HomeMy WebLinkAboutReso 103-16 Commercial Facade Grant RESOLUTION NO. 103 - 16
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF DUBLIN
COMMERCIAL FACADE GRANT IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM UPDATE
WHEREAS, the City Council has made economic development a high priority; and
WHEREAS, on December 20, 2011 Dublin City Council adopted Resolution 216-11, adopting a
Commercial Façade Improvement Grant Program; and
WHEREAS, the Program offers commercial property owners, or tenants with long-term leases
the opportunity to apply for reimbursement for certain commercial building façade improvements; and
WHEREAS, the Program also provides architectural design services to approved applicants for
exterior commercial building façade improvements; and
WHEREAS, after multiple years of operation, City Staff has identified components of the
Program which would benefit from revision; and
WHEREAS, the proposed changes seek to encourage timely results, to promote project
competiveness, to clarify applicant preparedness, and to make the requirements of the program more
understandable to applicants; and
WHEREAS, on February 8, 2016, the Economic Development Committee reviewed and
approved the proposed changes.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Dublin adopts the
updated Commercial Façade Improvement Grant Program attached hereto as Exhibit A.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 21st day of June, 2016, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Biddle, Hart, Wehrenberg, and Mayor Pro Tem Gupta
NOES: None
ABSENT: Mayor Haubert
ABSTAIN: None
■IOP
Mayor Pro Tem
ATTEST:
AA / wit' .
p-Pt1T y City Clerk ' / /
Reso No. 103-16,Adopted 6-21-16, Item 4.4 Page 1 of 1
Commercial Facade Improvement Grant
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DUBLIN
Program Guidelines
I. PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The Commercial Facade Improvement Grant Program ("Program") is an endeavor of the City of Dublin
to leverage public funds and private investment to enhance the physical appearance and economic vitality
of commercial businesses in the Downtown Dublin Specific Plan Area and the segment of Dublin
Boulevard between Village Parkway and Dougherty Road.
The Program offers two types of facade improvement grants, as well as up to a maximum of ten hours of
architectural fees or five hours of design assistance to help cover design costs. The Program runs
concurrent to the City's fiscal year schedule (July I —June 30). The Program features open enrollment;
applications shall be considered on a first-come, first-served basis.
The long-term objective is to upgrade the Downtown Dublin Specific Plan Area and the segment of
Dublin Boulevard between Village Parkway and Dougherty Road by improving the physical appearance of
the area, encouraging the attraction and retention of businesses, increasing property values, tenant
stability, and lease rates for the property. The program also seeks to fund improvements which create
outdoor dining or gathering spaces to promote activity in the downtown.
II. PROGRAM COMPONENTS
A. Architectural Design or Design Assistance
The City will provide architectural design services to approved applicants, up to a maximum of
ten hours, for exterior commercial building facade improvements. The City will also reimburse
applicants for the services of a professional designer (for paint/signage/awnings selection) for up to
five hours.
B. Facade Improvement Grants
i. Mini-Grant — This grant provides for reimbursement of up to Five Thousand dollars
($5,000) for commercial building facade improvements with no match requirement.
Projects must be completed within 12 months of grant approval or Building Permit
issuance.
ii. Matching Grant — This grant will provide a reimbursable matching grant of two-thirds
(66%) of eligible project costs, up to a maximum of Seventy Thousand dollars ($70,000).
The total cost of the improvement work must be more than Five Thousand dollars
($5,000). Receipt of a matching grant requires the approved applicant to contribute a
minimum of one-third of the total cost of the facade improvement costs. Projects must be
completed within 18 months of Building Permit issuance.
Grant proceeds are to be used for labor and materials directly related to the facade construction.
Tools may not be purchased with grant funds, but tool rental is allowable. Program funds are to
be used for exterior building improvements rather than simple routine maintenance.
