Lancaster approves major development steps

Lancaster 2025 Crime Stats Presenter: Rodrick Armalin, Chief of Police

APWA SoCal B.E.S.T Award Presenter: Marissa Diaz, Director-Public Works

TEAM UP Lancaster-Commitment Completion & Renewal Presenter: Marissa Diaz, Director-Public Works

Destination Lancaster Update Presenters: Josh Thomas, Supervisor-Economic Development & Mark Hemstreet, Executive Director-Destination Lancaster

Waive further reading of any proposed ordinance. (This permits reading the title only in lieu of reciting the entire text.)

Approve the City Council/Successor Agency/Financing/Power Authority Regular Meeting Minutes of January 27, 2026

Site Plan Review (SPR) 23-004 - Acceptance of Improvements Recommendation(s): 1. Approve the water system installed by the developer for the following project. 2. Approve the work and materials for the developer-installed sanitary sewer system, and accept the infrastructure for public use and maintenance by the City. 3. Approve the work and materials for the developer-installed drainage system for the following Drainage Maintenance District (DMD) annexation and accept the infrastructure for public use and maintenance by the City. 4. Approve the work and materials for the developer-constructed streets, and accept the infrastructure for public use and maintenance by the City. Project SPR No. 23-004 Annexation Nos. DMD 23-19 LLMD 23-19 FF 23-02 Location/Owner Northeast Corner of Avenue G & 45th Street West (APNs: 3105-001-011, 3105-001-012, 3105-001-013, 3105-001-014) Owner: Northpoint Development, LLC/Jack Lac Water system improvements are approved by the City in order to exonerate the Developer’s Undertaking Agreement and release improvement securities. The water system for this project has been constructed and completed to the satisfaction of the local water purveyor, Los Angeles County Waterworks District 40-04, Antelope Valley, and was constructed according to the approved plans and specifications. Additionally, the work has been inspected and found to be satisfactory by the Director of Public Works. The listed sanitary sewer has been constructed and completed by the developer according to the approved plans and specifications. The work has been inspected and found to be satisfactory by the Director of Public Works. The drainage improvements for this project have been installed by the developer according to the approved plans and specifications. The improvements have been inspected and found to be satisfactory by the Director of Public Works. The streets have been constructed and completed by the developer according to the approved plans and specifications. The work has been inspected and found to be satisfactory by the Director of Public Works.

Final Map Approval – Parcel Map No. 84913 (Located on the Southeast Corner of Valley Central Way and Lancaster Boulevard) Recommendation(s): Approve the map and accept the dedication as offered on Parcel Map No. 84913 located on the southeast corner of Valley Central Way and Lancaster Boulevard ; make findings that this project will not violate any of the provisions of Sections 66473.5, 66474.1, and 66474.6 of the Subdivision Map Act; and instruct the City Clerk to endorse on the face of the map the certificate which embodies the approval of said map and the dedication shown thereon. On July 9, 2025, the City of Lancaster Community Development Department approved Tentative Administrative Parcel Map No. 84913 for the subdivision of two parcels into four lots at an existing shopping center in the Commercial Planned Development (CPD) zone.

Final Map Approval – Parcel Map No. 84914 (Located on the Southwest Corner of Valley Central Way and Lancaster Boulevard) Recommendation(s): Approve the map and accept the dedication as offered on Parcel Map No. 84914 located on the southwest corner of Valley Central Way and Lancaster Boulevard ; make findings that this project will not violate any of the provisions of Sections 66473.5, 66474.1, and 66474.6 of the Subdivision Map Act; and instruct the City Clerk to endorse on the face of the map the certificate which embodies the approval of said map and the dedication shown thereon. On July 9, 2025, the City of Lancaster Community Development Department approved Tentative Administrative Parcel Map No. 84914 for the subdivision of one parcel into three lots at an existing shopping center in the Commercial Planned Development (CPD) zone.

