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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCAC 2018-06-07 AgendaJune 7, 2018 CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING THIRD FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM, CITY HALL 7:00 P.M. AGENDA 1. Call to Order 2. Approval of April 4 Meeting Notes 3. Seagate Properties Presentation 4. Project Updates a. BioMarin/Whistlestop b. Transit Center and Station Areas c. General Plan progress d. Others 5. Public comment on non-agenda items 6. Suggestions for Future Agenda Items 7. Adjournment Citizens Advisory Committee for Economic Development and Affordable Housing (CAC) City of San Rafael Third Floor Conference Room, City Hall April 4, 2018 Meeting Summary Notes CAC Members Present: Kati Miller, Bill Carney, Gladys Gilliland, Andrew Naja-Riese, Dirck Brinckerhoff, Bill O’Connell, Glenn Koorhan, Andrea de la Fuente, Mari Jones City Staff Present: Danielle O’Leary, Paul Jensen, Simon Vuong Members of the Public: Kiki La Porta, Greg Brockbank Guest Presenters: David Ludwig 1. Call to order: Mr. Carney, Chair, called the CAC meeting to order at 7:02 pm. 2. Approval of March 1, 2018 Meeting Summary Notes: Approved as submitted. 3. Update on selection of New CAC members & New Economic Development Coordinator: The CAC welcomed its two newest members: Andrea de la Fuente and Mari Jones, and the new Economic Development Coordinator for the City, Simon Vuong. Congratulations to all! 4. Project Updates a. BioMarin/Whistlestop (approve CAC letter): As a follow-up to the previous CAC meeting’s BioMarin/WhistleStop presentation, the CAC discussed its draft letter in support of the project or submission to the City Council. In review of the letter, one CAC member suggested that the last two sentences needed improvement. The recommended re-write was as follow with new text emphasized in bold: The benefits to the city include significant new employment, more pedestrian activity downtown, and the transformation of long vacant land into productive use. The retention of BioMarin as an anchor of San Rafael’s economy is of great importance, and the expansion of its campus helps integrate the office and retail portions of our downtown. However, additional information and analysis on parking from BioMarin is needed to assure that current and future access needs are met. The Whistlestop/Eden Housing portion of the development likewise retains a valued downtown institution, complementing Whistlestop’s senior center with much needed affordable housing. CAC heard discussion on an additional floor of housing and recommends such an additional story to increase the total number of senior housing units, within the height limits established for the overall project. CAC members approved the letter with the changes indicated. b. Seagate Properties: Paul Jensen, Community Development Director, provided an update on the Seagate project. Seagate went through conceptual review of its first generation of drawings that received appreciable negative feedback. In particular, the building was viewed as overpowering the site area and too modern for Marin county taste. The revised proposal calls for 120 housing units atop parking and some retail, along with a bicycle center. One CAC member expressed deep concern that the changes in the design features led to an unintended consequence of losing 40 housing units. CAC has invited Seagate to a future meeting to discuss the project. c. Transit Center and Station Areas: Work is underway on determining the location and design of the replacement transit center in downtown San Rafael. Some CAC members are involved with the providing input, and Golden Gate Transit Bridge District is conducting a survey for public feedback. There will be a total of 4 public meetings (one has already occurred) with an expectation there will be preferred alternatives available in September. CAC members also discussed housing opportunities within the context of the station area plan. d. Marin Square: Sutter has decided to put Marin Square on the market and held 2 developer meetings with 20+ attendees per meeting. The site includes mixed use commercial and residential space. Possible impact on future freeway connector ramps was discussed. e. Lincoln & Mission: The proposed development has shifted from condos to assisted living. The CAC members had mixed reactions to this change; some felt this is prime real estate in relation to the transit center – a missed opportunity if residents of assisted living may not be needing transit. However, other CAC members felt that employees at the center will need transit, so the location will cater to their commuting needs. f. 4th & A Corners Pilot project: Chair Carney and CAC Member Kati Miller participated in an Economic Development Subcommittee meeting and discussed previously expressed concerns about the project. The next step is taking the project to the Design Review Board and the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee. One CAC member asked how the City will measure success in the project. Director O’Leary responded that the plan is to conduct street intercept surveys and receive feedback from the Business Improvement District and local residents. g. Other Projects: CAC will learn more from the Goldstone project and their purchase of Lootens’ garage at a future presentation from the developer 5. New State Affordable