Blanchard Santa Paula Library District SOI Review 2023

Agenda Item 13 VENTURA LOCAL AGENCY FORMATION COMMISSION STAFF REPORT Meeting Date: May 17, 2023 TO: LAFCo Commissioners FROM: Andrea Ozdy, Deputy Executive Officer SUBJECT: Sphere of Influence Review: LAFCo 23-06S Blanchard/Santa Paula Library District Recommendations: A. Determine that the action to review the sphere of influence for Blanchard/Santa Paula Library District (BSPLD or District) is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines. B. Adopt Resolution LAFCo 23-06S (Attachment 2) making determinations and reviewing the sphere of influence for the District pursuant to Government Code Section 56425(g), including that a sphere of influence update is not necessary. Background: Pursuant to the Cortese-Knox-Hertzberg Local Government Reorganization Act of 2000 (Government Code Section 56000 et seq.), the Commission was required to determine and adopt a sphere of influence (or “sphere”) for each city and special district on or before January 1, 2008. A sphere of influence is defined in Government Code Section 56076 as the probable physical boundary and service area of a local agency, as determined by the Commission. Every five years thereafter, the Commission must, as necessary, review and update each sphere of influence (Government Code Section 56425(g)). In compliance with Government Code Section 56425(g), the Commission accepted a municipal service review (MSR) report, entitled Blanchard/Santa Paula Library District Municipal Service Review, for the District on July 18, 2018. Based on the MSR, the Commission determined a sphere of influence for the BSPLD. The Commission has not modified the District’s sphere since its establishment in 2018. COMMISSIONERS AND STAFF COUNTY CITY DISTRICT PUBLIC Jeff Gorell Jenny Crosswhite, Vice-Chair Raul Avila Pat Richards, Chair Janice S. Parvin John C. Zaragoza Mary Anne Rooney Alternate Alternate Alternate Alternate Matt LaVere Susan Santangelo Mohammed A. Hasan David J. Ross Executive Officer Deputy Executive Officer Office Manager/Clerk Legal Counsel Kai Luoma Andrea Ozdy Richelle Beltran Jeffrey Barnes Discussion: District Information The Blanchard Community Library opened in 1910 as a city library within the City of Santa Paula. The District was formed in 1967 and is an independent special district that was previously known as the Santa Paula Union High School Public Library District. The library is currently located at 119 N. 8th Street in the City of Santa Paula. Its service area includes the City of Santa Paula and surrounding areas on all sides of the City, and continues to align with the boundaries of the Santa Paula Unified School District. The BSPLD is an independent special district and is governed by a five-member board of trustees. The District’s sphere of influence covers approximately 68,661 acres (about 107 square miles), and its jurisdictional boundary is coterminous with its sphere (Attachment 1). Current Sphere of Influence Review LAFCo staff consulted with the District’s general manager to discuss the District’s sphere of influence, and to determine: (1) if the District has experienced any changes to its service needs or areas since LAFCo’s most recent evaluation of its sphere of influence, and (2) if the District staff anticipates any service changes that would warrant adjustment of the sphere boundaries. The existing sphere of influence boundary continues to reflect the District’s current and probable service area. Therefore, it is recommended that the Commission review, but not update, the subject spheres of influence. Written Determinations Government Code Section 56425(e) requires that, in determining the sphere of influence of an agency, the Commission consider and prepare a written statement of its determinations with respect to each of the following: (1) The present and planned land uses in the area, including agricultural and open-space lands. (Section 56425(e)(1)) The territory within the sphere of influence of the BSPLD consists of the entire City of Santa Paula jurisdictional boundary and sphere of influence (totaling approximately 3,939 acres) and surrounding unincorporated area (approximately 64,722 acres), and is coterminous with the 68,661-acre BSPLD jurisdictional area. The City’s General Plan designates a variety of land uses within the City, including but not limited to residential, commercial, industrial, mixed use, airport, open space, and agricultural uses. The unincorporated area has County General Plan designations consisting primarily of Open Space and Agricultural, with limited areas that are designated as Existing Community. The BSPLD has served the Santa Paula community since 1967, and has had no impact on the present and planned land uses within its service area, new development, changes in land use, or agricultural and open space Staff Report – Sphere of Influence Review LAFCo 23-06S – Blanchard/Santa Paula Library District May 17, 2023 Page 2 of 4 lands. Based on the land use designations and characteristics of the land contained within the District’s sphere, existing land uses are expected to remain unchanged, and the sphere reflects both the existing and planned service area of the BSPLD. (2) The present and probable need for public facilities and services in the area. (Section 56425(e)(2)) The Blanchard Community Library facility and equipment currently meets the needs of its customers pertaining to access to a robust library collection, educational and social programs, and quiet reading and study space. The BSPLD’s service area is expected to experience population growth as a result of new housing development projects within the City of Santa Paula. The District is pursuing projects to continue to meet community demand and to expand its reach within its service area, primarily through a variety of modifications to the existing Blanchard Community Library building that will result in an improved layout and updated