HomeMy WebLinkAboutCD Special Study Session Discussion Regarding Downtown Precise Plan Options PPTDowntown San Rafael Precise Plan | City Council Study Session –Downtown Options | October 7th, 2019 1
City Council Study Session:
Downtown Options
Downtown San Rafael
Precise Plan
October 7th, 2019 OPTIC05
Downtown San Rafael Precise Plan | City Council Study Session –Downtown Options | October 7th, 2019 2
Contents
1Introduction
2Progress to Date
3Community Feedback
4Illustrative Plan + Sub-Areas
5Multimodal Street Framework
6Development Program + Phasing
7Next Steps
Downtown San Rafael Precise Plan | City Council Study Session –Downtown Options | October 7th, 2019 3
1. Introduction
Downtown San Rafael Precise Plan | City Council Study Session –Downtown Options | October 7th, 2019 4
Downtown Precise Plan
The Precise Plan is a continuation of
previous and ongoing Downtown
planning efforts including:
§Downtown Station Area Plan (2012)
§Good Design Guidelines for
Downtown (2017)
§San Rafael Bicycle & Pedestrian
Master Plan (2018)
§Downtown Parking and Wayfinding
Study (2018)
§San Rafael Transit Center
Replacement Project (ongoing)
§Third Street Rehabilitation Project
(ongoing)
What is the Precise Plan?
§A 16-month planning effort led by City staff to develop a
2040 Vision for Downtown San Rafael, guided by active
community input at all key stages.
What will the Precise Plan do?
§Assess previous planning efforts.
§Analyze current Downtown conditions and identify
development opportunities.
§Establish a Downtown Vision for the next 20 years with
zoning-level development standards and design direction
for architectural quality, streetscape design, and historic
preservation.
Downtown San Rafael Precise Plan | City Council Study Session –Downtown Options | October 7th, 2019 5
Precise Plan Study Area
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1E StreetA StreetC Street4th Street
3rd Street
2nd Street Lincoln Ave.LindaroStreetThe Precise Plan project area covers
approximately 265 acres and includes most
of the Downtown PDA, the West End Village
and the Montecito Commercial Area.
Downtown San Rafael Precise Plan | City Council Study Session –Downtown Options | October 7th, 2019 6
2. Progress to Date
Downtown San Rafael Precise Plan | City Council Study Session –Downtown Options | October 7th, 2019 7
Precise Plan milestones to date
January 30th 2019
March 13th 2019 +
April 10th 2019
April 12th 2019
May 2nd 2019 +
May 8th 2019
May 8th –11th 2019
June 10th 2019
Project Kick-Off
General Plan Steering Committee Presentations:
Visioning + Prioritization Exercises
Visioning Pop-Up Workshop at 2nd Friday Art Walk
Focus Group Meetings with Downtown
Stakeholders
Multi-Day Design Charrette: Opening + Closing
Presentations, Brown Bags, Open Studio
Downtown Profile Report
Downtown San Rafael Precise Plan | City Council Study Session –Downtown Options | October 7th, 2019 8
Precise Plan milestones to date
August 16th 2019
August 29th 2019
September 10th 2019
September 27th 2019
October 7th 2019
Draft Downtown Options Report
Downtown Options Pop-Up at Thursday Farmer’s
Market
Study session with Planning Commission
Final Downtown Options Report
Study session with City Council
Downtown San Rafael Precise Plan | City Council Study Session –Downtown Options | October 7th, 2019 9
3. Community Feedback
Downtown San Rafael Precise Plan | City Council Study Session –Downtown Options | October 7th, 2019 10
Key takeaways
Community Support for:
§Infill and reinvestment in
Downtown, focusing on key
Opportunity Sites such as the
Bettini Transit Station Area
§Encouraging residential mixed-use
development
§Maintaining existing and creating
new public space
§Preserving and integrating
important historical buildings such
as Whistlestop
Downtown San Rafael Precise Plan | City Council Study Session –Downtown Options | October 7th, 2019 11
Design Principles
1.Focus development at key nodes to establish a distinct Downtown experience
and identity
2.Reinforce gateways and design the Transit Station to create a sense of arrival
3.Strengthen multimodal connectivity, prioritizing pedestrian and bicycle safety
and access
4.Create a cohesive public realm through an interconnected network of civic spaces
5.Generate a development program and policies that support City goals related to TOD,
mixed-use development, affordable housing, and jobs-housing balance
6.Recommend growth and adaptation strategies that are resilient to climate change, in
particular sea-level rise
Downtown San Rafael Precise Plan | City Council Study Session –Downtown Options | October 7th, 2019 12
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1A StreetB Street4th Street
3rd Street
2nd Street Lincoln Ave.LindaroStreet1. Focus development at key nodes
Downtown nodes C Street5th Ave.Tamalpais Ave.Grand Ave.E StreetD Street-.... •
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5th Ave.Grand Ave.Tamalpais Ave.H
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1E StreetA StreetC Street4th Street
3rd Street
2nd Street Lincoln Ave.LindaroStreet2. Reinforce gateways + sense of arrival
Existing public open space
Bike-ped network
Vehicular network
Potential gateways
5th Ave.D StreetGrand Ave.
