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UPDATED SPHERE OF INFLUENCE PLAN/MUNICIPAL SERVICE REVIEW REPORT FOR SUBMITTAL TO THE SAN JOAQUIN LOCAL AGENCY FORMATION COMMISSION
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RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution:
1. Accepting the updated Sphere of Influence/Municipal Service Review (SOI/MSR) Report for submittal to the San Joaquin Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) consistent with State Law; and
2. Authorizing the City Manager to file an application for the Stockton Sphere of Influence/Municipal Service Review Report with LAFCO.
It is further recommended that the City Council authorize the City Manager to take all necessary and appropriate actions to carry out the purpose and intent of this resolution.
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Summary
Approval of this request will allow the City Manager to file an application with the San Joaquin Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) for an updated Stockton Sphere of Influence/Municipal Service Review (SOI/MSR). Provided LAFCO approves Stockton’s SOI/MSR, this information will be used by LAFCO in its future considerations of requests by Stockton to annex new territory into its City limits, in accordance with California Government Code § 56425.
One of the primary responsibilities of LAFCO is to determine the Sphere of Influence of local government agencies. A Sphere of Influence (SOI) designates the probable physical growth boundaries and service area of the City over the next 20 years which should align with a City’s General Plan. A Municipal Service Review (MSR) is required with the SOI to confirm that adequate public services can be provided within the probable physical growth boundaries.
Stockton currently has an interim SOI/MSR that was approved by LAFCO on February 14, 2019, however, this is based on the prior 2035 General Plan population and growth assumptions. Council’s adoption of the Envision Stockton 2040 General Plan necessitates an update to the Stockton SOI/MSR since the Plan has changed population and physical growth assumptions. Staff is recommending that the SOI boundary remain unchanged from the approved interim SOI location that was also proposed on the 2040 General Plan Map that Council approved (See Attachment A).
DISCUSSION
Background
LAFCO’s role is to implement the Cortese-Knox-Hertzberg Local Government Reorganization Act of 2000 (CKH Act), commencing with Government Code Section 56000 et. seq., consistent with local Policies, Procedures and Guidelines. The CKH Act guides LAFCO’s decisions. To carry out State policies, LAFCO has the power to conduct studies, approve or deny proposals, modify and approve boundaries, and impose mitigation measures and terms and conditions on approval of proposals. LAFCO has no direct land use authority, although some of LAFCO’s discretionary actions may indirectly affect land use.
This SOI/MSR update provides information about the services the City currently provides and anticipates providing in the future as its growth boundaries change. The report is used by the San Joaquin LAFCO in conducting a statutorily required review and update process. Government Code §56430 requires LAFCO to conduct a review of municipal services provided in the entire county by designated geographic areas, and prepare a written statement of determination with respect to each of the following topics:
1. Growth and population projections for the affected area;
2. The location and characteristics of any disadvantaged unincorporated communities within or contiguous to the sphere of influence;
3. Present and planned capacity of public facilities, adequacy of public services, and infrastructure needs or deficiencies (including needs or deficiencies related to sewers, municipal and industrial water, and structural fire protection in any disadvantaged, unincorporated communities within or contiguous to the sphere of influence);
4. Financial ability of agencies to provide services;
5. Status of, and opportunities for, shared facilities;
6. Accountability for community service needs, including governmental structure and operational efficiencies; and
7. Any other matter affecting or related to effective or efficient service delivery, as required by Commission policy.
The MSR/SOI provides LAFCO with a tool to study current and future public service conditions, and to evaluate organizational options for accommodating growth, preventing urban sprawl, and ensuring that critical services are provided efficiently. All boundary changes, such as annexations, must be consistent with an affected City's sphere of influence with limited exceptions, and the report serves as the basis for making any necessary modifications to the City's Sphere.
This MSR/SOI can also serve as the basis for updating the spheres of influence for fire districts. Other entities and the public may also use the report for study and analysis of issues relating to municipal services in the City.
Upon receipt of the City’s SOI/MSR application, LAFCO staff will prepare a final draft of the report and schedule a public hearing for its Commission to consider for approval.
Environmental Clearance
The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15183, provides that projects which are consistent with the development density established by a Community Plan, General Plan, or Zoning for which an environmental impact report (EIR) has been certified. An EIR was prepared and certified by the City Council as part of the Stockton General Plan (SCH# 2017052062). The EIR document provides a programmatic review of the potential impacts associated with the implementation of the General Plan.
The approval of this updated SOI/MSR does not approve any development project. The SOI/MSR update is required to provide consistency with changes to the General Plan. The proposed SOI/MSR update outlines the projected development areas within the City’s sphere of influence and the service for those areas. They have been considered as part of the General Plan. The City is not amending the SOI and none of the services listed in the MSR will impact the analysis or conclusions of the General Plan EIR as the extent of the potential impacts and allowed density considered in the General Plan EIR. The update does not result in the possibility of creating significant or cumulative effects on the environment. Future proposals based on the amendments would be reviewed on a case-by-case basis for consistency with this review and the General Plan EIR.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
The requested actions will have no direct fiscal impact on the City General Fund.
Attachment A - General Plan Map