HomeMy WebLinkAboutCAC 2019-02-07 MinutesCitizens Advisory Committee for Economic Development and Affordable Housing (CAC)
City of San Rafael
Third Floor Conference Room, City Hall
February 7, 2019
Meeting Summary Notes
CAC Members Present: Kati Miller, Bill Carney, Roger Smith, Andrew Naja-Riese, Dirck Brinckerhoff,
Andrea de la Fuente, Mari Jones
City Staff Present: Simon Vuong
Members of the Public Present:
Guest Presenters: Geoff Forner, Jonathan Parker
1. Call to order: Mr. Carney, Chair, called the CAC meeting to order at 7:02 pm .
2. Approval of November 1st Meeting Notes: Approved with edit to item 5: corrected spelling of last
name Andrea de la Fuente.
3. Seagate Properties Presentation: Presentation - Downtown Hotel (5th/B St) – Geoff Forner.
Developers shared an update on their proposal for a new hotel located in downtown San Rafael, featuring
140 rooms and a variety of amenities, including a bar and rooftop garden. The hotel would be under the
Marriot AC brand, a “hip”, contemporary urban themed facility. The CAC reacted favorably to the project,
although there was considerable discussion about parking and circulation impacts. The developer said
that a traffic study has been done, and that the parking provided meets code and could be supplemented
by valet parking to spaces in nearby garages. One member pointed out the importance of marking the
main corner pedestrian entrance with special architectural treatment, as the drawings indicated, while
noting that the glass room windows there would often have their curtains closed. The developer
mentioned that an entrance on B Street would provide easy pedestrian access to 4th Street businesses.
Several CAC members and a member of the public requested the availability of a meeting room or
conference space at the hotel, particularly for use by community-based non-profit groups. The project will
go before the Design Review Board in March and Planning Commission in May, with construction
expected to begin late this year and with a targeted opening in 2021.
As an action step from the meeting, the CAC will draft a letter to the City Council expressing support for
the project to increase economic activity in downtown San Rafael.
4. Project Updates
a. East Francisco/Hampton Inn: The owners had presented their proposed project of an H2/Hilton
branded hotel at the East San Rafael Working Group, who responded positively overall. However,
there were still some concerns regarding traffic and circulation. Although what’s currently on the
site is not ideal and redeveloping the property is much better than leaving it vacant, some
members questioned if this is the most suitable location for a hotel, given existing significant
traffic congestion in the area. The hotel would have between 160-170 rooms.
b. Marin Square: There is a new property owner for the center after much interest was shown by
various developers. The current proposal on file with Planning, unfortunately, is just for a
cosmetic upgrade and some landscaping treatment. The property owner is experiencing issues
with the day laborers loitering on the property, which is not conducive to attracting tenants. The
situation has existed at this site for a while. Several CAC members suggested proactively working
with the owner and other community members to potentially have a day laborer center, a model
that has worked in other communities.
c. Whistlestop/BioMarin: Project is still moving forward and cleanup on the remaining portion of
the site is under way. The EIR scoping period will end in early March.
d. Northgate Walk: The scaled-back project went before the Design Review Board in January,
where the public comments were overwhelmingly opposed to the project’s size. The CAC
previously sent a letter in support of the project with the original number of units, so CAC
members expressed dismay to see so much opposition to a project that still offers the city a
significant amount of housing. The project is expected to be before the Planning Commission
within the next couple of months, and then to City Council.
e. Other: One CAC member requested a project update regarding 703 3rd St. (Seagate) scheduled
to be heard at Planning Commission on 2/26/19. The CAC previously sent a letter supporting the
development, while requesting a greater number of units, including a greater proportion of
moderate income and affordable units, and exploration of public/private partnerships and other
financing mechanisms to increase affordability.
5. Economic Development and Affordable Housing Goals for 2019: Mr. Vuong shared updates on
behalf of Director O’Leary. He described the project at 88 Vivian St that was filed with the City, which
would include 68 for-sale townhome units at the current Country Club Bowl bowling alley site. Mr. Vuong
spoke about the Tivoli lights that were recently installed in the West End, and the On-Street Dining project
that will soon (hopefully) happen at TKT (The Kitchen Table) at 1574 Fourth Street. He also mentioned
the City’s branding and marketing campaign currently in design, and said the City recently collected their
first tax revenue from the newly licensed cannabis businesses a week ago.
Mr. Vuong also discussed the Improvement District proposal for East San Rafael business owners, which
would allow property owners to asses themselves and then have some control over how the proceeds of
the assessment are spent. Owners in that area face issues around security, illegal dumping, flooding,
etc., and this Improvement District would provide a way for increased revenues to be directed to
improvements in their area.
6. Public Comment on Non-Agenda Items: None
7. Annual Election of Officers: Congratulations to the officers elected for a 1-year term:
Chair: Bill Carney
Vice Chair: Andrea de la Fuente
Secretary: Andrew Naja-Riese
Discussion in connection with the election suggested an enhanced role for the Vice Chair position.
8. Suggestions for future agenda items:
Update on Just Cause Evictions and Mandatory Mediation expected for March.
Discussion of new business recruitment materials a nd branding campaign.
Reports on the General Plan, Downtown Precise Plan, and CCAP 2030 thereafter.
9. Adjournment: Meeting was adjourned at 9:07 pm.
Respectfully submitted by Andrew Naja-Riese