HomeMy WebLinkAboutCD OBAG Grant Downtown____________________________________________________________________________________
FOR CITY CLERK ONLY
File No.: 245
Council Meeting: 2/20/2018
Disposition: Resolution 14469
Agenda Item No: 7.a
Meeting Date: February 20, 2018
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
Department: Community Development
Prepared by: Paul A. Jensen,
Community Development Director
City Manager Approval: ______________
TOPIC: DOWNTOWN SAN RAFAEL PRIORITY DEVELOPMENT AREA (PDA)
SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR AUTHORIZATION TO: A) FILE FOR A ONE BAY AREA GRANT
(OBAG) APPLICATION TO FUND THE PREPARATION OF A “PRECISE PLAN” FOR
THE DOWNTOWN PRIORITY DEVELOPMENT AREA (PDA); AND B) ALLOCATE
$60,000 FROM FUND #218 FOR THE LOCAL MATCH REQUIRED BY THE GRANT
APPLICATION. THE PRECISE PLAN WOULD SUPPLEMENT THE SAN RAFAEL
GENERAL PLAN 2040; CASE # P18-002
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt a resolution approving the following:
1. Authorizing staff to file a One Bay Area Grant (OBAG) application for a PDA planning grant.
2. Appropriating funds for a local funding match.
BACKGROUND:
History
In planning for the arrival of the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) service, in 2009, Downtown
San Rafael was designated as a Priority Development Area (PDA). The Downtown PDA established a
one-half-mile radius planning area around the SMART station and Bettini Transit Center. Following this
action, in 2010, the City accepted an OBAG grant to prepare the Downtown San Rafael Station Area
Plan (SAP). The purpose of the SAP was to study potent ial land use and transportation opportunities
to support sustainable, future development in the PDA. The San Rafael Citizen Advisory Committee
(CAC) on Economic Development and Affordable Housing assisted with the development of the SAP
and the final plan was completed and accepted by the City Council in 2012.
The Downtown SAP covers many topic areas that are critical to Downtown planning, which are
captured in six goals that include, among others: integrating rail and bus transit within the SAP area;
supplying adequate parking for new housing and businesses; exploring zoning changes in the
immediate area surrounding the SMART station to increase housing and employment opportunities;
and improving the pedestrian and bicycle network. The SAP also includes a detailed implementation
strategy to achieve the goals. Since the preparation of the Downtown SAP, the SMART commuter
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 2
service has commenced (Initial Operating Segment), and the City has initiated and/or completed the
following efforts, which respond to the implementation strategy of the SAP:
1. The Bettini Transit Center Relocation Plan is underway. This relocation plan was initiated as a
result of the planned, SMART Phase 2 extension to Larkspur Landing, which will impact the
current transit center site. This relocation plan is a multi-agency effort, with Golden Gate Transit
serving as the lead. The site that is selected for permanent relocation could have a significant
impact on the Downtown street network and circulation.
2. The Downtown Parking & Wayfinding Study has been completed and accepted by the City
Council. The study is comprehensive and covers a broad range of parking-related issues. The
study includes the following: recommendations for parking and pedestrian/bicycle circulation
around SMART; suggested zoning and development standard changes based on a parking
demand study; and recommendations to expand the Downtown Parking District.
3. The City has initiated an update of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan (last updated in
2011). This Master Plan includes planning for major bikeways and pedestrian circulation in
Downtown. This effort dovetails with some of the elements of the Downtown Parking &
Wayfinding Study and planning for SMART.
4. The City has initiated the General Plan 2040 process. An initial Preliminary Work Plan for the
General Plan 2040 was presented to the City Council in February 2017. As part of this report, it
was acknowledged that a more specific review and planning of Downtown would be warranted
as part of the General Plan 2040. Suggestions included the preparation of a “Specific Plan” or
similar planning document that would be for and unique to Downtown.
In addition to the above, the City is experiencing an up-tick in Downtown development activity and
interest. At present, there are fifteen Downtown development projects that are under construction,
approved, under review, or are in the pipeline. In partial response to this activity, an Ad-Hoc City
Council Sub-Committee met in August 2017 to discuss specific design criteria and guidelines to
promote “good design” in new development for Downtown. A working group was formed to create a
consolidated list of “good design” criteria utilizing the design-related resources presently used by the
City for reviewing development projects. The “good design” recommendations were presented to the
City Council at its February 5, 2018 meeting, which can be viewed here.
In collectively considering all of the above efforts, it is logical and timely to consider the preparation of a
“Specific Plan,” “Precise Plan,” or similar planning document for Downtown that would bring together
and implement the many recommendations and elements of these efforts.
One Bay Area Grant (OBAG) for PDA Planning
The Metropolitan Transportation Commission/Association of Bay Area Governments (MTC/ABAG) has
launched the next round of the One Bay Area Grant (OBAG) Planning Program. The program is
focused on PDAs and earmarked for planning assistance, particularly for developing a “Specific Plan”
or similar planning document (e.g., “Precise Plan”) for a PDA and the supportive environmental (CEQA)
document. The “Call for Applications” (Attachment 1) outlines the opportunities of the grant and has
established a deadline of March 5, 2018 for filing. In addition, the PDA application can be viewed here.
The Downtown San Rafael PDA is eligible for the OBAG Planning Program.
