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Agenda Item No:
Date: June 15, 2009
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
Department: Community Development
Prepared by: Robert M. Brown (LJ) City Manager Approval:
SUBJECT: Resolution authorizing the submittal of an application to designate the Civic Center/North
San Rafael Town Center as a Priority Development Area as part of the Association of Bay Area
Governments FOCUS program. (P09-004)
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the submittal of an application
to the Association of Bay Area Governments for PDA designation for the Civic Center/North San Rafael
Town Center.
BACKGROUND: In 2006, the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) began the FOCUS
program, described as "a regional incentive -based development and conservation strategy for the Bay
Area." In the FOCUS program, local governments identify areas for a Priority Development Areas (PDA)
designation. PDAs are eligible for existing and future financial assistance for planning and infrastructure
improvements. According to ABAG, $7.5 million has been made available to PDAs for planning grants,
and $10 million in additional grants will be available in coming years.
In 2008, San Rafael submitted an application and received approval of a PDA designation for Downtown
San Rafael. ABAG has initiated a third call for PDA applications.
Given the potential for funding of infrastructure improvements in a PDA, staff recommends applying for
a PDA designation for the "Civic Center/North San Rafael Town Center." The PDA area is centered
around the Civic Center SMART station, and includes office, Marin County Civic Center, a frontage
road to Highway 101 with a mix of single -story commercial, educational and apartment uses, a single-
family neighborhood, Guide Dogs for the Blind, a cemetery and two shopping centers.
The PDA designation will help make San Rafael eligible to receive a station area planning grant for the
new Civic Center SMART station. The planning grant would study needed infrastructure improvements
for pedestrian and bicycle access, parking, security and other amenities, as well as land use opportunities
and design guidelines.
The PDA application to ABAG requires the adoption of the attached resolution (Exhibit A) indicating the
Council's interest in achieving a PDA designation.
FISCAL IMPACT: There is no fiscal impact. With a PDA designation, the City would be eligible to apply
for grant funding for planning and infrastructure improvements in the PDA area.
FOR CITY CLERK ONLY
File No.:
Council Meeting:
Disposition:
ACTION REQUIRED: Adopt the resolution authorizing the submittal of an application to designate the
Civic Center/North San Rafael Town Center as a Priority Development Area as part of the Association of
Bay Area Governments FOCUS program.
Encls.: Resolution
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN
RAFAEL AUTHORIZING THE SUBMITTAL OF AN APPLICATION TO
DESIGNATE CIVIC CENTER/NORTH SAN RAFAEL TOWN CENTER
AS A PRIORITY DEVELOPMENT AREA AS PART OF THE
ASSOCIATION OF BAY AREA GOVERNMENTS FOCUS PROGRAM
WHEREAS, the Association of Bay Area Governments and the Metropolitan
Transportation Commission in coordination with the Bay Area Air Quality Management District
and Bay Conservation and Development Commission (collectively, the "regional agencies") are
undertaking a regional planning initiative called FOCUS; and
WHEREAS, FOCUS program goals support a future regional development pattern that
is compact and connected; and
WHEREAS, the regional agencies seek local government partners to create a specific
and shared concept of where growth can be accommodated (priority development area) and what
areas need protection (priority conservation area) in the region; and
WHEREAS, a priority development area must meet all of the following criteria: (a)
within an existing community, (b) near existing or planned fixed transit (or served by
comparable bus service) and (c) is planned, or is planning, for more housing; and
WHEREAS, local governments in the nine county San Francisco Bay Area are eligible
to apply for designation of an area within their community as a priority development area; and
WHEREAS, the regional agencies are committed to securing incentives and providing
technical assistance to designated priority development areas so that positive change can be
achieved in communities working to advance focused growth.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN RAFAEL DOES
RESOLVE, DETERMINE AND ORDER AS FOLLOWS:
4
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The City Council of the City of San Rafael authorizes submitting an application to
designate the Civic Center/North San Rafael Town Center a priority development area, as shown
on Attachment A.
I, Esther C. Beirne, Clerk of the City of San Rafael, hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution
was duly and regularly introduced and adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council of the
City of San Rafael, held on Monday, the 15t' of June, 2009, by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: Councilmembers:
NOES: Councilmembers:
ABSENT: Councilmembers:
Esther C. Beirne, City Clerk
i
Attachment A: Civic Center/North San Rafael Town Center Priority Development Area
Legend
Civic Center
SMART Station Rural Residential
Industria[
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City Boundiuies Multi -Family Residential
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Mixed Use
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Im Office Commercial
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Retail Commercial
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