HomeMy WebLinkAboutCAC 2019-10-03 AgendaOCTOBER 3, 2019
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 September 5th Meeting Notes / Discussion of Meeting Notes format
3. Approval of CAC letter on 703 3rd St. – draft attached. (Seagate—120 units/969 sf retail)
4. Project Updates
a. Costco / Merlone Geier (146,958 sf commercial)
b. 350 Merrydale Road (45 townhouses)
c. 999 3rd St. (Biomarin/Whistlestop—207,000 sf commercial/67 senior units)
d. 1001 4th St. (Goldstone—retail and housing)
e. Downtown Transit Center
f. Downtown Precise Plan. Link to download September 19 draft ‘Options Report’:
https://www.cityofsanrafael.org/documents/draft-downtown-options-report/
g. Others
5. Discussion of ‘Housing Development Challenges’ recommended measures & actions.
Link to September 3rd staff report to City Council:
https://cityofsanrafael.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=38&clip_id=1662&meta
_id=146307
6. Public Comment on Non-Agenda Items
7. Suggestions for Future Agenda Items
8. Adjournment
Citizens Advisory Committee for Economic Development and Affordable Housing (CAC)
City of San Rafael
September 5, 2019
Meeting Summary Notes
CAC Members Present: Mari Jones, Roger Smith, Bill O’Connell, Gladys Gilliland, Bill Carney,
Kati Miller, Joe McCallum, Dirck Brinckerhoff, Glenn Koorhan
CAC Members Absent: Andrew Naja-Riese, Madeline Silva Khan
City Staff Present: Simon Vuong, Danielle O’Leary
Members of the Public Present: Doug Wilson, Don Wilhelm, Pam Reeves, Laurie Perini, Aref
Ahmidini, David Smith
1. Call to Order: Chair Carney called the meeting to order at 7:02 pm.
New alternate CAC Member Joe McCallum was introduced.
2. Approval of August 1st Meeting Notes: Approved as submitted.
3. Approval of CAC Letter on 350 Merrydale – Approved a submitted
4. Discussion of Costco at Northgate Center –
Danielle O’Leary presented an overview of the Costco project, focusing on primarily the
economic impacts that the project would entail, a brief overview of the sales tax implications,
and the affect it may have on the City budget. The CAC discussed at length the project in
relationship to the Novato Costco location, its physical relationship with the adjacent mall,
housing as a component of the mall, access and circulation, and future plans of the entire mall.
The public provided comments regarding the gas station component, traffic, housing, outreach
to surrounding neighborhoods, and sustainability.
The CAC decided that they would like to see more information from the developer and the mall
owner before conveying any comments on the project to the City Council.
5. Project Updates
a. 703 3rd Street – Approved at the Planning Commission on August 27th, but the project
will still need to go before City Council for review and approval. The CAC voted to have Bill C.
and Roger draft a letter suggesting the use of ‘in-lieu’ funds to increase the number of affordable
units at th is and similar projects.
b. 999 3rd Street – Draft EIR has been released, the comment period ends on September
23rd.
c. 1001 4 th St/Goldstone Project – Staff is still working on the Exclusive Negotiating
Agreement (ENA), and the item is very close to going before City Council.
d. Northgate Walk – Appeals deemed invalid by City Attorney’s office and project will
move forward, pending resolution of issues not involving the City
e. Downtown Transit Center – No Update
f. Others – There is a proposal at a vacant site off Los Gamos Rd for 185 units (across
the YMCA). Staff has reached out to the applicant to determine if they are ready to present to
the CAC, but they are not yet and will return when more details of the proposal are finalized.
6. Follow-up Discussion of June 6th GP and Economic Development Presentation
The CAC held a brief discussion regarding industrial land uses, rents, regulatory barriers, and
tourism as identified in the report. City staff provided some insight into the nighttime economy.
7. Status of Annual CAC Dinner
City staff commented that the annual CAC dinner would not be held this year due to budget
constraints, but that CAC members were more than welcome to attend the annual board and
commissions dinner later this year.
8. Public Comment on Non-Agenda Items
A member of the public commented that they had a great time visiting Clayton and Nashville,
attending outdoor events and enjoying live music at restaurants, suggesting that such activities
be encouraged on 4th Street
9. Suggestions for Future Agenda Items.
The CAC discussed possibly having a discussion regarding Transit Occupancy Tax (TOT) or
Economic Development’s branding campaign once the website is developed.
10. Adjournment: Chair Carney adjourned the meeting at 9:04 pm.
Respectfully submitted by Simon Vuong
D R A F T D R A F T D R A F T September 28, 2019
Citizens Advisory Committee San Rafael, CA 94901 Mayor Gary Phillips and City Council City of San Rafael 1400 Fifth Avenue San Rafael, CA 94901 Dear Mayor Phillips and Council Members, With the proposed housing development at 703 Third Street (Seagate Properties) coming before you in the near future, the CAC wishes to convey our continued support for the development, as stated in our attached letter of July 8, 2018. At our September 5, 2019 meeting, members further agreed that the City’s contribution of ‘in-lieu’ housing funds to increase the number of affordable units in projects such as this one could be a productive use of such funds. The CAC believes this concept merits consideration in light of the financial challenges to increasing our community’s overall stock of affordable housing. Again, the CAC supports this much-needed housing development. Respectfully, William Carney, CAC Chair
Attachment: CAC letter of July 8, 2018
Copy: Paul Jensen, Community Development Director
July 8, 2018
Citizens Advisory Committee San Rafael, CA 94901 Mayor Gary Phillips and City Council City of San Rafael 1400 Fifth Avenue San Rafael, CA 94901 Dear Mayor Phillips and Council Members, On June 7, the CAC received a presentation of revised conceptual plans from Seagate Properties, and we wish to express our support for the project they propose at 703 Third Street. The development would bring much needed housing to San Rafael, while stimulating the economic development of the surrounding area. The development would act as an additional anchor for Downtown, the emerging Station Area, and the Third Street corridor. Its 120 apartments, located adjacent to transit and a major employment center, would help house the workforce required by local businesses, while bringing life to downtown streets and customers to nearby restaurants, entertainment venues, and other retail. Its proximity to trains, buses, and bike paths provides convenient alternatives to driving. We would, however, suggest more units in the building and including a greater proportion of moderate income and affordable units. We urge the developer and the City to explore public-private partnerships and other financing mechanisms to increase affordability. Please see the enclosed minutes of the June 7 meeting for further points made by the CAC and members of the public in attendance. Respectfully, William Carney, CAC Chair
Attachment: CAC minutes, June 7, 2018