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 3
ANALYSIS:
It is requested that the City Council authorize staff to proceed with filing a grant application for the
Downtown PDA and appropriate funds from the General Plan Fund #218 to cover the local match
(discussed below under Fiscal Impact). Staff finds that the OBAG Planning Program is not only an
excellent opportunity for developing a “Precise Plan” for Downtown, but it closely coincides with the
schedule for the General Plan 2040. It is timely and advantageous to link and integrate the two
planning efforts. As a Downtown “Precise Plan” would be a supplement to the General Plan 2040, the
required environmental review for both documents can be covered under one Environmental Impact
Report (EIR). Therefore, there are benefits such as cost savings, as well as combining tasks for
technical studies, community involvement and outreach. The one EIR would serve as a “Program -level
EIR” for the General Plan and a more detailed “Project EIR” for the Precise Plan area. The main
advantage of a “Project EIR” for the Downtown is that it would provide a more expedited and efficient
review process for future Downtown development projects.
The Downtown PDA meets the following OBAG Planning Program application
requirements/prerequisites for securing a grant:
1. The City must commit to planning for intensified land uses around a transit hub. The purpose of
a PDA is to plan for more intensified land uses around transit hubs. San Rafael has already
completed numerous actions to accommodate growth around the SMART station and Bettini
Transit Center. The most recent effort was the Downtown Station Area Plan (SAP), which
recommends holding to and reinforcing the current building height and floor area ratio
allowances of the General Plan 2020, and expanding those allowances eastward to Irwin Street.
2. The City must involve the local Congestion Management Agency (CMA) and transit providers
serving the PDA. The local transit providers (SMART, Golden Gate Bridge, Highway &
Transportation District, and Marin Transit) and the Transportation Authority of Marin have been
notified of this proposal. Letters of support for this grant application are attached.
3. The PDA must meet a specific profile. The Downtown PDA is designated in the place-type of
“Transit Town Center.” For this place-type, it is eligible for grant funds of up to $500,000 to
cover the preparation and adoption of a “Specific Plan” or equivalent planning document and
supportive EIR. Staff recommends pursuing the development of a “Precise Plan” accompanied
by technical studies to support the plan. This approach is consistent with the grant criteria and
prerequisites.
4. The resulting planning document that is funded by the grant must meet certain criteria and
include specific components. As mentioned above, staff is recommending that preparation of a
“Precise Plan” would be suitable and appropriate for Downtown to supplement the General Plan
2040. A Precise Plan would meet the qualifications required for the grant and it incorporates the
policies of the greater General Plan, land use regulations, development standards and
regulations (e.g., building height and floor area ratio limits, parking regulations, architectural and
landscape regulations). The Precise Plan is adopted as an ordinance, and would serve as the
overarching zoning ordinance for the Downtown PDA. A good example of what staff envisions
is the Redwood City Downtown Precise Plan.
Downtown Redwood City shares some similarities to Downtown San Rafael in that it contains
older, historic buildings. The Downtown Redwood City Precise Plan is supported by an EIR that
includes a historic resource assessment/inventory and a preservation strategy. For a Precise
Plan to be most useful for Downtown San Rafael, historic resources will need to be identified
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 4
and carefully analyzed. The PDA grant provides an opportunity to fund this assessment, which
can be incorporated into the EIR that will be prepared for the General Plan 2040. Preparing
such an assessment in a Specific Plan or Precise Plan would allow for CEQA analysis and
clearances on historic resources to be completed as part of the Plan, rather than a case-by-
case basis by each future project.
5. The grant requires a local match of 12 percent of the total project budget. Only local funds can
be used as a match; other funding sources cannot be used as a match. Staff proposes to
request the maximum $500,000 that is available for the preparation of a Downtown Precise Plan
and the supportive technical studies (e.g., historic resource assessment/inventory) for
environmental review. The 12 percent local match is $60,000. As discussed in the Fiscal
Impact section below, staff recommends that the $60,000 match be appropriated from Fund
#218 (General Plan Implementation Fee portion). Please note that at this time, the exact cost
for this project is not known. As there would be cost savings by integrating the Precise Plan into
the General Plan 2040 and supportive EIR, the entire $500,000 award may not be needed.
MTC staff has advised that we request more than what might be needed and the award would
be adjusted once a final work program and budget is established.
6. The City must develop and implement direct outreach and implement a community engagement
plan. As proposed by staff, the development of a Precise Plan would be integrated into the
General Plan 2040 preparation and review process, Therefore, the Precise Plan would have the
benefit of sharing much of the community engagement strategy that is being developed and will
be implemented for the General Plan 2040. This strategy must include online engagement and
community workshops, which is presently anticipated for the General Plan 2040 outreach. The
grant also requires the use of a “Community Advisory Committee.” The General Plan 2040
Steering Committee would serve as the community stakeholder group directly involved in the
scoping and authorship of the Precise Plan.
7. The resulting planning document must include specific strategies. Many of the elements of the
following required strategies have already been complete, or are in-process:
a. An affordable housing and anti-displacement strategy. Elements of this requirement are
already addressed in the City’s Housing Element or will be addressed with the General Plan
2040.
b. A multi-modal access and connectivity strategy. Elements of this requirement would be met
with through the update of the Bicycle Pedestrian Master Plan (underway) and Circulation
Element of the General Plan 2040.
c. A pedestrian-friendly design/place making strategy. Elements of this requirement would be
met through the implementing recommendations that have already prepared and accepted
in the Downtown Parking & Wayfinding Study.
d. An accessible design strategy. This strategy requires that accessible design standards be
developed for the study area.
e. A parking analysis and policy strategy. All of the work required to meet this strategy has
already been completed with through the recently-accepted Downtown Parking &
Wayfinding Study.