Amendment to YMCA Ground Lease for Property Improvements Recommendation(s): A. Approve the first amendment to the Ground Lease Agreement between the City of Lancaster and the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles to authorize improvements to the leased premises, specifically the construction of an enclosed play area B. Authorize City Manager to execute all necessary agreements subject to final review and approval by the City Attorney. The Lease establishes an initial development term followed by a long-term base lease period and requires the YMCA to construct and maintain improvements at its sole cost. The agreement contemplates recreational uses such as exercise facilities, meeting rooms, and other community-oriented amenities and allows the YMCA to modify or add improvements, subject to City review and approval when such changes materially affect the premises or alter the scope of development.

Award of Professional Services Agreement with Frydman Counsel, Inc. Leadership Development & Strategic Advisory Initiatives Recommendation(s): 1. Approve a Professional Services Agreement with Frydman Counsel, Inc., for leadership development and strategic advisory initiatives, in an amount not to exceed $450,000.00, and authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to execute all related documents; 2. Authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to execute any necessary amendments to the Agreement, in a form approved by the City Attorney, provided the total contract amount does not exceed the approved not-to-exceed amount; and 3. Determine that this action is not a project pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Frydman Counsel, Inc., led by Shanit Frydman, Esq., specializes in leadership development, governance strategy, and executive advisory services for public-sector organizations. The proposed agreement provides a comprehensive suite of services designed to strengthen leadership capacity, support high-impact initiatives, and provide executive-level advisory support during a period of organizational growth and innovation.

Check Registers – January 11, through January 24, 2026 Recommendation(s): Approve the Check and Wire Registers for payments made January 11, 2026, through January 24, 2026, in the amount of $12,616,108.49 as presented. At each regular City Council Meeting, the City Council is presented with a check and ACH/wire registers listing the financial claims (invoices) against and paid by the City for the purchase of materials, supplies, services, and capital projects during the prior three to four weeks. This process provides the City Council with the opportunity to review the City’s expenditures.

Award of Contract to TIP Strategies, Inc. for the Development of a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) and Job Plan (RFP 864-26) Recommendation(s): 1. Approve a Professional Services Agreement with TIP Strategies, Inc. for the preparation of the City of Lancaster’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) and Jobs Plan. 2. Authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to execute the contract, including all necessary documents and provisions, subject to City Attorney approval. A CEDS is a long-range strategic planning document recognized by the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) and is required to access certain federal and state funding opportunities. The City of Lancaster issued Request for Proposals (RFP 864-26) seeking qualified consulting firms to prepare the City’s first-ever CEDS and Jobs Plan.

Parkway Village Specific Plan Recommendation(s): 1. Introduce Resolution No.______ , containing the following actions: a. Approval of General Plan Amendment No. 25-006 changing the land use designation of the plan area to Specific Plan (SP); b. Approval of the Parkway Village Specific Plan under Specific Plan No. 24-001; and c. Certification of the Final Environmental Impact Report for the Parkway Village Specific Plan (SCH# 202402979) and adoption of the Findings/Statement of Overriding Considerations, and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP). 2. Introduce Ordinance No._____ , amending the City Zoning Map for approximately 435 acres of land generally bounded by Avenue K, Sierra Highway, 10 th Street West, and Avenue L to be zoned Specific Plan (SP), known as Zone Change NO. 25-004. The Parkway Village Specific Plan provides direction for development within the plan area over a 20-year period with a buildout year of 2050. This plan envisions a mixed-use, walkable community with a variety of commercial, residential, medical, and open space/public uses. The residential uses include traditional single-family residences, single family-residences on smaller lots, townhomes, condominiums, and apartment complexes. The project site would be divided into multiple planning areas dedicated to different types of uses.

Lancaster Maintenance Districts Annexations 2026 Recommendation(s): Adopt Resolution No. ______ , Announcing the Results of an Assessment Ballot Procedure Public Hearing, Ordering the Annexation of Territory into the Lancaster Maintenance Districts, and Ordering the Levy and Collection of Assessments Therein. The Annexations being considered include projects from fiscal year 2025-2026. There are a total of 11 projects being finalized. Each property owner within the proposed Annexations was mailed an assessment ballot, notice of public hearing and waiver and consent to annex into the Districts. The returned Assessment Ballots will be tabulated after the close of the public hearing.