features to better serve its patrons and the development of area adjacent to the library to expand opportunities for community group gatherings. (3) The present capacity of public facilities and adequacy of public services that the agency provides or is authorized to provide. (Section 56425(e)(3)) The BSPLD employs both full-time and part-time workers. In addition, the BSPLD relies on volunteers who are involved with activities such as fundraising (including book sales) and book-mending. The District has demonstrated that it has the capacity, through operation of the Blanchard Community Library, to provide the necessary facilities and services to meet the needs of library patrons, and it continues to pursue new funding and opportunities to improve its services and library facility. It appears that the District has the ability to meet the current demand for facilities and services within its service area and sphere of influence, and additional demands would not adversely impact the present capacity of public facilities and adequacy of public services that the District provides or is authorized to provide. (4) The existence of any social or economic communities of interest in the area if the commission determines that they are relevant to the agency. (Section 56425(e)(4)) The District’s sphere of influence does not include territory that is known to be a community of interest. No disadvantaged unincorporated communities (defined in Government Code Section 56033.5 as communities having an annual median household income that is less than 80 percent of the statewide annual median household income), are located within or contiguous to the District’s sphere of influence. Staff Report – Sphere of Influence Review LAFCo 23-06S – Blanchard/Santa Paula Library District May 17, 2023 Page 3 of 4 (5) For an update of a sphere of influence of a city or special district that provides public facilities or services related to sewers, municipal and industrial water, or structural fire protection. . . the present and probable need for those public facilities and services of any disadvantaged unincorporated communities within the existing sphere of influence. (Section 56425(e)(5)) The review of the District’s sphere of influence is not considered an update (i.e., a modification) to the sphere. Additionally, no disadvantaged unincorporated communities are located within or contiguous to the District’s sphere of influence. California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) A project is defined in CEQA Section 21065, in part, as “an activity which may cause either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.” Staff recommends that the Commission find that the review of the District’s sphere of influence is exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines, because “it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment.” No change in regulation, land use, or development will occur as a result of the recommended sphere of influence review. Therefore, if the Commission determines that no updates to the subject spheres of influence are necessary, no environmental document is required to be prepared. Notice of Public Hearing This matter has been noticed as a public hearing pursuant to Government Code Section 56427. Additionally, all affected agencies have been notified of the public hearing. Attachments: 1. Existing Sphere of Influence Map for the Blanchard/Santa Paula Library District 2. LAFCo 23-06S Resolution LAFCo makes every effort to offer legible map files with the online and printed versions of our reports; however, occasionally the need to reduce oversize original maps and/or other technological/software factors can compromise readability. Original maps are available for viewing at the LAFCo office by request. Staff Report – Sphere of Influence Review LAFCo 23-06S – Blanchard/Santa Paula Library District May 17, 2023 Page 4 of 4 D THACH D ER RDR D R R W GR C A R N E AND R M C N E LL EE A VE V S M C A N D R E RD G O OJAI SANTA PAULA RD }þ 150 A V O D E N O U G H N D N R A D O J A I R SYCAMORE O R L D D T ELE GRAPHRD G 3 R R 1CS F D F T ii S S A l T T S l T ll S m E m 4 S T P H oo E S A r T r V ee D }þ S T }þ O 126 FFiillllmmoorree 23 J A I R D S P S P a a a a n u n u t l t la a a a B E S T A P R A D S S A D D A E L B N E E A A L L V A V V UE W A G V UIBERSONRD P }þ E S G S R 150 I SANT R A D PAULA ST W MAINST SOUTHMOUNTAINB A LC O M Y O N A C RD M E S C A N O N Y N N E G R A P W H 1 1 2 2 6 6 F F W W R D BR D R OADWAY RD FO BB T O uu E T ee L H n E n IL P a S a S L H vv aa O ee nn N nn E R tt N D S uu D AT A IC r R r O L Y a W I a A N E V G W L R L E S R L D L R D S D T R D EL}þ V 1 I NE 2 Y 6 ARD AV E L A VI S T A R D E L W A L N U T A V A LOMA L A A V LOMA P R I C E R D AV A G G E N R D BER L YL e W g OO eDnR B B B R A DL E Y Dd l l a a n n c c h h RD D a a O Nr r LO d d N / / R S S D a a n n t t a a P P a a u u L A C B l l O M a a C A N Y O N R D L L i i b b r r a a r r y y }þS D11 p is8 h tr e ic re t - - 6 6 8 8 W , MM , 6 6 L 6 6 o O o 1 S 1 o . o . A 1 1 N r 1 r 1 G pp E a a L a c a E c r S r r e r e A s kk s V Blanchard/Santa Paula Library District Current as of July 18, 2018 Prepared by County of Ventura - IT Services Department - GIS Division / State Plane Coordinate System California Zone V - NAD 27 This map was compiled from records and computations 0 6,000 12,000 24,000 Feet WARNING: The information contained hereon was created by the Ventura County Geographic Information System (GIS), which is designed and operated solely for the convenience of the County and related contract entities. The County does Copyright 2018 County of Ventura. Design, maps, index and text of this map are copyrighted. not warrant the accuracy of this information, and no decision involving a risk of economic loss or physical injury should It is unlawful to copy or reproduce, either in digital or paper form, any part thereof for personal use or resale. be made in reliance thereon.