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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCD Conceptual Design Plan & Canalfront Design GuidelinesAgenda Item No: 14 Meeting Date: November 16, 2009 SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT Department: Community Development Prepared by: Robert 1VI. Brown City Manager Approval: Community Development Director SUBJECT: Presentation of the Canalfront Conceptual Design Plan and the Canalfront Design Guidelines (P06-005(CD) RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the City Council approve the attached resolution accepting the Canalfront Conceptual Design Plan and the Canalfront Design Guidelines. BACKGROUND: Planning for improvements to San Rafael's Canalfront has a long history, all based in a desire with many people to improve the appearance of and access to the Canal waterfront. 1988: General Plan 2000 included policies and programs to prepare a Design Plan for the Canal, to orient development to the waterfront, and to set back buildings 25 feet from the top of the bank to allow for pedestrian access. 1992: A new zoning ordinance was adopted, including Chapter 14.15, "Canalfront Review Overlay District" to codify a limited list of design criteria for new development, and setback regulations consistent with general plan policy. 2002: The Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan called for a bridge over the Canal, and improved bike routes in the Canal neighborhood, along Francisco Blvd. East, and along Third Street. 2004: General Plan 2020 was adopted with a section about the "Canal Waterfront" continuing then - existing policies and programs for a 25 foot setback and public access, and a new policy to improve the Canal as a 'community -wide asset.' 2006: The Canal Neighborhood Community -Based Transportation Plan was a collaborative planning effort with the Transportation Authority of Marin and with the neighborhood, to identify transportation solutions for the Canal neighborhood. Of the 13 proposed solutions, a "Canal Crossing" ranked third in priority, and a "Canalfront Paseo" ranked 11tH Two general plan 2020 implementing programs address further planning to achieve these improvements along the Canal waterfront: NH -74a. Design Plan and Vision for the Canalfront. Prepare a Canal Waterway Vision to determine the land use needs of the community, provide solutions to improve the appearance of the Canal and its waterfront and to increase public access, including possible expansion of Beach Park. The vision should continue to have a marine -related focus. Conduct a community-based vision process with merchants, residents, business people, boaters, and others who live, work near, and use the waterway. FOR CITY CLERK ONL File No.: Council Meeting: Disposition: SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Pal=e: 2 NH -78a. Canalfront Design Guidelines. Prepare, as part of the Canal Waterfront vision, design guidelines in order to improve the appearance of buildings along the Canal Waterfront and incorporate opportunities for public access. Staff proceeded to look for grant funding for a community planning process, consistent with general plan policy G -23b Grants to "actively seek grant opportunities," and with the City Council's Areas of Emphasis/Priorities for 2006/2011, specifically: GI Collaborations with Neighborhoods, Schools, and the Business Community Neighborhood Partnerships G7 Quality of Life Neighborhood investment G8 Sustainability Short Term Goals of General Plan 2020 G9 Transportation Improvements Alternative Modes of Transportation In 2007, the City applied for and received two grants to prepare a Canalfront Conceptual Design Plan and Canalfront Design Guidelines: a $20,000 Bay Trail planning grant from the Association of Bay Area Governments, and a $140,000 community-based planning grant from Caltrans. These funds enabled the City to contract for professional services in design, environmental studies, and outreach for the project. The results of this planning effort are in the attached Canalfront Conceptual Design Plan (Exhibit 1) and Canalfront Design Guidelines (Exhibit 2). Canalfront Advisory Committee In spring 2008, the City issued a call for applications to serve on the Canalfront Advisory Committee. Thirty-eight people applied to serve. A City Council subcommittee of the Mayor and Councilmember Cyr Miller reviewed the applications and recommended 14 people for appointment. The recommendations took into account the following: • At least half of the committee members should be part of the Canal neighborhood, meaning they live or work in the neighborhood, or own property or a business that is in the neighborhood. • There should be representation of the neighborhoods that lie north of the Canal. • Members should represent the interests of residents, boaters, and business and property owners. • Members should bring expertise in design, facilitating neighborhood improvements, and/or community involvement. In addition to the City Council's appointees, there were ex officio non-voting members as well, including City Councilmember Cyr Miller and representatives from the Pickleweed Park Advisory Board, Redevelopment Citizens Advisory Committee, Planning Commission, Parks and Recreation Commission, and the Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee. Altogether, 20 people served on the Canalfront Advisory Committee. The members represented a wide variety of interests, and oversaw the Canalfront Conceptual Design Plan community planning process and preparation of the draft and final documents. The City Council gave the Canalfront Advisory Committee four charges: • Serve as a foundation for completing the Bay Trail from Pickleweed Community Center to Pt. San Pedro Road, including bicycle and pedestrian access to Downtown, the Transit Center, Mahon Creek, Montecito Shopping Center and San Rafael High School • Identify the most appropriate location and type of a Canal crossing improvement(s), based on an engineering and economic feasibility analysis and starting with an initial list of crossing options as described in the Canal Transportation Plan • Define access points to and along the Canal waterfront as identified through a community design process, and as selected following an engineering and economic feasibility analysis SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 3 • Provide design guidelines to maximize waterfront amenities through redevelopment opportunities along the Canalfront Between June 2008 and October 2009, the Canalfront Advisory Committee met eleven times; reviewed background environmental data; went on two tours (of the Canal and of other waterfront locations); and conducted community outreach which included a day devoted to meeting with seven different focus groups, two community workshops in October (for visioning) and in March (to review the draft ideas), and a series of 18 presentations on the draft plan during summer 2009. In addition, the committee shared the draft design guidelines with a group of local architects and with the Design Review Board. The work of the committee was assisted by design consultants Royston Hanamoto Alley & Abey, Nichols Berman Environmental Planning for the Background Report on environmental conditions and the Phase 1 Hazardous Waste Initial Site Assessment, and the Canal Welcome Center for community outreach. The consultants were funded entirely with the Bay Trail and Caltrans grants. At its meeting of October 8, 2009, the Canalfront Advisory Committee unanimously recommended the Canalfront Conceptual Design Plan and Canalfront Design Guidelines to the City Council. ANALYSIS: The Constraints and Opportunities along the Waterfront The visioning process began with a review of conditions along the waterfront. The constraints and opportunities are listed in the Conceptual Plan, and may be summarized as: Opportunities • Beautiful natural environment; views • Existing City -owned properties for parks • Wonderful place for boating • Easily accessible to downtown San Rafael and Hwy 101 Constraints • Difficult to get to the waterfront • No easy way to get to Montecito and SRHS • Derelict boats docked along the waterway • Many streets are narrow and/or one-way • Few businesses and commercial properties engage the waterfront The Vision On a Saturday morning in October 2008, nearly 70 people came to Bahia Vista School to envision a better waterfront along the Canal. Over the next year, the committee refined the Vision and its components. The Vision description which has emerged speaks to the desires of the community: for an enjoyable, safe and attractive way to travel from Pickleweed Park to Pt. San Pedro Road, for boating opportunities and viable marine businesses, for a unique place along the waterfront, and for a restored Canal ecosystem. With this Vision, there are a number of implementation programs. As a Vision and conceptual plan, similar to Our Vision of Downtown San Rafael and Vision North San Rafael, the timing and funding details for implementation programs are not known at this time. The committee recommends several proposals that, given funding partnerships and community-based planning, would be catalysts for other actions to further. (See "Implementation" below.) The Bay Trail The Bay Trail is a project to build a 400 -mile hike/bike pathway around the San Francisco Bay. In the project area, the Bay Trail passes through a high density neighborhood and commercial center. The current uses, congestion, and older street patterns make for an exciting mix of activities and opportunities for redevelopment. As envisioned in the Conceptual Plan and detailed in the Design Guidelines, the Bay Trail would be along Canal Street, and along the 25 foot setback from the top of bank along the Canal. The Plan sets forth SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 4 direction for what the City would like to see in the setback, describing the kind of walkway and amenities that are encouraged. (The Design Guidelines are discussed further below.) The Bay Trail alignment as shown on the plan includes several sections that involve additional studies. For example, Canal Street is a narrow street, with two lanes of parking and two lanes of travel. The plan calls for studying the potential to provide a Class 11 bike path and a wider sidewalk along Canal Street. This may involve the removal of one lane of parking, which would impact the residents and businesses in the area. The Committee recommends a survey of the property lines to determine how much right-of-way is available for sidewalk expansion, as well as studying circulation and parking options that would enable the Class 11 bike path. The Canalfront Paseo along the waterfront at the western end of the Canal includes private property, City property at Beach Park and Yacht Club Drive, and various commercial including maritime businesses. This area has tremendous opportunity, especially on the City -owned property, to be an impetus for achieving the vision. A recommended implementation program calls for working with the community to prepare a Beach Park Plan, and descriptions of related improvements for the Paseo. The Canal Street Waterfront Bay Trail is a possible boardwalk on the water side of the residential buildings along Canal Street. While this walkway would provide unique access to the Canalfront, it has the most challenges. As a longer term implementation project, a survey would be needed to identify the navigable waterway requirements and the feasibility of this part of the vision. Above all, property owners would be a critical part of planning, to ensure continued docking and protect the integrity of the residential units. Bridges and Crossings During the writing of General Plan 2020, the Bicycle/Pedestrian Master Plan, and the Canal Transportation Plan, people suggested there be a connection across the Canal waterway so that neighborhood residents could more easily walk to Montecito, the High School, and Downtown. As part of this project, the Council asked that the type and location of such a crossing be identified, consistent with the general plan: NH -83. Canal Access. Increase and improve public access to the Canal through creation of a public promenade on either side of the waterfront between Grand Avenue and Harbor Street. Provide an improved pedestrian crossing of the Canal at the Grand Avenue bridge. Pursue a new pedestrian crossing to the east if a cost effective and practical design can be achieved. Attempt to create pedestrian and bicycle access to the Mahon Creek path in conjunction with future freeway modifications. Improve water-based access by recreational boaters to Canalfront businesses. [emphasis added] NH -83a Circulation Improvements. Continue to seek funding opportunities for pedestrian and bicycle enhancements, and include in CIP as funding becomes available. Early in the project, the committee decided not to include ferries and tunnels on the draft plans for different reasons. Due to operation and maintenance costs, a ferry is estimated to be more expensive over time than a bridge. The docks would need a U.S. Army Corps of Engineer permit and the vessels would have to be Coast Guard licensed, operated and inspected. In addition, a ferry would not have the capacity to meet the needs of the 490 Canal residents who would want to cross the Canal at the same time to reach San Rafael High by 8 a.m. A tunnel is also estimated to be more expensive than a bridge due to engineering costs; safety concerns are also a disadvantage with a tunnel. Also, early in the project, the boating members of the committee expressed concerns that a bridge over the Canal would impede boating. The Coast Guard is the agency with jurisdiction over navigable waterways such as the Canal. In June 2009, after the committee identified three potential bridge locations, staff requested the Coast Guard conduct its review and provide the clearance requirements for a crossing. in addition, staff requested the Coast Guard attend a Committee meeting to share information about their review process and parameters. The Coast Guard made the following points at the October 8r" meeting: • Bridge permitting is a "Federal Action" and is subject to the provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and various other local, State & Federal laws. There is no fee for Coast Guard involvement. The applicant should anticipate some cost related to NEPA and engineering consultation, typically required for these types of projects. SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 5 • The Grand Avenue bridge is under Coast Guard jurisdiction and a new bridge or addition to the existing bridge would require a permit action by the Coast Guard. A proposed bridge at this location may be considered under the provisions of Title 33, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 115.70 (33 CFR 115.70), providing "Advance Approval" for a bridge. At this location, the lowest that a bridge could be without any operating vessels (larger than a small motorboat), is enough to clear a 100 year flood plus three feet; this would allow for navigational needs and adequate debris flow in case of a storm. Regarding a cantilevered expansion of the existing bridge: Depending on changes to the functionality and/or appearance of the existing bridge, and the navigability of the waterway, it may be possible to apply for a 'repairs -in-kind' permit. This proposal would most likely have the least impact on existing and future navigation on this waterway, and could possibly be performed under the provisions of 33 CFR 115.70 or as "repairs -in-kind" to an existing bridge. • At the other proposed bridge locations, based upon a site visit and input from vessel owners, the Coast Guard estimates there is a need for a minimum 85 foot vertical clearance above mean high water for top of mast plus a safety clearance. The horizontal clearance is estimated to be from bank to bank. • A drawbridge would have to be staffed 24 hours a day/seven days a week, or left in the open position. A drawbridge could be at grade, or as required by the bridge owner to meet ADA and other requirements. It would be in the bridge owner's and community's interest to have a clearance that would allow passage of the majority of boat traffic, without having to open the bridge. Specific staffing operations could be tailored to meet local circumstances. The operational regulations of a drawbridge would be determined after the permit is issued and the navigational needs are established. Any proposed regulation of the drawbridge, other than on demand 2417, would be processed and approved or denied by the Coast Guard, based upon the needs of navigation. There are very few remote or automated moveable span bridges, due to the complexity of the systems required. The operator would need to hear and see all vessels to ensure that the bridge would be opened, and to ensure the absolute safety of waterway and land traffic. There is a bridge in Arkansas with a remote operator who uses radar and a camera. The Coast Guard has indicated to staff that they will be surveying the maritime community this fall regarding boating activities, and should have the clearance requirements for the crossing locations in 2010. In concluding their work, the committee members unanimously endorsed the recommendation that the Grand Avenue bridge be widened, or an additional parallel bridge built, to improve pedestrian safety at this crossing. Because of continuing concerns about the 'bridges' — their location, the potential to impact boating, the cost, etc — the Committee was unable to reach consensus on the type of crossing. As a result, the conceptual plan identifies two potential 'crossing' locations at the end of Canal Street, and recommends a feasibility study to identify costs, impacts and pros and cons of potential crossing types. Design Guidelines The new Canalfront Design Guidelines provide design direction for redevelopment proposals along the waterway. The Design Guidelines also describe desired amenities and improvements along the Bay Trail. They are proposed for incorporation into the San Rafael Design Guidelines with the next update of that document. For over 20 years, City policy has required a 25 foot setback from the top of the Canal bank to provide public access to the waterfront. Until now, the design of the 25 foot setback has been done on an ad hoc case-by-case basis. The guidelines, in conjunction with the Conceptual Plan, are intended to provide an overall coherent design direction for the Canalfront. Similar to the citywide design guidelines, there is flexibility in design. As guidelines, none of the design statements are mandatory, and consistent with other San Rafael guidelines, are written to encourage innovative design solutions. This is particularly important in the study area because of the variety of lot sizes and shapes along the Canal. Accordingly, the guidelines present different ways to accommodate the intent of the 25' walkway: on land, cantilevered, or floating. In addition, the setback "may be modified where site conditions, such as SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 6 at a narrow odd -shaped lot, may warrant.' This flexibility in the past has proven helpful to the architects and designers who seek creative solutions on difficult sites. Other Topics: Dredging and Canalfront Conditions Although not directly part of the Conceptual Design Plan project, dredging has been a topic of continual interest because of the ongoing challenge to maintain a navigable waterway in the Canal. The waterway needs periodic dredging. The inner channel was last dredged in 2003, at a cost of $3,000,000, paid for by federal funds. The estimate for the next dredging of the inner and outer channels is $6,500,000. The boating community and the City are lobbying for funding, securing to date $2.4 million in federal funds. Of this funding, $900,000 is going towards required U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' surveys, permits and environmental work, with the remainder for dredging. The City will submit another funding request to Washington this winter. Public Works estimates that the Canal dredging project could begin summer 2010. Also not specifically part of the project's scope, some have voiced concerns about unsanitary or unsafe conditions along the waterfront, which, depending on the type and location, may be under the jurisdiction of the Police or Code Enforcement. Staff has recommended that complaints be made to the Police or Code Enforcement staff who can take the appropriate follow-up actions. Implementation As a visioning document and a conceptual plan, it is just the first step in seeing ideas become reality. The implementation ideas include short-term projects which can be timely opportunities or catalysts for other actions, generate tax revenues, or are manageable in scope with quick results. The short term projects include: • Bay Trail Alignment — to incorporate the alignment into ABAG's Bay Trail Plan • Bay Trail along Canal Street — to explore ways to provide the Bay Trail on this congested street. • Canalfront Paseo for Canal West — to work with the community and property owners to further develop plans for the walkway. The most immediate opportunity is a Beach Park Plan for the city - owned property to recreate a revitalized recreational center. • Grand Avenue Bridge — to construct a wider crossing, either cantilevered off the existing bridge or as a separate parallel bridge. • Public Art under Highway 101 — to pursue ways to install public art lighting and other public art under 101 viaduct. • Pickleweed Park — to provide an improved pathway around the Park and a small non -motorized boat launch. • Zoning for Height Bonuses and Development Incentives — to develop zoning recommendation to encourage desired development and public improvements. Longer term projects are included as well. However, these projects require comprehensive community dialogue, considerable engineering and extensive environmental review. Progress will be incremental, and depend on substantial grant funding. The longer-term projects include: • Canal Street Waterway Bay Trail Feasibility Study — to investigate the feasibility of a walkway along the Canal on the north side of the residential buildings on Canal Street. • Study for the Crossings — to further explore the feasibility of crossings over the Canal. • East/west Connection under Highway 101 — to investigate the potential of travelling west from the Grand Avenue bridge under 101 to the Mahon Creek path. • Bay Street Redevelopment Feasibility Study — to consider land use changes in the Bay Street area to revitalize this commercially -important location along Highway 101 and adjacent to the