Open Space Element & Conservation Element Updates, General Plan Amendment No. 25-005 Recommendation(s): 1. Adopt Resolution No. ____: a. Approving General Plan Amendment No. 25-005 to adopt the updates to the Open Space and Conservation Elements; finding that the project is exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and no further environmental review is necessary and authorizing staff to file a Notice of Exemption. The purpose of the updates to the Open Space Element and Conservation Element is to comply with recent State legislation, specifically Senate Bill (SB) 1425 and Assembly Bill (AB) 1889. SB 1425 requires the Open Space Element to be updated to address equitable access to open space and climate resilience.

Council Reports

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This portion of the agenda allows an individual the opportunity to address the Legislative Bodies on any item NOT ON THE AGENDA regarding City/Agency/Authority business and speaker cards must be submitted prior to the beginning of this portion of the Agenda. Please complete a speaker card for the City Clerk/Agency/Authority Secretary and identify the subject you would like to address. We respectfully request that you fill the cards out completely and print as clearly as possible. Following this procedure will allow for a smooth and timely process for the meeting and we appreciate your cooperation. State law prohibits the Legislative Body from taking action on items not on the agenda and your matter may be referred to the City Manager/Executive Director. Individual Speakers are limited to three (3) minutes each unless a different time limit is announced.

1. Conference with Legal Counsel - Anticipated Litigation: significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d) (2) - four potential cases. 2. Conference with Legal Counsel - Anticipated Litigation: consideration of initiation of litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d) (4) – four potential cases. 3. Conference Involving a Joint Powers Agency: Antelope Valley Air Quality Management District Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.96 Discussion will concern: Antelope Valley Air Quality Management District v. United States Environmental Protection Agency, et al. 9 th Cir. Case No. 23-1614 Name of local agency representative on joint powers agency board: Marvin Crist, Ken Mann 4. Antelope Valley Groundwater Cases Included Action: Los Angeles County Waterworks District No. 40 v. Diamond Farming Co. Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, Case No. BC325201; Los Angeles County Waterworks District No. 40 v. Diamond Farming Co. Superior Court of California, County of Kern, Case No. S-1500-CV-254-348; Wm. Bolthouse Farms, Inc. v. City of Lancaster, Diamond Farming Co. v. City of Lancaster, Diamond Farming Co. v. Palmdale Water District Superior Court of California County of Riverside, consolidated actions; Case Nos. RIC 353 840, RIC 344 436, RIC 344 668 5. Galant v. Lancaster School District, LASC Case No. 25AVCV00196 6. Abaied v. City of Lancaster, LASC Case No. 25STCV14733 7. Montenegro v. Green, LASC Case No. 22AVCV01050 8. Perez v. Lancaster, LASC Case No. 23AVCV00577 9. City of Whittier v. Superior Court, LASC Case No. 23 STCP03579 10. Lindo v. Lancaster, LASC Case No. 23AVCV00950. 11. Nazari v. City of Lancaster, LASC Case No. 25AVCV00192 12. Mahfound v. County of Los Angeles, City of Lancaster, LASC Case No. 25AVCV00586 13. Morgan v. Antelope Valley Transit Authority, City of Lancaster, LASC Case No. 25AVCV00061 14. Lea v. City of Lancaster, LASC Case No.: 25STCV09046 15. Stockman v. City of Lancaster, LASC Case No. 23 AVCV00838 16. Zimmerman v. City of Lancaster, LASC Case No. 24AVCV00848 17. Snyder v. City of Lancaster, LASC Case No. 21AVCV00770 18. Higgins v. City of Lancaster, LASC Case No. 23AVCV00125 19. Wright v. City of Lancaster, LASC Case No. 23AVCV00864 20. Cordova v. City of Lancaster, Case No. 24AVCV00221 21. Darnell Wayne Thomas 25STCV17622 22. Payne v. City of Lancaster 24AVCV00308