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7.2 Sustainable Neighborhood Design
OF Dp�l f� 1982 STAFF REPORT CITY CLERK O�LIFOR�� DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL File # ❑©®©-0[C DATE: March 1, 2011 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers FROM: Joni Pattillo, City Manager SUBJ Sustainable Neighborhood Design Strategy Prepared By., Kristi Bascom, Principal Planner,�,h EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The City of Dublin has taken an active role in promoting environmental sustainability with initiatives such as the Green Building Ordinance and the City's recent adoption of a Climate Action Plan. In this report, Staff is presenting the City Council with various options for implementing a "Sustainable Neighborhood Design Strategy," which would enable and promote sustainable site design and planning for the street, land use, and open space patterns for neighborhoods in Dublin. FINANCIAL IMPACT: None at this time. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the City Council: 1) Confirm Staff's recommendations on the elements of the Draft Sustainable Neighborhood Design Strategy, the applicability of the Sustainable Neighborhood Design Strategy; the methods of implementing, and adopting the Sustainable Neighborhood Design Strategy; or 2) Provide other direction. C, V- S bmitted By: Revi By: Community Development Director Assistant City Manager Page 1 of 10 ITEM NO. '%, 2- act DESCRIPTION: Background Sustainability, green design, and improving public health are some of the key topics being discussed by cities and developers today. A City's land use, street, and neighborhood design patterns create a particular physical reality and compel behaviors that have a significant effect on the environmental perFormance of any given place. When a neighborhood has~ a robust network of internaf streets and good connections to surrounding neighborhoods and communities, pedestrians, bicyclists, and drivers can move efficiently and safely. Vehicles are driven less, air quality improves, human health improves, and the overall sustainability of a community improves too. On December 21, 2010 City Staff presented a report to the City Council on developing a "Sustainable Neighborhood Design Strategy" (Attachment 1). Staff described the Sustainable Neighborhood Design Strategy (SNDS) as a policy document that would outline the desired components of a sustainable neighborhood, such as a connected street pattern and land use plan, green infrastructu~-e and buildings, and a linked open space network. A SNDS could also include a set of perFormance standards designed to measure the sustainability of a proposed neighborhood, much like the City currently uses the GreenPoint Rated Checklist for measuring ` the environmental efficiency of new residential buildings. Staff also presented the City Council ~ with information on one of the predominant rating systems to measure the sustainability level of new neighborhoods: the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Neighborhood Development (LEED-ND). The City Council directed Staff to further develop a Sustainable Neighborhood Design Strategy and to return to a future meeting with a report on policy alternatives to consider (Attachment 2)... The City Council directed Staff to return with a report that includes the following information: 1. Recommendation on how a Sustainable Neighborhood Design Strategy could work and how LEED-ND standards, or other sustainable neighborhood programs, could be integrated into the policy; 2. Recommendation on how a policy could be implemented; 3. Recommendations on which types of development could be subject to compliance with a policy; 4. Recommendations for public outreach to review the concepts being considered; 5: Provide examples of Sustainable Neighborhood/LEED-ND projects in other communities and showcase best practices; and 6. Provide options for incentivizing compliance with a policy. ~ ANALYSIS: "Sustainable Neighborhood" Programs Several certification programs have emerged to rate the sustainability of mixed-use, neighborhood and community-scale developments-addressing a wider range of issues than previous rating systems for individua{ buildings. These broader-scale certification programs include LEED-ND, One Planet Communities, and the Living Building Challenge. Both One Planet Communities and #he Living Building Challenge are international programs that focus heavily on reducing the ecological footprint of new development and minimizing carbon output. LEED-ND is specific to development in the U.S. and is the most relevant standardized rating system for our purposes because it covers the five topic areas noted below. Page 2 of 10 LEED for Neighborhood Development ' The LEED-ND framework identifies those components of a sustainable neighborhood that are most critical and awards points to those project components that meet the standards. The LEED-ND rating system awards points in five main categories: 1. Smart Location and Linkage encourages communities to consider location, transportation alternatives, and preservation of sensitive lands. 