A. Application of the specific plan concept. A specific plan and its function may be described by comparison with the general plan. The general plan expresses, in very broad terms, the city's planning of its future environment, generally on a long-term basis. Adopted by the city as a legislative act, the general plan may be amended, as required by changing circumstances. The specific plan, on the other hand, is a device used to implement the general plan by focusing on a particular parcel or parcels. The specific plan sets standards, against which developments can be judged, and imposes controls on the use of the subject parcels. The specific plan is more detailed than a general plan and can be viewed as a bridge between the general plan and individual project submittals.
B. Purpose and intent. The purpose and intent of this chapter is to establish a specific plan to guide the physical development in a particular geographic area within the city and to create the Gateway Center North, a coordinated commercial center. The subject Gateway Center North site is 13.63 acres located in the North End neighborhood and consists of two separately owned properties located in Signal Hill. It is adjacent to an existing commercial property located in Long Beach. The site has multiple constraints due to active and abandoned oil wells, and limited street frontage due to adjacency to the I-405 freeway. One parcel is developed with a retail store and associated parking with access from E. 33rd Street and California Avenue. The second parcel is vacant and only has access from California Avenue with no access to E. 33rd Street. Neither parcel has access to Atlantic Avenue. There are established residential neighborhoods to the immediate north and east, and commercial and light industrial development to the immediate northwest. In an effort to mitigate site constraints and to create a coordinated commercial center, the concepts, regulations, and conditions set forth in the SP-12, Gateway Center North specific plan are added to provide for the phased development of the Center.
C. The specific plan has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the California Government Code Sections 64540 through 65507, and addresses all of the issues and topics specified in that code.
D. Goals and objectives. Goals for the development within the SP-12, Gateway Center North specific plan include the following:
1. Establish a unique review process for phased development, ensure conformity to the approved full build-out conceptual site plan for build-out of the Gateway Center North commercial center, and ensure the quality of design and architectural diversity;
2. Retain, revitalize, and renovate the existing Target store and commercial center;
3. Facilitate development of 23,500 square feet of new commercial building pads, including a 5,000 square-foot freestanding pad designed to house a drive-thru restaurant with outdoor dining;
4. Facilitate development of a 177,345 square-foot, three-story self-storage facility; and
5. Establish a project sign program for the Gateway Center North site, including renovation of an existing freeway-oriented pole sign and a review procedure for future tenant signs. (Ord. 2021-05-1519 § 5 (part))