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All improvements completed through the Facade Improvement Program are "public work" as that
term is used in Section 1720 of the California Labor Code. In accordance with Labor Code
section 1720 et seq., prevailing wages shall be paid for all facade improvements. Use of volunteer
labor is not allowed. All estimates and payments for construction and installation of facade
improvements shall include prevailing wages, and shall otherwise comply with the provisions of
Sections 1773.8, 1775, 1776, 1777.5, 1777.6 and 1813 of the California Labor Code and all other
applicable laws and regulations with respect to prevailing wages. Participants in the program are
responsible for ensuring that the improvements are in compliance with the Prevailing Wage Law.
Disbursement of grant proceeds to approved applicants will be in a reimbursement payment
issued after City deems the project complete, and upon the submission of invoices and proof of
payment and subject to approval of those invoices and proofs of payment by City staff.
Construction shall be completed within 120 days after the City issued Notice to Proceed. If the
project extends beyond the scheduled completion date, prior staff approval is required.
This program is primarily geared toward commercial property owners. However, business
owners who have long-term leases (five or more years) wishing to participate in the Facade
Improvement Program may also apply. Applications for business owners will be reviewed on a
case-by-case basis.
C. Fee Exemption
Applicants for this program are exempt from planning and building permit fees by the City
Manager, who is authorized to waive City fees associated with this program. This fee exemption
does not apply to fees mandated by the State of California including, but not limited to, the Strong
Motion Instrument program fee and the California Green Building fees.
III. ELIGIBILITY
A. Eligible Applicants/Areas
Owners or long term tenants* of commercially zoned property located within one of the
following areas are eligible to apply for assistance:
I. Downtown Dublin Specific Plan area, or
2. Segment of Dublin Boulevard between Village Pkwy and Dougherty Rd.
*Tenants with long-term leases (five or more years remaining on the lease at the time a Program
application is submitted) must have the property owner's written consent before any improvements are
made. In addition, the grant application must be signed by the property owner. Properties are eligible for
grants once every 10 years.
B. Eligible Types of Improvements
All improvements shall conform to City Building Codes, Zoning Ordinance, and applicable Design
Guidelines. Eligible improvements include, but are not limited to:
• Removal of old signs, awnings and other exterior clutter
• Exterior painting
• Repair or replacement of exterior siding (including the construction of new facade
elements and architectural details)
• Installation of new entry doors that meet ADA accessibility requirements
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• Installation of display windows
• Installation of new canvas awnings over windows and entries
• Installation of new signs
• Installation of new exterior lighting
• Installation of permanent landscaping
• Exterior mandatory Title 24 upgrades
• Construction of outdoor dining or gathering spaces
Additional improvements that are deemed to be consistent with the intent of the program will be
reviewed and approved/disapproved on a case-by-case basis by the Economic Development Director.
IV. Grant Process
A. Submit an application for grant funds. Submit a completed application detailing all exterior
improvements and an itemized estimate of the total project cost. Be as specific as possible. The
project list may contain improvements beyond what would be funded by the grant. Projects that
include conceptual architectural plans shall be considered favorably.
All proposed facade projects/remodels must be approved by the Community Development
Director prior to being accepted into the program.
B. Informational Meeting. Applicants will meet with representatives from Planning & Building to
review the entitlement process & building permit process and to answer any questions that the
businesses may have.
C. City Staff will review grant applications. Staff will review the application with the business
owner, discuss the scope of work, determine a timeline and review the remaining process for the
grant.
D. Council Economic Development Committee will consider request and select grant
awardees. Selection preference will be provided to projects which create new outdoor dining
and activity spaces.
E. Grant funds reserved. Upon approval of a grant application, including scope of work and
timeline, an agreement will be signed between the applicant and City.
F. Planning Approval. If planning approval is required, the applicant is responsible for submitting
project plans prepared by a licensed architect through the Planning Division.
G. Building Permit Approval. If a Building Permit is required, the applicant is responsible for
submitting plans that meet all Code requirements through the Building Division.