2. Neighborhood Pattern and Design emphasizes vibrant, equitable communities that are healthy, walkable, and contain a mixture of land uses. 3. Green Infrastructure and Buildings promotes the design and construction of buildings and infrastructure that reduce energy and water use, while promoting more sustainable use of materials, reuse of existing and historic structures, and other sustainable best practices. 4. Innovation and Design Process recognizes exemplary and innovative performance reaching beyond the existing credits in the rating system, as well as the value of including an,accredited professional on the design team. 5. Regional Priority encourages projects to focus on earning credits of significance to the project's local environment. The. LEED for. Neighborhood Development rating system was introduced as-. a pilot project in t 2009. There are several projects in the Bay Area that are in one of the three stages of certification for LEED-ND. A sampling of these projects include the 14 acre high=density "Emeryville Marketplace" mixed-use community with 674 multi-family residential units, 180,000 sq. ft. . of retail, 120;000 sq.. ft. of office, parking garages, and open space .in Emeryville, California and the 42-acre "Hercules Bayfront", which will transform a former dynamite manufacturing site into a transit-oriented, mixed-use waterfront community with. 1,400 residentia{ units, 115,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space, 224,000 square feet of office/commercial flex space. Another example of a LEED-ND certified neighborhood is the 200-acre Sonoma Mountain Village, which is a mixed-use residential and commercial, solar- powered, zero-waste community under development in Rohnert Park. Applicability to Dublin The LEED-ND framework encompasses a wide range of subject areas. Several of the sustainable neighborhood concepts outlined in the LEED-ND rating system are already in place in the City of Dublin: 'Concepts such as prioritizing higher density development near transit ~ (LEED-ND's Smart Location and Linkage category) and promoting the design of buildings and infrastructure that reduce energy and wafer use (LEED-ND's Green Infrastructure and Buildings category) are already priorities in Dub{in. The one LEED-ND category where the City does not currently have specific standards is Neighborhood Pattern and Design, which focuses on the physical layout of development sites. ~ There are other cities and counties throughout the country that have developed their own sustainable rating systems and policies through which they can assess new development in lieu of using a standardized system such as LEED-ND. These programs were developed to be specific to the geographic region as well as the community's specific concerns and interests. A sample of these programs include: • The City and County of San Francisco instituted a set of sustainability standards and a "Healthy Deve{opment Measurement Tool" to gauge new development; Page 3 of 10 • The City of Greensburg, Kansas has developed a full set of Sustainable Development Code Standards that implement the policies contained in their Sustainable Comprehensive Plan; and • The City of Richmond, California adopted a set of 15 Community Principles related to development in their community that focus on how to plan neighborhoods that will more successfully serve the needs of.those who live and work within them. Instead of adopting the full LEED-ND rating system and standards in Dublin, Staff recommends that the City focus on developing a Sustainable Neighborhood Design Strategy that is specific to this City. Dublin's Sustainable Neighborhood Design Strategy would contain only those policy categories where we do not already have existing guidance. Staff is proposing a Sustainable Neighborhood Design Strategy specifically to guide the development of neighborhood street patterns, land use patterns, and use of open spaces to create opportunities for residents and workers to walk, cycle, and use alternative modes of transportation in the community. Best Practices in Sustainable Neighborhood Design Dublin already has examples of residential ~and commercial neighborhoods neighborhood street patterns, land use patterns, and good use of open spaces, 1. Emerald Glen Park/Douqherty Elementary neiqhborhood This roughly 275- acre neighborhood is well-served with an interconnected street pattern and a combination of land uses that are well- located. The streets serving the area are sufficiently sized for vehicular traffic yet also safe and comfortable for pedestrians and cyclists. There are ~ wide, separated sidewalks and off- street trails. Many of the cul-de-sacs that have good including: in the area are open and passable