Housing Laws: Director Paul Jensen presented an update on what he described as a banner year on housing legislation with close to 20 State affordable housing bills. Director Jensen provided the attached synopsis of the bills for CAC discussion with commentary on impacts to the City (note: SB refers to Senate Bill and AB refers to Assembly Bill.) • SB2: Signed and law in effect. The City supported this bill. The bill creates a permanent source of funds for affordable housing to make-up for the dissolving of Redevelopment Agencies. • SB3: Signed and law in effect. This bill places a $4 billion housing bond on the November 2018 Ballot. The City supported the bill. • SB35: Signed and law in effect. This bill (in conjunction with SB 879) mandates every local jurisdiction to use a checklist of “objective planning standards” for residential projects with 2 or more units near major transit, if developers pay prevailing wage for construction. The City opposed this bill, but will now be mandated to develop a set of objective planning standards, for instance on setbacks or parking. • AB 1505: Signed and law in effect. The City was happy about this bill because it overturns Palmer v. City of Los Angeles so that local jurisdictions could now require inclusionary housing for rental projects. • AB 678, SB 167, AB 1515: Signed and law in effect. The City opposed these bills, which strengthen anti-NIMBY laws. These bills limit local jurisdictions’ ability to deny housing developments that are consistent with the local General Plan unless specific findings are made. As of a result of the bills, the City Planning Division must comply with timelines for providing developers of a housing project with a list of inconsistencies with the local General Plan and zoning standards within 30-60 days after the application is deemed complete. • SB 540, AB 73: Workforce housing opportunity bills are signed and laws are in effect. The law is discretionary, and it’s another planning tool that would ‘streamline’ the environmental impact review process. • AB 1397, SB 166: Bills signed and laws in effect. The laws may require the City to conduct a detailed review of its General Plan 2020 Housing Element to ensure there is an adequate cushion for the number of housing units by income levels. • AB 72, SB 879: Bills signed and laws in effect: Allow state Housing and Community Development to revoke local Housing Element compliance for inconsistent actions. • AB 1521: Bill passed and laws in effect. Expiring Affordability Restrictions - Requires either housing developer or non-profit with deed-restricted housing to inform tenants if deed restriction is due to sunset. San Rafael has projects coming up on 30, 40 year time limit. Tenants can either buy unit for sale or find new location. • AB 571: City of San Rafael has no Farmworker Housing, so this bill does not apply. • AB 494, SB 229: Bill passed and law in effect. This bill allows for greater opportunity for cities to build second units (accessory dwellings). Following state code, in the past year, City has approved 32 accessory dwelling units – this is seen as “low-hanging fruit” for the county. Previously, permitting and utility connection cost was a barrier. • SB 827: This Transit-Rich Housing bill was introduced and would have a dramatic impact on the City as many areas would meet the criteria of “transit-rich housing.” The City had submitted a letter in opposition. [Secretary’s note: Subsequently, the Bill died in committee]. • SB 828 - RHNA Rollover Bill – This bill was introduced and would require that State Housing and Community Development would address underproduction of housing by completing a comprehensive assessment of unmet housing need for each region. The City has submitted a letter opposing the bill because when the City does not meet its housing number, it would have to rollover that remainder to the next period. Cities would have to plan for 200% housing allocation for every income level in its Housing Element. 6. Presentation on Tiny Homes: Architect David Ludwig presented the concept of tiny houses and what it could mean for San Rafael. For instance, tiny houses could be considered in alignment with the City’s requirements for accessory dwelling units. Tiny house communities are popping up around California. On average, the design concept is 450 square foot of living space sometimes including outdoor porch areas. The construction cost is approximately $60,000 to build, and owners can build their own homes. The CAC and a member of the public discussed ways that tiny houses could offer a solution to address homelessness as the smaller-sized homes would be affordable and less than what cities have to pay per person for chronic homelessness. Tiny homes could also be used to produce workforce housing for teachers or paramedics. One member of the public remarked that tiny homes can also address some of the issues surrounding racial discrimination and promote equality by ensuring housing for all. 7. Public comment on non-agenda items: None 8. Suggestions for Future Agenda Items: • Seagate Properties • Goldstone project • Update on General Plan • San Rafael Green Initiatives • Climate Change Action Plan • North San Pedro Committee concerns • Mobile Housing • Renter Protection policy • Update on new businesses/restaurants in downtown San Rafael 9. Meeting Adjourned at 9:05 pm. Respectfully submitted, Andrew Naja-Riese