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3. Strengthen multimodal connectivity
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1C StreetA Street4th Street
3rd Street
2nd Street HethertonStreetLindaroStreetD StreetE Street5th Ave.
4th Street
•Grand Ave.Lincoln Ave.Irwin StreetB StreetExisting public open spaces
Circulation network
Barriers to connectivity
Downtown San Rafael Precise Plan | City Council Study Session –Downtown Options | October 7th, 2019 15
4. Create a cohesive public realm
Bike-ped priority network
Community/ civic/ religious
institutions
Existing public open spaces
Potential new public/ publicly
accessible open spaces
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1C StreetA Street4th Street
3rd Street
2nd Street HethertonStreetLindaroStreetD StreetE Street5th Ave.
4th Street
•Grand Ave.Lincoln Ave.TamlapaisAve.B Street"""'" I
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Downtown San Rafael Precise Plan | City Council Study Session –Downtown Options | October 7th, 2019 16
5. Development program + policies
A development program
that supports:
§Transit-oriented
development
§A mixed-use Downtown
§Greater housing access and
affordability
§Improving the City’s jobs-
housing balance
A visualization of a mixed-use, pedestrian-scaled environment
Downtown San Rafael Precise Plan | City Council Study Session –Downtown Options | October 7th, 2019 17
6. Climate change + sea level rise
Adaptation strategies that
respond to:
§Climate change and sea
level rise
§Development standards for
resiliency at both building
and district level
Map showing 2050 sea level rise + 100-year
storm scenario for the Downtown Area
Source: ESRI, 2017; FEMA, 2016; City of San Rafael,
2019: Placeworks, 2019
Building
Footprints
1111 Parks and Open
Space
~ Parcels
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Albe~t Par ~o.-
Downtown San Rafael Precise Plan | City Council Study Session –Downtown Options | October 7th, 2019 18
4. Illustrative Plan + Sub-Areas
Downtown San Rafael Precise Plan | City Council Study Session –Downtown Options | October 7th, 2019 19
Four sub-areas in Downtown
Four Downtown sub-areas
recognize differences in form and
character, and suggest potential
phasing for implementation.
The vision for each sub-area has the
following goals:
§Reinforce the existing character of
various Downtown areas and their
distinct roles within Downtown
§Create variety and interest while
adding to overall Downtown
identity
§Establish a hierarchy of form and
intensity of use to improve
wayfinding, reinforce a sense of
place and protect views
III. West End
Village
II. Downtown
Core
I. Transit Station
Area
IV. Montecito
Area
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Downtown illustrative plan
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1E St.A St.CSt.4th St.
3rd St.
2nd St.Lincoln Ave.LindaroSt.B St.5th Ave.DSt.4th St.
3rd St.Tamalpais Ave.Grand Ave.
Downtown San Rafael Precise Plan | City Council Study Session –Downtown Options | October 7th, 2019 21
Sub-Area 1
Transit Station
Area
Downtown San Rafael Precise Plan | City Council Study Session –Downtown Options | October 7th, 2019 22
5th Ave.
4
1.Transit-oriented development integrates
historic Whistlestop building
2.New SMART station public plaza extends
north till 5th Avenue, links to the new 4th
Street Shared Street; wayfinding
strategies for orienting visitors
3.Bettini Transit Center relocation: several
options currently under review
4.Traffic calming and enhanced bicycle
facilities improve bicycle and pedestrian
connectivity on 3rd and 4th Streets
5.New mixed-use buildings with active
ground floor uses enliven sidewalks and
the new transit center plaza
6.Small-lot infill development provides
additional housing close to transit
7.Podium and detached buildings fill in
Ritter Street and provide a direct
connection from BioMarin to downtown
Illustrative plan
1
5
2 3
7
5
6
4
4
Lincoln Ave.LindaroSt.4th St.