H. Complete Work. After receiving all required approvals and permits the applicant shall complete
the improvements within twelve (12) months for Mini-Grants and eighteen (18) months for
Matching Grants. The applicant shall be responsible for contacting City staff to request an
extension if necessary. An extension is not guaranteed.
I. Submit invoices, receipts, and proof of payment. The applicant shall save all documentation
as required and submit within 30 days of project completion or Building permit final.
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V. FUNDING
Funding for this Program is appropriated by the Dublin City Council as part of its annual budget process.
There is no guarantee of the amount of funds that will be appropriated each year. Funds for the Program
are available on a first come, first served basis. If funds are exhausted at the time of application submittal,
staff will retain the application. If additional funds become available, staff will contact applicants in the
order applications were received.
A. Grant Amounts
Eligible property owners or tenants who propose facade improvements can apply for one of two
grants.
I. Mini-Grant
This grant provides reimbursement for commercial building facade improvements to
approved applicants in the amount of up to Five Thousand dollars ($5,000), with no match
requirement.
2. Matching Grant
This grant provides reimbursement to approved applicants for a reimbursable matching
grant of two-thirds (66%) of eligible project costs, up to a maximum of Seventy Thousand
Dollars ($70,000). The total cost of the facade remodel must be more than Five
Thousand dollars ($5,000). Receipt of a Matching Grant requires the applicant to
contribute one-third of the total cost of the facade remodel, and to document its
expenditures.
The City of Dublin reserves the right to cancel or modify this Program at any time prior to grant
approval, without notice. Continuation of the Program is subject to sufficient funding as
appropriated by the Dublin City Council.
VI. IMPLEMENTATION WORK
All improvements shall conform to the City of Dublin Building Codes, Zoning Ordinance, and applicable
Design Guidelines. Proposed facade remodels are required to comply with Chapter 8.104 of the Site
Development Review Chapter of the Zoning Ordinance. Project improvements commenced prior to the
City's issuance of a Notice to Proceed are not eligible for this Program.
City staff will be available to work with approved applicants to assist in the coordination of the project.
City staff will carry out periodic inspections.
I, have read and received a copy of these guidelines.
Printed Name
Date Signature
DUBLIN Wage
aria
II PTO Commercial Façade Improvement Grant
DUBLIN Program Application
Please fill out this application completely and submit or send to:
City of Dublin
Attention: Economic Development Department
100 Civic Plaza
Dublin, CA 94568
(925) 833-6650
SECTION I. APPLICANT INFORMATION
Name:
Circle All That Apply: Property Owner Business Owner/Tenant
Business Name:
Property Address:
Mailing Address:
Assessor's Parcel Number:
Daytime Phone Number:
Email:
Total Number of Businesses in Building:
Name(s) of Other Businesses:
SECTION 2. PROPERTY OWNER INFORMATION (complete if tenant is applicant)
Property Owner Name:
Property Owner Mailing Address:
Property Owner Daytime Phone Number:
As the legal owner of the above property, I hereby grant authorization to complete the facade improvements indicated on
this application.
Signature: Date:
ION
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SECTION 3. FUNDING
Grant (please check one):
Mini-Grant (Reimbursement in the amount up to $5,000)
Matching Grant (Reimbursement of two-thirds the total project cost up to $70,000 with a minimum total project
cost above $5,000)
Grant Amount Requested: $
Estimated Total Project Cost: $
SECTION 4. SCOPE OF WORK
General Description of Work:
SECTION 5. ACKNOWLEDGMENT
We certify that the owner is the property owner of record and that there are no current code enforcement
actions pending against the property.
I have read and understand the Program Guidelines and accept them.
I certify that I am qualified and will abide by such conditions set forth in this application and all reasonable
conditions which may be issued by the City of Dublin in the implementation of this project.
Property Owner(s) Signature: Date:
Date:
Business Owner(s) Signature: Date:
Date:
1755179.1
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