HomeMy WebLinkAboutCAC 2019-04-11 MinutesCitizens Advisory Committee for Economic Development and Affordable Housing (CAC)
City of San Rafael
Third Floor Conference Room, City Hall
April 11, 2019
Meeting Summary Notes
CAC Members Present: Gladys Gilliland, Roger Smith, Andrea de La Fuente, Bill Carney,
Glenn Koorhan, Kati Miller, Dirck Brinckerhoff, Andrew Naja-Riese
City Staff Present: Bill Guerin, Simon Vuong
Members of the Public Present: Chris Hart
1. Call to order: Mr. Carney, Chair, called the CAC meeting to order at 7:01 PM
2. Approval of Meeting Notes: Minutes approved as submitted.
3. Presentation – 3rd Street Rehabilitation, North SR Promenade, and other Public Works
Updates – Bill Guerin (Public Works): Mr. Guerin, Public Works Director, presented an
overview of the City’s efforts to improve traffic signals and pedestrian count downs, as well as a
variety of other Public Works updates. Mr. Guerin described the 3rd Street Rehabilitation Project
to resurface the street from Lindaro St. to Miracle Mile, to install bulbouts, and to shorten
crossing distances. Related improvements include linking BioMarin and Whistlestop to 4th
Street, narrowing the traffic lanes from G Street to Shaver, widening sidewalks in the West End,
and improving the sidewalks near Jack in the Box.
CAC members discussed street conditions that are safe for bicycling and a variety of
circumstances for bicycling in the street versus on paths. CAC members asked Mr. Guerin for
the rationale to widen the sidewalks in the West End. He responded that they provide a better
bicycle path than riding in the street. Improvements at G Street will especially benefit children
who ride their bicycles from Sun Valley to Davidson Middle School. The CAC also discussed
other ways to create safer traffic patterns at the 4th Street and Miracle Mile connection. Several
members recommended a roundabout or “T” intersection in this location.
The 3rd Street Rehabilitation Project is anticipated to take 18 months to complete with funding
from the Transportation Authority of Marin. The goal of the Project is to create a safer and more
efficient corridor for vehicles, pedestrians and bicyclists. Eventually, it will extend from Grand St.
to the intersection with 4th Street near the Miracle Mile. Additional improvements may include
transit and traffic flow improvements, curb ramp construction, striping, signal modifications, and
further pedestrian and bicycle circulation enhancements. The private developers of the multiple
projects on 3rd Street (e.g., BioMarin and Seagate) are also obliged to repair or update
sidewalks and intersections near their properties.
The CAC shared a variety of opinions, including concerns related to the availability of parking on
3rd Street, the need for bicycle lanes, and inquired about the incidence of bicycle-car collisions.
CAC members asked how the changes to 3rd Street, particularly 12-foot wide sidewalks, will
impact the transportation flow. Mr. Guerin said the same number of lanes would be maintained.
A discussion of streets that are safest for bicycling ensued, and several CAC members shared
that they prefer to ride their bicycles on 5th Avenue given the alternatives.
Merrydale North Promenade Improvement Project: Mr. Guerin described private plans to
convert the Toscalito auto shop to retail, and highlighted the City’s plans to develop a 12-foot
wide pathway from the Northgate Promenade to the Civic Center SMART station so that
commuters can safely walk to or ride bicycles to the station. The City is also proposing options
to provide parking spaces along Merrydale as part of the project, along with a no parking option
since the local community has objected to parking. CAC members were in agreement that
parking would be desirable. Some CAC members also remarked that we should be inclusive of
electric vehicle parking spots, as well as installing bike-share facilities like the FordGoBikes.
Action: The CAC agreed to draft a letter to the City Council expressing support for parking at the
Merrydale North Promenade.
Other Projects: Mr. Guerin shared brief updates on other Public Works projects, including the
construction of portions of SMART’s downtown multi-use path and efforts to fund the remaining
portions. In addition, several improvements are underway on Francisco Boulevard East and in
the Canal, including a new bridge and sidewalk connections planned to be open around
Memorial Day. One CAC member asked about the idea of adding an addional bridge over the
Canal furher to the east. Mr. Guerin responded that this was studied years ago, but was found
to be too expensive.
CAC Members thanked Mr. Guerin for his presentation and many informative updates.
4. Presentation – Cannabis Policy Update & New Businesses – Simon Vuong (Economic
Development): Mr. Voung shared an overview of the City’s new Cannabis policies. In Early
2018, the City Council adopted a pilot program for medical cannabis and at the beginning of
March, amended the ordinance to allow for adult recreational use by existing licenses. The
ordinance allows for delivery of cannabis products and development of infused products, but no
cannabis cultivation or retail store fronts are allowed. To date, there are 11 active temporary
licenses, broken down into 5 delivery, 5 infused, and 1 distribution. The CAC discussed the
importance of cannabis to economic development in San Rafael. Mr. Vouong responded that
the City has chosen to take advantage of added tax revenues through the licensing program.
New businesses: Most of the new businesses are on 4th Street. Mr. Vuong highlighted Wine &
Design, Bogie’s Too, and TKT, a new restaurant in the West End interested in on-street dining.
CAC members thanked Mr. Vuong for his detailed updates.
5. Project Updates
a. 88 Vivian St (68 for-sale townhomes) – No updates.
b. 703 3rd St. (Seagate—120 apartments/969 sf retail) – Going to Design Review Board on May
7th.
c. 999 3rd St. (Biomarin/Whistlestop—207,000 sf commercial/67 senior units): No updates.
d. 1001 4th St. (Goldstone—retail and housing) – The developer is still working on exclusive
negotiation agreement to purchase City property. They are also conducting a second public
survey.
e. 1201 Fifth Ave. (140-room hotel) – Going to Planning Commission on April 24th.
f. Northgate Walk (136 condominiums) – The project should be going back to Design Review
Board on May 21st.
g. Downtown Transit Center – No updates.
h. Just Cause & Mandatory Mediation (discuss 3/24/19 letter to CAC) – The CAC agreed to ask
Danielle O’Leary to forward the letter they received to the City Council..
i. Others – None reported.
6. General Plan Update – Barry Miller, the General Plan Consultant, is coordinating from May
8th – 11th, series of public forums and design charrettes related to the development of a
downtown precise plan. The CAC will attend a walking tour and presentation rather than its
normal May meeting. Mr. Miller will be invited back to the CAC in the summer.
7. Public Comment on Non-Agenda Items: None.
8. Suggestions for future agenda items: None.
The CAC will meet next on Thursday, June 6th. Due to the July meeting occurring on
Independence Day, we will postpone our July meeting until the 11th.
9. Adjournment: Meeting was adjourned at 9:07 pm.
Respectfully submitted by Andrew Naja-Riese