Canal. Correspondence As of 5 p.m. Thursday, November 12, 47 letters have been received (Exhibit 4). A November 11, 2009 letter by "The San Rafael Canalfront Property and Business Owners" raises a number of questions about SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Pau: 7 the process and the project. As they are about common concerns of those writing in opposition to the bridge options and the waterfront Paseo, below are responses to the comments. Will the City Council adopt or accept the plan during the meeting on November 161h. The recommendation is to adopt a resolution to accept the Canalfront Conceptual Design Plan and the Canalfront Design Guidelines. The resolution is attached (Exhibit 3). How can 1 get a copy of the Committee's meeting summaries? The meeting summaries are on file with the Community Development Department. How did the Committee arrive at the recommendation for the two crossing options? After the March 11`h community workshop on three alternative concept plans, the Committee met on April 9'h to review the workshop comments, and gave direction on a preferred alternative. The meeting summary states: The committee members were unanimous in their support of studying two crossings at Grand Avenue (immediate priority) and from Canal Street to Pt. San Pedro Road (longer term priority). They also agreed to add in the crossing of San Rafael Yacht Harbor for comparison in the feasibility study. Using this and other direction from the meeting consultants RHAA prepared a draft conceptual plan that the Committee reviewed at its June P meeting. The meeting summary states that the committee initially voted to show only the Grand Avenue bridge. At the request of several members, there was a reconsideration of the vote because of the large interest heard at the community workshops about having a bridge across the Canal that was closer to the residents. The final vote on the topic was 9-1 in favor of showing that "the Grand Avenue bridge is the priority crossing and to show the other two bridges on the draft plan as alternatives for discussion during the summer outreach presentations." The committee members unanimously accepted the draft meeting summary at the next meeting. Over the summer, committee members and staff gave presentations on the draft plan to 18 different focus groups. Committee members set up meetings with their constituencies, and staff arranged presentations at various board and commission meetings. To show the bridge ideas as discussion items, a PowerPoint show included the following slide. Hot Topic: Bridges Grand Avenue Bridge • Cantilevered off the existing bridge • New adjacent bridge The'call out' bubble showed the two locations under consideration, and the text depicted that consensus was reached on the Grand Avenue bridge, and set off the other two locations to indicate they were ideas that the Committee was asking for feedback On the accompanying survey form, focus group members were asked to respond to the following question (1 is 'doesn't work for me', and 5 is 'excellent'): North/South Bridge, end of Canal Street 1 2 3 4 5 East/West Bridge, end of Canal Street 1 2 3 4 At the following meeting on September 10, the Committee reviewed the results of the summer outreach, which included the following findings of strong community support for the two bridge ideas: North/South Bridge, end of Canal Street East/West Bridge, end of Canal Street 59% 55.9% EasYftsl Bmiae 3 _ EndofCanal Steelacrosslheenlmnceofthe San Rafael Yacht Harbor s - - NodhlSoalh Roane Endo/Canal Steal to the nadh side oflhe Canal The'call out' bubble showed the two locations under consideration, and the text depicted that consensus was reached on the Grand Avenue bridge, and set off the other two locations to indicate they were ideas that the Committee was asking for feedback On the accompanying survey form, focus group members were asked to respond to the following question (1 is 'doesn't work for me', and 5 is 'excellent'): North/South Bridge, end of Canal Street 1 2 3 4 5 East/West Bridge, end of Canal Street 1 2 3 4 At the following meeting on September 10, the Committee reviewed the results of the summer outreach, which included the following findings of strong community support for the two bridge ideas: North/South Bridge, end of Canal Street East/West Bridge, end of Canal Street 59% 55.9% SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 8 Later in the meeting, the Committee reviewed the draft plan, commenting specifically on the different components of the plan. Most of the committee's comments about the 'crossings' were in support of the bridges, and half of the public's comments were in support as well. RHAA used the committee's feedback to prepare a final draft plan that the Committee reviewed one more time on October 8, 2009. The plan showed two 'operable crossing' locations at the end of Canal Street — one north/south bridge, and one east/west bridge. Committee members discussed whether and how to address the bridge ideas, and agreed to indicate that the crossing locations on the graphic are conceptual locations and may be modified as part of the recommended feasibility analysis. The committee unanimously adopted these changes to the map. What has been the involvement of maritime property and business owners during the development of the plan? The Committee included people who represented the interests of boaters, and property and business owners in the study area. None specifically represented 'maritime property and business owners'. Today, there are maritime property and business owners who believe that their interests were not represented on the committee (see correspondence). As noted below, there was a high level of participation by boaters and maritime property and business owners throughout the planning process. Community outreach and involvement was a joint effort by staff and committee members. On October 1, 2008, design consultants RHAA met with seven different focus groups, each organized by committee members. Although attendance was low for both the business owner and property owner groups (despite direct invitations from committee members), the boating focus group had the second highest number of attendees at 23, and included several maritime business and property owners. At the October 25`" community workshop, over 68 people came, including a number of maritime business and property owners; many of these people also came to the March 11, 2009 community workshop. During the summer outreach, committee members organized two focus groups specifically for members of the boating community: one was held at the San Rafael Yacht Club (88 people) and the other at Community Action Marin offices (8 people). In addition to recreational boaters, maritime business and property owners attended both of these focus group meetings. Another 34 business owners were surveyed by the property manager at Montecito Shopping Center during the summer. In addition to the above, several maritime business and property owners attended committee meetings and spoke up about their concerns. Why weren't State and Federal agencies contacted? The Background Report prepared for this project by Nichols Berman Environmental Planners identified the following agencies that may have jurisdiction in the future, depending on the project. These include the: • U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in case of any fill activities, navigation maintenance. and improvements to harbors • U.S. Coast Guard, for bridges and other improvements, to ensure passage of boats. Staff contacted the Coast Guard early in the project to find out the appropriate time to request clearance requirements, and submitted the request in June 2009 consistent with their response that contact not be made until potential locations had been identified. Two attended the October 8, 2009 meeting and explained their mission of maintaining the navigability of the Canal waterway. See comments summarized above. • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service, for projects involving endangered species (none in most of the project area, although Pickleweed Park may provide some habitat area). • California Department of Fish and Game, for State listed special -status species (none in most of the project area, although Pickleweed Park may provide some habitat area. • California Regional Water Quality Control Board, for modifications to the open waters of the Canal. • California State Lands Commission, for lands involving in the San Rafael Creek realignment. SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 9 • Association of Bay Area Governments, for lands involving the Bay Trail. • Bay Conservation and Development Commission, with jurisdiction up to along the eastside of Pickleweed Park. The above agencies do not have jurisdiction or a mandate to review a vision -type document such as the Conceptual Plan. For future implementation projects, the City will contact and coordinate with the appropriate agencies, depending on the improvement and the agency's jurisdiction. Does the Plan include provisions that will harm maritime businesses and property owners? The conceptual plan does not include recommendations that would affect maritime businesses. There are no recommendations to condemn property or take land. In recognition of the narrow and sometimes constrained lots along the waterfront, the Plan includes several provisions for creative and flexible design approaches. Future planning projects, particularly as they will be site specific, will involve affected business and property owners. Next Steps 1. Pursue grant funding opportunities for implementation. The Association of Bay Area Governments indicates that there may be upcoming grant opportunities for planning for Beach Park, and/or for design and engineering of the Grand Avenue bridge improvements. 2. Consider the plan's recommendations for inclusion in the update of General Plan 2020 in the Canalfront neighborhoods section. 3. Provide the Canalfront Design Guidelines as an advisory reference for developers and architects for projects in the plan's area. 4. Consider including the design guidelines as a chapter in the citywide design guidelines in the next update of that document. CEQA: As the Council is only accepting these documents with the completion of the work of the Canalfront Advisory Committee and directing staff to consider the recommendations for future plans and projects, the document is not subject to CEQA review. In future implementation projects, CEQA review will be conducted as required by State law. FISCAL IMPACT: There is no direct budget implication of accepting the Canalfront Conceptual Design Plan and/or the Canalfront Design Guidelines. Subsequent implementation of the Plan's programs will require staff time for grant applications and project management. The City Council will review and approve any grant matches and staffing allocations as opportunities become available. Implementation of the Design Guidelines may reduce processing time for applications for development along the Canal as they provide more clarity about design and desired improvements than currently provided. OPTIONS: a) The City Council could choose to modify the proposed Canalfront Conceptual Design Plan or return the document to the Canalfront Advisory Committee for reconsideration. b) The City Council could choose to modify the proposed Canalfront Design Guidelines or return the document to the Canalfront Advisory Committee for reconsideration. ACTION REQUIRED: a) Adopt Resolution accepting the Canalfront Conceptual Design Plan b) Adopt Resolution accepting the Canalfront Design Guidelines ATTACHMENTS (under separate cover) 1. Canalfront Conceptual Design Plan 2. Canalfront Design Guidelines 3. Resolution to Accept the Canalfront Design Guidelines and the Conceptual Design Plan 4. Letters to Council about the proposed plan and guidelines 5. Pacific Sun article, "Upfront: Bridge to the Future," November 12, 2009 41 rx pj. aD aqQ CANALERONT ADVISORY COMMITTEE Malts Duran, co-chair Jacqueline Schmidt, co-chair Bruce Abbott Don Blayney Jeanette M. Broering, Pickleweed Park Advisory Board member Joanne Gordon Russell Hamel Anne Laird -Blanton Maribeth Lang, Planning Commissioner Richard M. Lockman Don Magdanz, Bicycle & Pedestrian Committee member Sue McCullough Cyr Miller, City Councilmember Catherine Orman Carol Patterson, Redevelopment Citizen Advisory Committee member Fernando Quezada Steve Ragghianti Michael Watenpaugh Craig Yates, Park & Recreation Commissioner PROJECT VOLUNTEERS David Israel Phil Abey Michele Rodriguez CITY COUNCIL AI Bore, Mayor Barbara Heller Cyr Miller Greg Brockbank Damon Connolly CITY STABS Ken Nordhoff, City Manager Bob Brown, Director, Community Development Linda M. Jackson, Principal Planner Suvra Chakrabarti, Traffic Engineer II Anne Derrick, Administrative Assistant III Chris Gray, Fire Chief Paul Jensen, Planning Manager Lee Johnson, Building Inspector Katie Korzun, Economic Development Coordinator Richard Landis, Administrative Supervisor, Public Works Nader Mansourian, Assistant Director, Public Works Carlene McCort, Director, Community Services Carol Simonson, Planning Intern DESIGN CONSULTANTS Manuela King, Royston Hanamoto Alley & Abey (RHAA) Lisa Orr, RHAA John Martin, RHAA Dana Merker, Patri Merker Architects Brian Capelli, Patri Merker Architects John Ware, Endres Ware ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANTS Bob Berman, Nichols Berman Environmental Planners Jeffrey Peters, Questa Engineering Corp. COMMUNITY OUTREACH CONSULTANTS Hannikah Diaz, Canal Welcome Center Douglas Mundo, Canal Welcome Center PARTNER AGENCIES This project has been funded in part by grants from the Association of Bay Aovernments and from the California Department of Transportation. Maureen Gaffney, Association of Bay Area Governments Dianne Steinhauser, Transportation Authority of Marin Robert Talley, California Department of Transportation Laura Thompson, Association of Bay Area Governments Bill Whitney, Transportation Authority of Marin 1 INTRODUCTION Project Background Planning Process Project Vision 2 CONCEPTUAL PLAN Plan Overview Conceptual Design Plan: • Transit Center Area • West Canal Area • Canal Street Area • Pickleweed Park Implementation Plan Project Participants 2 7 10 12 16 18 I PROJECT BACKGROUND In summer 2008, the City of San Rafael initiated the Canalfront Conceptual Design Plan project. The San Francisco Bay Trail along the Jean and John Starkweather Shoreline Park at the edge of San Rafael's bay front offers some of the Bay Area's most beautiful views of the San Francisco Bay. However, the section of the Bay Trail that connects Starkweather Shoreline Park through the Canal neighborhood and across the waterway through a busy network of streets and out east toward China Camp State Park remains to be designed and completed. The Canalfront Conceptual Design Plan sets the stage for creating a "paseo" ("promenade" in Spanish) through one of the most dynamic communities in the Bay Area. The Plan identifies the most appropriate way to travel through an auto -dominated area, the best ways to access the Canal waterfront, and the most suitable crossing improvements. A companion document to the Plan is the design guidelines regarding the design of new buildings in th eplan area, and desired waterfront amenities. SAN RAFAEL CANALFRONT 1. HE CANAL 1:1-30N ( AREA For over 100 years, the Canal waterway has been a sustaining part of the San Rafael community. The water linked the Miwok to the bay, and brought the missionaries up to the bay in their search for a warm place north of the San Francisco mission. Industry and marine -based businesses thrived along the waterfront for decades. Over time, however, the uses in the area have changed to take advantage of the frontage along Highway 101 and to provide retail for a growing population. Today, retail centers, car dealerships, housing, and marine -related uses such as boat sales, repairs and storage front the waterway. 7 PLANNING PROCESS For over 30 years, the San Rafael community has dreamed of a better looking and more -accessible waterfront along the Canal waterway. The walk from the Canal neighborhood to Montecito Shopping Center, San Rafael High School, Downtown and the Transit Center is an unpleasant journey, and one that residents have long advocated to improve. Residents and boaters alike recognize the important role the maritime businesses and activities have in creating the vitality of the waterway. As places such as Montecito Shopping Center and Seafood Peddler improved their businesses, people have seen the possibilities for more public access to the waterfront. These dreams and ideas resulted in two policies and two programs in San Rafael General Plan 2020 that set the stage for planning for the canalfront. In 2006, the Canal Transportation Plan was completed after over a year of community meetings. In addition to creating a Vision for the waterfront, the plan included two specific recommendations: High Priority Project: Canal Crossing "A pedestrian/bicycle connection from the Canal Neighborhood to Downtown, San Rafael High School, Montecito Shopping Center and other locations north of the waterway would be provided. Initial studies would involve the evaluation of potential alternatives including various bridge designs, a tunnel, shuttle, or improvements to existing routes." Medium Priority Project: Canalfront Paseo "The Paseo would provide pedestrian/bicycle access on both sides of the Canal waterway. Together with the Canal Crossing, the Paseo would provide access to Downtown, Montecito Shopping Center and other locations to the north as well as fill a gap in the San Francisco Bay Trail between Pickleweed Park and Pt. San Pedro Road." In Spring, 2008, the City of San Rafael received a Bay Trails grant from the Association of Bay Area Governments and a Community -Based Transportation Planning Grant from the California Department of Transportation to prepare a design plan and design guidelines for the Canalfront. The City Council solicited applications and appointed 19 people to a Canalfront Advisory Committee to prepare a Canalfront Conceptual Design Plan. The members represented a diverse group of interests: residents, business owners, boaters, and community leaders. The City Council charged the Committee with preparing a plan that addressed four tasks: • Define access points to and along the Canal waterfront as identified through a community design process, and as selected following an engineering and economic feasibility analysis • Identify the most appropriate location and type of a Canal crossing improvement(s), based on an engineering and economic feasibility analysis and starting with an initial list of crossing options as described in the Canal Transportation Pian) Serve as a foundation for completing the Bay Trail from Pickleweed Community Center to Pt. San Pedro Road, including bicycle and pedestrian access to Downtown, the Transit Center, Mahon Creek, Montecito Shopping Center and San Rafael High School • Provide design guidelines to maximize waterfront amenities through redevelopment opportunities along the Canalfront Policy NH -78: Waterfront Design With input from committee members, the City contracted with Royston Hanamoto Alley & Abey for design services, and with the Canal Welcome Center for community outreach. The project area generally included properties facing the waterway, from the Transit Center to Pickleweed Park on the south side of the Canal and to the City limit line on the north side of the Canal. In the summer of 2008, the committee members learned about the Canal by touring the waterway by boat, visiting City -owned sites along the waterfront, and hearing about projects already underway. The committee received and reviewed two reports about existing environmental conditions: Background Report (September 2008) from Nichols Berman Environmental Planning, and Phase I Hazardous Waste Initial Site Assessment (October 2008) from Questa Engineering. In addition, the members identified a number of constraints and opportunities for the canalfront. SAN A"r'AU_ GANALi"RONT After a full day of focus group meetings in October 2008, the committee members learned a lot more about the challenges and possibilities in the area: fsi+IZiK1kI a ♦ •' , !T+ft3��IiTiir?