TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Brian Ambrose, Director of Community Services
PREPARED BY: Lea Kolek, Parks and Community Service Manager
SUBJECT: Formation of Landscaping and Lighting District No. 31 Willow
Springs - Public Hearing
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RECOMMENDATION
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Adopt Resolution No 24-4722 entitled: A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Murrieta, California, Ordering the Formation of Landscaping and Lighting District No. 31 (Willow Springs) and the Concurrent Annexation and Consolidation of Said District into the Murrieta Consolidated Landscaping and Lighting District; Confirming the Diagram and Assessment; and Providing for Annual Levy and Assessments Commencing in Fiscal Year 2024/2025.
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PRIOR ACTION/VOTE
On December 20, 2016, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 16-3676, approving Tentative Parcel Map No. 36733 (Vote: 5-0).
On February 21, 2023, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 23-4646 approving a Landscape Maintenance Agreement with the State of California, acting by and between the Department of Transportation for the road right-of-way improvements adjacent to Willow Springs, Tentative Parcel Map No. 367333 (Vote: 5-0).
On November 7, 2023, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 23-4709, initiating proceedings for the formation of Landscaping and Lighting District No. 31 (Willow Springs), the concurrent annexation and consolidation of said District into the Murrieta Consolidated Landscaping and Lighting District, and the establishment of new assessments (Vote: 5-0).
On November 7, 2023, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 23-4710, accepting and filing the Report for and declaring its intention to form Landscaping and Lighting District No. 31 (Willow Springs), to concurrently annex and consolidate said District into the Murrieta Consolidated Landscaping and Lighting District, and to levy and collect assessments (Vote: 5-0).
CITY COUNCIL GOAL
Foster and promote an engaged, connected and caring community.
BACKGROUND
The landowner, Lennar Homes, approached the Community Services District (CSD) requesting the formation of a special benefit assessment district designated as Landscaping and Street Lighting District No. 31 (Willow Springs) (the District) pursuant to the provisions of the Landscape and Lighting Act of 1972, Part 2 of Division 15 of the California Streets and Highway Code, commencing with Section 22500 (the “1972 Act”).
The Lennar Willow Springs Project will include a residential development known as Willow Springs (Tract Map 36779) and a commercial development known as Willow Springs Commerce Center (PM 36733) (together Willow Springs) all within the Adobe Springs Specific Plan (Specific Plan) and the city limits of Murrieta (the Project). The Project is situated on the northwest corner of State Route 79/Winchester Road (SR 79) and Lazy Hawk Road. The Project is conditioned to install improvements within the State of California (State) right-of-way of SR 79 along the Project frontage. The improvements include installing streetlighting, sidewalk, and landscaping within the State right-of-way. Ultimately, the District will include 283 single-family homes and 9.48 acres of commercial/industrial property. On November 7, 2023, the City Council adopted Resolutions initiating proceedings for the formation of Landscaping and Lighting District No. 31, Willow Springs, concurrently annexing and consolidating said District into the Murrieta Consolidated Landscaping and Lighting District as well as approving the levy and collection of assessments on said District and declaring its intention to form a Landscaping and Lighting District by setting the time and place for a public hearing. City staff subsequently mailed out notices and ballots at least 30 days prior to the hearing for all property owners. The City will open the ballots following the close of the hearing.
The formation of Landscaping and Lighting District No. 31, Willow Springs, will be determined by the tabulation of the returned mail-out ballots at the January 16, 2024 meeting. If a majority of those ballots returned are not in opposition to the annexation, the resolution for the formation of said District and the levy and collection of annual assessments are presented at the January 16, 2024 meeting for adoption by the City Council. These annual assessments provide funding for the costs and expenses required to service and maintain the landscaping and lighting improvements associated with and resulting from the development of properties within Willow Springs.
FISCAL IMPACT
The maximum assessment to be balloted for Zone 31 of the Murrieta Consolidated Landscaping and Street Lighting District for the first full fiscal year for all properties in the District combined is estimated at $64,521.00 for Fiscal Year 2024/25. The levy and collection of annual assessments will pay for the costs associated with this District and provide for a not-to-exceed three percent (3%) annual inflationary adjustment applied to future maximum rates.
The City does not anticipate acceptance of the common areas for the District until July or August 2024. The revenue and expenditure budget will be established as part of a future budget update.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Resolution No. 24-4722
2. Engineer’s Report for the formation of Landscaping and Lighting District No. 31
3. Vicinity Map