3rd St.Tamalpais Ave.A St.General study area for
relocating Bettini Transit
Center. Several design
options are currently
under review
Downtown San Rafael Precise Plan | City Council Study Session –Downtown Options | October 7th, 2019 23
Today, the SMART station area lacks
sufficient public open space to
accommodate transit riders and others
entering downtown. Although the area is an
entry point for both traffic from the
highway and those using SMART and the
bus depot, its built form does not currently
provide a gateway experience.
Underutilized land along the rail lines and
south of 2nd Street provides an opportunity
to envision infill development that could
support a more vibrant activity node at this
location.
The transit station area sits between the 4th
Street corridor and the neighborhoods east
of Highway 101, including the Canal District.
Currently, there is poor pedestrian and
bicycle connectivity between these
neighborhoods and districts. The transit
station area offers an opportunity to
address this lack of connectivity.
Transit Plaza (existing)
Downtown San Rafael Precise Plan | City Council Study Session –Downtown Options | October 7th, 2019 24
The proposed Transit Plaza includes the
following components:
1.A public space adjacent to the rail line,
extending from the SMART station
across 4th Street, integrating the
historic Whistlestop building as an
iconic feature
2.An activity node with with amenities,
streetscape improvements, and space
for community activities that serves as
a gateway feature at a major entrance
to Downtown
3.New mixed-use development with
active ground floor uses
4.Traffic calming and bicycle facilities
along 4th Street, transformation of the
existing street to a Shared Street
Transit Plaza (proposed)
2
3
4
1
Downtown San Rafael Precise Plan | City Council Study Session –Downtown Options | October 7th, 2019 25
Sub-Area 2
Downtown
Core
Downtown San Rafael Precise Plan | City Council Study Session –Downtown Options | October 7th, 2019 26
1.A portion of 4th Street is reconstructed
with a paving pattern designating it as
a pedestrian-friendly, traffic-calmed
shared street, extending from the
transit plaza to the downtown core
2.Pedestrian-friendly design promotes
north-south connectivity across 3rd
Street
3.New ground-floor development lines
existing parking garages, providing
active ground-floor uses
4.Pipeline projects and additional
proposed development on opportunity
sites throughout the downtown core
provide new employment
opportunities and housing options
5.Small-lot infill development integrates a
variety of building types suited to
Downtown’s context
Illustrative plan
1
4
3
4
5
2
4th St.
3rd St.A St.B St.C St.D St.E St.5th Ave.
2nd St.
Downtown San Rafael Precise Plan | City Council Study Session –Downtown Options | October 7th, 2019 27
Currently, the Downtown core has the
potential to introduce new housing, both to
take advantage of proximity to amenities
and transit and to help enliven the area.
Vacant and underutilized parcels offer
promising opportunity sites for new
development.
Pedestrians and cyclists currently face
obstacles in unsafe or uncomfortable
crossings at 2nd and 3rd Streets.
The Downtown core has an opportunity to
strengthen its identity as the main
destination for residents in the surrounding
neighborhoods.
Downtown Core (existing)
Downtown San Rafael Precise Plan | City Council Study Session –Downtown Options | October 7th, 2019 28
The proposed improvements to the
downtown core include the following
components:
1.Improved public space along 4th Street
that includes a network of open spaces
along a shared street environment
2.New mixed-use development to
support the active environment along
4th Street, enlivening the pedestrian
realm and serving the retail and service
needs of residents and visitors
3.Streetscape enhancements, including
wide sidewalks, street trees, and public
art
4.4th Street transformed into a Shared
Street
Downtown Core (proposed)
2
3
4
1
Downtown San Rafael Precise Plan | City Council Study Session –Downtown Options | October 7th, 2019 29
Sub-Area 3
West End
Village
Downtown San Rafael Precise Plan | City Council Study Session –Downtown Options | October 7th, 2019 30
1.New residential development includes a
variety of housing types that reinforce
the unique identity of the West End,
responding to the existing form and
scale of the neighborhood while
providing additional housing choice
2.Pedestrian and bicycle improvements
prioritized on 2nd and 4th Streets help
connect this area to the Downtown core
and Transit Station area
3.New development at the western edge
of downtown helps create a gateway
experience that indicates a special
downtown environment
4.New neighborhood-scale public space,
such as a pocket park, serves
surrounding residents and activates the
4th Street corridor
Illustrative plan
3 2
4
1
2G St.2nd St.
3rd St.
4th St.