��� •s. Constraints Opportunities • Highway 101 acts as a visual and physical • Improve pedestrian and bicycle connections to barrier downtown and Transit Center Transit Center One-way streets limit bicycle movement • Provide clear connection from downtown to waterfront • Fast moving traffic from many directions • Improve streetscape amenities, lighting and creates safety concerns wayfinding • Potential for a crossing location • Improve Grand Avenue Bridge for pedestrian and bike • Narrow bridge restricts safe pedestrian and crossing Reorient retail to face the waterfront bicycle crossing Access to backside of Montecito Plaza is Improve service alley behind Montecito plaza for North of Canal limited multiple uses • Traffic and limited crossings divide Encourage waterfront businesses neighborhood from waterfront Potential for full-service public boat docks • Canal is not readily visible to customers Link to Bay Trail and improve street crossings for safety • Provide clear connection to downtown and transit Center • Potential for a crossing location • Francisco Blvd. East feels unsafe to City -owned parcel at Beach Park pedestrians and cyclists Potential for strong connection to downtown • Lacks continuous waterfront connection for • Easily accessible from Highway 101 pedestrians and cyclists • Enhance appearance/functionality of Beach Park South of Canal • Beach Park is outdated and under utilized • Encourage future waterfront amenities and businesses • Few commercial properties currently engage • Current public access to Canal from yacht Club Drive the waterfront • Improve wayfinding to encourage visitation to public • Entirety of Canal is not easily visible and park accessed • Enhance safety through lighting and streetscape improvements • Street is narrow • Potential for a crossing location Difficult to get to the waterfront • Improve bicycle and pedestrian experience and safety Canal Street • No easy way to get to Montecito and San • Improve streetscape amenities and lighting Rafael High School from the neighborhood • Improve water quality and appearance of Canalf Derelict boats docked along the waterway • Improve park/plaza area a the end of Canal Street. • Provide public access points to Canal • Complete link to the Bay Trail • Lack of direct boating access to the water • Potential kayak launch point Pickleweed Park • Bicycle trail is incomplete; pedestrian trail is • Protect wildlife habitat and provide interpretative unimproved signage • Ecologically sensitive area • Open expansive view of Bay and Canal • Potential for public gathering area at water's edge The focus group participants identified that the following top community desires for improvements along the Canal: 1. Improved waterfront access 2. Crossing 3. Designated bike path 4. Waterfront promenade or'paseo' 5. Improved lighting In October, the committee held its first community workshop to share what had been learned, and to start work on a vision of what might be possible along the waterfront. At the workshop, people were asked: • How can we improve the cyclist and pedestrian experience? • Where do people gather for outdoor activities? • How would you improve access to the Canal? • Can you envision a public boat dock or launch in this area? • What improvements can be made that would enhance connection to the waterfront? • What are the key issues with connecting to the Transit Center? • Where and what type of crossing do you envision and why? Nearly 70 people came to Bahia Vista Elementary School on a Saturday morning to share their ideas with each other. During the winter, with the help of the landscape design and bridge consultants, members used these visioning ideas to draft three alternatives to share with the community. These alternatives represented a range of the types of changes that could be made to create a new Bay Trail alignment, new ways to get to the Canalfront, and new connections across the Canal. The larger community was invited back to a second workshop in March 2009, to see and comment on the three alternatives. After going over the results, the committee gave direction to the design professionals to prepare a Draft Conceptual Plan that could be shared with friends, neighbors, co-workers and employees. Over the summer months of 2009, committee members shared the draft vision and plan with various groups and organizations in San Rafael. They also went on a tour of Petaluma, Napa and Alameda to see examples of waterfront projects that were the result of similar planning projects. The committee began its review of the Draft Design Guidelines that will give direction to designers of new development along the waterfront. The draft guidelines were also reviewed by Community Development staff, the Design Review Board and a group of local architects. Using the input from the summer focus group conversations, the Draft Plan was refined into a final document. The Canalfront Advisory Committee officially endorsed the Conceptual Plan and Design Guidelines in October 2009, and sent it to the City Council in November. 7 OUR VISION OF TNiE SAN RAFAEL CANALFRONT Our Vision is a description of what we want the Canal waterfront to be like in the future. The conceptual plan builds on this vision to give shape and direction on how we can achieve this dream. The Canalfront Paseo is an enjoyable, safe and attractive way to travel from Pickleweed Park around to Pt. San Pedro Rd. • The Paseo is an extension of the Bay Trail from the Starkweather Shoreline Park path where people enjoy expansive views of the San Francisco Bay. On the north side of the Canal, the Bay Trail continues on to China Camp State Park. • Along the Paseo, there are connections between neighborhoods north and south of the Canal, and from those neighborhoods west to the Transit Center and Downtown. • With the Paseo, residents have an easy and pleasant journey to shops, transit and San Rafael High School. The waterway has wonderful boating opportunities. • The Canal is known as a great place to enjoy sailing, boating, rafting, and docking. Sailing classes, canoe rentals, and kayak launches are just a few of the choices for people who come to enjoy the Canal waterway. • The waterfront is home to viable marine businesses which contribute to the maritime character. Examples of the commercial activities that thrive along the Canal include boat sales and rentals, boat repairs, fishing supply stores and marinas. In addition, along the waterway, docked boats and live- aboards contribute to the maritime quality of the area. Being on the canal waterfront is a unique experience. • The Canalfront is a destination, a place that's inviting and safe and interesting. • This is a place for all the communities of San Rafael. This is an inviting destination for families and working people, for visitors and people who call San Rafael home. It's a safe and interesting place to be. There is a sense that there is something different around the corner, maybe a game board, some public art, or an exercise center. • There are places for residents and visitors to refresh along the way, with places for children to play and spaces for seniors to enjoy. • Along the waterfront, there are places to work, live and have fun, and there are places to celebrate creativity, diversity and local history. A restored Canal ecosystem • There are safe places for the birds and plants along the waterfront. • Through the improvements that have been made, the community has a demonstrated and shared stewardship of the waterfront and the Canal. Waterfront pathways and pedestrian bridges OVERVIEW The San Rafael Canalfront Conceptual Plan is the result of an 18 -month community-based planning process to envision a beautiful and fun waterfront along the San Rafael Canal. The plan is the result of extensive public outreach, hundreds of comments from the community, a thorough analysis of existing conditions and issues, and public review of multiple alternative plans, The following recommendations summarize key elements of the San Rafael Canalfront Conceptual Plan. For the purposes of this description, the planning area has been broken into four sub -areas: Transit Center Area, West Canal Area, Canal Street Area and Pickleweed Park. Waterfront recreation SAN RAFAEL. C;;ANALFF t3NT Aft Opportunely o Pedestrian 5 I"andscape t¢icro,emeniu Under rrmufp, With Connectm to Transit Centel' I r dr ' �... I. I �-yy1a ac u Existing Conditions; Enlargement of the Transit Center Area TRANSIT CENTER AREA The Transit Center Area is located between Tamalpais Street and Irwin Street and from Third Street to the Canal. The Transit Center is the hub for transit services in San Rafael, with bus connections to and from the Canal and Montecito neighborhoods. It is located on the west side of Highway 101 adjacent to Netherton Street. Analysis • Highway 101 acts as a physical and psychological barrier between the Transit Center and the Canalfront areas east of 101. • Sidewalk widths on Second and Third Streets are narrow. • The areas under the freeway are used for private parking or open space that is not publicly accessible. In some places, a chain link fence separates the open space areas from the street. • The area under the freeway is highly visible to people entering San Rafael from the 101 off -ramps and as such, is the first impression of the city. • There are publicly -owned parcels in the area, including Caltrans properties and the Sanitation District's pump station near the Highway 101 off ramp. 10 Recommendations • Develop an art program for selection of artists for this area. Encourage art that provides additional appropriate lighting to increase the sense of safety. • Explore the feasibility of a pedestrian and bicycle connection from the Canal Paseo under Highway 101 to connect to the Mahon Creek path. • Develop storm water quality improvements and mitigations in wetland areas. • Enhance wildlife habitat where possible. • Widen sidewalks to a minimum of 8' where possible along Second and Third Streets • Develop pedestrian walks and planting along creek areas under freeway. • Study opportunities to improve the open areas under 101 with other uses, such as recreational amenities or exercise stations. Art and lighting under highway SAN RAFAEL CANALFFtONT 11J:J ll4nR3 3 BVU: puVk 'hU _ Enlargement of the West Canal Area The West Canal Area is the area located between Third Street on the north and Francisco Boulevard East on the south, and between Irwin and Harbor Streets. This area is zoned for mixed use, allowing retail, hospitality, residential and marine -related uses. It includes both freeway -oriented businesses, shopping centers, auto dealerships and small light industrial businesses. It is highly visible from Highway 101 and from Second and Third Streets to the north. Analysis • Area is zoned for mixed use development but currently is primarily commercial or light industrial, with some marine - related businesses. • Area is highly visible from Highway 101. • Linear character of existing buildings restricts views towards the Canal • One large city owned parcel exists of Beach Park at the end of Yacht Club Drive. • Three small city -owned parcels exist at the ends of Canal u Montecito Shopping Center Street, Mill Street and Front Street at Harbor Way. T • Pedestrian access through the area is limited to sidewalks along Francisco Boulevard East, Second and Third Streets and behind portions of the commercial buildings along the north canalfront. • There is heavy pedestrian and bicycle use by Canal neighborhood residents who are walking to downtown, the transit center, San Rafael High School and the Montecito Shopping Center, Almost 500 students from the Canal neighborhood attend the high school, and hundreds more residents walk Francisco Blvd. East to go shopping or Downtown. • Street sidewalks are narrow along heavy traffic streets. • No bicycle lanes exist. • Access to the Canal waterfront in this area is limited to very few locations, such as Beach Park and the backside of the Montecito shopping center, nearly all of which are not easily seen or discovered. NONNOWNUAININSIONMENMEM SAN RAFAEL GANALFftteN • No continuous pedestrian access along the waterfront exists. • Private property adjacent to the waterfront limits any ability to create a continuous waterfront walkway. • Existing docks are used for boating activities, including live-aboards. Some docks are in disrepair, and others have been recently improved. Recommendations • Develop continuous walkways along the north and south sides of the Canal. The walkways could be at natural grade or cantilevered from the top of the bank. When property is proposed for redevelopment or remodels, encourage`' property owners to provide easements where needed to allow a continuous walkway. • Encourage development on both north and south sides of the Canal as mixed use development with residential - units on upper stories and commercial at ground level. Activate the waterfront with commercial business such as restaurants with outdoor seating along the Canal • Study the possibility of a publicly accessible boat dock along the north waterfront. • Create connections from Mary and Union streets to the Canal. Encourage visual and pedestrian access to the paseo. Future development of adjacent areas should extend pedestrian corridors and alleys to the Canalfront walkway. Bridge examples • Redesign Yacht Club Drive as tree -lined street. Incorporate a pedestrian walkway and a, bicycle path along the street. • Redesign and revitalize Beach Park and Yacht Club Drive to incorporate better access, areas such as viewing terraces and picnics, enhanced marine uses (Le. a non - motorized small boat launch), beach volleyball or other recreation, and a children's area with a marine theme. Encourage water -related concessions in the park such as a kayak launch, a canoe school, or sailboat rentals. • Improve the bicycle/pedestrian crossing at Grand Avenue. • Investigate the acquisition of a parcel of land at the southeast corner of the intersection of Second Street and Grand Avenue for a public park/plaza, and entryway to the Canal waterfront. • Pursue code enforcement action to improve the appearance of properties along the waterway, • Incorporate detention basins, bioswales or other sustainable water quality improvements to improve storm water treatment in area. • Investigate the feasibility of bicycle/pedestrian crossings at the mouth of San Rafael Yacht Harbor and at the end of Canal Street, as shown on the map. Potential crossings should connect to the waterfront walkway. Water taxi Group picnic area SAN RAFAEL CANALFRONT Enlargement of the Canal Street Area fi!MMM1111244Y The Canal Street includes Canal Street from Pickleweed Community Center to Harbor Way. The area is primarily high density residential with some single-family homes along the waterfront near Pickleweed Park. Analysis • The area between Canal Street and the waterway is a mix of high density multi -family housing from 2-4 stories and single family housing. • Canal Street is two lanes with parking on each side. • The on -street parking is heavily used as the apartments were built to comply with earlier lower parking standards • The existing sidewalk on Canal Street is narrow. • There are no points for the public to access the Canal. • Views to the Canal are extremely limited. Class II bike lane Kayak launch •` Building design and existing development restricts access to the Canal. • There is no continuous pedestrian access along the waterfront. • A range of docks, piers and walls front the Canal. • Many of the existing docks and piers are not utilized and are deteriorating. • Some existing buildings are constructed over the water, limiting ability to get a shoreline walkway. • Many people in the neighborhood walk, rather than drive, resulting in heavy pedestrian traffic. • Canal Street is a designated class 3 bicycle route. The heavy car traffic makes it desirable to find a way to facilitate bicycle travel on this street. • The Canal neighborhood is surrounded by the Canal and freeways, and could be isolated if an earthquake damaged the roadways. Recommendations • Study options to widen the sidewalk and to add a Class II bicycle lane along Canal Street. • Develop a continuous publicly accessible pedestrian walkway on the waterfront as opportunity arises. SAN RAFAEL C.ANALFr2ONT is Enlargement of Pickleweed Park NIMMIMMITUMMMIS Analysis • Pickleweed Park and Community Center are heavily used by the community. • The existing wetland and marsh area as a habitat is important to local wildlife and ecosystems. • The existing unpaved maintenance path around the park is eroded and not ADA accessible. • There are few interpretive exhibits in the park. • The park is an opportunity for environmental education about the bay and wetland environment. • There is no defined connection of the existing Bay Trail to the Starkweather Shoreline Path. Recommendations • Study the area in front of the Pickleweed Community Center to incorporate a Class II bicycle route from the existing Starkweather Shoreline Bay Trail. • Design a small non -motorized personal watercraft launch area at the northern end of Pickleweed Park, and evaluate the area west of the Pickleweed Community Center for ways to transport watercraft from the parking lot to the launch area. • Provide a path accessible for maintenance vehicles and pedestrians around the perimeter of Pickleweed Park, while also maintaining the natural character of the existing trail. • Provide seating areas for wildlife observation in Pickleweed Park. • Enhance habitat along the shoreline and within the park where possible. • Provide interpretive signage along the Bay Trail path around the waterfront edge of Pickleweed Park. Kayak launch SAN RAFAEL CA€`3ALFRONT IMPLEMENTATION For decades, many people in San Rafael have said that the Canal waterway could be a jewel in San Rafael's crown. There is something about the peacefulness of the water, the beauty of the reflections, the views of Mt. Tam and the hillsides from the waterfront, and the energy of maritime activities that attract residents to visit the Canalfront, as difficult as it is to find a place to view the water. Some improvements have been made over the years, inspiring people to ask'what more is possible?' This Conceptual Plan sets forth a vision and ideas for Bay Trail and Canalfront improvements. Describing the vision is just the first step in seeing the ideas become reality. The vision provides a road map toward the future, giving us direction of where we want to go, and the chance to control some of the changes that will come our way. Implementation will require a partnership with the private sector and the broader community, and a commitment to seeing quality development. In an era of reduced funding, most development and improvements will emerge from the private sector. Priorities should be based not on an expectation of local funding, but on a desire to maximize investments the community makes of outside funding: • What programs will be a catalyst for other actions? • What improvements are timely opportunities? • What development will generate tax revenues for the community? • What projects are manageable in scope and offer quick results? The next few years will be a time of exploring funding sources, applying for regional, state and federal grants, and pursuing partnerships so that progress may be made sooner on implementing this plan. Grant Funding for implementation can come from the following sources: • San Francisco Bay Trail Grant Program, • Transportation for Livable Communities grant program from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) • Regional Bikeway Network (MTC) • Safe Routes to School program from the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD and Caltrans) • Safe Routes to Transit program (BAAQMD) • Bicycle Facility Program program (BAAQMD) • Hazard Elimination Safety Program (Caltrans) • Bicycle Transportation Account (Caltrans) • Planning grants and construction loans (California Department of Boating and Waterways) The Canal has languished many years as a hidden treasure. The following programs will provide the greatest impetus for the timeliest desired changes for the Canal waterfront: Bay Trail Alignment. Request changes to the adopted Bay Trail alignment from Pickleweed Park to Third Street, as shown on the Conceptual Plan. Bay Trail along Canal Street. Explore the possibility of providing a Class II bike path, a wider sidewalk, and/or a mixed use pathway along Canal Street west of Medway. Survey the right-of-way on Canal Street to identify opportunities to widen the sidewalks. Study parking options and traffic options, such as making part of Canal Street one-way. Canalfront Paseo for West Canal Area. Describe public amenities, landscaping, and habitat improvements. Work with the community to identify and understand potential issues with redevelopment. Include street, signature and other trees, plant lists, paving design and detailing, site furniture specifications, maintenance guidelines, lighting design and specifications, wayfinding design and specifications, interpretive and historic signage,and public art. Include a Beach Park Plan to maximize public access to a revitalized recreational center. Explore opportunities to serve the larger communities, for vendors to provide boat rentals and/or lessons, for ways to enliven the area, and reasons for people to visit the park. Grand Avenue Bridge. Construct a wider crossing of the Canal at Grand Avenue. The new bridge could be cantilevered off the existing bridge, or be a separate parallel bridge. This pedestrian/ bicycle -only crossing should have places for people to enjoy the exceptional view of the waterway. Public Art under Highway 101. Pursue mechanisms to install public art lighting and other improvements under Highway 101. For example, establish a public art program for the area underneath Highway 101 that celebrates San Rafael's cultural heritage and/or natural environment to provide visual interest. Pickleweed Park. Design park improvements for the Pickleweed Park Bay Trail improvements, including the pathway around the water's edge, a small non -motorized boat launch and a method to help boaters transport their vessels from the parking lot to the launch. Investigate the possibility of providing a Class II bicycle path in front of the Community Center. Work with the Pickleweed Advisory Board to identify proposed improvements. MOUAMMOMMUMMEM SAN RAFAEL CANALFRON`C Zoning for Height Bonuses and development incentives. Develop zoning recommendations for height bonuses for crossing improvements, parking within structures, and exceptional public canalfront amenities as well as changes to the property development standards, and to the allowed uses to encourage desired development. Longer term projects are those which require a lot of work over several years by a large number of people and organizations working together. These are activities that can be undertaken as funding becomes available and as the community is willing to undertake the projects. Larger opportunities, not apparent at this time, may mean that some projects become possible, and the community can engage in the process of working together toward implementation. Longer term projects typically involve considerable investigation, engineering and environmental review: Canal Street Waterfront Bay Trail Feasibility Study. Conduct an engineering survey of the waterfront area to the north of Canal Street, study the feasibility of a canalfront walkway, and study options for interface between walkway and private docks. The boardwalk must be out of the required navigable waterway as defined by municipal code and allow docking and access to docks as needed. Involve property owners in the planning of the boardwalk. Study for the Crossings. Explore the feasibility and design of crossings in the West Canal area. East/west connection under Highway 101. Investigate potential improvements to the area west of Grand Avenue bridge to provide safe bicycle and pedestrian access to the Transit Center separate from the street network. Work with Caltrans to improve the appearance of the area under Highway 101. Bay Street Redevelopment Feasibility Study. Study options for redevelopment of the Bay Street area. Encourage the adaptive reuse of existing buildings where feasible to retain the eclectic character of area. Look for redevelopment opportunities to maximize the freeway visibility of the lots facing Highway 101, and to add uses that contribute to the vitality of the waterfront location. Develop general plan and zoning amendments to implement the recommendations. As implementation begins, here are agencies that may need to be involved, depending on the improvement: ri US ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS The US Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) is involved in the protection of wetland, navigation and coastal maintenance and improvements to ports and harbors, regulatory compliance and permit activities, flood control planning activities, and emergency management The open waters of the San Rafael Canal are regulated by the Corps under both Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act. US