HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Resolution 9562 (Vision of Downtown San Rafael)RESOLUTION NO. 9562
RESOLUTION OF THE SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL
ADOPTING THE GENERAL PLAN (GPA95-3) CHANGES
TO IMPLEMENT OUR VISION OF DOWNTOWN SAN RAFAEL
WHEREAS, in June, 1993, the City of San Rafael celebrated the culmination of two
years of community effort to create a Vision for Downtown with the
presentation of Ottr Vision of Downtown San Rafael to the San Rafael City
Council; and
WHEREAS, in August, 1993, the City Council, in order to further the implementation
of the Vision, created the Downtown Advisor Gtoup (DTAG) and charged
it with translating Ottr Vision into City policies and Zoning Ordinance
regulations and guidelines; and
WHEREAS, on July, 1994 the City Council adopted General Plan DT -8 (Our Vision)
stating that General Plan policies for Downtown and corresponding
zoning provisions are being revised consistent with Oitr Vision; and
WHEREAS, the Downtown Advisor group met 23 times over 18 months to draft,
debate, map and agree on recommended changes to San Rafael's General
Plan, Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Ordinance; and
WHEREAS, in May, 1995, the Downtown Advisor Group presented to the City
Council recommendations which will allow in Downtown the type of
changes and activity promoted in Oitr Vision; and the Council referred
the proposed changes to the Planning Commission for its
recommendation; and
WHEREAS, the following parties have assisted the Downtown Advisor Group and
staff in the preparation of the recommendations:
1. Members of the Design Review Board helped develop the Downtown
Design Guidelines with members of DTAG;
2. The Federation of San Rafael Neighborhoods co-sponsored with
DTAG a November 14,1995 Community Workshop for public review
of draft policies and approaches;
3. The Downtown Vision Committee held a joint meeting with DTAG
March 30,1996 to hear about and discuss the proposed amendments;
4. Housing agency staff reviewed the proposed changes to the housing
policies and zoning regulations;
5. Redevelopment Agency staff worked with Planning staff and members
of DTAG to draft revised parking standards and Downtown Design
Guidelines, participated in many of DTAG's meetings and the
November 14,1995 Community Workshop, and reviewed draft
policies, implementing programs, and zoning regulations;
6. Public Works staff and traffic consultants Whitlock and Weinberger
Transportation Inc. provided traffic information.
WHEREAS, the proposed General Plan, zoning and subdivision amendments, and
design guidelines are described in the November 29, 1995 "General Plan
and Zoning Ordinance Amendments and miscellaneous related
changes"; in the Initial Study and Negative Declaration dated November
28, 1995 with Addendum; in the January 9, 1996 staff report, the January
NA 6101y
9,1996 memo to the Planning Commission, the February 13, 1996 staff
memo to the Planning Commission, and the February 13 and 27,1996
staff reports; and
WHEREAS, the proposed Mitigated Negative Declaration was processed and
reviewed in accordance with CEQA, and was reviewed at a duly noticed
hearing by the Planning Commission on January 9,1996 at which time the
Planning Commission accepted oral testimony and written comments on
the proposed project; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission is required by state law to hold a public hearing
and make a written recommendation to the legislative body on the
adoption of any Plan amendments; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission held public hearings on January 9, 1996, and
February 13, 1996, and reviewed the staff reports and written and verbal
public comments on the proposed amendments; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission considered all written correspondence, verbal
testimony and staff reports, and reviewed and discussed the proposed
amendments on January 9, February 13 and February 27,1996; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission of the City of San Rafael has recommended City
Council adoption of the "General Plan and Zoning Ordinance
Amendments and miscellaneous related changes to Implement Our Vision
of Downtown San Rafael," dated November 29, 1995, with changes made by
the Commission for reasons identified in supporting materials and
included as Attachment A to the Commission's Resolution No. 96-3; and
WHEREAS, on March 4,1996, the San Rafael City Council held a duly -noticed public
hearing on the Negative Declaration and the project merits; and
WHEREAS, the City Council considered all written correspondence, verbal
testimony and staff reports.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council does hereby adopt the
"General Plan and Zoning Ordinance Amendments and miscellaneous
related changes to Implement Our Vision of Downtown San Rafael," dated
November 29, 1995, with changes recommended by the San Rafael
Planning Commission, and further revised by the City Council as
included in Attachment A to this Resolution.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, based upon review of the entire record, including the
Mitigated Negative Declaration with Addendum, the City Council finds
these recommended amendments to be in the public interest based on the
following specific findings:
1. The Plan amendments, including replacement of existing policies
related to Downtown, new land uses, changed height limits, new floor
area ratio limits, additional bonuses, and related changes are to
implement Our Vision of Downtown San Rafael, a community-based
consensus document which promotes economic vitality and
sustainability Downtown and a complete urban community while
maintaining environmentally sound practices.