8. Supportive environmental review is required for the resulting planning document. As discussed,
given the timing of the General Plan 2040 process, the environmental review required for the
Precise Plan can be integrated into the General Plan 2040 EIR. Special and more detailed
technical studies necessary and required for the Precise Plan (e.g., historic resource
assessment/inventory) can be budgeted through this grant and would ultimately supplement the
General Plan EIR.
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 5
9. The City must complete the project within 30 months of the execution of the funding agreement
with MTC. If the grant is awarded, the City must enter into an agreement with MTC by October
31, 2018. Therefore, at the latest, the project must be completed through adoption by the City
Council by April 30, 2021. The timing is optimum as it coincides with the schedule of the
General Plan 2040.
In summary, the timing and opportunity for securing this grant to prepare a Precise Plan for Downtown
could not be better. This project can be integrated into the General Plan 2040 process, which provides
for cost savings and combined tasks. Staff is com pleting the final work plan for the General Plan 2040,
so if this grant application is authorized, the final work plan will address the Precise Plan project.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH:
Notice of this public meeting was provided to a specific list of stakeholders that includes major
Downtown San Rafael property owners (e.g., BioMarin, Seagate Properties, and Monahan Pacific), the
San Rafael Chamber of Commerce, the Downtown Business Improvement District (BID), Marin
Builders Association, Federation of San Rafael Neighborhoods, and neighborhood
associations/organizations that border Downtown San Rafael. See Attachment 3. The City has
received several letters of support for the grant application by several local stakeholders. These letters
are attached (Attachment 4) and will be submitted with the grant application if authorized.
As discussed in the Analysis section, community outreach and engagement is a prerequisite of the
grant. As it is the intent that the preparation of the Precise Plan would be incorporated into the timing
and preparation of the General Plan 2040, it will share the community engagement strategy.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The OBAG PDA Planning Grant Program requires a local financial commitment or “match” in the
amount of 12 percent of the project budget. As we would be requesting $500,000, the local funding
commitment would be $60,000. The local funding for this project would be apportioned from General
Plan Revenue Fund #218 over a two and-a-half fiscal year budget cycle (30-month period for Precise
Plan process). Fund #218 includes revenue for both the implementation of the current General Plan,
as well as the General Plan update process. The current account balance for the entire Fund #218 is
approximately $1.8 million. The revenue that is generated for Fund #218 is through the two fees that
are collected as a surcharge with every building permit that is issued by the City: General Plan (2040)
Maintenance Fee and General Plan 2020 Implementation Fee. Authorization of these funds would not
impact the General Fund, given that the Fund #218 revenue has been accumulating since 2004.
Therefore, it is requested that the City Council authorize $60,000 from Fund #218 for this project.
OPTIONS:
The City Council has the following options to consider on this matter:
1. Adopt Resolution as recommended by staff;
2. Adopt Resolution with modifications;
3. Direct staff to return with more information; or
4. Take no action.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Adopt resolution.
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 6
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Draft Resolution
2. Priority Development Area (PDA) Planning Program Call for Applications
3. Meeting Notice
4. Letters of support for Grant Application
1-1
RESOLUTION NO. 14469
RESOLUTION OF THE SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AUTHORIZING THE FILING OF A
ONE BAY AREA GRANT (OBAG) APPLICATION TO FUND THE PREPARATION OF A
“PRECISE PLAN” FOR THE DOWNTOWN PRIORITY DEVELOPMENT AREA (PDA)
AND AUTHORIZING $60,000 FOR THE LOCAL MATCH
REQUIRED BY THE GRANT APPLICATION
CASE NO. P18-002
The City Council of the City of San Rafael finds and determines that:
WHEREAS, in 2008, the City adopted Resolution 12607 designating Downtown San
Rafael as a Priority Development Area (PDA) as part of the Association of Bay Area
Governments (ABAG) Focus Program. The Downtown PDA covers a ½-mile radius around the
Downtown SMART rail station and Bettini Transit Center, and was designated in the PDA Place
Type of “Transit Town Center.” The PDA designation provides incentives such as funding
opportunities for funding and technical assistance; and
WHEREAS, in 2009, a One Bay Area Grant (OBAG) was awarded to the City to
prepare the Downtown Station Area Plan (SAP). The Downtown SAP was completed and
accepted by the City Council in June 2012. The Downtown SAP is a “vision” document that
covers many topic areas with recommended actions; and
WHEREAS, since the completion and acceptance of the Downtown SAP, the City has
addressed numerous recommendations in the Downtown SAP implementation strategy including
the completion of a Downtown Parking & Wayfinding Study and the initiation of the Bettini
Transit Center Relocation Plan; and
WHEREAS, in 2017, the City initiated the General Plan 2040 process. The initial
preliminary work plan for this effort suggests that a “Specific Plan” or similar planning document
should be considered; and
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission and Association of Bay Area
Governments (MTC/ABAG) has launched the next round of the OBAG Planning Program. This
program is earmarked for planning assistance to local jurisdictions in developing a Specific Plan
or similar planning document for PDAs. The Downtown PDA meets the qualifications for
receiving a grant; and
WHEREAS, given the timing of the General Plan 2040, it is appropriate and logical to
prepare a more detailed “Precise Plan” for the Downtown PDA and incorporate/integrate this
Precise Plan into the General Plan 2040; and
WHEREAS, it is recommended that the City request $500,000 in the OBAG application,
which would cover the cost of a Precise Plan and supportive technical studies. A local match of
12% of the request amount ($60,000) is required and can be adequately covered by the General
Plan Special Revenue Fund (Fund #218), which has a current balance of $1,800,000; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council: a) authorizes the
City Manager or his/her designee to file an application for a One Bay Area Grant (OBAG) to
fund the preparation of a Precise Plan for the Downtown Priority Development Area (PDA); and
1-2
b) appropriates a maximum of $560,000 (up to $500,000 from the grant and authorization of
$60,000 from Fund #218 for the required matching funds) for this project.