COAST GUARD The US Coast Guard oversees the continued safety and navigability of the nation's inland and coastal waterways. The General Bridge Act of 1946 and related Code sections in US Code Title 33 are meant to insure that all bridges, including pedestrian and vehicular draw bridges and other potential obstructions such as piers and docks built over or along the shoreline of the nation's navigable water bodies do not interfere with either commercial or recreational passage of boats and other watercraft. The Bridges unit makes a specific determination for each bridge construction permit application based on the existing and potential future use of the navigable waterway and the kinds of clearances required to permit continued safe operation of boats and other watercraft. Draw bridges are looked at closely to insure that they have been designed to open efficiently and that there are adequate programs in place to operate the bridges and to maintain them in good working condition. US FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE AND NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE The US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries) collectively are responsible for administration and enforcement of the federal Endangered Species Act. While the potential for occurrence of any federally listed special -status species is low in the developed portions for the study area, a number of species are found in the remnant coastal salt marsh habitat at the mouth of the San Rafael Canal and others may occur in the aquatic habitat of the canal. CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF AND GAME The California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) is responsible for the conservation, protection, and management of California's fish, wildlife, and native plant resources. A number of State listed special -status species occur in the remnant coastal salt marsh at the mouth of the San Rafael Canal, or are suspected to occur in or disperse along the Canal. CALIFORNIA REGIONAL WATER QUALITY CONTROL BOARD The Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) is responsible for upholding state water quality standards pursuant to Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and for regulating fill of hydrologically isolated wetlands under the Porter -Cologne Water Quality Control Act. Modifications to the open waters of the San Rafael Canal would require authorization from the RWQCB under Section 401. CALIFORNIA STATE LANDS COMMISSION The State Lands Commission holds title to, has jurisdiction over, and regulates land use of the State's "Sovereign Lands", including land within the proposed Canalfront study. In 1923, before the San Rafael Creek realignment by the US Army Corps, the City of San Rafael received a State grant that turned over development responsibility of Sovereign Lands along San Rafael Creek to the City. The historic alignment of the lower San Rafael Creek area is fairly well known, primarily from a state sponsored survey of the area conducted by G.F. Allardt in the early 1870s (referred to as Allardt's Canal). The historic alignment of the Creek was altered in 1928 as part of a navigation improvement project authorized and paid for by the Federal government. During the process of straightening and realigning San Rafael Creek, some of the historic channel and Sovereign Land administered by the City of San Rafael was filled and incorporated into adjacent private properties without the consent of the State Lands Commission. Resolution of title issues is important not only to a Canal Crossing and Canalfront walkway, but also to protect public resources, enable private parties and the city to obtain title insurance and loans, sell public bonds, and obtain grant and financing for development of private and public facilities from lending institutions and state and federal entities. The City's continued coordination with the State Lands Commission to resolve title problems that resulted from the realignment of the historic Allardt's Canal in 1928 will be an integral part of any future projects within the planning area. ASSOCIATION OF BAY AREA GOVERNMENTS The Association of Bay Area Governments is the responsible agency for the Bay Trail alignment. Proposed modifications to the Bay Trail require approval by ABAG staff and the Bay Trail Steering Committee. This would be necessary in order to obtain any Bay Trail funding for follow-up design and trial construction. BAY CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION The San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC), a state agency, was established in 1965 to protect and manage activities that affect San Francisco Bay. The area in this planning study that may be under the jurisdiction of BCDC may be a segment of the walkway along the eastside of Pickleweed Park connecting to the existing Shoreline Park Path and Bay Trail. This portion of the walkway may require a permit from BCDC. za COMMUNITY GROUPS San Rafael Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee Canal Alliance Canal Welcome Center Canal Youth Council City Council Community Development Department Concilio Dredging Committee Loch Lomond Marina Lowrie's Yacht Harbor San Rafael Design Review Board Federation of San Rafael Neighborhoods Marin Yacht Club Montecito Area Residents Association Montecito Plaza Shopping Center San Rafael Parks & Recreation Commission Pickleweed Advisory Board San Rafael Yacht Club San Rafael Yacht Harbor San Rafael Planning Commission Redevelopment Agency Citizens Advisory Committee Spinnaker HOA Community Members COMMUNITY MEMBERS Phil Abey George Adams Helmut Atiollinga Bruce Bagnoli Bob Barton Anna Belanger Jerry Belletto Crispy Bent James Bill Rocky Birdsey Ben Bolt Jane Brennan Tom Brennan Bridget Brewer Greg Brockbank Matt Butler Jeannie Cahill Brian Capelli Mike Christian Anthony Cavallo Lee Cordner Maria Corona David Cromb Carolyn Walker Davis Jorge Del Aguila Linda Delair Erik Erickson Jessica Fairchild David Foster Eric Framsen Jonathan Frieman Michael Gadoua Amada Galeana Lisa George Jim Geraghty Barry Glickman Elida Gramajo Chris Green Gladys Gilliland Frank Hall Fran Halperin Carol Hamel Janise Harmon Vickie Halos Peg Henderson Gilbert Hensley Roberto Hernandez Jerry Jameson Magdalena Jimenez D.J. Johns George Johnstone Bill Jones Jeannette Jones Lisa Klairmont Harold Kleiderman Hugo Landecker Ann Laurence Duke Lange Sharon Lapin David Law Pat Lopez Stuart Lum Larry Luckham Man Minh Phan Carlee McCarty Preston McCoy Luis Melia Severo Mendoza John Merton Berneice Moore John Moore Craig K. Murray Tom Obletz Stan Orman Jim Owen Marina Palma Ron Patterson Rosalind Patterson Nabia Portillo Ted Posthuma Bonnie Lowrie Preston Roger Preston Clay Prescott Ofelia Ramirez Robidia Reyes Sandra Reyes Maria Guadalupe Rico Roger Roberts Leonor Rojas Rene Rushin Elizabeth Rodriguez Sonia Salanic Rosa Sanchez Samantha Sargent Kurt Schmidt Elida Doldan Schujman Lisa Shafer Heidy Signor Maria Cristina Silva David Smith Sue Spofford Jean Starkweather Lillian Trac Doug Traeger Anabela Vicente Juan Villalobos Jody Wheeler k h z g_u+v D,� �c._-I' ... 0,. 2:'3 tti 4.s 5,3y.o z tq..f �� The Canal is widely recognized as an under-utilized community resource and, in many ways, can be thought of as an open space - a public amenity for all the neighborhoods of San Rafael. It also provides a much sought after literal connection to the San Rafael and San Francisco Bays and the San Francisco Bay Trail (a project of the Association of Bay Area Governments to develop a trail around the perimeter of San Francisco and San Pablo Bays), The San Rafael Canalfront Conceptual Design Plan envisions providing and improving access to and along the water's edge for all of San Rafael's residents and visitors. This includes providing clear and open views toward the open space of the Canal, which will strengthen the area's unique waterfront identity. The following design guidelines underscore these goals and identify options for achieving them and provide an architectural and landscape architectural framework for future development or redevelopment along the waterfront in the Canal Neighborhood. Written primarily for property owners, developers, design professionals, City staff and elected/appointed decision makers in San Rafael the guidelines are not mandatory rules. They will, however, be referenced during the City's design review process for any new projects or developments in conjunction with the City's zoning ordinance and municipal code. These guidelines supplement the San Rafael Design Guidelines, providing additional direction to help with the design of new commercial, residential and mixed-use buildings. Together, these guidelines are an invitation for innovation in redevelopment along the canalfront. SAN RAFAEL GANALFRONT Throughout these design guidelines, special attention is paid to both the commercial and recreational marine influence in the area. The Canal has a unique maritime character and natural beauty admired by many residents and visitors. These guidelines endeavor to protect this character and beauty as well as to enhance the many and varied uses of the Canal. Some key issues include ensuring bicycle and pedestrian safety, promoting sustainable design solutions in new public and private development projects, and providing public access to the canalfront. The current character of the canalfront area varies greatly. Commercial businesses, yacht harbors, high density housing and single family homes line the Canal, yet many residents and visitors to the area do not know that the Canal exists. In addition, some buildings in the area have deteriorated over time or are reaching the end of their expected life span. Others have been developed, renovated and re -purposed without clear direction as to how to engage with and acknowledge the canalfront. This document attempts to acknowledge what is working in the area but, most importantly, what could be improved in the future. As is common in San Rafael, the community has articulated a preference for an eclectic and diverse architectural character for the area, and a desire to support creative design ideas that might evolve over time. At the same time, preserving the history and memory of the Canal's past is also important. These guidelines attempt to address all of the above by setting general parameters for future projects that highlight key issues such as community identity, safety and public access to the Canal. This document is organized into two sections. The first section discusses design guidelines that apply to the entire area, while the second section presents guidelines specific to particular sub -areas. A map is provided to clarify the locations referenced in these sections. Along the Canal, San Rafael View of the Canal by boat, San Rafael Area -wide guidelines apply to the entire area defined by the San Rafael Canalfront Conceptual Design Plan. They promote a cohesive, holistic vision for the area that will improve the quality of life for local residents and visitors alike. Although each sub -area has unique attributes and considerations, a relatively uniform attitude about some aspects of future development improvements is warranted, and will be beneficial in establishing a common identity for projects related to the Canal. Y: Water's Edge w Paseo, Boardi pAk or Path =vw1v • Create and/or maintain a minimum 10' clear pathway along the water's edge whenever possible. A 12' wide shared pathway for both pedestrians and bicycles is strongly encouraged. • All pathways should endeavor to meet the design standards of the San Francisco Bay Trail, and be fully accessible per the California Building Code and the Americans with Disabilities Act. • The pathway may be a free-standing boardwalk, a cantilevered walkway, or an on -grade pathway to be determined based on the existing context and with the approval of the City. • Permeable paving is strongly encouraged for paved areas at the water's edge where possible, in accordance with widely accepted sustainable design practices such as those defined by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). The durability of all materials in a marine environment must be carefully considered. • Provide public access to maritime uses of the Canal in the form of kayak launches, boat docks, public boat tie ups, etc. as is appropriate per the San Rafael Canalfront Conceptual Design Plan. SAN' RAFAEL CANALFRONT Examples of waterfront access • Provide public amenities of common design/type such as seating, lighting, litter and recycling receptacles, bicycle racks, etc. at an appropriate interval along the water's edge. See Site Furniture section for more detail. • Whenever possible and appropriate, improvements along the water's edge should carefully consider and support the natural environment including wildlife habitat, native vegetation and water quality issues. • New public amenities along the water's edge should be designed with maritime uses, both commercial and recreational, in mind. For example, where appropriate, new development should accommodate and encourage recreational boat traffic (canoes, paddle boats, sail boats, etc.) along the Canal. • Public boat docks and launches for small, non -motorized personal watercraft such as kayaks, canoes and sail boats are strongly encouraged. ALAI: • Buildings should be complementary with the surrounding area and should not adversely affect the visual quality of the canalfront. For example, taller buildings can be made compatible through transitions between existing and new buildings by maintaining horizontal proportions of ceiling heights, windows, doors, and/or materials at lower floor levels. 7 Building Facade; Height + Articulation may vary /— Top of Bank Building Facade; Height+ Articulation may vary 4 L L � Vanas 1�P12' — eered Tway P r3�..2 , - � k6'`s u?Ci it {jz?[7 to SAN RAFAFL CANALFFRONT 7 Kayaklaunch Small boats AW, Building Character and Articulation • Building design should maximize visual and physical access to the canalfront. • Buildings should provide visual interest and variety. • When a building lot has both street and Canal frontage, the building design should take advantage of its Canal setting and provide equal facade treatment, windows, and other design features on both sides. • See also the Area Guidelines for specific recommendations. W: Architectural ter : Material • Building designs should be innovative and provide visual interest and variety to support the unique identity of the area. • Durability of architectural materials in a marine environment should be a key consideration for all new or renovated buildings. Materials and architectural detailing that is not well suited to the canalfront environment should be avoided. • Typical industrial developments utilizing box -like concrete tilt -up buildings with minimal architectural interest are discouraged along the canalfront. • Facades of high quality, architectural -grade steel, masonry, corrugated metal, concrete, wood, glass or other appropriate materials relieved with reveals, moldings, and punched openings are encouraged. • Pre -fabricated metal buildings should not be permitted unless an exception is recommended by the Design Review Board based on exceptional building and site design. Architectural variation in style and materials SAN RAFAEL CANALFRONT Architectural variation and interest AW: Lighting • Building accent lighting and uplighting along the canalfront (street and Canal sides) should be used to highlight the facility's entrances and architectural features. • Building lighting should be functional, supporta unified concept for each building/property and should not spill light onto adjacent properties or natural areas (unless such spillover is desirable to illuminate a public area). • Surface -mounted lighting on buildings and sources of indirect lighting should be concealed to mitigate glare and reduce light pollution. • Site lighting should be designed to provide safe conditions for pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and to discourage vandalism. • Exterior site lighting near wetland areas should be sited carefully to reduce glare into sensitive natural areas. • Where appropriate site lighting may be designed to encourage use of public spaces at night to promote vitality along the canalfront. • Utilize light fixtures that are of appropriate scale, material and color. A combination of pedestrian pole lights, bollards and wall lights may be utilized in pedestrian areas, for example. Amo Signage • Provide consistent wayfinding and signage elements to show the walkway along the water's edge, public access points, and locations of nearby public amenities such as the Transit Center and Pickleweed Community Center. • Interpretive signage regarding the natural and cultural history of the area along the canalfront is strongly encouraged when possible and appropriate. Design, materials, locations etc. of all interpretive signs along the canalfront will be reviewed and approved by the City. • Signage for buildings along the canalfront (street and Canal sides) should be used to identify entrances and architectural features. • Signs should be high quality and have a durable finish suitable for the marine climate. • Signs with individual letters with architecturally integrated backgrounds are preferred; "canned" or framed signs are not recommended. • External illumination of signs is preferred. • Sign types, materials, sizes and locations should be appropriate and specific to the project and its site. • Use universal symbols in place of text wherever possible. • Provide signage marking the Bay Trail's alignment as per ABAG's standards. Signage examples SAN RAFAEL CANAL FRONT MTV: Views • Enhance views toward and over the Canal wherever possible. Although the water itself may not be visible from some vantage points, views of the Canal and the canalfront should be ever present from developed areas and should be the design focus of new or renovated buildings and sites. • On narrow lots, view preservation may not be feasible but every effort should be made to obtain views wherever possible. • Careful placement of architectural and landscape architectural elements is strongly encouraged. For example, buildings should be sited in clusters or tiered to provide view corridors. • Locate architectural and landscape architectural improvements (both public and private) such as buildings, structures, walls and planting areas, etc. to create clear view corridors from public streets, canalfront parks, and plazas toward the Canal and the water's edge. • Private development and/or improvements are encouraged to provide and frame views toward the Canal from both indoor and outdoor spaces wherever possible in order to promote awareness and strengthen the identity of the area. • Consideration of views to Mt. Tamalpais and nearby ridge lines is strongly encouraged. Where possible and appropriate, new development and improvements should take care to frame views of ridges and mountains. View of the Canal Lively streetscape • Providing outdoor spaces, such as plazas and courtyards, is encouraged as part of any new public and private development in the area, particularly along the canalfront. Due to high vehicular traffic volumes in this area, consider including interior courtyards or canalfront patios as part of any new retail development including restaurants. Outdoor spaces should include access to power, water, and other utlities as may be necessary to support public events. • Consider adjacencies when planning public access and open spaces. For example, restaurants and retail establishments sited with proximity to parks, plazas and courtyards are strongly encouraged. These types of land use synergies will encourage vitality in public spaces. Public and recreational uses of City -owned or controlled outdoor spaces, particularly those that encourage connectivity within the canalfront area or to adjacent City neighborhoods, is encouraged. One example is the area under Highway 101 where improvements to pedestrian and bicycle access would be beneficial for safety reasons as well as to strengthen the connection between the canalfront and downtown San Rafael. • Provisions for public access to and along the water's edge is strongly encouraged whenever possible, as is connecting to other City trails in the area such as along Mahon Creek. • The inclusion of family -friendly and multi -generational amenities in public parks and open spaces in the Canal Neighborhood is strongly encouraged. SAN RAFAEL CANAt.FRON3; Waterfront access and public art AM DeSign • Continuity in landscape design elements such as light fixtures, railings, and site furniture that may occur along the canalfront is desirable. • Hardscape and planting materials should be chosen for durability, ease of maintenance, site appropriateness and aesthetic considerations in conjunction with City staff and user groups. Universal accessibility (accessible to all people of all abilities) is encouraged. • Landscape designs for individual site developments may vary in character, materials and design but visual and physical access to the Canal should be key considerations in all cases. • All landscape design should minimize negative impacts to natural areas and wetlands. • The use of plant materials that have naturalized to our climate zone and waterfront in natural areas is encouraged. AM Public Art • The inclusion of public art elements into public or private developments that celebrate the City's cultural heritage and/or natural environment is strongly encouraged. bflIty • The use of sustainable landscape and building design practices are encouraged. Following Marin Municipal Water District standards for low water use may be required; adhering to the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED)standards is strongly encouraged. • New development, both public and private, should protect and enhance the natural environment of the Canal. • Site and building design along the canalfront should use rainwater infiltration and retention strategies to reduce run-off into the Canal and improve water quality. • The use of locally produced and/or recycled materials for building and landscape projects is strongly recommended. • New buildings along the canalfront should consider implementing alternative energy generation strategies such as installing photo voltaic collectors on roofs. • New buildings should also reduce energy consumption as much as possible by utilizing highly efficient materials and designs. Utilizing green roof technology is an example of this. • Pervious paving materials for the Canalfront Paseo are strongly encouraged. • New development should provide ample bicycle parking inconvenient locations along the canalfront. Wetland