for kids walking to school or to the park. Waterford Shopping Center is accessible to pedestrians from all sides and has wide sidewalks and pathways for strolling and dining. Page 4 of 10 connectivity, social networking, civic engagement, physical activity, and time spent outdoors. Staff has prepared a Draft Strategy, which is included as Attachment 3 to this Staff Report. The Draft Strategy includes a menu of goals, policies, and standards to address sustainability in neighborhood pattern and design. The Dcaft SNDS includes policies that provide a baseline standard for future neighborhood development in Dublin. By setting expectations, standards, and a means by which to achieve these goals and assess sustainable site design, the City will encourage early cooperation and involvement between the City and the property owner/developer in the site planning process. Identifying sustainable standards outlines the City's expectations and also demonstrates a commitment to sustainable neighborhoods that could open up opportunities for future grant funding to implement plans as well as the potential for local, regional, or national recognition of the proposed project. Staff is seeking feedback from the City Council on the goals, policies, and standards included in the Draft Strategy (Attachment 3). Applicability of a Sustainable Neighborhood Design Strategy Staff recommends that a Draft Sustainable Neighborhood Design Strategy be applied to the. following types of projects: ' . ' ~ .;F " . . ~ ' ~ . . ~ .. ~ ~ . , 1. General Plan and Specific PIan.Amendments, new Specific Plans; . 2. Annexations; 3. New Stage 1 and/or Stage 2 Planned Development Rezones. Minor amendments to an existing Stage 2 Development Plan would be exempt from compliance with the Draft Strategy; , 4. Rezoning applications; and 5. Any subdivision of property or other new development that creates new streets without changing the applicable land use designation would need to comply with all policies and standards contained in Policy Section One (Street Patterns and Design) of the Strategy. Developers typically spend large sums of money to obtain entitlements to develop their property. For example, a Stage 1 Development Plan outlines the basic development parameters including maximum densities-.and. permitted uses, but does not contain .detailed land use plans. A Stage 2 Development Plan requires design work, detailed land plans with street networks, and drawings that illustrate the proposed development. A developer invests a considerable amount of time and money to obtain this level of entitlements. Therefore, projects with this level of entitlements and projects which are close to achieving this level of entitlement are not recommended to be subject to compliance with the Draft Strategy. Projects that would be subject to compliance with the Draft Strategy include those project types listed above for properties that do not have a current Planning Application on file. These future projects include Area B in Dublin Ranch, several properties in Fallon Village (Croak, Chen, and Anderson - commercial portion) and properties near Dublin's northern border along Tassajara Road (Tipper, Fredrich, and Vargas). In addition, as noted above, the approved projects that request a General Plan Amendment or rezone, would be subject to compliance with the SNDS. Page 6 of 10 J There are several other properties in Dublin that are in different stages of project review, organized into three categories below: First, there are two projects that have Pre-Applications on file with the City, but where there is no current activity on the application, as described below: Pro'ect Name Current Entitlements Ap lication Status Righetti Approved Planned Pre-Application on file since 2006 for a Tentative Development Zoning Parcel Map and Planned Development Rezoning with with a Stage 1 a Stage 2 Development Plan. Tentative Parcel Map Development Plan. approved in 2007. No plans have been submitted for the Sta e 2 Develo ment Plan. ~ Dublin Land Approved Planned General Plan Amendment Study initiated in 2004. Company Development Zoning Various Pre-Applications have been submitted and with a Stage 1 withdrawn over the years for different project Develo ment Plan. conce ts. No current lans on file. Staff recommends that both of the above projects be subject to compliance with the Draft Strategy. Second, there., are two projects that have existing applications for General Plan Amendment studies that are at the very beginning of the entitlement process. Both The Preserve (Doolan Canyon) and Dublin Crossings (Camp Parks) haVe initiated General Plan Amendment studies, but the environmental analysis for the projects have not yet begun, detailed land plans have not been submitted, and therefore the detailed analysis of potential land plans, street networks, and open space networks are not yet underway: Neither of these projects has vested entitlements and