5th Ave.F St.Latham St.1
Downtown San Rafael Precise Plan | City Council Study Session –Downtown Options | October 7th, 2019 31
The current streetscape has ”missing
teeth”, where the sidewalk is not spatially
contained or met with active uses.
The West End Village contains a residential
neighborhood between 3rd and 4th Streets
with a unique character in downtown. The
neighborhood lacks small-scale public
outdoor gathering places to serve these
residents. While larger parks are nearby,
neighborhood-scale amenities are missing.
Some parcels are used for purposes that
are not the highest and best use of land in
this location, such as surface parking lots
and a retail center with parking in front. This
area is not very well served by transit, and
will need future improvements; with some
parking provisions in the near term.
West End Village (existing)
Downtown San Rafael Precise Plan | City Council Study Session –Downtown Options | October 7th, 2019 32
The proposed improvements to the West
End Village include the following
components:
1.New mixed-use buildings with active
ground floor uses
2.Streetscape improvements and
sidewalk amenities like street furniture,
outdoor seating for restaurants and
cafes, awnings and canopies for shade,
and bicycle storage
3.A neighborhood-scale public open
space such as a pocket park
4.Improved bicycle facilities along 2nd
Street and 4th Street
West End Village (proposed)
3
1
4
1
2
Downtown San Rafael Precise Plan | City Council Study Session –Downtown Options | October 7th, 2019 33
Sub-Area 4
Montecito
Area
Downtown San Rafael Precise Plan | City Council Study Session –Downtown Options | October 7th, 2019 34
1.Extension of street network into the existing
Montecito Plaza, subdividing shopping
center into a series of streets and blocks
2.New block-form mixed-use buildings with
active ground floor uses provide housing
and employment options in proximity to the
transit center
3.Smaller-scale infill with Missing Middle
building types (multi-family units in house-
form buildings) on smaller opportunity sites
4.Buildings adjacent to the canal are oriented
towards the water and an improved
waterfront promenade resilient to sea-level
rise
5.New public space includes a new public
plaza framing a view of the canal, with an
opportunity for canal improvements, water
access, and water-related recreation
Illustrative plan
1
2
3
4
5
4th St.
3rd St.
2nd St.Irwin St.Grand Ave.Mary St.
Downtown San Rafael Precise Plan | City Council Study Session –Downtown Options | October 7th, 2019 35
The Montecito area is located between the canal,
San Rafael High School, and Highway 101. The
western blocks adjacent to the highway contain
retail and services and some housing. The eastern
blocks contain large-scale auto-oriented uses,
including a Whole Foods Market and Montecito
Plaza, a large shopping center that is set back from
3rd Street up to 250’ behind a surface parking lot.
A new bicycle and pedestrian bridge at Grand
Avenue connects this area to the Canal District and
other neighborhoods. However, the area lacks
active frontages and adequate bicycle or
pedestrian infrastructure that would contribute to
connectivity within the Montecito area.
The waterfront is minimally engaged by Montecito
Plaza. Two pedestrian passages between buildings
provide access to the canal, and there is a publicly
accessible path along most of the water, but
currently the buildings of Montecito Plaza use this
path for service functions and it is not attractive or
welcoming for the public.
Montecito Area (existing)
Downtown San Rafael Precise Plan | City Council Study Session –Downtown Options | October 7th, 2019 36
5. Multimodal Street Framework
Downtown San Rafael Precise Plan | City Council Study Session –Downtown Options | October 7th, 2019 37
Street
Prioritization
Downtown San Rafael Precise Plan | City Council Study Session –Downtown Options | October 7th, 2019 38
Street framework + prioritization
Auto priority
Transit priority
Bike priority
Pedestrian priority
Transit facilities
Intersection improvements
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1E St.C St.4th St.
3rd St.
2nd St.Lincoln Ave.LindaroSt.Tamalpais Ave.B St.5th Ave.HethertonSt.D St.Irwin St.Grand Ave.A St.----------
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Downtown San Rafael Precise Plan | City Council Study Session –Downtown Options | October 7th, 2019 39
One-way streets
The primary east-west
vehicular traffic is on the
Second and Third Street
couplet.
Hetherton and Irwin
Streets also act as a one-
way couplet feeding US-
101.
Within Downtown, B, C and
D are north-south one-way
streets that can be
converted to two-way, for
better circulation and
wayfinding.
