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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMakallon Atlanta Huntington Beach. LLC - Makar - 2008-04-21Mc6�-N-A �L S.I-,g-) Council/Agency Meeting Held: o / Deferred/Continued to: XAppr ved ❑ Conditionally Approved ❑ Denied 6C,66pCity rk's ignatu Council Meeting Date: 4/21/2008 Department ID Number: CA 08-04 CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION SUBMITTED TO: HONORABLE MAY MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL SUBMITTED BY: JENNIFER McGRA i Attorney PREPARED BY: SCOTT FIELD, Assistant City Attorney(i SUBJECT: Approve Arbitration Agreement for Park In Lieu Fees for Pacific City (Tract Map No. 16338) Statement of Issue, Funding Source, Recommended Action, Alternative Action(s), Analysis, Environmental Status, Attachment(s) Statement of Issue: At issue is the Park Fee for Pacific City. Section 254.08 of the Zoning and Subdivision Code provides that the Park In Lieu Fee is based upon the appraised value of the land to be subdivided. The Code provides that any dispute over land value be resolved by way of binding arbitration. Because the City Code does not provide the details for binding arbitration, the City Attorney has negotiated an Arbitration Agreement with Makar, the owner of Pacific City. It is requested that the City Council approve the Arbitration Agreement. Recommended Action: Motion to: Approve the Arbitration Agreement and authorize the Mayor to sign it. Alternative Action(s): Reject the Arbitration Agreement and provide the City Attorney direction regarding alternative means to resolve the dispute. Analysis: Section 254.08 of the City Zoning and Subdivision Code requires a residential subdivider to dedicate five acres of park land for every 1,000 new residents. The Code permits a. Park In Lieu Fee to be paid equal to the value of the land that would have been dedicated. When an In Lieu Fee is required, the City initially obtains an appraisal to determine the value of the land. The subdivider may dispute the City's appraisal with its own appraisal. The difference between the two appraisals is then submitted to binding arbitration at the expense of the subdivider. REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION MEETING DATE: 4/21/2008 DEPARTMENT ID NUMBER: CA 08-04 On June 7, 2004, the City Council approved the Tentative Tract Map for Pacific City. In lieu of a public park within the tract, Condition No. 11 required that an equivalent In Lieu Fee be paid. The City's consultant completed its appraisal of the property on May 18, 2007, determining the fair market value of the property was $5,500,000 per acre. This resulted in a Park Fee of $38,029,200. In response, Makar retained its own real estate appraiser who estimated the value at $2,558,139 per acre, resulting in a Park Fee of $17,686,012. On October 5, 2007, Makar appealed the City's appraisal. Makar also challenged the legality of the binding arbitration provision. To resolve the dispute on the enforceability of the arbitration clause, and to better set forth the procedures to be followed in binding arbitration, the City Attorney has negotiated with Makar's attorney an agreement on the procedure to be followed. The Agreement provides that the Arbitration will be conducted by the Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Service, with the parties to split the fees. The parties have selected three retired judges from the Orange County Superior Court to hear the matter. The Arbitration will be conducted on June 11, 12, and 13, 2008. It also should be noted that on October 16, 2006, the City Council amended the Tentative Tract Map to provide that Makar will satisfy its Park Fee by first, developing, designing and constructing the Senior Center. In exchange for constructing the Senior Center, Makar will receive a credit against the In Lieu Fee in an amount of no more than $21,850,000. Strategic Plan Goal:. Infrastructure: Improve the City's plan for funding and completing infrastructure needs; Land Use and Economic Development: Maintain Open Space; City Services: Provide quality public services. Environmental Status: Not applicable. Attachment(s): -2- 4/14/2008 9:35 AM ATTACHMENT 1 AGREEMENT REGARDING PROCEDURES FOR DETERMINING PARKLAND DEDICATION FEE FOR TENTATIVE TRACT MAP NO. 16338 PURSUANT TO SECTION 254.08 OF THE HUNTINGTON BEACH ZONING AND SUBDIVISON CODE This AGREEMENT ("Agreement") dated as of &A / L a / , 2008 for references purposes only, is entered into by and among the CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH, a charter city ("City"), and MAKALLON ATLANTA HUNTINGTON BEACH, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ("Makar"). RFCTTAT.0 1. Makar owns a 31.5 acre site at 21002 Pacific Coast Highway, between First and Huntington Streets, south of Atlanta Avenue, in Huntington Beach. 