Chapter 39 — ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

The declared purpose of this chapter is to authorize the city to undertake an economic development activities that include, but are not limited to, the purpose of improving residential value and affordable housing options, improving retail and commercial options, increasing commercial/industrial activity, increasing visitation and visitor spending, improving entertainment options, preserving historic and cultural resources, enriching cultural experiences, improving recreational options, and expanding the city’s tax base which increases the city’s ability to provide municipal services to its residents and businesses. (Ord. 599-C.S., passed 5-7-13)

The Council of the city finds, determines and declares that:

(A) The city is a general law city, and the Council is vested under California law with the power to make and enforce ordinances and regulations with respect to all municipal affairs, to the extent that said actions are not in conflict with the general laws of the State of California.

(B) Economic growth within the city aids in the promotion of the health and welfare of the inhabitant residents and businesses in the city, and is a general benefit to them by and through the provision of improved residential value and housing options, improved retail and commercial success, increased commercial/industrial opportunity, increased visitation and visitor spending, improved entertainment options, enriched cultural experiences, improved recreational options, and an expanded tax base which aids the city in providing municipal services to its inhabitant residents and businesses.

(C) Use of city funds and resources for economic development activities serves a public purpose because economic development is a municipal affair with a clear benefit to the city’s inhabitants and businesses.

(D) Creation of an economic development ordinance is consistent with the goals of the General Plan of the City of San Gabriel in that the provisions of the Economic Development Chapter of the General Plan specifically provides for the creation of implementation tools needed to carry out the intent of the element.

(E) The Council authorizes economic development activity pursuant to an Economic Development Program for the benefit of the city and its inhabitants. (Ord. 599-C.S., passed 5-7-13)

In order that the purpose of this chapter be accomplished, the Council, the City Manager, or his or her designee if directed or delegated to by the Council, is authorized to perform the following activities: (A) Marketing and promotion. Undertake the promotion of city’s natural resources, historic and cultural resources, commercial and residential real estate value and housing options, recreation and entertainment options, retail and commercial opportunities, convention and visitors bureau activities, and other attractions that generate interest in and visitation to the city via marketing including, but not limited to, branding campaigns, public outreach and special events. (B) Business attraction and retention. Undertake a vigorous business retention and attraction program that includes assistance in the form of grants, loans, fee abatements and discounts, payments of insurance premiums, tax rebates, tax credits authorized under state or federal law, and other assistance to assist in the attraction or retention of qualifying commercial, mixed-use, industrial or other suitable activity in the city. (C) Infrastructure development. Development of infrastructure determined by the Council to be necessary for the satisfactory generation of economic growth and maintenance of a healthy business climate. (D) Permitting processes and improvements. Development of tools and technologies necessary to improve and expedite permitting and approval processes for economic activities that provide broad public benefit through infrastructure, manufacturing, export dollars, job creation, fiscal benefits, increased visitor spending, and the direct and indirect infusion of dollars in the local economy. (E) Cultural resource protection, conservation, preservation, enhancement, and interpretation. The Council recognizes that San Gabriel’s economic health is tied in part to its many historical attractions. Activities that preserve and protect threatened or fragile cultural and historical resources including historically or culturally significant buildings, landscapes, engineering features, landmarks, heritage trees, paleontological and archaeological resources as provided by state law and this code. (F) Property acquisition and land assembly. Purchase, lease, obtain option(s) upon, acquire by gift, grant, bequest, devise, or otherwise, any real or personal property, any interest in property, and any improvements on it, including repurchase of developed property previously owned by the city. (G) Disposal of real property. Dispose of real and personal property for fair market value or less than fair market value (fair reuse value), so long as the disposition is found to aid in the purposes of this chapter. (H) Site preparation. Provide for site preparation work, including but not limited to demolition, clearing, grubbing, archaeological review and artifact recovery, and hazardous substance remediation, for public or private developments. (I) Property improvement. Improve, maintain, or repair improvements to real property in anticipation of use, disposal, or lease of the property to a private or public entity. (J) Funding. Seek and accept grants, agreements, and other forms of financial assistance from public or private sources for the purpose of engaging in economic development activities for the general benefit of the inhabitants of the city. (K) Bonding and debt. Issue bonds or other forms of debt, consistent with the requirements of state law, and limited to programs not secured by a pledge of general fund revenues. (L) Assessment districts. Provide for the establishment of community benefit or other assessment districts to benefit the inhabitants of said communities or districts, including where appropriate the establishment of business improvement districts, in the manner otherwise provided by law. (M) Participation in joint powers agreements. Allow for joint powers agreements, and other forms of collaboration with other governments and agencies to develop and fund regional economic development plans and activities, to the extent these are not otherwise expressly prohibited by law. (N) Affordable housing. Develop, or assist the development, of affordable housing as an ancillary aspect of economic development activities such as mixed use development, live-work projects, or other housing that is directly tied to economic development opportunities.

and fund regional economic development plans and activities, to the extent these are not otherwise expressly prohibited by law. (N) Affordable housing. Develop, or assist the development, of affordable housing as an ancillary aspect of economic development activities such as mixed use development, live-work projects, or other housing that is directly tied to economic development opportunities.

(O) Economic development agency. Allow for the formation of a local economic development agency to carry out the economic development activities.

(P) Environmental review and remediation. Conduct environmental review and remediation activities consistent with the relevant provisions of state and federal law. (Q) Other activities. Take such other actions as the city finds necessary and appropriate to encourage economic development with the city for the purposes of this chapter. (Ord. 599-C.S., passed 5-7-13)

§ 39.04 SEVERABILITY.

If any provision of this chapter or the application thereof is for any reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional, the validity of the remaining provisions and the applicability of such provisions shall not be affected thereby.

(Ord. 599-C.S., passed 5-7-13)