be implemented;

• Development of an Implementation and Control Program: Establish implementation and control program to evaluate efficiency and success of program with specific economic indicators.

Community Development Department
(818) 898-1227 | CommunityDevelopment@sfcity.org

• Establish Business Retention and Business Attraction Strategies

Currently underway. Staff is working with representatives from the San Fernando Chamber of Commerce (the “Chamber”), Mall Association, Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC), and Valley Economic Alliance (VEA) to build greater coordination and communication with key City staff in Administration and the Community Development Department. (See update on 2017 BIZ Fair Event below)

• Establish a Rapid Economic Development or “RED” Team

The RED Team to assist prospective businesses with navigating the permitting and entitlement process and meet with existing businesses to address current and future needs. The RED team includes the City Manager, the Community Development Director, and the Mayor.  Based on the level of need, staff is also exploring partnership opportunities with representatives from the Chamber of Commerce, LAEDC, and VEA to assist the City with efforts to keep and attract new business to the City. These efforts have led to new businesses making their home in the City (Modern Props, CVS Pharmacy Store, Chipotle, Wingstop, Yogurtland, La Manzanita, La Michoacán, Throwback Junction, and The Industrial Shoe Store) and the expansion of local businesses such as Magaly’s Tamales and Papa Juan’s restaurants.

• Establish an Economic Development Division within Community Development Department

Completed. The Community Development Director in conjunction with existing department personnel are the primary point of contact for prospective business, real estate agents seeking new commercial business sites, and outreach to potential businesses that are currently looking for sites to expand their corporate brand.

• Update the City’s Website with Economic Development-focused information targeting new businesses

Completed. The redesigned City website and an economic development specific webpage within the Community Development Department is now live.

• Complete a Cost of Doing Business Analysis

Currently underway.  City staff is working with the Valley Economic Alliance to put the final touches on the report, which should be presented to City Council in the second quarter of 2017.  The City has always been responsive to meeting the needs of the business community with hands-on expedited services, which is reflected in the compliments received at the public counters. Staff anticipates the report will show the lower costs to set up and operate a business in town make it a no-brainer to establish your business in San Fernando.

• Update City Fee Schedules

Currently underway in order to make sure that the City is recovering its fair share of the costs for providing certain fee based services in the City while maintaining competitiveness with surrounding jurisdictions to attract and retain businesses.  City staff expects an initial draft from the consultant in the first quarter of 2017.

• City co-sponsorship of 2017 San Fernando BIZ Fair: Business Outreach and Networking Event

Held on Tuesday, January 24, 2017.  The San Fernando Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with the San Fernando business merchants, the City of San Fernando, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisor Sheila Kuehl’s Office, the Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation, and the Valley Economic Alliance held a successful business outreach and networking event. The event included more than 80 attendees that heard presentations on such topics as: internet marketing, building a “cool” website, access to capital, business coaching, making a connection with Chamber representatives, and learning how to do business with the City of San Fernando. The City co-sponsorship was consistent with the long-term economic development efforts of the City to provide resources to existing business in order to help them thrive.  The event also demonstrated an enhanced partnership with the Chamber, Mall Association, LAEDC, VEA, and City to attract new businesses opportunities to the community.

Community Development Department
(818) 898-1227 | CommunityDevelopment@sfcity.org

Finance Department
(818) 898-7307 | Finance@sfcity.org

The project approval allows for the construction of a new four-story mixed-use development with three floors of residential with 101 one-bedroom residential units that will be designated for rent to low-income households making 60% or less of the Los Angeles County Area Median Income; which includes incomes up to $41,700 for a two-person household. The three floors of residential will be constructed above a first floor with approximately 17,455 square feet of commercial floor area dedicated for street level retail/service uses at the subject property located at 1140-1148 San Fernando Road. The project includes 108 on-site parking spaces located within one subterranean parking level and a portion of the ground floor. Retail storefronts will wrap the building along San Fernando Road, San Fernando Mission Boulevard, and a large portion of Celis Street.  The project will result in the preservation of the J.C. Penney’s Building’s front façade (along San Fernando Road) and the historic signs.

The project allows for Transit Oriented Development consistent with the City’s Corridors Specific Plan, City General Plan Land Use and Housing elements, and the long-range regional growth plans identified by the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG). Furthermore, the proposed project will also be consistent with the potential development of the Metro’s East San Fernando Valley Transit Corridor Project and associated bus rapid transit, light rail transit, and/or new transit station within the downtown area. 

Community Development Department
(818) 898-1227 | CommunityDevelopment@sfcity.org

Last but not least, the City Council issued a letter of support on May 16, 2016 to the local San Fernando Community Health Center in order to facilitate their opening of satellite facility to provide medical and housing services for the homeless in the neighboring community of Mission Hills. The satellite facility provides another referral location for homeless individuals that are in need of housing and medical assistance. The City continues to work for greater coordination at a regional level between the County, municipalities, metropolitan planning organizations, and the various council of governments to create a comprehensive planning effort to allocate resources and address the existing needs of our homeless population. 

