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: .titlFormation of Landscape and Lighting District No. 31 Willow Springs
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RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Adopt Resolution No. 23-4709 entitled: A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Murrieta, California, 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; and
Adopt Resolution No. 23-4710 entitled: A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Murrieta, California, 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.
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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. 36733 (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 was 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. The City of Murrieta (City) has agreed to enter into a maintenance agreement with the State for the proposed improvements within the State right-of-way. The City will then enter into a separate agreement and form a new District with the Project owner/property owner to fund the annual maintenance for those improvements installed within the State right-of-way.
Upon successful formation of the District, the development and properties described in the Engineer’s Report will concurrently be annexed and consolidated as Zone No. 31 within the Murrieta Consolidated Landscaping and Lighting District (the “Consolidated District”). The Engineer’s Report has been prepared by Willdan & Associates in connection with the formation of said District and the levy and collection of annual assessments related thereto as required pursuant to Chapter 1, Article 4 of the 1972 Act.
The formation of the District and the concurrent annexation of said territories as Zone 31 of the Consolidated District will allow for the levy and collection of annual assessments for Fiscal Year 2024/25 on the County tax rolls. The 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 the District. The formation of this District complies with Proposition 218, which was approved by the California voters in November 1996.
The Consolidated District provides for an annual adjustment of three percent (3%) to the Maximum Rate per Equivalent Benefit Unit for most zones in the Consolidated District. Some districts within the Consolidated District came over from Riverside County when certain areas were annexed into the City of Murrieta, and those increases are at two percent. Should an increase be warranted, a three percent annual adjustment shall be applied to the Maximum Assessment Rate established in the Engineer’s Report attached here to account for and reflect price changes in the economy based on the Consumer Price Index.
After this intent meeting, a ballot shall be mailed to each property owner giving notice of the formation of the District, the proposed assessment amount, the reason for the assessment, and procedures for the return of the ballot. The ballots shall be mailed at least 45 days prior to the date of a public hearing. The public hearing will be held at the January 16, 2024, City Council meeting.
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 is estimated at $64,521.00 for 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.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Resolution No. 23-4709
2. Resolution No. 23-4710
3. Draft Engineer’s Report for the formation of Landscaping and Street Lighting District No. 31
4. Vicinity Map