area near the Canal SAN R.AFAU GANAI,FRONT Class II bike lanes • Ensure that streetscapes are designed for universal access (accessible to all people of all abilities) and are in compliance with all local, state and federal accessibility guidelines. • Where designated as Bay Trail, sidewalks should be a minimum of 10' wide wherever possible. Widen existing narrow sidewalks where possible. • The use of natural gray concrete paving for standard pedestrian sidewalks is preferred in order to maintain a consistent look over time. Adhere to current City standards where applicable; all sidewalks should be designed to facilitate easy maintenance and replacement by the City. • Consider using alternate paving types and permeable paving materials as accents in streetscape designs at key areas such as intersections and crosswalks to improve aesthetics and wayfinding. Examples include permeable asphalt or concrete, colored or textured concrete, and concrete unit pavers. • Crosswalks should be designed to clearly identify the right of way to pedestrians and minimize crossing distances where possible. • Obstructions to pedestrian and bicycle travel (e.g. utilities, signs, overgrown landscaping) should be removed or relocated where feasible. • The undergrounding of utilities is strongly encouraged. • Provide screening (an art program or planting are examples) of utility installations, utility boxes, traffic signal boxes, pad mounted transformers, pump stations and other similar utility facilities where feasible. • New drainage facilities and utilities should be designed and located to minimize visibility and interference with pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicular traffic. • When sidewalks are repaved or upgraded, improvements should also include new planting areas and street trees wherever possible. • Select tree species based on site and soil conditions, desired size, aesthetic considerations and City standards when present. The use of low -maintenance, drought tolerant, climate appropriate, disease and pest -resistant canopy trees is encouraged. Consideration should be given to existing street trees in the vicinity, and match if appropriate. • Use tree grates and guards that are consistent with existing streetscape standards in the vicinity. If no precedent exists, tree grates should be heavy duty, low maintenance and readily available. • Provide groundcover and shrubs where appropriate to create a pedestrian friendly and aesthetically pleasing environment. Plants should be low water use, low maintenance, and highly durable. • Identify and consider utilization of any available street right-of-way in the area. In particular, capturing additional width for sidewalks and/ or bike lanes is strongly encouraged wherever possible. • Provide durable, high quality street and site furniture for the canalfront that is aesthetically consistent throughout and enhances the unique identity of the area. This includes seating, bicycle parking, trash/recycling receptacles, newspaper racks (if possible), and lighting: Once standard furnishings have been selected and established in cooperation with the City, street furniture in the area which does not comply should be removed and replaced. • Locate secure bicycle racks in all parks and plazas and near other public gathering areas as is appropriate. NSNOM SAN RArAEL CANALxh'ONT ... • Conceal on-site parking and locate away from the street edge and the water's edge to minimize visual effects on the streetscape and canalfront where appropriate and possible. Locating surface parking lots behind buildings and toward the interior of blocks is encouraged. • Ensure that all parking areas are designed so that pedestrians are protected from conflicts with entering and exiting vehicles. Minimize the width and number of curb cuts. • Use canopy trees in parking lots to create shade wherever possible. An exception to this may be allowed along the Highway 101 frontage where visibility for businesses from the freeway might be preferred. • Where a surface parking lot abuts a street edge, create a visual buffer with planting to minimize the impact of parked cars and to provide interest for pedestrians and cyclists. • If a parking garage is proposed, it should be designed to include retail uses at the street level to encourage a lively pedestrian experience. Blank walls should be avoided; lush planting and architectural articulation is encouraged. Curb cuts at sidewalks should be minimized as much as possible in order to limit vehicular and pedestrian conflicts. • Transit -oriented development that would reduce on -street parking demand in the area is encouraged. Ideas for consideration include providing shared cars for residents, transit shuttles, and van pool parking spaces. Example of an operable crossing • Any proposed crossing must be fully accessible, be a minimum of 12' wide to accommodate bicycle and pedestrian traffic, and meet the clearance requirements of the U.S. Coast Guard. A crossing should be well lit for night use and safety. Any crossing is strongly encouraged to have a unique and iconic design to create a gateway for both the Canal and Montecito neighborhoods. Examples of operable crossings SAM RAFAEL CANALMCBN AM ; TRANSIT CENTER ANDINN T Y The Transit Center and Vicinity area includes Second and Third Streets from Lincoln Avenue to Irwin Street. Unlike other areas included in the San Rafael Canalfront Conceptual Design Plan, this area has no direct access to the Canal itself. It is part of the study area because of the critical link it provides from the Canalfront area to the Transit Center and serves as a gateway to the city from Highway 101. Pedestrian sidewalks and bicycle paths are at less than ideal widths in this area due to myriad site constraints, namely the narrow right-of-way between the columns under the Highway 101. Even so, there are many opportunities to improve the pedestrian and bicycle experience under the freeway with beautiful lighting and/or the creation of a public art program. The following guidelines refer to the Transit Center and Vicinity only and are to be followed in addition to the Area -wide Guidelines. • Improvements to pedestrian and bicycle access under Highway 101 should be explored for safety reasons as well as to strengthen the connection between the Canal and Montecito neighborhoods and downtown San Rafael. • An accessible and welcoming park -like setting would be ideal in the open space under the freeway. Lighting • Improve lighting under the Highway 101 viaduct. Consider providing a public art element that incorporates lighting for this area. Ai � PuG.3 C A.,-1 • Encourage public art in the area underneath Highway 101 that celebrates the City's cultural heritage and/or natural environment to provide visual interest. Art, lighting, and activities under the highway -AN RAPAELGANALFROW AREA 2, WEST CANAL The West Canal Area, Area 2, is comprised of lands north and south of the waterway at the western end of the Canal. It includes the land from the northern edge of Third Street and from Highway 101 east to the City limit line and is home to retail shops, offices, and businesses. Area 2 also encompasses the land from the southern edge of Francisco, Boulevard East and Highway 101 northbound. On the east end of the area is Harbor Street and on the west is the northbound off -ramp from Hwy. 101. It is populated by retail establishments, auto dealerships, offices, businesses and light industrial uses including those along Bay Street (a private street) and at the Harbor Center shopping center. The San Rafael Canalfront Conceptual Design Plan envisions a pedestrian and bicycle pathway along the water's edge in this area, a Canalfront Paseo (which means 'walkway' in Spanish) enlivened with restaurants, housing, businesses and cafes. Currently there is a walkway behind the popular Montecito Shopping Center that should be widened and improved as part of this effort. The area's businesses are encouraged to face both the street and the canalfront wherever possible. TO Waterfront walkway Area 2 is fortunate to have public lands as well. In particular, the City has the rare opportunity to re -imagine Beach Park and the land currently occupied by the San Rafael Yacht Club (owned by the City) as part of the Canalfront Conceptual Design Plan. The options for improvement are tremendous and will provide substantial benefit to City residents. The following guidelines apply to the West Canal area only and are to be followed in addition to the Area -wide Guidelines. Water' Edge .. Paseo; Bow-dwalk or Pathway • Expand and improve the existing walkway along the Canal that begins behind Montecito Shopping Center and follows the Canal eastward to the city limit line. • Create and/or maintain a 12' clear shared pathway along the water's edge for pedestrians and bicycles wherever possible. This pathway may be a boardwalk, a cantilevered walkway, or an on - grade pathway to be determined based on the existing context. Varied conditions are allowed and encouraged. All options should endeavor to meet the San Francisco Bay Trail standards, connect to adjacent segments, and be fully accessible. • Additional width to accommodate site amenities such as cafe tables and chairs is encouraged. • A publicly accessible boat dock at or near the Montecito Shopping Center is encouraged so that boaters could access the businesses and restaurants. SAN RAFAEL CIANALF RON'r • A concession for boat rentals (canoes, kayaks, peddle boats, etc.) is also encouraged in this location. =2.Setbacks • A 25' setback from the top of bank is required. (Top of bank is defined as the point at which there is a break in slope, toward the water, at the Canal's edge.) The intent of this setback is to provide space for a walkway, the Canalfront Paseo, and to protect the natural environment along the Canal. This may be modified where site conditions, such as at a narrow or odd -shaped lot, may warrant. • An 8 - 10' setback from front (street side) lot line for landscaping, sidewalk, and pedestrian amenities is encouraged • Connection/s between street and canalfront should be incorporated where appropriate. A2: ", esu t d, :- cc 'SC aze 4-3na r—Q • New buildings should be massed to avoid creating a narrow canyon -like space along the Canal lacking natural light. • Development projects that increase density for multi -use, retail or commercial properties are encouraged as they will help to bring life and vitality to the area. • Storefronts and building heights should be varied, along with roof lines and parapets, to create unique individual/business identities. • Street frontage parking at buildings facing the street should be limited and occur only where necessary due to site or project constraints. To enhance the urban context, parking should be concealed as much as possible. Alternatively, parking could occur in combination with landscaping or green space alongside the building as a break or buffer between development projects. See Area -wide: Parking for more information. • Provide visual interest and variety in architectural character and building colors. • Retail storefronts should face the Canal where possible. If a business has two facades, one on the Canal side and one facing the street or parking, they should be designed to be of equal importance visually. • Businesses offering outdoor seating along the canalfront are strongly encouraged. Variation in architectural materials and massing Restaurant with outdoor dining • Use of colors that are complementary to the waterfront is strongly encouraged. Combined with the natural coloration of materials such as wood or metal, color can provide a visually diverse edge to the Canal. Color may be used to identify a particular building function such as a main or secondary entrance door, structural elements of the building, vertical circulation, a special architectural feature, or to break up and articulate longer facades. • Single coloration of an entire building is not encouraged, except in the context of a multiple building development. • Using color to articulate building massing, step -backs, and floor level changes is encouraged. Streetfront view of mixed-use development and architectural variation Building materials and color • Incorporate traditional waterfront architectural motifs with more modern types by using a variety of materials to provide visual interest. To assist in the desired variety and individuality of each building and use, a variety of roof forms are encouraged and should be complementary to the building fagade. • Employing materials such as metal siding/roofing, wood and glass found on the marine and commercial properties on the south side of Canal may be appropriate on the north side in order to create visual continuity on both sides of the Canal. • Similarly, attention should be paid to the character of the adjacent residential neighborhoods; any new development should acknowledge its context and transition appropriately. • Cement plaster is not encouraged as an entire building concept or a treatment, however a combination of materials including plaster incorporated in a balanced application would be acceptable. • The use of varied materials, including those consistent with the existing buildings in the area, is encouraged. • The texture and scale of siding should be combined with various sizes, scale, and direction of pattern to add visual interest to an otherwise simple utility building type. • Smaller buildings should employ a siding with texture and scale appropriate to a smaller scale structure. • Other materials such as wood, concrete or plaster could be woven into a project or development to provide some variation while maintaining a visual link to the other areas along the Canal and enhancing the eclectic nature of the area in general. Lighting • Surface mounted fixtures on both sides of the Canal should complement each other and reinforce the relationship and connection across the Canal. • Signs should be complementary on both sides of the Canal and consistent with the scale of storefronts. Three-dimensional signs or signs that allude to a three-dimensional affect would be allowed if compatible with the use and articulated in a way that would not be overwhelming in their context. • Use materials that enhance exterior building finishes, while providing clear identification of the use. • Metal, glass, acrylic halo or backlit signs should provide a comfortable level of identity and should be secondary to architectural lighting. • Canvas or metal awnings with integrated signage, if employed, are encouraged at the Canal and street sides. Use of awnings should be consistent along an entire building or group of buildings in a development to create a rhythm (minimum of 3-5 tandem storefronts). • Neon signs employed in an appropriate manner for the use would be allowed subject to Design Review Board approval. Waterfront public space SAN RAFAEL CANALi="oRONT • Providing outdoor spaces along the water, such as plazas, courtyards and patios, is encouraged. Public access should be oriented toward the Canal whenever possible. • The improvement of Beach Park is envisioned as part of the San Rafael Canalfront Conceptual Design Plan. Together with hte adjacent City -owned land that fronts the Turning Basin, Beach Park has the potential to be a key public gateway to the Canalfront. o The unique setting of the park will draw local residents as well as visitors from other City neighborhoods, and the amenities should be designed with this in mind. o Conceptually the park design should acknowledge the cultural history and/or natural environment unique to the Canal. Interpretation of such themes is encouraged. o The park itself should "face' and safely engage the water's edge. This edge should not be considered the "back" of the park. o A boat launch is strongly encouraged. The inclusion of additional amenities such as a public boat dock and/or ramp should be studied. o The facilities currently used by San Rafael High School's sailing club should be maintained for that use if appropriate and feasible. o Connecting and utilizing all of the City -owned property to create one park parcel is encouraged. o Picnic areas and other family -friendly activities such as a safe play area for young children are encouraged. o Appropriate themes for play areas and activities may relate to water, the Canal and the bay; native flora and fauna; boats and ships, etc. o The park has hosted beach volleyball and bocce ball in the past; the community should be surveyed to see if these uses are still pertinent and desirable. o Amenities such as permanent rest rooms and parking are encouraged. o Careful attention to lighting design and safety should be paid. • Encourage retail businesses, restaurants and/or other private concessions to locate near Beach Park. This will draw people to the canalfront and support the creation of lively and active public spaces in the area. • Providing outdoor spaces, such as plazas and courtyards, is encouraged as part of any new public and private development in the area. Public access should be oriented toward the Canal whenever possible. Waterfront walkway Waterfront park • The renovation of the mini -park at the end of Canal Street is envisioned as part of the San Rafael Canalfront Conceptual Design Plan. o Although small, this public space has a unique setting at the mouth of San Rafael Yacht Harbor that should be highlighted as much as possible. o This mini -park would function best as a primarily paved, multi -use, flexible gathering area. o Public art, related to the culturally diverse history of the neighborhood, is encouraged. o Picnic tables, seating for small groups and game tables could be appropriate. o The view toward the Canal should be open and free from obstructions as much as possible. o The water's edge may include a boat launch area, but should be made safe for visitors. o Night time lighting, if desired, should be carefully designed to emphasize safety. SAN RAFAEL GANG FRONT=. • The City -owned property at the end of Mill Street should become a public mini -park where local residents and people who work in the area could come for fresh air or to eat their lunch. o Ideally, visual access to the water's edge along the San Rafael Yacht Harbor should be included. o The mini -park should be primarily paved and very simply designed with basic site amenities such as benches, trash and recycling receptacles, bicycle racks, etc. o Shade could be provided by a trellis, arbor, structure or trees. o Parking should be removed to allow pedestrians and cyclists to inhabit the space. • The City -owned property at the end of Front Street should become a public mini -park and water access point for boaters and kayakers. o Visual and physical access for boats and kayaks to the water's edge should be maintained and improved for functionality and safety. The design of the mini -park should largely be informed by this use. o The mini -park should be primarily paved and very simply designed with basic site amenities such as benches, trash and recycling receptacles, bicycle racks, etc. o Shade could be provided by a trellis, arbor, structure of trees if appropriate. o The design should also encourage coordinated uses with the adjacent restaurant(s) as much as possible. 'a,,r,} 'X � ., ,�� _ �=a SAN RAFAEL CANAL.FRONT AEEA ___QANAL ARES The Canal Street Area is composed of predominantly high density residential buildings along Canal Street. The buildings vary in size; the largest are four -stories tall. There are many redevelopment opportunities in this area. Views toward the Canal and the water's edge from Canal Street are nearly non-existent. The opportunities for re -imagining Canal Street in the future are many. Pedestrian and bicycle access is in need of improvement and access to the Canal's edge should be provided. The following guidelines are to be followed for Canal Street only in addition to the Area -wide guidelines above. A3. Water's Edge s Paseo, Boardwalk or Pathway • The creation of a Canalfront Paseo is envisioned by the San Rafael Canalfront Conceptual Design Plan. Creating a walkway along the south side of the Canal, between the residential buildings along Canal Street and the water's edge, is strongly encouraged. 