Police Department | Sergeant Irwin Rosenberg
(818) 898-1254 | IRosenberg@sfcity.org

Community Development Department
(818) 898-1227 | CommunityDevelopment@sfcity.org

Recreation & Community Services Department
(818) 898-1290 | Recreation@sfcity.org

Recreation & Community Services Department
(818) 898-1290 | Recreation@sfcity.org

Recreation & Community Services Department
(818) 898-1290 | Recreation@sfcity.org

Community Development Department
(818) 898-1227 | CommunityDevelopment@sfcity.org

Public Works Department
(818) 898-1222 | PublicWorks@sfcity.org

The project team is working on compiling this information and developing recommendations to improve our local infrastructure.  In the next few months both the Transportation and Safety Commission and the City Council will review the Master Plan and recommendations prior to it being finalized.

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Public Works Department
(818) 898-1222 | PublicWorks@sfcity.org

Most recently in Spring 2016, 12 flow monitors were installed over a two-month period at several locations in the City.  Six monitors were installed in areas where wastewater flows in to the City of San Fernando from the City of Los Angeles while the other six monitors were installed within San Fernando (see map with locations).

Based on data taken from each of these sites, a report was developed that summarizes the flow conditions at each site, including sewer flow and capacity information.  This information is summarized in the table below and the full report is available here.  Of note, the data included the following observations:

• The location within the City with the highest observed average sewer capacity was found in Basin 3 (the southern portion of the City), with an average flow of 28% of the pipe’s full capacity (0% would mean no flows and 100% would mean full).

• The location within the City with the highest observed maximum sewer capacity was found in Basin 3 (the southern portion of the City), with a maximum flow of 48% of the pipe’s full capacity (0% would mean no flows and 100% would mean full).

Public WorksDepartment
(818) 898-1222 | PublicWorks@sfcity.org

• Address the fact that under the existing Specific Plan there is no density limit in the San Fernando Downtown Area.

Possible Scenario: Property owner of an acre of land or a 43,560 square foot lot in the downtown can currently build 3.5 times the size of the lot. This type of build out would provide the owner with over 150,000 square feet of commercial and/or residential space on that property. Therefore, the owner could potentially build a mixed-use project with a ground floor commercial space of 30,000-40,000 square feet and three floors above of over 108,000 square feet of residential area. Assuming the build out of one bedroom or loft apartments at 650 to 700 square feet, this could result in more than 150 units on the site. In addition, the owner is entitled to request up to a 35 percent increase in density or 53 more dwelling units under existing State density bonus law.

• Allow housing in areas of the Specific Plan that are a ½ mile distance of public transit including the Sylmar/San Fernando Metrolink Station, subject to a Conditional Use Permit.

• Enable the creation of a walkable, mixed-use, multi-modal environment that accommodates housing and offices within walking distance of both the Sylmar/San Fernando Metrolink Station and Downtown San Fernando.

• Stay true to the Specific Plan’s goals of transforming the Planning Area’s streets into attractive, livable, and economically vital places that provide a more comfortable environment for pedestrians, that better represent the quality and character of San Fernando, and that convey the sense of uniqueness, pride, and community spirit that differentiates San Fernando from other nearby communities.

• Expand the boundary of the Specific Plan to the parcels north of the Corridors Specific Plan Area, up to Second Street and west of Maclay Avenue.

• Accommodate the new transit initiatives proposed by the East San Fernando Valley Transit Corridor Project in a way that does not compromise pedestrian comfort or negatively impact adjacent businesses.

• Adjust Specific Plan sub-district boundaries so that certain buildings that are currently legal non-conforming uses fall within a new sub-district that allows the use by right.

• Update the Specific Plan to put the City of San Fernando in a better position to compete for new funding sources, such as grants for transit-oriented, public realm improvements.

• Create a predictable regulatory environment that encourages property owners and developers to invest in new residential, office, and commercial buildings that are consistent with the community’s vision for San Fernando.

In addition to the Specific Plan update, an EIR will be developed to assess any environmental impacts resulting from the proposed zoning update and amendments to the City General Plan. The EIR will also evaluate amongst other things, the demand of new development on the city’s infrastructure and emergency services and evaluate any potential impacts to the environment. 

Included as part of this analysis, is the evaluation of potential housing units that could be built over the 15-year planning period of the Specific Plan, which for the purpose of the environmental assessment has been projected at 759 new residential units. the projected 759 dwelling units includes 101 dwelling units previously approved by the City in the R-3 (Multiple Family) Zone in 2012 that will be incorporated into the Specific Plan Area and the proposed, but yet to be built, 101 affordable housing units that are part of the JC Penney’s Building Mixed Use Project approved by the City in 2014 within the downtown area. By comparison, over the first 11 years of the existing Specific Plan (from 2005 through 2016), 55 market-rate units (including 37 condominiums and 18 rental units) and 23 affordable housing units have been built within the current Specific Plan area.

It is anticipated that the EIR will be available for public review during the first quarter of 2017 and the actual amendments to the Specific Plan with EIR will be considered by the City Planning and Preservation Commission and subsequently the City Council in the second quarter of 2017.

Special Note: On May 6, 2013, the City Council accepted a Metro TOD Planning Grant Award of $282,392 to prepare the City of San Fernando TOD Overlay Zone Project, inclusive of the a zone code and general plan amendment  and associated environmental impact report (“EIR”).

Community Development Department
(818) 898-1227 | CommunityDevelopment@sfcity.org

Administration Department
(818) 898-1202 | CityManager@sfcity.org