2. On June 7, 2004, the City approved Tentative Tract Map No. 16338 subdividing the site into three parcels for a mixed unit development, which will be referred to as "Pacific City." The residential component of Pacific City is a 17.23 acre site approved for 516 condominiums within a mix of two, three, and four story buildings. This 17.23 acre site will be known as the "Property." 3. Condition of Approval No. 11 of Tentative Tract Map No. 16338 requires Makar to pay a Park In -Lieu Fee for the residential portion of Pacific City (the "Park Fee"). Section 254.08 of the Huntington Beach Zoning and Subdivision Code governs the calculation of the Park Fee. 4. Section 254.08I requires that an appraisal of the Property be used to determine the fair market value of the Property (on a per -acre basis) for purposes of calculating the Park Fee. Section 245.08I provides that the date of the value of the Property for purposes of appraisal shall be within 60 days of recordation of the final map, which date is August 30, 2007. 07-1249/20871 5. Once the fair market value of the Property (on a per -acre basis) is established, the amount of the Park Fee is established pursuant to the formula set forth in Section 254.08. 6. The Park Fee is subject to certain potential offsets, as set forth in the Owner Participation Agreement between the City, the City Redevelopment Agency, and Makar, dated October 16, 2006. The resolution of the value of these offsets, if any, is not the subject of this Agreement. 7. The City obtained an opinion of the fair market value of the Property to be used in setting the amount of the Park Fee. Makar objected to the City's valuation and provided another opinion of the fair market value of the Property. The City did not accept Makar's valuation. On October 5, 2007, Makar requested, pursuant to Section 254.08, that the matter be submitted to arbitration. NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS AGREED BETWEEN THE PARTIES AS FOLLOWS: 1. Agreement To Binding_ Arbitration. The parties agreed that a three judge arbitration panel administered by JAMS shall determine the fair market value of the Property. The parties agreed upon the selection of Retired Judges Robert E. Thomas, Judith M. Ryan, and Jack K. Mandel to sit as the panel, with Judge Thomas sitting as the presiding arbitrator. All fees shall be split evenly between the parties. The panel shall use Section 254.08 to determine the value of the Property. The panel shall conduct the arbitration pursuant to the "Comprehensive Arbitration Rules and Procedures" of JAMS, as modified herein. The panel shall comply with Code of Civil Procedure Section 1281.85-1281.95 regarding conflicts of interest and disclosure. The sole grounds for vacating, correcting or rehearing the determination of value shall be as set forth at Code of Civil Procedure Sections 1286.2-1287. 07-1249/20871 2 2. Modification of JAMS Comprehensive Arbitration Rules and Procedures. The JAMS Comprehensive Arbitration Rules and Procedures are modified to permit the depositions of expert witnesses only. The parties agree to the following arbitration schedule, unless modified by the agreement of the parties, or upon a request made to the presiding officer and a showing of good cause: • Disclosure/Exchange of Witnesses, Experts, Appraisals, and Supporting Documentation: • Supplemental Disclosures and Exchange: • Completion of Depositions: • Exchange of Pre -Hearing Submissions, Witness & Exhibit Lists, and Briefs: • Arbitration: April 30, 2008 May 14, 2008 May 23, 2008 June 4, 2008 June 11, 12, & 13, 2008 3. Enforceability of Section 254.08. Makar had objected to the validity of Section 254.08 on the grounds that it does not provide for judicial review, and that it requires Makar to bear the cost of the arbitration. In order to resolve this dispute, the parties agree that the fair market value of the Property (on a per -acre basis) shall be determined by arbitration pursuant to this Agreement. Makar and the City further agree that the Park Fee shall be the fair market value of the Property (on a per -acre basis) multiplied by 6.9144 acres. For and in consideration of the City's agreement set forth in this Agreement (which agreements the City hereby makes and ratifies) regarding the procedure for determining the fair market value of the Property (on a per -acre basis) 07-1249/20871 3 to be used in determining the amount of the Park Fee, Makar agrees not to contest the validity of Section 254.08. 