I, LINDSAY LARA, Interim City Clerk of the City of San Rafael, hereby certify that the
foregoing Resolution No. 14469 was duly and regularly introduced and adopted at a regular
meeting of the City Council held on the 20th day of February 2018 by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: Councilmembers: Colin, McCullough & Mayor Pro Tem Bushey
NOES: Councilmembers: None
ABSENT: Councilmembers: Gamblin & Mayor Phillips
_______________________________________
LINDSAY LARA, Interim City Clerk
CD OBAG App Reso 2 20 18
ATTACHMENT 2
Call for Applications e METROPOLITAN
"" T TRANSPORTATION
COMMISSION O Association of
Bay Area Governments
Priority Development Area (PDA) Planning Program
PDA Technical and Staffing Assistance Programs
For proqram guidelines and applications, visit:
https://mt c.ca.gov /pda-call
Applications due March 5,2018
The PDA Planning Program funds Specific Plans that result in intensified land
uses around public transit hubs and bus and rail corridors in the nine-county
San Francisco Bay Area. Successful applications will propose plans that:
(1) Increase housing supply, including affordable housing, and jobs;
(2) Boost transit ridership and reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT)
(3) Increase walking, bicycling, carpooling and carsharing by effectively manag-
ing parking and driving while promoting multimodal connections; and
(4) Retain and expand community assets, and locate key services and retail
within the planning area.
The PDA Technical Assistance Program provides customized consultant
assistance to complete discrete projects that allow a city to overcome specific
policy or planning challenges to the adoption or implementation of PDA plans.
Examples of eligible projects include:
• Affordable housing and anti-displacement policies
• Design guidelines, form-based codes, and placemaking
• VMT-based transportation impact standards
• Parking and Transportation Demand Management (TDM)
• Infrastructure and housing finance
The PDA Staffing Assistance Program addresses staff reductions that
have limited the ability of cities to carry out work critical to implementing
PDA Plans and Plan Bay Area. Customized consultant assistance is provid-
ed to jurisdictions to complete more complex planning efforts that-address
similar topics as the Technical Assistance Program. Previous Staffing
Assistance .grants have supported VMT-based transportation impact stan-
dards and Complete Streets standards.
Attend a Pre-Application Workshop
San Francisco January 11,2018, 1-3PM, Bay Area Metro Center
375 Beale Street, Verba Buena Conference Room
San Francisco, CA 94105
San Jose January 17,2018, 2-4PM, Valley Transportation Authority
3331 North 1 st Street, Auditorium
San Jose, CA 95134
For more information, contact
Mark Shorett, PDA Program Manager
mshorett@bayareametro.gov
(415) 464-7994
ATTACHMENT 3
~SAN RA FA EL ~ THE OTY WITH A MISSION
NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING -CITY COUNCIL
You are invited to attend the City Council meeting on the following topic:
T OPIC : Downtown San Rafae l Priority Deve lopment Area (PDA) Grant A pplicatio n -Request for authorization to file for a One Bay Area
Grant (OBAG) application to fund a plan for the Downtown PDA, which encompasses a %-mile radius surrounding the Downtown SMART
commuter rail station. If secured, the grant would fund the preparation of a "Precise Plan" or similar plan for the Downtown PDA, which would be
developed in coordination with the prepa'ration of, and would supplement the San Rafael General Plan 2040; City Case #s: P18-002.
The action to file an application for a planning grant is not considered a project under 14 CCR Section 15378 of the Califomia Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
MEETIN G DATElTIMEILO CAT IO N : T uesday, Fe bruary 20 .20 18,7 :00 p.m . City Council Chambers, 1400 Fifth Ave at D St, San Rafael, CA
FOR MORE INF ORMATIO N: Contact Paul Jensen, Project Planner at (415) 485-5064 or paul.jensen@cityofsanrafael.org. You can also come
to the Planning Division office, located in City Hall, 1400 Fifth Avenue, to look at the file for the proposed project. The office is open from 8:30
a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Monday and Thursday and 8:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. You can also view the staff report
after 5:00 p.m . on the Friday before the meeting at http://www.cityofsanrafael.org/meetings
WH AT WILL HA PPEN : You can comment on the topic. This is a discussion item and the City Council will receive an oral report/presentation and
take an action .
IF YOU WANT TO COMMENT: You can send written correspondence by email to the address above, or by post to the Community Development
Department, Planning Division, City of San Rafael, 1400 5 th Avenue, San Rafael, CA 94901 . You can also hand deliver it prior to the action date.
At the above time and place, all written correspondence received will be noted and all interested parties will be heard. If you challenge in court the matter described above, you may be
limited to ra ising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered at, or prior to, the above referenced
public hearing (Government Code Section 65009 (b) (2)).