is in the very early stages of the City process, as described below: Pro'ect Name Current Entitlements A lication Status Dublin Crossing None General Plan Amendment Study initiated in 2003. A (Camp Parks) Planning Application has been received, but no detailed plans for evaluation. Future applications will include a General Plan land use plan, New Specific Plan, Proposed Rezoning plans, Tentative Subdivision Map(s), Development Agreement(s), and applications for anriexation to local utility/service roviders. The Preserve None General Plan Amendment Study initiated in 2010. (Doolan Canyon) The current application includes a General Plan Amendment for a Sphere of Influence adjustment. Future applications could include an annexation, a Specific Plan Amendment or New Specific Plan, Zoning, Tentative Subdivision Map(s), and Develo ment A reement s. Staff recommends that both of the above projects be subject to compliance with the Draft Strategy. Third, there are two other projects that have existing applications for General Plan Amendment studies and/or Planned Development Rezones, and are much further along in the entitlement Page 7 of 10 process. Jordan Ranch (Phase 2) and Positano have current development applications underway for General Plan and Specific Plan Amendments and Stage 1 and Stage 2 Planned Development Rezonings. Both of the current applications include modifications to a previously- approved project, as described below: , Pro'ect Name Current Entitlements A lication Status Jordan Ranch Approved Planned General Plan Amendment Study initiated in 2011 (Phase 2) Development Zoning to change the land use designations for a portion with a Stage 2 of the project site. Future approvals include a Development Plan, General Plan Amendment, Specific Plan Tentative Subdivision Amendment, Planned Development Rezoning, Map, and Development Site Development Review, and possible Tentative Agreement that vests Subdivision Map amendments. the existin entitlements. ~ Positano Approved Planned General Plan Amendment Study initiated in 2011 Development Zoning to change the land use designations for a 2.5- with a Stage 2 acre portion of the project site. Future approvals Development Plan, include a General Plan Amendment, Specific Plan Tentative Subdivision Amendment, Planned Development Rezoning, ;- Map, and Development Site Development Review, and possible Tentative . Agreement that~.vests . Subdivision Map amendments . ' the existin entitlements. ~ Compliance with the Draft Strategy for these two projects, and any others at a similar stage of planning approval, is not proposed. Options for Implementation and Incentives ~ ~ For those projects to which the Strategy is applicable, the City could require compliance with the Sustainable Neighborhood Design Strategy in its entirety or in part. The City Council could consider using a"scorecard" method that would require compliance with a minimum percentage of the Strategy, which would allow a greater degree of developer discretion, and could offer incentives for full compliance. If the City Council directs Staff to pursue a"scorecard" method of implementation, Staff will examine if there are feasible incentives that can be offered to achieve full compliance with the Strategy. However, because the Sustainable Neighborhood Design `'Strategy, as proposed, contains the basic requirements to create a sustainable neighborhood, it is Staff's recommendation to require compliance with the Strategy in its entirety for those projects to which the Strategy is applicable. Options for Adopting the Strategy The folfowing are three possible methods in which a Sustainable Neighborhood Design Strategy could be adopted by the City Council. Each of these options would require follow-up General Plan Amendments to the Circulation and Scenic Highways Element (for changes to the adopted standards for roadway configurations). 1. Adopt as a stand-alone policy document (similar to the Public/Semi-Public Policy adopted in 2004}; 2. Adopt as a new Ordinance/Municipal Code chapter (similar to the Green Building Ordinance); or , Page 8 of 10 3. Amend the Community Design and Sustainability, Element of the General Plan to include the additional goals and policies. A stand-alone policy document is easier to adopt and modify if the City Council so desires. However, a stand-alone policy does not have the same strength as an ordinance or a General Plan-level policy. This policy-level~approach provides the City Council with the most flexibility in implementing the policy as well as making exceptions to the policy as desired. An ordinance would become part of the Municipal Code, and any deviation from compliance with the ordinance would require official action by the City to grant exceptions from the ordinance on a case-by-case basis. If changes were proposed to the Strategy, a Zoning Ordinance Amendment would be required. The Community Design and Sustainability Element of the