4. General Provisions. This Agreement represents the entire agreement between the Parties or their agents with respect to the procedure for determining the fair market value to be used in determining the amount of the Park Fee. Any oral representation, modification or waivers concerning this instrument shall be of no force or effect except in a subsequent instrument made in writing, and signed by all the Parties. Time is of the essence in the performance of the Parties' respective obligations herein contained. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Parties and their respective successors and assigns. The invalidity of any provision in this Agreement, as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction, shall in no way affect the validity of any other provision hereof. b. Nothing expressed or mentioned in this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to give any person, other than the Parties and their respective successors and assigns, any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Agreement or any provisions hereof and this Agreement is intended to be for the sole and exclusive benefit to the Parties and their successors and assigns, and for the benefit of no other person. c. All documents, correspondence and written communications concerning this transaction shall be directed as set forth below or as any Party may hereafter designate by written notice: For Makar: K. Erik Friess John P. Erskine Nossaman, Guthner, Knox & Elliott, LLP 18101 Von Karman Avenue, Suite 1800 Irvine, California 92612 07-1249/20871 4 For CITY: City Administrator City of Huntington Beach 2000 Main Street, CA 92648 Planning Director City of Huntington Beach 2000 Main Street, CA 92648 With copy to: City Attorney City of Huntington Beach 2000 Main Street, CA 92648 d. Each of the persons executing this Agreement represents and warrants that he or she is duly authorized to act on behalf of the Party obligated by the terms hereof, and that his or her execution of this Agreement binds the Party on whose behalf he or she has executed this Agreement. e. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed according to the laws of the State of California. f. This Agreement shall become effective immediately following execution by each of the Parties. g. Each party shall bear its own attorney's fees at the arbitration and in any proceeding to enforce this Agreement. 07-1249/20871 5 h. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, and photocopies or facsimile copies of this Agreement may be used as originals. Each such counterpart, photocopy or facsimile copy of this Agreement shall be deemed an original, all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Date: Date: a/g00 ATTEST: y Clerk H 2 APPROVED AS TO FORM: City Attorney MAKALLON ATLANTA HUNTINGTON BEACH LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, By: Makar Properties, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, its Authorized Member By: Paul Makarechian Chief Executive Officer CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH By:)a4ki �1%aL Mayor AA e y. lL G ��b��� 07-1249/20871 6 RCA ROUTING SHEET INITIATING DEPARTMENT: City Attorney SUBJECT: Arbitration Agreement for Park In Lieu Fees for Pacific City Tract Map No. 16338 COUNCIL MEETING DATE: April 21, 2008 Ordinance (w/exhibits & legislative draft if applicable) Attached LJ Not Applicable Resolution (w/exhibits & legislative draft if applicable) Attached ❑ Not Appiicable Tract Map, Location Map and/or other Exhibits Attached ❑ Not Applicable Contract/Agreement (w/exhibits if applicable) Attached (Signed in full by the City Attorney) Not Applicable ❑ Subleases, Third Party Agreements, etc. Attached ❑ (Approved as to form by City Attorney) Not Applicable Certificates of Insurance (Approved by the City Attorney) Attached ❑ Not Applicable Fiscal Impact Statement (Unbudgeted, over $5,000) Attached ❑ Not Appiicable Bonds (If applicable) Attt ed El A Nopucable Staff Report (If applicable) Attached ❑ Not Appiicable Commission, Board or Committee Report (If applicable) Attached ❑ Not Applicable Findings/Conditions for Approval and/or Denial Attached ❑ Not Applicable EXPLANATION FOR MISSING ATTACHMENTS RCA Author: Scott Field 20874 07/14/94