Judicial review of an administrative decision of the City Council must be filed with the Court not later than the 90th day following the date of the Council's decision . (Code of Civil
Procedure Section 1094.6)
Sign Language and intetpretation and assistive listening devices may be requested by calling (415) 485-3085 (voice) or (415) 485-3198 (TDD) at least 12 hours in advance. Copies of
documents are available in accessible formats upon request.
Public transportation to City Hall is available through Golden Gate Transit, Line 22 or 23. Para-transit is available by calling Whistlestop Wheels at (415) 454-0964.
To allow individuals with environmental illness or multiple chemical sensitivity to attend the meeting/hean'ng, individuals are requested to refrain from wearing scented products.
ATTACHMENT 4
Letters of Support Received to Date
ransit
711 grand ave, #11 0
san rafael, ca 94901
ph: 415.226.0855
fax: 415.226.0856
marintrans it.org
board of directors
katie rice
president
supervisor district 2
stephanie moulton-peters
vice president
city of mill valley
damon connolly
2nd vice president
supervisor district 1
judy arnold
director
supervisor district 5
kate colin
director
city of san rafael
dennis rodoni
director
supervisor district 4
kathrin sears
director
supervisor district 3
February 5, 2018
Steve Heminger, Executive Director
Metropolitan Transportation Commission
101 Eighth Street
Oakland, CA 94607
Re: OBAG Grant for Downtown San Rafael Precise Plan
Dear Mr. Heminger:
Marin Transit is writing to express support for the City of San
Rafael's application for funding a Downtow~ Precise Plan through
the One Bay Area Grant (OBAG) program. Downtown San Rafael
represents Marin County's best opportunity to increase the region's
housing supply and accommodate future jobs, while simultaneously
boosting transit ridership and reducing vehicle miles traveled. Past
plans have helped revitalize Downtown as · a vibrant, walkable place.
However, there is more to be done to achieve Downtown's full
potential while addressing critical issues relating to climate change,
equity, historic preservation, design, and circulation.
The coming decades will be particularly important for Downtown.
SMART is drawing thousands of daily riders and will soon be
extended, ·with a growing share of Downtown trips shifting to transit.
A new citywide Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan is calling for major
Downtown improvements. Plans to relocate the Bettini Transit
Center are underway, while the adjacent Third Street corridor is
being re-imagined through a streetscape study. Collectively, these
changes are spurring unprecedented interest in transit-oriented
development. Weare on the cusp of transformative change.
A clear, implementation-oriented plan is urgently needed to guide
Downtown development. The proposed Precise Plan is the next
logical step following completion of the Downtown Station Area
Plan in 2012. It will provide the regulatory framework needed to
manage growth, including contemporary zoning standards that support sustainable development
and walkable streets. It will allow for strategic investment in infrastructure and streetscape
improvements, and economic development initiatives that reflect San Rafael's unique role in the
Bay Area marketplace . The Precise Plan can also leverage the work now being done through the
2040 General Plan Update, providing a more efficient approach to CEQA and streamlining
future project approvals.
In closing, we believe that awarding this grant will help the region meet its greenhouse gas
reduction targets and will support the goal of a more sustainable Bay Area. We appreciate your
consideration.
Sincerely,
Cc: Mayor Gary Phillips
Vice Mayor John Gamblin
Councilmember Maribeth Bushey
Councilmember Kate Colin
Councilmember Andrew Cuyugan McCullough
February 9, 2018
Steve Heminger, Executive Director
Metropolitan Transportation Commission
101 Eighth Street
Oakland, CA 94607
Re: OBAG Grant for Downtown San Rafael Precise Plan
Dear Mr. Heminger:
, r I I ".' l I "
C=HIGHWAY & TRANSPORTATION DlSTRlCf
Our organization is writing to express support for the City of San Rafael's application for
funding a Downtown Precise Plan through the One Bay Area Grant (OBAG) program.
Downtown San Rafael represents Marin County's best opportunity to increase the region's
housing supply and accommodate future jobs, while simultaneously boosting transit ridership
and reducing vehicle miles traveled. Past plans have helped revitalize Downtown as a vibrant,
walkable place. However, there is more to be done to achieve Downtown's full potential while
addressing critical issues relating to climate change, equity, historic preservation, design, and
circulation.
The coming decades will be particularly important for Downtown. SMART is drawing
thousands of daily riders and will soon be extended, with a growing, share of Downtown trips
shifting to transit. A new citywide Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan is calling for major Downtown
improvements. Plans to relocate the Bettini Transit Center are underway, while the adjacent
Third Street corridor is being re-imagined through a streetscape study. Collectively, these
changes are spurring unprecedented interest in transit-oriented development. We are on the cusp
of transformative change.
A clear, implementation-oriented plan is urgently needed to guide Downtown development. The
proposed Precise Plan is the next logical step following completion of the Downtown Station
Area Plan in 2012. It will provide the regulatory framework needed to manage growth, including
contemporary zoning standards that support sustainable development and walkable streets. It
will allow for strategic investment in infrastructure and streetscape improvements, and economic
development initiatives that reflect San Rafael's unique role in the Bay Area marketplace; The
Precise Plan can also leverage the work now being done through the 2040 General Plan Update,
providing a more efficient approach to CEQA and streamlining future project approvals.
