HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Resolution 13619 (Rescind Development Area PSA Designation)RESOLUTION NO. 13619
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN RAFAEL
RESCINDING THE CIVIC CENTER/NORTH SAN RAFAEL TOWN CENTER
PRIORITY DEVELOPMENT AREA (PDA) DESIGNATION
(P09-008 & P10-002)
WHEREAS, in 2007, the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) and the Metropolitan
Transportation Commission (MTC) in coordination with the Bay Area Air Quality Management District
and Bay Conservation and Development Commission (collectively, the "regional agencies") launched a
regional planning initiative called FOCUS. The FOCUS process offered the local jurisdictions of the Bay
Area the opportunity to designate "Priority Development Areas" (PDA); and
WHEREAS, a Priority Development Area is defined as a geographic area close to, along or
within transit nodes and connections that is suitable for concentrated growth. In filing the FOCUS
application, the proposed Priority Development Area must meet all of the following criteria: (a) within an
existing community, (b) near existing or planned fixed transit (or served by comparable bus service) and
(c) is planned, or is planning, for more housing. The PDA is a key element of the Plan Bay Area, which
promotes concentrating future regional growth around transit to reduce vehicle miles traveled, thus
reducing greenhouse gas emissions; and
WHEREAS, on June 15, 2009, the City Council adopted Resolution 12760, which authorized the
submittal of a FOCUS application to designate the Civic Center/North San Rafael Town Center as a PDA.
This PDA covers a Y -mile radius surrounding the planned Civic Center SMART station (see Attachment
1). The FOCUS application was pursued as an opportunity for San Rafael to have access to funds and
grants that are earmarked for PDAs. In preparation for the arrival of the SMART service, the designation
made it possible for San Rafael to be eligible for a planning grant to study the Civic Center SMART
station, specifically, to study needed infrastructure improvements for bicycle and pedestrian access,
parking, security, land use opportunities and design guidelines; and
WHEREAS, as part of the FOCUS application, the local jurisdictions were required to identify a
"place type" for the proposed PDA based on the place type categories presented in the MTC Stcltion ,1reo
Planning 1,1unucil (October 18, 2007). Based on the area characteristics, variety of land uses and
developed conditions, the FOCUS application identified the Civic Center/North San Rafael PDA in the
"Transit Town Center" place type; and
WHEREAS, in 2012, the City completed the Civic Center Station Area Plan (Station Area Plan
which presents a "vision" for the 1,12 -mile area surrounding the Civic Center SMART' station. The Station
Area Plan presents a list of recommendations for station access and connectivity, station parking, land use
and urban design. While the Station Area Plan recommends stud) ing specific sites for additional housing
around the SMART station, the Plan respects the current General Plan 2020 traffic policies, land use
capacity and planned transportation improvements; and
WHEREAS. on August 20. 2012, the City Council accepted the Civic Center Station Area Plan
as a "vision" document, which acknowledged the completion of the Plan, the compilations of
recommendations in the Plan and the work of the Civic Center Station Area Plan Advisory Committee.
N1 HEREAS. in 20! ;, follow ing public concern regarding the Civic Center PDA and the
recommendations of the CIN is Center Station Area Plan, the City Council PD.g1 Sub -Committee directed
Citv staff to respond to a list ofcommunity questions. The community' questions address information on
the Civic Center PDA and its relationship to the affordable housing, Civ is Ccnter Station Area Plan. Plan
Bay Area and the San Rafael General Plan 2020; and
' WHEREAS, on September 6, 2013, the City Council held a study session to discuss the
responses to the community questions on the Civic Center PDA and to discuss the recommendations of
the Civic Center Station Area Plan. Following lengthy discussion and public comment, the City Council
directed staff to schedule the Civic Center PDA and the Civic Center Station Area Plan for the regular.
September 16, 2013 City Council meeting to consider changes and amendments, and
WHEREAS, by separate resolution, the City Council has made revisions to the recommendations
presented in the Civic Center Station Area Plan.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of San Rafael
hereby rescinds the Priority Development Area designation for the Civic Center/North San Rafael 'Town
Center by rescinding City Council Resolution No. 12760, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that although the Civic Center Priority Development Area
designation has been rescinded, the City Council directs that the designation be revisited in three years
from the adoption date of this resolution, in order to assess the status, criteria and requirements for
Priority Development Areas in effect at that time.
I, ESTHER C. BEIRNE, 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 City Council of the
City of San Rafael, held on Monday, the 16`h of September 2013, by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: C'ouncilmembers:
NOES: Councilmembers:
ABSENT: Councilmembers:
CC PDA CC rescinding 9 Ib 13
Colin, Connolly and Mayor Phillips
Heller and McCullough
None
— —Esther C. Beirne, City Clerk
Attachment A: Civic Center/North San Rafael Town Center Priority Development Area
Legend
Civic Center
SMART Station
112 -Mile Radius
City Boundaries
Rural Residential
industrW
Single -Family Residential
Agriculture
Multi -Family Residential
open Space
Mixed Use
Public
Office Conirnercial
—j Quasi -public
Retail Cornmer6al
V-77-71
Vacant
91
f
q
J