HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Resolution 15055 (Streamlined Review for Certain Residential Projects (Formerly Design Review Advisory Committee, DRAC))1
RESOLUTION NO. 15055
RESOLUTION OF THE SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL ESTABLISHING A ONE YEAR PILOT
PROGRAM FOR STREAMLINED REVIEW FOR CERTAIN RESIDENTIAL PROJECTS
BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of San Rafael as follows:
WHEREAS, over the past few years, the City Council has received informational reports
related to housing and the challenges to housing development. The City Council directed staff to
explore the issues related to the challenges to the approval and development of housing in San
Rafael and to identify changes that could be made to facilitate housing development. Staff
presented follow-up reports, met with community members and stakeholder groups, and
prepared identified a list of recommended measures that, if implemented, could address
challenges to housing production by providing clarity in and simplifying the review process,
providing options for development of affordable housing and exploring other opportunities to
increase housing production.
WHEREAS, one item identified was to establish a streamlined review process with
advisory authority over the architectural design of certain projects. As envisioned, streamlined
review would review certain housing development applications in-lieu of the full Design Review
Board. The streamlined review would occur concurrently with the Planning Commission review,
which would reduce the number of meetings necessary to approve the development application
while maintaining design review of the project.
WHEREAS, on September 21, 2020, the City Council directed staff to explore a pilot
program; and
WHEREAS, on November 4, 2020, staff presented the Design Review Board with a
report on the concept streamlining review, at the time referred to as “Design Review Advisory
Committee.” Staff requested feedback from the board regarding structure, membership, noticing
options, and types of projects to be reviewed. Members of the Design Review Board provided
feedback to assure adequate public notice and process, allow projects to be referred to the full
Board, and reduce the size of staff reports as a time savings measure. Staff used the comments
received and prepared a draft document defining the structure of the one-year Pilot Program.
WHEREAS, on February 17, 2021, staff presented the Design Review Board with a
report on the draft Pilot Program which incorporated the comments received from the Board on
November 4, 2020. In summary, the streamlined review program would allow members of the
Design Review Board to participate in the Planning Commission meeting for certain types of
projects that would be defined in the Pilot Program. The meeting would be a fully noticed public
meeting and all members of the public would be allowed to provide comment on the project prior
to a decision. The proposed format was presented to the Design Review Board, the Board
provided comments which were incorporated into the proposed pilot program, and
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WHEREAS, on January 21, 2022, the Planning Commission held a duly noticed public
hearing on the proposed streamlined review pilot program and proposed amendment to the
municipal code, accepted all public testimony and the written report of the Community
Development Department, and recommended the City Council approve the one-year pilot
program; and
WHEREAS, on April 18, 2022, the City Council held a duly noticed public hearing on the
ordinance and accepted all public testimony and the written report of the Community
Development Department; and
NOW, THEREFORE IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED that the City Council establishes a
streamlined review for certain residential projects one-year pilot program, as follows:
Streamlined Review of Certain Residential Projects
(1-Year Pilot Program)
A.Purpose and Authority. Members of the Design Review board as described below shall
participate in the streamlined review of certain residential development applications as
established under San Rafael Municipal Code Section 14.25.070. The streamlined review
will operate for a temporary one-year term. At the end of the term, a final report with
recommendations shall be provided to the City Council with input and recommendations
from the Planning Commission and Design Review Board to continue, continue with
modifications, or to discontinue the program.
The streamlined review will be for the purpose of reviewing and formulating
recommendations on the following development project applications which are subject to
Major Environmental Design Review (requiring planning commission action):
Residential structures of 3 to 10 units.
Additions to multifamily residential structures of between three (3) to ten (10) units,
where the addition constitutes more than forty percent (40%) of the total square
footage of the building but would not increase the unit count by more than 3 units.
In addition, the appointed members may also advise on Minor Environmental and Design
Review and Administrative Design Review items as well as other items referred by the
community development director, zoning administrator, planning commission or city council.
The purpose is to provide professional design analysis and design guidance to the
applicant and may include comments on the completeness, competence, and
appropriateness of development proposals in regard to use and setting.
B. Design Review Board Representatives. The Design Review Board Representatives shall
consist of the Design Review Board Chair, and a board member who is a landscape
architect. Both members shall serve for the one year term.
C.Alternate Representatives. If one of the members is unable to attend a meeting or has a
conflict, they will contact the Community Development Director ahead of time. The
Community Development Director will select a replacement from the full board based on
tenure. The Community Development Director may also appoint an alternative member in
the event that a member leaves office prior to completion of the member’s term.
D.Attendance at Planning Commission Meetings. The Representative members shall
participate at a public hearing by the Planning Commission as may be required from time to
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time to provide recommendations on the types of projects described in Section A above.
The members shall be notified of such meetings by the Staff Liaison to the Design Review
Board. The members may also be invited to provide consultation on projects subject to
staff level review or Zoning Administrator level review and may be requested to attend
meetings on such projects.
E.Referral to the full Design Review Board. If at any time, it is determined that a project
meeting the criteria in Section A above, would benefit from the full Design Review Board
due to proposed design, size, or surroundings, the project may be referred to the full Design
Review Board by an affirmative vote of the Planning Commission.
F.No Action by Representatives. The Representative members represent the Design Review
Board, which is an advisory board. No official action is taken. The members will be
provided an opportunity to ask questions and provided an opportunity to comment as part of
the Planning Commission meeting on the project. Recommendations from the members
will be considered by the Planning Commission and may be incorporated as conditions of
approval.
J.Public Notice. Notice of projects subject to review shall be made in tandem with
notifications for the Planning Commission meetings as required for such projects. In
addition to other noticing requirements, notices shall include a statement that the project is
subject to streamlined review which will occur at the same time the Planning Commission
reviews the project.
I, LINDSAY LARA, City Clerk of the City of San Rafael, hereby certify that the foregoing
resolution was duly and regularly introduced and adopted at a regular meeting of the Council of
said City held on the 18th day of April 2022, by the following vote:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: BUSHEY, KERTZ, LLORENS GULATI & MAYOR KATE
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: NONE
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS: HILL
Lindsay Lara, City Clerk