1011 ANDERSEN DRIVE· SAN RAFAEL, CA 94901-5318· USA
S. Heminger Executive Director
Metropolitan Transportation Commission
February 9,2018
Page 2
In closing, we believe that awarding this grant will help the region meet its greenhouse gas
reduction targets and will support the goal of a more sustainable Bay Area. We appreciate your
consideration.
Sincerely,
~~
Ron Downing
Director of Planning
Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and ·Transportation District
1011 Andersen Drive
San Rafael, CA 94901-5318
Cc: . Paul Jensen, Community Development Dept., City of San Rafael
~M
Tren~ Autharity at Me';"
900 Fifth Avenue
Suite 100
San Rafael
California 94901
Phone: 415/226-oS15
Fax: 415/226-0816
www.tam.ca.gov
Belvedere
James Campbell
Corte Madera
Diane Furst
Fairfax
John Reed
Larkspur
Dan Hillmer
Mill Valley
Stephanie Moulton-Peters
Novato
Eric Lucan
Ross
P. Beach Kuhl
San Anselmo
Brian Colbert
San Rafael
Gary Phillips
Sausalito
Ray Withy
nburon
Alice Fredericks
County of Marin
Damon Connolly
Katie Rice
Kathrin Sears
Dennis Rodoni
Judy Arnold ·
February 7, 2018
Steve Heminger, Executive Director
Metropolitan Transportation Commission
Bay Area Metro Center
375 Beale Street
San Francisco, California 94105
Re: PDA Planning Grant for Downtown San Rafael Precise Plan
Dear Mr. Heminger:
TAM is writing to express support for the City of San Rafael's application for
funding a Downtown Precise Plan through the Priority Development Area (PDA)
Planning Grant under the One Bay Area Grant (OBAG) program. Downtown San
Rafael represents a major opportunity to increase the region's housing supply and
sustainable communities strategy.
Integrating transportation and land use in Downtown San Rafael has never been
more critical. SMART is draWing thousands of daily riders and will soon be
extended to Larkspur. San Rafael's Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan has identified
major Downtown improvements. Plans to relocate the Bettini Transit Center are
underway, while the adjacent Third Street corridor is being re-imagined through a
streetscape study. Collectively, these changes are spurring unprecedented interest
in transit-oriented development and an implementation-oriented plan is urgently
needed to guide Downtown development. The proposed Precise Plan will provide
the regulatory framework needed to manage growth, including contemporary
zoning standards. It will allow for strategic investment in infrastructure and
streetscape improvements, and development initiatives that reflect San Rafael's
unique role in the Bay Area marketplace ~
In closing, we believe that awarding this grant will help the region meet its
greenhouse gas reduction targets and will support the goal of a more ~ustainable
Bay Area. We appreciate your consideration.
Di~e Steinhauser
Executive Director
cc: Mayor Gary Phillips
Vice Mayor John Gamblin
Councilmeinber Maribeth Bushey
Councilmember Kate Colin
Councilmember Andrew Cuyugan McCullough
Making tha Moat of Marin County Tranapartatlan Dollars
San Rafael Ii Chamber
February 12, 2018
Steve Heminger, Executive Director
Metropolitan Transportation Commission
101 Eighth Street
Oakland, CA 94607
Re: OBAG Grant for Downtown San Rafael Precise Plan
Dear Mr. Heminger:
On behalf of the San Rafael Chamber of Commerce, which represents over 26,000 employees working in
Marin County, I am writing to express our support for the City of San Rafael's application for funding a
Downtown Precise Plan through the One Bay Area Grant (OBAG) program. Downtown San Rafael represents
Marin County's best opportunity to increase the region's housing supply and accommodate future local jobs,
while simultaneously boosting transit ridership and reducing vehicle miles traveled. Past plans have helped
revitalize Downtown as a vibrant, walkable place. However, there is more to be done to achieve Downtown's
full potential while addressing critical issues relating to climate change, equity, historic preservation, design,
and circulation .
The coming decades will be particularly important for Downtown. SMART is drawing thousands of daily
riders and will soon be extended, with a growing share of Downtown trips shifting to transit. A new citywide
Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan is calling for major Downtown improvements. Plans to relocate the Bettini ·
Transit Center are underway, while the adjacent Third Street corridor is being re-imagined through a
streetscape study. Collectively, these changes are spurring unprecedented interest in transit-oriented
development. We are on the cusp of transformative change.
A clear, implementation-oriented plan is urgently needed to guide Downtown development. The proposed
Precise Plan is the next logical step following completion of the Downtown Station Area Plan in 2012. It will
provide the regulatory framework needed to manage growth, including contemporary zoning standards that
support sustainable development and walkable streets. It will allow for strategic investment in infrastructure
and streetscape improvements, arid economic development initiatives that reflect San Rafael's unique role in
the Bay Area marketplace. The Precise Plan can also leverage the work now being done through the 2040
General Plan Update, providing a more efficient approach to CEQA and streamlining future project approvals .
In closing, we believe that awarding this grant will help the region meet its greenhouse gas reduction targets
and vJili support the goal of a more sustainable Bay Area. We appreciate your consideration.