30 Create and/or maintain a 10 -12' wide minimum shared -use pathway along the water's edge for pedestrians and bicycles wherever possible. A 12' wide pathway is ideal and encouraged where possible. This pathway may be a boardwalk, a cantilevered walkway, or on -grade to be determined based on the existing context. All options should endeavor to meet the Bay Trail standards and be fully accessible. Per the San Rafael Canalfront Conceptual Design Plan, a minimum of two, but preferably three, public access points from Canal Street to the water's edge are encouraged. Ideally, the access points will be located at each end of Canal Street and one centrally located in between (such as near the intersection with Medway Road). Each access pathway should be a minimum of 8' wide, with an ideal width of 12'. It should be clearly identified as public access, well lit at night and kept free of obstacles that would inhibit a clear view and/ or passageway to the Canal. A3: Marine Related Amenijes • ` Public access to the water should be planned and provided at key points along the Canalfront and accessed easily from Canal Street. Public boat docks and boat launches are encouraged where appropriate and possible. A minimum of one of each is suggested for this area. • A 25' setback from the top of bank is required. The intent of this setback is to provide space for a walkway, the Canalfront Paseo, and to protect the natural environment along the Canal. This may be modified where site conditions, such as at a narrow or odd - shaped lot, may warrant. • An 8 - 10' setback from front (street side) lot line for landscaping, sidewalk, and pedestrian amenities is encouraged • Connection/s between street and canalfront should be incorporated where appropriate. A3- BluDding z5cam-, and 54 -ass • Maintain a maximum 36' height along the Canal waterfront. The intent of this is to provide as much housing as is possible (to enhance the economic viability of redevelopment), while also protecting sunlight and access to the Canal. SAN RAFAEL CANALFRONT 72 - Example Example of a floating and cantilevered walkway • Visual Interest and variety are important and encouraged for this area of the canalfront. • Private decks and patios are encouraged facing both the street and the canalfront to activate the Canal area. • Street frontage parking at buildings facing the street should be limited and occur only where necessary due to site or project constraints. Under building parking with little exposure is preferred, to enhance the urban context. Alternatively, parking could occur in combination with landscaping or green space along side the building as a break or buffer between development projects. See Area wide: Parking for more information. • Promote a waterfront and marine related stylistic expression. Prevent one-sided buildings articulated on the Canalfront only. • Decks and patios at the street front and canalfront are encouraged to take advantage of the southern exposure on Canal Street and of views to the north side of the Canal. • Balcony railings should screen and let light through both to mitigate the visual clutter on individual balconies and to lighten massing of building and balconies. • Well-defined building or unit entries may be recessed, projected or framed with strong architectural features. Incorporate lighting as appropriate for clear delineation, as well as for safety. • Flat or gabled roofs are a prevalent pattern of the area however, alternative roof forms with a scale consistent with canalfront patterns, are also encouraged to provide diversity and project a sense of identity. • Use of natural materials is encouraged, i.e., wood — horizontal, vertical, lap, and/or shingle siding, stone or masonry at the building base. Metal siding and/or roofing may be used if shown to be complementary and enhancing the residential fabric of area. High-density residential building with "front porches" High-density residential along waterfront SAN RAFAE . cANALMONT 34 AREA -4, 2ICKLEWEELD PARK AREA Area 4 includes Pickleweed Park and Community Center at the eastern end of Canal Street. Renovated in 2006, the community center has been a tremendous success in the neighborhood. Pickleweed's unique waterfront setting and neighboring wetlands are wonderful assets to the community. A launch for small non -motorized watercraft and accessible pathway along the water's edge a is strongly encouraged. The following guidelines are to be followed in Pickleweed Park only and in addition to the Area -wide guidelines above. A4: Water's e d - Paseo, Boardwalk or Pathway • Create and/or maintain a 12' clear shared pathway, in the same location as the current unimproved trail, for pedestrians and bicycles. This pathway will likely be an on -grade pathway and should be suitable for maintenance vehicle access. It should have a natural appearance, meet the Bay Trail standards, and be fully accessible. • A launch area for small non -motorized personal watercraft along this pathway is strongly encouraged. AA: Public Open Spaces • Any proposed changes or improvements to Pickleweed Park should align with the park's adopted master plan under the guidance of the City's Community Services Department. Small boat launch Natural areas ,� 2 RESOLUTION NO. RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN RAFAEL TO ACCEPT THE CANALFRONT CONCEPTUAL DESIGNPLANAND CANALFRONT DESIGN GUIDELINES THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN RAFAEL RESOLVES as follows: WHEREAS, in November 2004, the City Council adopted General Plan 2020, which includes "Canal Waterfront" programs and policies reflecting the community's desires to improve public access to and along the waterfront; and WHEREAS, in September 2006, the City Council accepted the Canal Neighborhood Community -Based Transportation Plan, which recommends two transportation solutions for the neighborhood: a Canal crossing and a Canalfront Paseo; and WHEREAS, staff pursued grant funding for a planning project consistent with General Plan 2020 policies and programs including: G -23b Grants, NH -74a Design Plan and Vision for the Canalfront, NH -78a Canalfront Design Guidelines, NH -83 Canal Access, and NH -83a Circulation Improvements; and WHEREAS, on January 16, 2007, the City Council accepted a $20,000 Bay Trail grants from the Association of Bay Area Governments for a Canalfront Conceptual Design Plan project; and WHEREAS, on April 7, 2008, the City Council accepted a $140,000 community-based transportation planning grant from Caltrans, and approved the work program for the Canalfront Conceptual Design Plan project; and WHEREAS, on June 16, 2008, the City Council appointed 14 people representing neighborhood, business, property owner, and boating interests to serve on a Canalfront Advisory Committee, and gave them the following four charges: • Complete the Bay Trail from Pickleweed Community Center to Pt. San Pedro Road, including bicycle and pedestrian access to Downtown, the Transit Center, Mahon Creek, Montecito Shopping Center and San Rafael High School, • Identify the most appropriate location and type of a Canal crossing improvement(s), based on an engineering and economic feasibility analysis and starting with an initial list of crossing options as described in the Canal Transportation Plan, • Define access points to and along the Canal waterfront as identified through a community design process, and as selected following an engineering and economic feasibility analysis, and • Provide design guidelines to maximize waterfront amenities through redevelopment opportunities along the Canalfront; and WHEREAS, between June 2008 and October 2009, the Canalfront Advisory Committee met eleven times; reviewed background environmental data; went on two tours (of the Canal and of other waterfront locations); conducted community outreach which included a day devoted to meeting with seven different focus groups, two community workshops, and a series of 18 presentations on the draft plan during summer 2009; and shared drafts of the design guidelines with local architects and the Design Review Board; and WHEREAS, the Canalfront Advisory Committee was assisted by design consultants Royston Hanamoto Alley & Abey, bridge consultants Endres Ware, Patri Merker Architects, Nichols Berman Environmental Planning for the Background Report on environmental conditions and Questa Engineering for the Phase I Hazardous Waste Initial Site Assessment, and the Canal Welcome Center for community outreach; and WHEREAS, on November 16, 2009, the Canalfront Advisory Committee presented its recommended Canalfront Conceptual Design. Plan and Cana�tront Design Guidelines to the City Council. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of San Rafael does hereby accept the Canalfront Conceptual Design Plan and the Canalfront Design Guidelines. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of San Rafael does hereby direct the Community Development Department to consider the plan in making amendments to General Plan 2020 to incorporate relevant policy objectives and programs for the Canal Waterfront neighborhood, and to pursue implementation of the plan as grant funding becomes available. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of San Rafael does hereby direct the Community Development Department to make the Canalfront Design Guidelines available to applicants for a Design Review Permit in the Community Development Department as an advisory document to assist designers in creating buildings that will enhance the Canalfront, and to consider incorporation of the guidelines into the citywide San Rafael Design Guidelines when they are next updated. I, ESTHER BEIRNE, Cleric 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 16`h day of November 2009 by the following vote, to wit: AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NOES: COUNCILMEM 3ERS: ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: ESTHER BEIRNE, City Clerk HELMUT' S MARINE SERVICE INC. Mayor Al Boro City of San Rafael 1400 Fifth Ave. San Rafael, CA 94901 San Rafael, 10-20-2009 Re: Canalfront Beautification Final Conceptual Plan In specific: any new bridge options & proposed "Paseo" Dear Mr. Mayor, Dear Mr. Brown, We are in receipt of your letter dated October 15th 2009. Thank you. I am hereby formally requesting to have my opposition to the City's Canalfront Conceptual Plan — in specific: to any new bridges / crossings and the "Paseo" — entered into Public Record. Sin ely, emu holling President Helmut's Marine Service, Inc & Canalfront Property Owner Sent per UPS / delivery signature requested. CC: San Rafael Canalfront Property / Business Owners 619 Canal St., San Rafael, CA 94901 - Phone 415-453-1001, Fax 415-453-8460 i From: l 0.4- J Cr y... 4,. ✓ G,l ? C�Nn� Sj OCT 262009 5(3ti To: Mayor Al Boro City of San Rafael 1400 Fifth Ave. San Rafael, CA 94901 San Rafael, 7 Re: Canalfront Beautification Final Conceptual Plan In specific: any new bridge options & proposed "Paseo" Dear Mr. Mayor, I am hereby formally requesting to have my OPPOSITION to the City's Canalfront Conceptual Plan — in specific: to any new bridges / crossings and the "Paseo" — ENTERED INTO PUBLIC RECORD. Sincerely, L.: From: ('S i U 5eyrP IrkmelQ S'S7Pa5+ F�-al\)CSC 3)9 415 o2�61-c,21')2 To: Mayor Al Boro City of San Rafael 1400 Fifth Ave. San Rafael, CA 94901 San Rafael, Re: Canalfront Beautification Final Conceptual Plan In specific: any new bridge options & proposed "Paseo" Dear Mr. Mayor, NoV"Q 5 2009 I am hereby formally requesting to have my OPPOSITION to the City's Canalfront Conceptual Plan — in specific: to any new bridges / crossings and the "Paseo" — ENTERED INTO PUBLIC RECORD. Sincerely, Theo and Carlos Boat Restoration and Sales theo each ting(cwahoo. com San Rafael Yacht Harbor 557 East Francisco Blvd CA 94901 Theo (415)686-6860 Carlos (415)524-5194 NOV 10 2009 I am an owner of a business in San Rafael and I am opposed to the canal front conceptual plan that is being presented to the city council on November 16, 2009. I want my opposition to the plan to be part of the public record. I believe the San Rafael Canal Advisor Committee was bullied by city staff. The proposed plan is in violation of numerous state and federal regulations. This has been a colossal waste of $160,000 of taxpayers' money. Please do not approve this plan. The plan is flawed and also the process by which it was formed is severely flawed. Thank you very much, Nov 10 2009 I am an owner of a business in San Rafael and I am opposed to the canal front conceptual plan that is being presented to the city council on November 16, 2009. I want my opposition to the plan to be part of the public record. I believe the San Rafael Canal Advisor Committee was bullied by city staff. The proposed plan is in violation of numerous state and federal regulations. This has been a colossal waste of $160,000 of taxpayers' money. Please do not approve this plan. The plan is flawed and also the process by which it was formed is severely flawed.. Thank you very much, 4l5 (fA q C4 1c11 NOV 10 2009 I am an owner of a business in San Rafael and I am opposed to the canal front conceptual plan that is being presented to the city council on November 16, 2009. 1 want my opposition to the plan to be park of the public record. I believe the San Rafael Canal Advisor Committee was bullied by city staff. The proposed plan is in violation of numerous state and federal regulations. This has been a colossal waste of $160,000 of taxpayers' money. do not approve this plan. The plan is flawed and also the process by it was formed is severely flawed. you very much, -A-(D s ssl NOV 10 2009 I live in San Rafael and am writing to register my disagreement with the Canal Front Conceptual Plan. I understand that the proposed plan is in violation of various regulations and don't want any more city money spent on it. I also want to complain about the unfair methods that city staff used against the San Rafael Advisor Committee that ended up wasting 160 thousand dollars of taxpayers money. These egregious practices should be stopped immediately and it should be examined how such methods were allowed to occur in the first place. Please do not approve this flawed plan and include my opposition in the public record. Thank you, i o-3otc i07D r- w-0 t Nov 10 2009 I live in San Rafael and am writing to register my disagreement with the Canal Front Conceptual Plan. I understand that the proposed plan is in violation of various regulations and don't want any more city money spent on it. I also want to complain about the unfair methods that city staff used against the San Rafael Advisor Committee that ended up wasting 160 thousand dollars of taxpayers money. These egregious practices should be stopped immediately and it should be examined how such methods were allowed to occur in the first place. Please do not approve this flawed plan and include my opposition in the public record. Thank you, �i�+sT�r ✓' ��� c=SEn/ 5AI/I P,,AFOOL-I CA �c(<qCJ NOV 10 2009 I live in San Rafael and am writing to register my disagreement with the Canal Front Conceptual Plan. I understand that the proposed plan is in violation of various regulations and don't want any more city money spent on it. I also want to complain about the unfair methods that city staff used against the San Rafael Advisor Committee that ended up wasting 160 thousand dollars of taxpayers money. These egregious practices should be stopped immediately and it should be examined how such methods were allowed to occur in the first place. Please do not approve this flawed plan and include my opposition in the public record. Thank you, 'P(W L TE e,0 S 4. lops ����� S�Z C/- ?0,30 NOV 10 2009 I live in San Rafael and am writing to register my disagreement with the Canal Front Conceptual Plan. I understand that the proposed plan is in violation of various regulations and don't want any more city money spent on it. I also want to complain about the unfair methods that city staff used against the San Rafael Advisor Committee that ended up wasting 160 thousand dollars of taxpayers money. These egregious practices should be stopped immediately and it should be examined how such methods were allowed to occur in the first place. Please do not approve this flawed plan and include my opposition in the public record. Thank you, I live in San Rafael and am writing to register my disagreement with the Canal Front Conceptual Plan. I understand that the proposed plan is in violation of various regulations and don't want any more city money spent on it. I also want to complain about the unfair methods that city staff used against the San Rafael Advisor Committee that ended up wasting 160 thousand dollars of taxpayers money. These egregious practices should be stopped immediately and it should be examined how such methods were allowed to occur in the first place. Please do not approve this flawed plan and include my opposition in the public record. Thank you, Nov 10 2009 I live in San Rafael and am writing to register my disagreement with the Canal Front Conceptual Plan. I understand that the proposed plan is in violation of various regulations and don't want any more city money spent on it. I also want to complain about the unfair methods that city staff used against the San Rafael Advisor Committee that ended up wasting 160 thousand dollars of taxpayers money. These egregious practices should be stopped immediately and it should be examined how such methods were allowed to occur in the first place. Please do not approve this flawed plan and include my opposition in the public record. Thank you, M- LG, 3�n Z`Z�3 Ulm Z33 s'VOS NOV 10 2009 I live in San Rafael and am writing to register my disagreement with the Canal Front Conceptual Plan. I understand that the proposed plan is in violation of various regulations and don't want any more city money spent on it. I also want to complain about the unfair methods that city staff used against the San Rafael Advisor Committee that ended up wasting 160 thousand dollars of taxpayers money. These egregious practices should be stopped immediately and it should be examined how such methods were allowed to occur in the first place. Please do not approve this flawed plan and include my opposition in the public record. Thank you, /0/-2416)� ,dy I live in San Rafael and am writing to register my disagreement with the Canal Front Conceptual Plan. I understand that the proposed plan is in violation of various regulations and don't want any more city money spent on it. I also want to complain about the unfair methods that city staff used against the San Rafael Advisor Committee that ended up wasting 160 thousand dollars of taxpayers money. These egregious practices should be stopped immediately and it should be examined how such methods were allowed to occur in the first place. Please do not approve this flawed plan and include my opposition in the public record. Thank you, 0 Z� �/> � (19 �? NOV 10 2009 I live in San Rafael and am writing to register my disagreement with the Canal Front Conceptual Plan. I understand that the proposed plan is in violation of various regulations and don't want any more city money spent on it. I also want to complain about the unfair methods that city staff used against the San Rafael Advisor Committee that ended up wasting 160 thousand dollars of taxpayers money. These egregious practices should be stopped immediately and it should be examined how such methods were allowed to occur in the first place. Please do not approve this flawed plan and include my opposition in the public record. Thank you, �0, 23 -7 6 `MOV 10 2009 I live in San Rafael and am writing to register my disagreement with the Canal Front Conceptual Plan. I understand that the proposed plan is in violation of various regulations and don't want any more city money spent on it. I also want to complain about the unfair methods that city staff used against the San Rafael Advisor Committee that ended up wasting 160 thousand dollars of taxpayers money. These egregious practices should be stopped immediately and it should be examined how such methods were allowed to occur in the first place. Please do not approve this flawed plan and include my opposition in the public record. Thank you,C' NOV 10 2009 I live in San Rafael and am writing to register my disagreement with the Canal Front Conceptual Plan. I understand that the proposed plan is in violation of various regulations and don't want any more city money spent on it. I also want to complain about the unfair methods that city staff used against the San Rafael Advisor Committee that ended up wasting 160 thousand dollars of taxpayers money. These egregious practices should be stopped immediately and it should be examined how such methods were allowed to occur in the first place. Please do not approve this flawed plan and include my opposition in the public record. Thank you, &c_ -e /q9d— NOV 102009 I live in San Rafael and am writing to register my disagreement with the Canal Front Conceptual Plan. I understand that the proposed plan is in violation of various regulations and don't want any more city money spent on it. I also want to complain about the unfair methods that city staff used against the San Rafael Advisor Committee that ended up wasting 160 thousand dollars of taxpayers money. These egregious practices should be stopped immediately and it should be examined how such methods were allowed to occur in the first place. Please do not approve this flawed plan and include my opposition in the public record. Thank you, Sid �Pr�2L CA - Cl`1712 NOV 10 2009 I live in San Rafael and am writing to register my disagreement with the Canal Front Conceptual Plan. I understand that the proposed plan is in violation of various regulations and don't want any more city money spent on it. I also want to complain about the unfair methods that city staff used against the San Rafael Advisor Committee that ended up wasting 160 thousand dollars of taxpayers money. These egregious practices should be stopped immediately and it should be examined how such methods were allowed to occur in the first place. Please do not approve this flawed plan and include my opposition in the public record. Thank you, e-ttr; __ ':;`- `Z. S R -7 L, 4 is - 6'}1 - x,321 NOV 10 2009 I live in San Rafael and am writing to register my disagreement with the Canal Front Conceptual Plan. I understand that the proposed plan is in violation of various regulations and don't want any more city money spent on it. I also want to complain about the unfair methods that city staff used against the San Rafael Advisor Committee that ended up wasting 160 thousand dollars of taxpayers money. These egregious practices should be stopped immediately and it should be examined how such methods were allowed to occur in the first place. Please do not approve this flawed plan and include my opposition in the public record. Thank yo-ou, 2 ) 1 L 6/2- NOV 10 2009 I live in San Rafael and am writing to register my disagreement with the Canal Front Conceptual Plan. I understand that the proposed plan is in violation of various regulations and don't want any more city money spent on it. I also want to complain about the unfair methods that city staff used against the San Rafael Advisor Committee that ended up wasting 160 thousand dollars of taxpayers money. These egregious practices should be stopped immediately and it should be examined how such methods were allowed to occur in the first place. Please do not approve this flawed plan and include my opposition in the public record. Thank you, animao r 9a� �1 l5- LgL-- 3g0L4 Nov 10 2009 I live in San Rafael and am writing to register my disagreement with the Canal Front Conceptual Plan. I understand that the proposed plan is in violation of various regulations and don't want any more city money spent on it. I also want to complain about the unfair methods that city staff used against the San Rafael Advisor Committee that ended up wasting 160 thousand dollars of taxpayers money. These egregious practices should be stopped immediately and it should be examined how such methods were allowed to occur in the first place. Please do not approve this flawed plan and include my opposition in the public record. Thank you, l OM i11*11 I live in San Rafael and am writing to register my disagreement with the Canal Front Conceptual Plan. I understand that the proposed plan is in violation of various regulations and don't want any more city money spent on it. I also want to complain about the unfair methods that city staff used against the San Rafael Advisor Committee that ended up wasting 160 thousand dollars of taxpayers money. These egregious practices should be stopped immediately and it should be examined how such methods were allowed to occur in the first place. Please do not approve this flawed plan and include my opposition in the public record. Thank you, M -20-e7 NOV 10 2009 I live in San Rafael and am writing to register my disagreement with the Canal Front Conceptual Plan. I understand that the proposed plan is in violation of various regulations and don't want any more city money spent on it. I also want to complain about the unfair methods that city staff used against the San Rafael Advisor Committee that ended up wasting 160 thousand dollars of taxpayers money. These