Bettini Transit
Center
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Downtown San Rafael Precise Plan | City Council Study Session –Downtown Options | October 7th, 2019 40
6. Program + Phasing
Downtown San Rafael Precise Plan | City Council Study Session –Downtown Options | October 7th, 2019 41
Program
+ Phasing
Downtown San Rafael Precise Plan | City Council Study Session –Downtown Options | October 7th, 2019 42
Development capacity
Residential
2,362,500 sf potential new
residential BUA
~2,250 new DUs @ 1,050 sf
average unit size
Non-residential
518,000 sf potential new non-
residential BUA
~1,480 jobs @ 1 job per 350 sf
(gross BUA)
West End Village
378,000 sf res.
360 new DUs
70,000 sf non-res.
200 new jobs
Downtown Core
708,750 sf res.
675 new DUs
169,750 sf non-res.
485 new jobs
Transit Station Area
908,250 sf res.
865 new DUs
143,500 sf non-res.
410 new jobs
Montecito Area
367,500 sf res.
350 new DUs
134,750 sf non-res.
385 new jobs
Downtown San Rafael Precise Plan | City Council Study Session –Downtown Options | October 7th, 2019 43
Program + phasing: things to consider
1.How much development should the Plan recommend?
ABAG projections
Target jobs-housing numbers
from ABAG
~1,000 new units
~900 new jobs
PDA analysis
Match development to site
capacity
~1,325 to 2,800 new units
~1,300 new jobs
Current analysis
Lot testing of opportunity
sites in Precise Plan area
~2,250 new units
~1,480 new jobs
2.How quickly should development happen?
Should the phasing focus on the near-term (0 –10 years) or incrementally (0 -20 years)?
3.Where should development happen across different phases?
Should initial phases focus on development at certain opportunity sites, or be distributed proportionally across
the Study Area?
4.Should certain areas be more employment-focused than others?
Current policy direction envisions mainly office around the SMART Station. Should the Plan include residential
development in addition to office, to create a mixed-use center?
Downtown San Rafael Precise Plan | City Council Study Session –Downtown Options | October 7th, 2019 44
7. Next Steps
Downtown San Rafael Precise Plan | City Council Study Session –Downtown Options | October 7th, 2019 45
What’s next
Steering Committee Meeting: Downtown Options –October 9th 2019
Downtown Plan and Code Approach Memo –October 2019
Study Session with Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) –November 2019
Draft Downtown Precise Plan and Code –Early 2020
Downtown San Rafael Precise Plan | City Council Study Session –Downtown Options | October 7th, 2019 46
Thank you!
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Downtown San Rafael Precise Plan | City Council Study Session –Downtown Options | October 7th, 2019 47
Other Topics
to Consider
Downtown San Rafael Precise Plan | City Council Study Session –Downtown Options | October 7th, 2019 48
Urban form
Building heights and
Density bonus
Observed building heights in most
of downtown are lower than
maximum allowed by right.
Additional height allowed as a
density bonus is seen in a few
cases only.
Should the Plan reconsider
allowed heights in order to ‘up-
zone’ key sites, or should it be a
uniform maximum height
envelope for each zone/ sub-area?1.0 floor
1.5 floors
2.0 floors
2.5 floors
3.0 floors
4.0 floors
5.0 floors
6.0 floors
6.0+ floors
Observed building heights
(number of stories)
Allowed building heights
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Downtown San Rafael Precise Plan | City Council Study Session –Downtown Options | October 7th, 2019 49
Urban form
Floor Area Ratio (FAR)
The maximum permitted FAR for
Downtown has been set as 2.0 in the
Draft General Plan 2040 Land Use
Categories.
Initial testing of opportunity sites
suggests that this envelope will not be
exceeded even by the most aggressive
development program option.
Allowed FARs
General Plan 2040 Draft Land Use Categories
Downtown San Rafael (Maximum FAR 2.0)
Th is category corresponds to properties i n Downtown San Rafael. It includes the h ighest development
densities and intensities in the city, and contains a mix of housing, office, retail, service, and public land
uses . Development i n this area is guided by the Downtown San Rafael Precise Plan, which identifies a
series of Downtown subareas , each with its own set of development standards and land use gu idelines .
The maximum FAR of 2.0 appl ies only where shown in the Downtown Precise Plan ; lower FAR limits
apply on most parcels within the Precise Plan boundari es. In add it i on, some of the zoning districts withi n
the Downtown Mixed Use designati on (characterized by existing res idential uses) may be subject to
maximum density standards rather than FAR standards . Properties with this designation may also be
subject to m inimum FAR and density requirements, to ensure that land i s used efficiently and that the
City's housing and ec onom ic development goals may be achieved .
r a R ti
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2.0 FAR
1.S FAR
Downtown San Rafael Precise Plan | City Council Study Session –Downtown Options | October 7th, 2019 50
Urban form
View corridors
Downtown design guidelines suggest a
view analysis to avoid obstructing views
of St. Raphael’s church spire.