Sincerely,
~-1(~
Joanne Webster, President and CEO
cc via email: Chamber Board of Directors, San Rafael Mayor Gary Phillips and City Council
817 Mission Avenue -San Rafael, CA 94901 -(415) 454-4163 -www.srchamber.com
Marin
Environmental
Housing
Collaborative
BOARD
Shiraz Kad era li, Co -Chair
Steve Saxe , Co -Ch air
Pa ula Allen
Kat ie Cr eceliu s
Li nda Jack son
Larry Kenning s
Cesar Lagl eva
Stacey Laumann
Marge Ma cr is
Samantha Mericle
Dougl as Mundo
Robert Pendoley
Scott Qu inn
Chantel Wa lker
Joe Wal sh
AD VI SORY BOARD
Ron Albert
Margot Bieh le
Greg Brockbank
Kat hl een Foote .
Mayme Hubert
Kik i La Porta
St ephanie Lovette
Marge Macris
Mi chele Rodriguez
Annette Rose
Mary Kay Sweene y
Pa t sy White
Steve Will is
Sa lly anne Wilson
Tom W ils on
PO Box 9633
San Rafae l, CA 94 9 12
www.Mar inM EHC .org
February 14 ,2018
Steve Heminger, Executive Director
Metropolitan Transportation Commission
101 Eighth Street
Oakland, CA 94607
Re: Support for the OBAG Grant for Downtown San Rafael Precise Plan
Dear Mr. Heminger:
Marin Environmental Housing Collaborative (MEHC) is a consortium of
advocates building support for projects and policies that advance affordable
housing as well as environmental integrity and social equity. We are writing to
support the City of San Rafael's application for funding for a Downtown
Precise Plan through the One Bay Area Grant (OBAG) program. Past plans
have helped revitalize downtown San Rafael as a vibrant, walkable place.
Planning for a mixed use economically-strong transit-oriented downtown was
reFognized two decades ago with one of the first Ahwahnee Awards in
California.
Much remains to be done to achieve the full downtown San Rafael potential
for housing -and especially affordable housing. Very little housing has been
built there over the past 15 years, yet job growth brings in thousands of
commuting workers, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions from their
daily drives, and traffic congestion is past its breaking point. The need for
affordable housing has reached a crisis state in San Rafael. MEHC supports
this new planning effort to address the roadblocks to new housing dose to
jobs in the downtown neighborhood.
San Rafael needs a clear, implementation-oriented Precise Plan to provide the
regulatory framework needed to facilitate desired affordable housing, with
contemporary zoning standards that support sustainable development and
walkable streets. A Precise Plan will build on the work of the Downtown
Station Area Plan, and will leverage the work now being done through the
2040 General Plan Update.
MEHC asks for your approval of a PDA planning grant for a Specific Plan for
downtown San Rafael. We believe that the promise of a more efficient
approach to CEQA (including clarification about historic resources to be
preserved) to streamline future project approvals will bring about much-
All donations go to MEHC's fiscal sponsor, EAH Housing, a nonprofit, non-stock corporation
recognized by the IRS as exempt from income tax under Internal Revenue Code Section 501 (c)(3).
EAH generously contributes all donations to MEHC, pro bono.
needed affordable housing to the community, and help Marin and the region meet greenhouse
gas reduction targets and reduce traffic. We appr eciate your consideration.
Sincerely,
Steven Saxe
Co -Chair
cc : Mayor Gary Phillips
Vice May or John Gamblin
Councilmember Maribeth Bushey
Councilmember Kate Colin
Councilmember Andrew Cuyugan McCullough
All donations go to MEHC's fiscal sponsor, EAH Housing, a nonprofit, non-stock corporation
recognized by the IRS as exempt from income tax under Internal Revenue Code Section 501 (c)(3).
EAH generously contributes all donations to MEHC, pro bono.
STAFF REPORT APPROVAL
ROUTING SLIP
Staff Report Author: Paul Jensen Date of Meeting: 02/20/2018
Department: Community Development
Topic: Downtown Priority Development Area (PDA)
Subject: Request for Authorization to: a) File a One Bay Area Grant (OBAG) Application to Fund the Preparation
of a “Precise Plan” for the Downtown Priority Development Area (PDA); and b) Appropriate $60,000 for the
Local Match Required by the Grant Application. The Precise Plan would Supplement the San Rafael General
Plan 2040. Case # P18-002.
Type: (check all that apply) ☐ Consent Calendar ☐ Public Hearing
☐ Discussion Item ☒ Resolution ☐ Ordinance
☐ Professional Services Agreement ☐ Informational Report
*If PSA, City Attorney approval is required prior to start of staff report approval process
Was agenda item publicly noticed? ☒ Yes ☐No Date noticed:
2/2/18
☒Mailed ☐Site posted ☐Marin IJ
Due Date Responsibility Description Completed
Date Initial / Comment
DEPARTMENT REVIEW
FRIDAY noon
Director Director approves staff
report is ready for ACM,
City Attorney & Finance
review.
2/5/2018
☒
PJ
CONTENT REVIEW
MONDAY
morning
Assistant City Manager
City Attorney
Finance
ACM, City Attorney &
Finance will review items,
make edits using track
changes and ask questions
using comments. Items will
be returned to the author
by end of day Wednesday.
2/6/2018
2/5/2018
2/5/2018
☒
DS
☒
LG
☒
Van Bach
DEPARTMENT REVISIONS
WEDNESDAY
noon
Author Author revises the report
based on comments
receives and produces a
final version (all track
changes and comments
removed) by Friday at
noon.
2/8/2018
☒
PJ
ACM, CITY ATTORNEY, FINANCE FINAL APPROVAL
MONDAY
morning
Assistant City Manager
ACM, City Attorney &
Finance will check to see
Click here to
enter a date.