egregious practices should be stopped immediately and it should be examined how such methods were allowed to occur in the first place. Please do not approve this flawed plan and include my opposition in the public record. Thank you, M co+4-en �Gr� iL BLUC\ g4g0j I live in San Rafael and am writing to register my disagreement with the Canal Front Conceptual Plan. I understand that the proposed plan is in violation of various regulations and don't want any more city money spent on it. I also want to complain about the unfair methods that city staff used against the San Rafael Advisor Committee that ended up wasting 160 thousand dollars of taxpayers money. These egregious practices should be stopped immediately and it should be examined how such methods were allowed to occur in the first place. Please do not approve this flawed plan and include my opposition in the public record. Thank you, -S�SII F�� GU D 1 s! c d IGL JPl 'R-(� x,46�t C' l 7,j � ,1I/5-- ZG( - 2C-(&6 NOV 10 2009 I live in San Rafael and am writing to register my disagreement with the Canal Front Conceptual Plan. I understand that the proposed plan is in violation of various regulations and don't want any more city money spent on it. I also want to complain about the unfair methods that city staff used against the San Rafael Advisor Committee that ended up wasting 160 thousand dollars of taxpayers money. These egregious practices should be stopped immediately and it should be examined how such methods were allowed to occur in the first place. Please do not approve this flawed plan and include my opposition in the public record. Thank you, 11, NOV 10 2009 I live in San Rafael and am writing to register my disagreement with the Canal Front Conceptual Plan. I understand that the proposed plan is in violation of various regulations and don't want any more city money spent on it. I also want to complain about the unfair methods that city staff used against the San Rafael Advisor Committee that ended up wasting 160 thousand dollars of taxpayers money. These egregious practices should be stopped immediately and it should be examined how such methods were allowed to occur in the first place. Please do not approve this flawed plan and include my opposition in the public record. Thank you, NOV 10 2009 I live in San Rafael and am writing to register my disagreement with the Canal Front Conceptual Plan. I understand that the proposed plan is in violation of various regulations and don't want any more city money spent on it. I also want to complain about the unfair methods that city staff used against the San Rafael Advisor Committee that ended up wasting 160 thousand dollars of taxpayers money. These egregious practices should be stopped immediately and it should be examined how such methods were allowed to occur in the first place. Please do not approve this flawed plan and include my opposition in the public record. Thank you, jQ�4TY� 1 G 12 S )0 (Di2Izf NOV 10 2009 I live in San Rafael and am writing to register my disagreement with the Canal Front Conceptual Plan. I understand that the proposed plan is in violation of various regulations and don't want any more city money spent on it. I also want to complain about the unfair methods that city staff used against the San Rafael Advisor Committee that ended up wasting 160 thousand dollars of taxpayers money. These egregious practices should be stopped immediately and it should be examined how such methods were allowed to occur in the first place. Please do not approve this flawed plan and include my opposition in the public record. 9 Thank you, c� S I live in San Rafael and am writing to register my disagreement with the Canal Front Conceptual Plan. I understand that the proposed plan is in violation of various regulations and don't want any more city money spent on it. I also want to complain about the unfair methods that city staff used against the San Rafael Advisor Committee that ended up wasting 160 thousand dollars of taxpayers money. These egregious practices should be stopped immediately and it should be examined how such methods were allowed to occur in the first place. Please do not approve this flawed plan and include my opposition in the public record. 3 Thank you, 21,C"*, LD r Nov 10 2009 I live in San Rafael and am writing to register my disagreement with the Canal Front Conceptual Plan. I understand that the proposed plan is in violation of various regulations and don't want any more city money spent on it. I also want to complain about the unfair methods that city staff used against the San Rafael Advisor Committee that ended up wasting 160 thousand dollars of taxpayers money. These egregious practices should be stopped immediately and it should be examined how such methods were allowed to occur in the first place. Please do not approve this flawed plan and include my opposition in the public record. Thank You, ` �2 O 5 7 , q 'f9 o/ UE la 0 6f7 If �- rev T,q (/-)lC Gry-s F 7 r-P�E Z o �X, C`�-n /a� il�f � (f 6.1;, � C r1le, Apo7nCe�) K w l-tr,t� Pete T o ?y9 wE f�oCE l�rzor<E <�oNS �aNO l9c.c,/ '71-(e CYC 5 Ce(,a4f C/l E 5 /�(6A0 f. /CO / aq NOV 10 2009 I am an owner of a business in San Rafael and I am opposed to the canal front conceptual plan that is being presented to the city council on November 16, 2009. 1 want my opposition to the plan to be part of the public record. I believe the San Rafael Canal Advisor Committee was bullied by city staff. The proposed plan is in violation of numerous state and federal regulations. This has been a colossal waste of $160,000 of taxpayers' money. - Please do not approve this plan. The plan is flawed and also the process by which it was formed is severely flawed. Thank you very much, `'74.cl o j 'NOV 10 2009 I live in San Rafael and am writing to register my disagreement with the Canal Front Conceptual Plan. I understand that the proposed plan is in violation of various regulations and don't want any more city money spent on it. I also want to complain about the unfair methods that city staff used against the San Rafael Advisor Committee that ended up wasting 160 thousand dollars of taxpayers money. These egregious practices should be stopped immediately and it should be examined how such methods were allowed to occur in the first place. Please do not approve this flawed plan and include my opposition in the public record. Thank you, �I c, /ice / e e-lly e, i0/z ®/ /9 ;Nov 10 2009 I live in San Rafael and am writing to register my disagreement with the Canal Front Conceptual Plan. I understand that the proposed plan is in violation of various regulations and don't want any more city money spent on it. I also want to complain about the unfair methods that city staff used against the San Rafael Advisor Committee that ended up wasting 160 thousand dollars of taxpayers money. These egregious practices should be stopped immediately and it should be examined how such methods were allowed to occur in the first place. Please do not approve this flawed plan and include my opposition in the public record. Thank you, -�[()q:.�v7� NOV 10 2009 I live in San Rafael and am writing to register my disagreement with the Canal Front Conceptual Plan. I understand that the proposed plan is in violation of various regulations and don't want any more city money spent on it. I also want to complain about the unfair methods that city staff used against the San Rafael Advisor Committee that ended up wasting 160 thousand dollars of taxpayers money. These egregious practices should be stopped immediately and it should be examined how such methods were allowed to occur in the first place. Please do not approve this flawed plan and include my opposition in the public record. Thank you, ' �% NOV 10 2009 I live in San Rafael and am writing to register my disagreement with the Canal Front Conceptual Plan. I understand that the proposed plan is in violation of various regulations and don't want any more city money spent on it. I also want to complain about the unfair methods that city staff used against the San Rafael Advisor Committee that ended up wasting 160 thousand dollars of taxpayers money. These egregious practices should be stopped immediately and it should be examined how such methods were allowed to occur in the first place. Please do not approve this flawed plan and include my opposition in the public record. Thank you, �i5-a33� 58"3 s� A/,/61 560 SA n/ Rrl F -h CFI--� CA iy 9e/ NOV 10 2009 I live in San Rafael and am writing to register my disagreement with the Canal Front Conceptual Plan. I understand that the proposed plan is in violation of various regulations and don't want any more city money spent on it. I also want to complain about the unfair methods that city staff used against the San Rafael Advisor Committee that ended up wasting 160 thousand dollars of taxpayers money. These egregious practices should be stopped immediately and it should be examined how such methods were allowed to occur in the first place. Please do not approve this flawed plan and include my opposition in the public record. Thank you, & t U S P r p e l �j. N C�YP �� 41�C> p p P a. N e` p sS 7 pas4- FI- iw,,Sco UNP SUN kLFPI Ca G 4G0) 415 G I-� I 0,2 ECEfIk D NOV COMMUN!TY .^ r=' ^TIMENT CITY Or „:::L NOV 10'2009 I am an owner of a business in San Rafael and I am opposed to the canal front conceptual plan that is being presented to the city council on November 16, 2009. I want my opposition to the plan to be part of the public record. I believe the San Rafael Canal Advisor Committee was bullied by city staff. The proposed plan is in violation of numerous state and federal regulations. This has been a colossal waste of $160,000 of taxpayers' money. Please do not approve this plan. The plan is flawed and also the process by which it was formed is severely flawed. Thank you very, much, NOV 10 2009 I am an owner of a business in San Rafael and I am opposed to the canal front conceptual plan that is being presented to the city council on November 16, 2009. I want my opposition to the plan to be part of the public record. I believe the San Rafael Canal Advisor Committee was bullied by city staff. The proposed plan is in violation of numerous state and federal regulations. This has been a colossal waste of $160,000 of taxpayers' money. Please do not approve this plan. The plan is flawed and also the process by which it was formed is severely flawed. Thank you very much, 9 0/9 `fS 3oa- X099 NOV 10 2009 I am an owner of a business in San Rafael and I am opposed to the canal front conceptual plan that is being presented to the city council on November 16, 2009. 1 want my opposition to the plan to be part of the public record. I believe the San Rafael Canal Advisor Committee was bullied by city staff. The proposed plan is in violation of numerous state and federal regulations. This has been a colossal waste of $160,000 of taxpayers' money. Please do not approve this plan. The plan is flawed and also the process by which it was formed is severely flawed. Thank you very much, Michael J. Dwyer Phone: 415.457.7111 fiECEIVED CITY CLERK CITY OF SAN RAFAEt ZW NOV 12 AM 9 10 I am writing to oppose the Canal Front Conceptual Plan that is being presented to the San Rafael City Council on November 16, 2009. I am a taxpayer and a business owner in San Rafael and am very upset how city staff has handled this situation. Please make my opposition part of the public record. This has been a terrible waste of taxpayers' money and the way the city railroaded this through has been truly appalling. With the plan in violation of federal and state regulations to begin with, it was ridiculous to waste any further taxpayers funds on this folly. Again, please make my opposition part of the public record and I thank you for your attention in this matt RECEIVED CITYCLERK CITY OF SAN RAFAE'L D09NOY 12 AM 9, IQ I am writing to oppose the Canal Front Conceptual Plan that is being presented to the San Rafael City Council on November 16, 2009. I am a taxpayer and a business owner in San Rafael and am very upset how city staff has handled this situation. Please make my opposition part of the public record. This has been a terrible waste of taxpayers' money and the way the city railroaded this through has been truly appalling. With the plan in violation of federal and state regulations to begin with, it was ridiculous to waste any further taxpayers funds on this folly. Again, please make my opposition part of the public record and I thank you for your attention in this matter. (� 1sl.25-n s 7 4 RECEIVED CITY CLERK CITY OF SAN RAFAEL WNOV12 AM 9; 10 I live in San Rafael and am writing to register my disagreement with the Canal Front Conceptual Plan. I understand that the proposed plan is in violation of various regulations and don't want any more city money spent on it. I also want to complain about the unfair methods that city staff used against the San Rafael Advisor Committee that ended up wasting 160 thousand dollars of taxpayers money. These egregious practices should be stopped immediately and it should be examined how such methods were allowed to occur in the first place. Please do not approve this flawed plan and include my opposition in the public record. Thank you, RECEIVED CITY CLERK CITY OF SAN RAFAEL Nov 12 AM 11: 41 I am writing to oppose the Canal Front Conceptual Plan that is being presented to the San Rafael City Council on November 16, 2009. I am a taxpayer and a business owner in San Rafael and am very upset how city staff has handled this situation. Please make my opposition part of the public record. This has been a terrible waste of taxpayers' money and the way the city railroaded this through has been truly appalling. With the plan in violation of federal and state regulations to begin with, it was ridiculous to waste any further taxpayers funds on this folly. Again, please make my opposition part of the public record and I thank you for your attention in this matter. act x}30 J{ CITFSRLY OANA AE W NOV 12 AM IC: 41 I am writing to oppose the Canal Front Conceptual Plan that is being presented to the San Rafael City Council on November 16, 2009. I am a taxpayer and a business owner in San Rafael and am very upset how city staff has handled this situation. Please make my opposition part of the public record. This has been a terrible waste of taxpayers' money and the way the city railroaded this through has been truly appalling. With the plan in violation of federal and state regulations to begin with, it was ridiculous to waste any further taxpayers funds on this folly. Again, please make my opposition part of the public record and I thank you for your attention in this matter. Page I of 1 Linda Jackson From: Dana Melnichek on behalf of Al Boro Sent: Thursday, November 12, 2009 11:53 AM To: Linda Jackson Subject: FW: Canal Front Conceptual Plan / City Council Meeting 11-16-2009 Importance: High Attachments: img-091110105042-0001.pdf -----Original Message ----- From: Lieselotte George[mailto:lieselotte@helmutsmarine.com] Sent: Wednesday, November 11, 200912:48 PM To: Greg.Brockbank@ci.san-rafael.ca.us; Damon.Conolly@ci.san-rafael.ca.us; 'Barbara'; Cyr Miller; bruceabbott@sbcglobal.net; don@dblayney.com; jbroering@urology.ucsf.edu; maited@canalalliance.org; jgdietian@aol.com; rhamel@camarin.org; anne@albdesigns.com; mab@cpuc.ca.gov; rlockman@att.net; don@olsinc.com; suemcc@seagateprop.com; 'Cyr'; c.orman@comcast.net; chpatterson@comcast.net; Igillil989@aol.com; tom@tpvintage.com; Ifquezada@aol.com; steve@ragghianti.net; jdslk@comcast.net; mwatenpaugh@sres.org; craig.yates@sbcglobal.net; 'craig'; city.mayor@cityofsanrafael.org; Al Boro Cc: 'Helmut Ahollinger'; 'Matt Butler' Subject: Canal Front Conceptual Plan / City Council Meeting 11-16-2009 Importance: High Dear Mr. Mayor, City Council Members, Canal Front Commitee Members, Attached please find a letter with facts retrieved from the official Canalfront Advisory Notes /_Minutes / etc which - if decided upon - will endanger most marine related businesses along the San Rafael waterfront to close down or be only available to conduct a very limited business going forward. This matter is of the utmost importance to a pretty large (and revenue creating) group of property and business owners here along the Canal Waterfront. So far - we have been pretty much left out of the process - but with the introduction of the final plan coming up during the next City Council Meeting on November 16th, we need to get straight answers - and we need to be heard. Please take a moment and read the attached! Thank You for your time on this important matter. Sincerely, Helmut Ahollinger One of the Canalfront Property and Business Owners - for all of us. CC 11/12/2009 To City Council Mayor Canalfront Advisory Committee San Rafael, 11-10-2009 Re: Canalfront Vision Plan — in specific: new bridges / crossings & Pasco To all this may concern: We, the San Rafael Canalfront Property and Business Owners have beer) trying to be involved throughout the City's research process in an effort to: a) Be a part of the Canalfront Committee — when this did not work we then b) Tried to be heard at the official meetings and presentations and c) When this failed, reach out to all of you to listen and understand what this proposed plan will do to us, our businesses, our employees and their families, the value of our properties and the eventual loss of tax revenue to the City. Last Thursday, we received a computer file with the complete data, notes, summaries, pictures, research etc between the City of San Rafael and it's Canalfront Committee. We researched the information in great detail and in an effort to understand the true Impact the plan will have, we are asking you to review the facts we found listed in those files and request true and complete answers to the questions arising for us from such facts b !1efore either accepting or adapting the proposed plan during the City Council meeting on November 161` . We thank you In advance for your time and consideration and are happy to meet with you at anytime to further discuss this important matter and It's impact to all of us. - Timeline "City to "ADOPT" not just "accept' the plan in October of 2009, Please confirm if City Council is planning to adopt or just accept the plan during the meeting on November 16t". - Committee did NOT include ANY Property /business owners along the Canal that are actually (and negatively) AFFECTED by the proposed plan. As a matter of fact, property! business owners TRYING to get on the Committee (LB, Matt Butler) were declined repeatedly. On Oct. 14"', Mayor Al Boro stated to us in his office that he, Wishes our concerns would have been brought up earlier, Matt Butler explained to him that once none of us was accepted into the Committee, we trusted that our voices and inputs would be heard & noted during the year long meetings and presentations, unfortunately - as all the notes show - none of our inputs and concerns were even registered or recorded, - The Final Plan is being released on Friday, November 13th, 2009, during the City Council meeting on Monday, November 16t`', 2009 the plan is to be "accepted" or "adopted" (?) by the City Council! this time line does NOT ALLOW for anyone, not City Council members nor affected business and property owners or any other interest groups to read it, understand it and give any input or concern to it before it gets accepted or adapted (regardless of acceptance or adoption — the "train will be leaving the station at that point") - The Canalfront Advisory Committee's report dated September 10"I "Summer Outreach Results" clearly shows that out of the IS presentations that were made to 18 • interest groups (Note: during the April 9i'' Committee meeting the ctuestion was asked — quote -'When will property owners be contacted about the bridge ideas?" the answer was: "during the summer outreach"! — unquote, THIS NEVER HAPPENED! One of the Committee members was nice enough to give us access to the complete computer files of the whole year of research, meetings, presentations, letters etc between the City of San Rafael and the Canalfront Committee, Here are some details: 1) June 10', 09 - Committee meeting: The committee brought up at least 3 times during that meeting the concerns about a) the impact of bridges on maritime integrity b) the fact that at least one property owner is opposed to a bridge c) the concern that If they require property owners to pro- vide a walkway, there would be problems with properties that don't develop and there would be an incomplete pathway During that same meeting (see page 3 of the minutes, June `lou' 09) during the Committee voting process a concensus was reached 9 : t to After some members observed that this vote did not include any of the new bridge options, 2 more votes were had: a) to Include the north 1 south bridge on the draft plan NO CONCESUS was reached in this votel b) To include the east / west bridge in the draft plan — NO CONCENSUS was reached in this vete either Only after further dialogue (it is not clear who insisted on that) a 4"' vote was done to reach an agreement that the GRAND AVE BRIDGE IS THE PRIORITY CROSSING and to show the other two bridges on the draft plan as an ALTERNATIVE FOR DISCUSSION during the summer presentations. Note: After that date any meeting notes;, letters, minutes etc show the two new bridge options not only as an alternative but as regular options. uestl n: why? Also: Non of the later committee meetings have notes 1 minutes attached any longer? Where are the minutes / notes on which the decisions / votes have been made that created the final plan which is going to be presented to the City Council on November 16th? We could NOT FIND ANY FINAL VOTE (or even discussion memo) where the bridge matter had been finalized, resolved and decided upon by the City and it's Canalfront Commitee. The same counts for the proposed"Praseo". 2) On June 29" 09, Bob Brown contacted the Coast Guard Commander in Alameda in writing with a "Request for Input of Potential Bridge Clearances - San Rafael Canal" Note: There is no formal answer from the Coastguard yet, but verbally Matt Butler was told by the Coastguard that a new bridge is not feasible. 