2. The amendments as a whole substantially comply with and are
consistent with other General Plan policies for the following reasons:
a. The amendments are consistent with goals and policies
encouraging the provision of housing, particularly affordable
housing. Downtown housing, given its smaller size and type, is
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more likely to be affordable to moderate income households as
described in Housing Background ("Downtown," pg. HB -16).
b. The amendments are consistent with land use goals and policies to
strengthen our community's identity, foster economic growth and
encourage cultural facilities (General Plan, pages 21-22).
c. The amendments include circulation standards which are
appropriate for a Downtown urban center, and which are
consistent with circulation goals to provide a balanced and
diversified transportation system. Based upon the
Downtown/East San Rafael Traffic Model, and the Mitigated
Negative Declaration, the new Downtown policies will adequately
provide for Downtown circulation needs and public safety.
d. The amendments make no changes to City safety and
environmental policies which assure environmental protection
and safety considerations are incorporated when new
development occurs.
I, JEANNE M. LEONCENTI, 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 said City held on Monday the fourth day March,
1996, by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: Cohen, Heller, Phillips & Mayor Boro
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: zappetini
DISQUALIFIED: COUNCILMEMBERS: Zappetini (due to conflict of interest)
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ATTACHMENT 1
DT -12 Lindaro Office District
Lindaro Office District.
a. Strategically significant gateway. Transform the Lindaro Office District into one of the
most handsome urban places in Marin County by developing high quality landmark, well-
designed buildings. This District will be a special asset to the city and enhance
Downtown's image as a high quality business center. The primary purpose of this district is
to attract new people that would shop and use the rest of Downtown, particularly the Fourth
Street Retail Core.
b. Uses. Encourage an office complex which may include limited and incidental office -
serving retail uses and other secondary uses such as entertainment, cultural facilities, public
parking, and, if feasible, residential uses. Alternate uses to an office complex could
potentially include a major hotel, cultural or entertainment facility, or residential, if feasible.
("Big Box" retail and shopping center are not allowed in this District). Any project must
achieve the objectives described in (a) above. If the project is phased, retail must be built
concurrent with or subsequent to the primary project.
LU -13 Lindaro Office
m. Lindaro Office (LO). Uses are allowed as described in DT -12 (Lindaro Office District).
C-2 Level of Service D Mid Point
Modify policy C-2 (Level of Service D Mid Point) to consistently state the mid LOS D
standard applies outside Downtown:
"The mid point of the Level of Service D range shall be used as the PM peak hour standard for Level
of Service conditions outside Downtown. Outside Downtown, San Rafael may accept traffic
conditions at the bottom of Level of Service D for a definable interim period .."
Map GP -4d "Downtown and Environs Floor Area Ratios and Height Limits
Delete current General Plan map GP -4d "Downtown and Environs Floor Area Ratios and
Height Limits."
114.16.150 Floor Area Ratios Applicable to Non -Residential Development
#2. For lots in Downtown, see the "Downtown Floor Area Ratio" Map ...The following
also apply in the Downtown Area:. .
#5. For lots immediately east of Highway 101 in the Montecito commercial area, the FARs
are as shown on the map below.
..a two.., oa 11,;P, a:.*,.:,.* An theo ,s+ side—,.f Irwir. E`
Avenues; 0.7 FLAR in the bleeks between 101 and Grand Avenue, and T-h—if-d—and
[insert map]
#6. For nonresidential lots on Lincoln Avenue north of Mission Avenue, the FAR is 0.4.
Revise the "Specific Areas" FAR map in the Zoning Ordinance to make the boundaries for
Downtown the same as those used in the Downtown Amendments, and change the name
from "Downtown Area" to "Downtown."
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