☐
City Attorney
Finance
their comments were
adequately addressed and
sign-off for the City
Manager to conduct the
final review.
Click here to
enter a date.
Click here to
enter a date.
☐
☐
TUES
noon
City Manager Final review and approval Click here to
enter a date.
☐
'. 1 l __ l. • J ~
SUSTAINAS1.ES<1nRilf,wl.org
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
William Carney. President
Bob Spofford. Vice President
Jerry Belletto. Secretary
Greg Brockbank
Jim Geraghty
Linda Jackson
Kay Karchevski
Kiki La Porta
Jesse Madsen
Samantha Mericle
Sue Spofford
415.457.7656
166 Greenwood Avenue
San Rafael. CA 94901
Steve Heminger, Executive Director
Metropolitan Transportation Commission
101 Eighth Street
Oakland, CA 94607
Febmary 20,2018
Re: Downtown San Rafael Precise Plan OBAG Grant Application
Dear Mr. Heminger:
Sustainable San Rafael heartily supports the City of San Rafael's
application for funding of a Downtown Precise Plan through the One Bay
Area Grant (OBAG) program. Our city's downtown presents a huge
resource for developing critically needed workforce housing literally on top
of a vibrant retail and office environment, increasingly well-served by
transit. The proposed Precise Plan would be a significant step towards
realizing this potential, while respecting the community assets already in
place and enhancing the overall character of the city.
We're especially excited at the opportunity to bolster an exemplary
pedestrian environment downtown, reducing the need to drive and thereby
lessening the greenhouse gas emissions that are currently accelerating
climate change. The Precise Plan would provide valuable guidance towards
such a walkable town by detailing measures to achieve better pedestrian
safety, traffic control, parking management, historic preservation and visual
quality. In all these ways and more, the Plan would strengthen the three
fundamental pillars of sustainability-a thriving local economy, community
equity, and a vibrant environment.
The proposed Precise Plan builds on the Downtown Station Area Plan
completed in 2012. The SMART train now attracts thousands of riders, with
more expected when the route is connected with regional ferry service next
year. Plans to better integrate the Bettini Transit Center with the train
station are now in process, along with major streetscape improvements and
development proposals along the heavily trafficked Third Street corridor,
completion of the regional north-south multi-use 'greenway' through the
Station Area, and enhanced pedestrian routes between downtown and the
underserved Canal neighborhood. The Precise Plan can help bring all of
these projects together into a coherent whole and provide important detail
and underpinning to the 2040 General Plan revision now getting started.
In short, San Rafael's downtown is being re-visioned and revitalized. This
grant will materially assist the city in realizing its full potential. It will also
help the region meet its critical greenhouse gas reduction targets and
support a more sustainable Bay Area. We urge your approval.
Sincerely,
William Carney, President
Cc: Mayor Gary Phillips, Vice Mayor John Gamblin
Councilmembcrs Maribeth Bushey, Kate Colin, Andrew Cuyugan McCullough
Debora Fudge, Chair
Sonoma County Mayors' and
Councilmembers Association
Judy Arnold
Marin County Board of Supervisors
Damon Connolly
Marin County Board of Supervisors
Jim Eddie
Golden Gate Bridge,
Highway/Transportation District
Dan Hillmer
Marin County Council of Mayors and
Council members
Eric lucan
Transportation Authority of Marin
Jake Mackenzie
Sonoma County Mayors' and
Councilmembers Association
Barbara Pahre
Golden Gate Bridge,
Highway/Transportation District
Gary Phillips
Transportation Authority of Marin
David Rabbitt
Sonoma County Board of Supervisors
Carol Russell
Sonoma County Mayors' and
Councilmembers Association
Shirlee Zane
Sonoma County Board of Supervisors
Farhad Mansourian
General Manager
5401 Old Redwood Highway
Suite 200
Petaluma, CA 949S4
Phone: 707-794·3330
Fax: 707·794-3037
www.sonomamarintrain .org
February 20,2018
Mr. Steve Heminger
Executive Director
Metropolitan Transportation Commission
1120 N Street, MS-52
Sacramento, CA 95814
On behalf of the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit District (SMART), please accept
this letter of strong support for the City of San Rafael's request for One Bay Area
Grant funds to complete the Downtown San Rafael Precise Plan. The City of San
Rafael's request for funding comes at a transformative moment for the North Bay,
when the need for effective transportation choices has coincided with a critical lack
of affordable housing.
Passenger rail service is now being offered for the first time in over 60 years to
North Bay communities and the City of San Rafael and SMART have constructed
many long-planned and well-used non-motorized pathway segments. SMART is
drawing thousands of daily riders to Downtown San Rafael, illustrating the
importance of San Rafael to the regional economy, a role that will only grow with
the completion of the SMART rail extension to the Larkspur Ferry. San Rafael's
future competitive economic advantage will rest on the City's ability to embrace
the transit and non-motorized transportation opportunities now available,
opportunities that require clear, implementation-oriented guidance to realize their
full potential for economic and environmental benefits.
SMART is committed to supporting San Rafael as the City works to maximize our
collective investments in transformative transportation infrastructure. Thank you
for your consideration and I respectfully request the Metropolitan Transportation
Commission prioritize these One Bay Area Grant funds for the Downtown San
Rafael Precise Plan.
C: Board of Directors
City of San Rafael Council