3) There is a memo from Linda Jackson from July 27`x' 09 re the Coast Guard communications and the concern raised by Matt Butler on July 611' In this memo (paragraph 2) Linda writes "the committee agreed to include three brjdges at the meeting In June ' Remi(ider: the vote was ONLY to leave the 2 now options in the plan as ALTERNATES for discussion during the Summer Outreach ids NOT DECIDED during the meeting in June to include three bridges! Reuest: Based on the June 10"' vote and the upcoming final plan to be submitted to City Council, it is important to know IF AND WHEN was me ourcome or sucn discussion and vote The computer files showed no such notes, memo or vote after June 10011) 4) Concern: NO -WHERE IN THE NOTES, MEMOS AND MINUTES ARE OUR CONCERNS - THAT WE BROUGHT UP CONTINOUSELY — STATED, THAT EITHER ONE OF THE NEW BRIDGE / CROSSING OPTIONS AS WELL AS THE NEW, PROPOSED 9000 LINEAR FEET LONG PASEO WILL ENDANGER EACH OF THE MARINE BUSINESSES ALONG THE CANALFRONT FROM HI TIDE, HELMUT'S MARINE, SR. YACHT HARBOR, ETC — TO GO OUT OF BUSINESS DUE TO THE PROPERTY NEEDED BY THE CITY TO BUILD SUCH NEW BRIDGE I CROSSING PASEO. THE PLAN WOULD BASICALLY MAKE IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR ANY OF US TO CONTINUE THE BUSINESS WE ARE CONDUCTING NOW. (This counts also for the new green 7.ones the plan shows on the spots where the new bridge options are suggested) Most Important: The City and its Canalfront Committee has at no time contacted us in writing — nor conducted a meeting with us - to share what their true needs (property) and detail plans are. The only answer to our own inquiries and vetoes to the plan, both by Linda Jackson (Sept. 101h) as well as Mayor Boro (Oct, 14"') to us were quote: _'This may,kg-yurs away, you should not be concerned with that now' , and when I asked 'what about if my child wants to take over our business one day` and Matt stated 1 am planning to be here and working at least another 40 years' – we were told by Linda – quote "Well, maybe YggLg!ild wants to da sorrtething else one day?"' What kind of an answer is that??? It —sure did not answer our questions. 4) The minutes / summary of the meeting Aug. 14"', 09 are missing – please supply a copy 5) The minutes / summary to the controversial meeting on Sept, 101', 09 are missing from the Committee's paper work – please supply a copy, 6) The minutes / summary of the 10-08-09 meeting are missing – please supply a copy, 7) There is no indication that the Committee was informed of the meeting requested by Matt Butler with Mayor Al Boro on Oct, 14t" 09 at the Mayors office. 14'` very concerned property & business owners that are directly affected by the proposed new bridges and the Paseo came to the Mayors office to state their concerns about the impact of the plan on their properties and businesses, the way the process of how this project was so far handled seems flawed and the fact that none of the truly affected property / business owner were included in the Committee or even properly informed by the City and / or Committee so far, The 14 property and business owners pointed out realistic problems about the project AND the fact that should it be pushed through, it might take them out of business, * Note: there would have been more affected property and business owners attending but due to the size of the meeting room the Mayor had specifically requested a small group only. Last but not least: As Matt Butler pointed out, we also feel that $ 160,000.00 of grant money was spent during the last 18 months on the project in ways of a flawed process due to the fact that – with exemption of the Coast Guard who was finally contacted in June of 09 – NON OF THE STATE AND FEDERAL AGENCIES THAT WILL NEED TO BE COMPLIED WITH in case the project gets accepted were contacted and questioned so far, The Dian violates the rules and requirements of at leas We are asking you to PLEASE NEITHER ACCEPT NOR ADOPT this proposed plan during your meeting on November 16'"l Please wait until a) you had the appropriate time to read the final plan in detail b) question the group (property and business owners) that has been EXCLUDED so far but IS THE MOST AFFECTED by this plan c) and contact at least the 5 agencies we already know tile plan is in violation With Thank you for your time and consideration in this on this important matter. Sincerely, The San Rafael Canalfront Property and Business Owners PS: We have nothing against the rest of the plan, we are only opposing to the new bridge options and the waterfront Paseo. Edmund Duggan 352 Knight Drive San Rafael, California 94901 (415) 456 2653, Fax 454 2467 edduggan@comcast.net November 9, 2009 Mayor and Council (Attn Linda Jackson, Planner) Re: Transformation of the San Rafael Canal RECENT PAST The City has invested in improvements such as the Pickleweed Com- plex and the the Starkweather trail from Pickleweed down to the San Rafael/Richmond Bridge. The new facilities at Pickleweed and the new trail have transformed the area at Pickleweed to be among the most used public facilities in San Rafael. Over a period of years the new facilities have not experienced the vandalism found at other public facilities. This area is very much appreciated by occupants/users and is a magnificent accomplishment of the City Council. WHAT IS NEEDED The area west from Pickleweed park on the south side of the Canal has high density but lacks easy access to the North side of the Canal to Monticeto Mall and San Rafael High. There needs to be easy transit to the north side of the Canal. A water taxi/ferry from Pickleweed Park to the rear of Montecito Mall could provide the necessary connection. A city provided dock at Pickleweed and one at the Canal turning basin at Montecito Mall could be the Ferry/Water Taxi terminals. The actual sevice would be provided by a city approved contractor. The dense population of the Canal area is ideal for a transit solution to make a water taxi/ferry connection between Montecito Mall and Pickleweed Park. RENAMING The CANAL TO THE "GRAND CANAL" If docks were provided, renaming the Canal would serve as a catalyst to crate excitement and encourage recreational water uses such as rowing and sailing, monitored by sponsoring inter- ested Yacht Marin Clubs and San Rafael High School. Planning would set goals to improve the recreational, transit, and maritime uses of the new GRAND CANAL. The Bay Area Bicycle trail would be incorporated into the planning with the primary connec- tion being the expanded Grand Avenue bridge. WONDERFUL ASSET The Canal is a wonderful asset for our city and needs to be developed by the same thoughtful planning that was used in developing the Pickleweed improvements. Thank you Sincerely San Antonio's River Walk - River Walk in San Antonio WXOMx Southwest US Travel Page 1 of 2 San Antonio's River Walk Free Southwest US Travel Newsletter' Goin All Out for the Holidays _ Email �t 9 Y Enter email address By Elizabeth R. Rose, About.com Discuss in my Forum See More About: San antonio christmas Aug 7 2008 San Antonio's River Walk is a tourist's paradise. You will find shops, restaurants, and hotels lining the San Antonio River. With sidewalks, stairs to the street level, historic sites to tour, and boats floating lazily down the canals, you will find plenty to enjoy in this area of San Antonio. In late November, the River Walk takes on a holiday glow. The colorful lights alonc the river will put you in the holiday mood. Holiday Festivities The most spectacular holiday event is the river parade and lighting ceremony. Taking place in late November, this event celebrates the illumination of over 122,000 twinkling lights, suspended in the trees along world famous San Antonio River Walk. Immediately following the lighting ceremony, spectators will witness the spectacular one-hour parade along San Antonio's River Walk featuring decorated and illuminated floats with celebrities, bands and lavishly - costumed participants. Mariachis Serenade on the River Walk Copyright: Elizabeth R. Mitchell This is a time for crowds along the River Walk. If you want to avoid the crowds and simply enjoy the lights, avoid the kick- off ceremony and choose another day for your river cruise. You will experience the beauty of the lights, the sounds of strolling musicians and the fun of choosing a riverside restaurant. History The River Walk area is a history buff's delight. In Texas, water has been a lifeline for many generations for centuries past. Native Americans first lived along the San Antonio River, calling the area "Yanaguana," which means "refreshing waters,' or "clear waters." A band of Spanish explorers and missionaries came upon the river in 1691, and because it was the feast day of St. Anthony, they named the river "San Antonio." The actual founding of the city came in 1718 by Father Antonio Olivares, when he established Mission San Antonio de Valero, which became permanently etched in the annals of history in 1836 as The Alamo where 189 defenders held the old mission against some 4,000 Mexican troops for 13 days. Located in the heart of downtown, today The Alamo is a shrine and museum. It is easily accessible from the River Walk. Where to Stay We recommend a hotel right on the River Walk. You can step out of the lobby and take just a few stairs down to the River. It is a welcome respite from fighting traffic, and if you spend your entire visit on foot, you will see much of San Antonio's historic district and come back from your trip just a little more fit! The River Walk site lists hotels that are right on the river. Where to Find the Boats You haven't seen the River Walk until you take a narrated boat cruise. Not only will you tour the entire length of the River http://gosw.about.com/od/texastravelguide/a/riverwalkwinter.htm 10/26/2009 Panoramio - Photo of PASEO EN GONDOLA Pan(DrC mto Sign up i Upload s Places Tags PASEO EN GONDOLA See io Google Earth by redl This photo Is selected for Google Earth [7] - M: 1088346 Look around Sign up to comment. Sign in if you already did it Team Forum Blog Terms of Service. Privacy Policy API j Help http://www.panoramio.com/photo/1088346 Page 1 of 1 rum BIM Sign ipHIJO 450 26' 13.23" N 12" 20'4.41" E This position has already been corrected [7] Flag photo: Inappropriate or offensive best of Tags in this photo: Italy Paseo en gondola venezia Photo details: Viewed 2992 times Uploaded on February 28, 2007 © All Rights Reserved by red! Ezha information Choose language English 10/26/2009 Panoramio - Photo of Patlugha tra i canah Pdn(Dr%8E'i'tio Sign up j Upload I Places i Tags Pattuglia tra i canali Se, in Google Earth by ©Fmnco Truscello This photo is selxtai Por Google Ea Ah [71- ID: ]893393 Lookaround Comments ® Loan, Reggio, on Febmary 18, 2000, Said: Immature un'insegulmento ..clao..clao laum r. ®Franco Truscello, on Febmary 10, 2000, said: Non a proprio come nei telefilm amedcani, me deVessem divertentel Clao, Franco J Jose,endo Bo.Idi, on April 5, 2000, sad: Mult, bela sua foto Sr. France Trusc'dlo, gostarla mull de cenhecer este lager PARABENS. jbbemidighotma0.com ®Frenoo Truscello, on Apri16, 2000, sold: - Multo obrigado Jose. one, France, Sign up to comment. Sign in if you already did it. Team Forum Blog Tennsof Service PrivacyPolicy Ad Help http://www.panoramio.com/photo/7893393 Page 1 of 1 rough B�can HOO 45° 26' 31.80" N 12019' 33.51" E Mlsplamd2 Suggest new locoon AtW � 09++- Flag photo: Inapproprate 0ro0ertne Nestor Tags in this photo: 2004 Boat FmncoTmscello Gccgle Earth ltalla Italy Venda Venedig Veneala Ventre Water Photo details: Viewed 450 nares uploaded on Febmary 12, 2000 o All RlBhfa Reserved by ffanm Tmscellu &Ga lnlonnadon Choose language English 10/26/2009 Page 1 of 3 Uploaded: Thursday, November 12, 2009, 2:52 PM Select FILE --> PRINT to print this story. dCliC11i MART N'S BEST ONLINE Upfront: Bridge to the future Currents are flowing for the Canalfront Conceptual Plan by Peter Seidman The plan San Rafael City Council members will see in a few days contains a vision that could help transform an area of the city that has suffered extreme aesthetic neglect. At their Nov. 16 meeting, councilmembers will see the San Rafael Canalfront Conceptual Plan, the result of 18 months of labor. As the name implies, it paints a picture of what could be, maybe, sometime in the future. But it also contains some practical improvements to the Canal that many residents there say are essential to improving their lives. The document blends down -and -dirty jobs, like widening sidewalks, with a wish -list of projects that could enliven a waterfront in the way Petaluma has enhanced its water landscape and integrated it into a community vision. San Rafael's Canal area sits on a waterfront site that many city planners would envy and that the Canalfront Plan aims to fully utilize. The creation of the plan actually started with a simple vision: building a pedestrian- and bicycle -friendly bridge over the canal to connect the Montecito side with the area where most Canal residents live. That concept, which first surfaced in 1999, advanced to the stage where the city prepared engineering studies. Then the subject of cost --estimated to be millions of dollars --raised a roadblock. But the idea was resurrected, thanks in large part to a transportation study conducted a few years ago. In 2002, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission created the Community -Based Transportation Planning Program, aimed at identifying areas where traffic patterns, as well as buildings and other structures, presented barriers to the mobility of local residents. The idea was to tap resources from residents in minority and low-income communities to work in a collaborative approach that would include input from residents, city governments, congestion management agencies, transit operators and community organizations. The Transportation Planning Program gave birth to the Canal Neighborhood Community -Based Transportation Plan. The cooperative approach continued with the formation of the Canalfront Advisory Committee, which enlisted local residents as well as government officials. The cooperative effort has been a success, according to most participants. "I think from the very beginning, the [San Rafael] community development agency was really conscientious in terms of including the Canal community and the voices of the residents," says Maite Duran, a member of the Canal Alliance and co- chair of the advisory committee. It's been a long process. Over the last 18 months, notes Duran, Canal residents have had significant opportunities to provide suggestions and requests. But the unique nature of the Canal community also has presented challenges that Duran says the city could consider, with an eye toward improving the concept of inclusive community planning. Among the principal challenges of creating a community-based design concept in the Canal is the irreducible fact that many residents do not speak fluent English, nor do they have a good understanding of planning and design language. (Even fluent English -speakers can stumble on the often -arcane concepts of zoning, transportation and community planning.) Spanish translation was available at some community meetings, says Duran. "Three or t sur big meetings took place in the Canal," she says, "and at those meetings, translation was available." Those were big -idea brainstorming sessions, she notes. And while the effort to provide translation was welcome, Duran wonders what will `happen when city officials get to policy-making decisions during focused sessions. "I think, just from my perspective, in order to really make an effort to include a wider number of community people in the meetings where decision-making is t king place, maybe more . translation should be included." http://www.pacificsun.com/news/story_print.php?story_id=1277 111/13/2009 Page 2 of 3 Duran and others involved in the Canal plan stress that the city has been doing a conscientious job of including the community in the process, but are concerned about bilingual communications. The Canalfront Plan seeks to make over the waterfront area as other cities have, attracting businesses and residential improvements and recreational opportunities. But the plan also acknowledges that many of the envisioned improvements require substantial funding—in a time of tightened federal, state and local budgets. Some funds are easier to find than others. The plan takes the broad concept and breaks it into bite -size chunks. And the first chunks it envisions would be the easiest to fund and construct. The larger -concept ideas are saved for later. Among the items on the let's -get -started agenda include changes to the Bay Trail alignment from Pickleweed Park to Third Street. The Bay Trail, which someday will offer an unbroken route that circles the water of San Francisco and San Pablo bays, runs along San Rafael; providing an improved route could be an advantage for trail walkers as well as for Canal residents and businesses. One of the most requested changes from Canal residents concerns the narrow sidewalks in the area. Residents rely on walking and public transportation more than those in most other Marin communities. Walking on narrow sidewalks to the San Rafael transportation hub or over to the schools on the north side of the water has been an ongoing concern. Community liaison Duran says, "A couple of ideas really resonated with the community. Building a bridge to join the two sides [across the water] was the most appealing for the whole community. It would be helpful for about 500 kids who [walk] to school, maybe 300 families." In 2007, San Rafael activist Jonathan Frieman joined activist Ted Posthuma in the effort to push for a new bridge across the canal. That has become part of the overall Canalfront Plan. Currently, in order to reach the north side of the water, Canal residents have to walk along the narrow sidewalks and then cross a narrow sidewalk on the Grand Avenue Bridge. It's a psychological as well as physical barrier between the Canal and San Rafael High (and other schools), the Montecito shopping center and other important destinations The Canalfront Plan recognizes the issues, and calls for improving the crossing at the Grand Avenue Bridge with a new structure. "The new bridge could be cantilevered off the existing bridge, or be a separate parallel bridge. This pedestrian/bicycle-only crossing should have places for people to enjoy the exceptional view of the waterway" Also in the mix has been talk of other spots along the canal at which bridges could be built. The issue has created concern among business owners and boaters, says Linda Jackson, the San Rafael planner who has guided the Canalfront process. Some business- and boat -owners "remain concerned that this plan is going to result in a taking of land for a public walkway along their property. And there's concern that a bridge would block boat traffic." That last concern should have been put to rest when the Coast Guard said federal law ensures that the city cannot build any structure that blocks water access. Jackson says those owners concerned about the possible taking of property for a paseo along the canal out to Pickleweed Park can be assured that the city will not act aggressively to seize a paseo route through eminent domain. "We just don't do that." Jackson says the city would, however, work with property owners to find cooperative solutions that could result in a paseo. The Canalfront Plan calls for working "with the community to identify and understand potential issues with redevelopment." In other words: As redevelopment projects present themselves, the city and the community and property owners can consider options that include a paseo along the canal. The concept of a paseo, with restaurants and benches and scenic rest stops, could be one of the most transformative ideas in the plan. Although the challenges to its creation are substantial, a paseo presents the opportunity to deal with a waterfront where businesses and buildings "turn their back on the water." Those are the words of Manuela King, a principal at Royston Hanamoto Alley & Abbey, the Mill Valley -based landscape design firm that created designs for the Canalfront Plan. King says a field trip to Petaluma showed people what's possible when a city opens its waterfront to a community. It invites recreation and business opportunity as well as an improved visual experience. The Canalfront Plan sees a paseo as an opportunity to explore the creative design for new public spaces, including a Beach Park Plan to maximize public access to a revitalized recreational center. Launch points for kayaks and other watercraft also could provide an additional attraction. The plan calls for exploring "opportunities to serve the larger communities, for vendors to provide boat rentals and/or lessons, for ways to enliven the area, and reasons for people to visit the park." But Duran cautions that Canal residents are concerned that creating the improvements called for in the plan might increase property values to the point that rents would increase and force them out of their homes. She also says that the http://www.pacifiesun.com/news/story print.php?story id=1277 11/13/2009 Page 3 of 3 idea to create a paseo and improved bicycle paths in the Canal area sounds good, as long the walkway and bike paths don't impinge on the already narrow sidewalks. An example of conflicting goals in the plan process was evident when the topic of bike lanes arose. Because little opportunity exists to widen streets to accommodate new bike access, an option surfaced to remove parking on one side of the street. The Canal, an already congested urban area, has inadequate parking, and residents met the idea of removing some of it with a resounding negative reaction. The Canal Advisory Committee rejected the idea. Residents do, however, heartily support the idea of widening sidewalks. Despite encountering sometimes -conflicting goals, the process of community planning has yielded a consensus. At one of the last community meetings during the summer, 80 percent of respondents to a poll said they found the plan acceptable or viewed it as exceptional, according to King. The very idea of a conceptual plan for the Canal recognizes a waterfront community that has been ill -served aesthetically. The plan calls for developing zoning recommendations "for height bonuses for crossing improvements and exceptional public amenities, changes to property development standards, and to the allowed uses to encourage desired development." In addition, the plan recognizes specific actions that could make an immediate improvement, including new lighting and other improvements under Highway 101 and establishing a public art program "that celebrates San Rafael's cultural heritage and/or natural environment to provide visual interest." That could be accomplished with relatively modest funding and be among the projects that can get off the ground most easily. "It's incremental," says Jackson. After one of the last meetings of the advisory committee, consensus arose on the suggestion that improving the Grand Avenue Bridge and the Beach Park, an area west of Grand Avenue that the city owns, should be among the first tasks the city tackles. Find this article at: http://www.pacificsun.com/news/story.php?story—id=l 277 http://www.pacificsun.com/news/story_rrint.php?story_id=1277 11/13/2009