Any redevelopment around the SMART
station and current Transit Center
parcels is likely to be impacted by this
requirement.
0
Downtown San Rafael Precise Plan | City Council Study Session –Downtown Options | October 7th, 2019 51
Climate change + sea level rise
Downtown is susceptible to both flooding and
sea-level rise, requiring a range of short-term and
long-term adaptation strategies. Recommended
design strategies (to be analyzed for feasibility):
1.Wetland restoration on an underutilized site (if
feasible) to alleviate flooding, provide habitat
2.Dredging and other improvements to San
Rafael Creek to increase navigability and
decrease flooding; explore opportunities to
increase capacity of Irwin and Mahon creeks
and connect to new urban wetland
3.Shared street on 4th can be designed with
permeable paving and underground tanks to
temporarily store runoff during severe storm
conditions and improve runoff quality
1
2
3
Downtown San Rafael Precise Plan | City Council Study Session –Downtown Options | October 7th, 2019 52
Open space
Privately owned, publicly
used spaces
This strategy is recommended to
create new public spaces within
existing downtown conditions which is
largely built, with few vacant parcels.
Suitable incentives need to be
provided to encourage the provision of
such spaces, and standards
established for the design, degree of
access and allowed uses. Mechanisms
such as creating a Community
Facilities District/ other Special
Assessment Districts need to be
considered for implementing and
maintaining such spaces.
1 2
Illustrative examples of new privately owned, publicly accessible open spaces in downtown.
1
2
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Downtown San Rafael Precise Plan | City Council Study Session –Downtown Options | October 7th, 2019 53
Open space
Transit Plaza
The SMART Station area provides an
opportunity to design a new public
plaza for station access as well as
community gathering.
Extending the existing small plaza
fronting the Whistlestop building to
north of 4th Street can create an
attractive new public space at a key
location, framed by new mixed-use
buildings with active ground floor uses.
Activities can be temporary such as a
Farmer’s Market or permanent such as
kiosks or a Market Hall.
Illustrative of Transit Plaza (left, top right) and Del Mar Station, Pasadena, a precedent.
Downtown San Rafael Precise Plan | City Council Study Session –Downtown Options | October 7th, 2019 54
Open space
Shared Street
4th Street is the established Main Street
for downtown and its role can be
further enhanced through traffic
calming and public realm
improvements. The Plan proposes its
transformation to a Shared Street that
would accommodate all modes but will
prioritize pedestrian movement.
Improvements such as removing curbs
and repaving will enable the street to
function as a flexible public plaza.
Permeable pavers can help in
absorbing stormwater runoff, and
potentially drain to underground
cisterns for storage.
Shared Streets in Asheville (top), Massachusetts (bottom left) and Halifax, Nova Scotia (bottom right)
Downtown San Rafael Precise Plan | City Council Study Session –Downtown Options | October 7th, 2019 55
Historic resources
Historic preservation,
rehabilitation, adaptive
reuse
A survey of Downtown properties
is underway that might result in
additional historic resource sites
being added to the Downtown
inventory
The Plan needs to consider a
balanced approach between
preservation and adaptive use to
protect Downtown’s built heritage
and character while not
encumbering new development
No condition/ No listed address or construction date
Listed in survey
Needs re-evaluation
Pre-1969 construction but not listed in survey
Opportunity sites that are
potentially eligible for
historic status
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Downtown San Rafael Precise Plan | City Council Study Session –Downtown Options | October 7th, 2019 56
Existing zoning
Project Area
Parcels with building footprints
Historic Districts
Parks
5-Minute Walk Radius
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Downtown San Rafael Precise Plan | City Council Study Session –Downtown Options | October 7th, 2019 57
Existing land use
Several mixed-use districts,
with architectural variety and
several historic landmarks.
4th Street: Main Street
Commercial and industrial uses
along Hwy 101. Lindaro District
major office hub, similar uses
envisioned along 2nd – 3
rd.
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Downtown San Rafael Precise Plan | City Council Study Session –Downtown Options | October 7th, 2019 58
Allowed building heights (partial)
30 feet
36 feet
42 feet
54 feet
66 feet
102 feet
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Ill
Ill
Ill
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