General Plan includes policy-level guidance for new development in Dublin, and all projects are subject to consistency with the General Plan. The Community Design and Sustainability Element of the General Plan already contains Section 10.7, Design of the Built Form, and. the specific standards of the Draft Strategy naturally fit as an extension to this section. If changes were proposed to the Strategy, a General Plan Amendment would be required. ' . _ .:1 . . : , Staff .recommends that the ,Sustainable Neighborhood; Design Strategy be adopted as an amendment to the Community Design and. Sustainability.Element of the General Plan. Public Outreach Once the City Council provides direction on the goals, policies, and standards proposed in the Strategy, Staff proposes to meet with the development community ,to present the Draft SNDS and, receive their feedback. Feedback from the development community will be presented to the City Council along,with Staff's recommendation on the final Strategy language at a future. City Council meeting. RECOMMENDATION: Staff is making the following recommendations on the Sustainable Neighborhood Design Strategy, as discussed in this Staff Report. " 1. Draft Sustainable Neiqhborhood Design Strateqv.' Staff recommends that the Draft . Sustainable Neighborhood Design Strategy contain the goals, policies, and standards as outlined in Attachment 3. 2. Applicabilitv of a Sustainable Neiqhborhood Design Strateqv based on proiect type. Staff recommends that the Draft Strategy apply to: • New General Plan and Specific Plan Amendments, new Specific Plans; • Annexations; • New Stage 1 and/or Stage 2 Planned Development Rezones; • Rezoning applications; and • Any subdivision of property or other new development that creates new streets without changing the applicable land use designation would need to comply with all policies and standards contained in Policy Section One (Street Patterns and Design) of the Strategy Page 9 of 10 3. Applicability of a Sustainable Neiqhborhood Desiqn Strategy to actual proiects. Staff recommends that the Draft Strategy apply to: • Projects that have Pre-Applications on file with the City, but where there is no current activity on the application (e.g. Righetti, Dublin Land Company); and • Projects that have existing applications for General Plan Amendment studies that do not have land plans on file and are at the very beginning of the entitlement process (e.g. Dublin Crossing, The Preserve). 4. Implementation and Incentives. Staff recommends that the Draft Strategy apply in its entirety, not partial compliance. ~ 5. Adopting a Draft Strateqy. Staff recommends that the Draft Strategy is adopted as an amendment to the Community Design and Sustainability Element of the General Plan. NEXT STEPS: Once direction is provided by the City Council on the recommendations above, Staff will: 1. Refine the Draft Sustainable Neighborhood Design Strategy to incorporate direction from the City Council; ~ . ~. -,, , 2. Meet with the development community to present Draft Sustainable Neighborhood Design Strategy and receive their feedback; .~. 3. Prepare amendments to existing Planning Documents as necessary; and 4. Conduct.the appropriate level of environmental review; 5: Present the Draft Sustainable Neighborhood Design Strategy to the Planning Commission for recommendation to the City Council and then to the City Council adoption/approvaL ~ NOTICING REQUIREMENTS/PUBLIC OUTREACH: A public notice is not required to seek direction from the City Council on proposed policy direction. Future reports that request the City Council to take action on policy recommendations will be noticed as required by law and sent to members of Dublin's development community. ATTACHMENTS: 1. City Council Staff Report dated December 21, 2010 2. City Council meeting minutes dated December 21, 2010 3. Draft Sustainable Neighborhood Design Strategy G:\PA#~2010\Sustainable Neighborhoods Strategy\CC 3.1.2011\CCSR 03.01.2011.doc Page 10 of 10 G`~.~ or' o~e~~2 ~ ly~ ~ ~9'~;~'aZ STAFf ~REPORT C I T Y C L E R K ~``~L~~f~ DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL File # ^~~~-~~ DATE: December 21, 2010 J TO: ~ Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers FROM: Joni Pattillo, City Manager SUBJEC . Sustainable Neighborhood Development Strategy ~ Prepared By: Kristi Bascom, Principal Planner EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The City of Dublin has taken an active role in promoting sustainability in the public realm. On the private side, initiatives such as the Green Building Ordinance are resulting in the construction of more sustainable buildings. However, Staff believes that the City could benefit from developing a"Sustainabfe Neighborhood Development Strategy;" which would enable and promote sustainable site design and planning for the streets, homes, workplaces, and businesses we build in our neighborhoods. This Staff Report contains an overview of why the City Council should consider developing a Sustainable Neighborhood Devefopment Strategy. FINANCIAL IMPACT: None at this time. RECOMMENDATION: Staff is requesting that the City Council provide feedback an directi n on developing a Sustainable Neighborhood Development Strategy. Submitted By: R viewe By: Community Development Director Assistan ' Manager Page 1 of 5 • -~ -~~~7~L-v~ j I~~ J~ ~ ATTACHMENT l DESCRIPTION: ~ ~~ Background . Sustainability, green design, and improving public health are some of the key topics being discussed by cities and developers today. Our land use, street, and neighborhood design patterns create a particular physicaf reafity and compel behaviors that have a significant effect on the environmental performance of any given place. When a neighborhood has .a robust network of internal streets and good connections to surrounding neighborhoods and communities, pedestrians, bicyclists, and drivers can move e~ciently and safely. VeHicles are driven fess, air quality improves, human health improves, and the overall sustainability of a community improves too. Over the past several years, the City of Dublin has made several commitments to move the community toward a more sustainable future. The City's Ten Year Strategic Plan consists of a mission, vision, and various statements. and strategies to achieve implementation of the Plan. The Ten Year Strategic Plan for Fiscal Year 2010-2011 lists the community's values in a variety of areas, and one of the three "Values in Guiding Development" is to "Support pedestrian- friendly development, transit-oriented development, green building, and environmental responsiveness." The City of Dublin has taken a number of.concrete actions to support this value, which is descrihed below. . In 2004, the City Council adopted a Green Building Practices Ordinance that requires public buildings of a certain value to follow a"whole-systems" approach to the design, construction, and operafion. This Ordinance requires that all new civic buildings that cost vver $3 million be built to achieve silver certification under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards. The aim of enacting this Ordinance was to demonstrate civic leadership in appfying green building practices to the construction of buildings and structures that helps mitigate the environmental, economic, and social impacts of construction, demolition, and renovation. The Shannon Community Center, which was completed in February 2009, includes numerous energy efficient and water conserving measures. The Shannon Community Center is awaiting LEED certification. ~ In 2009, the City Council adopted the Green Building Ordinance, which aims to improve public health and welfare by encouraging green building measures in the design, construction, and maintenance of both public and private buildings. This Ordinance requires residential projects over 20 units in size to reach 50 points on the GreenPoint rating system. In November 2010, the City'adopted the California Green Building Code, which requires further enhancements in the design and construction of buildings and sustainable construction practices. In February 2010, the City Council appointed residents to the Green Initiatives Task Force. The purpose of the Task Force was to provide recommendations on environmental initiatives that the City Council could consider for future implementation. In June 2010, ,the City Council adopted several recommendations of the City's Green Initiatives Task Force. The City Council also authorized the creation of a Green Strategic Plan document. This document will provide guidance to Staff about which environmental activities should be given .priority over the next five years. The Task Force provided recommendations on energy and water conservation, air quality, solid waste and recycling, green building, and transportation and land use. In addition to the above actions, the City has also developed several policy documents that support sustainable development, including the Community Design and Sustainability Element Page 2 of 5 3~~~ of the General Plan, which contains po{icies intended to enhance the livability of Dubiin through high-quality design. The City's Bikeways Master Plan aims to continue the development of successful bicycle.and pedestrian corridors, provide improved access to parks and open space areas, and provide and promote a convenient and safe bicycle infrastructure to reduce trips by motor vehicies. Most recently, the City Council adopted Dublin's Climate Action Plan, which sets forth the City's plan to reduce its Greenhouse Gas Emissions 20% below a business-as- usual scenario by 2020. ~ Many of the ~City initiatives already underway are promoting sustainability in the public realm. On the private side, initiatives such as the Green Building Ordinance are resulting in the construction of more sustainable buildings. However, planning for sustainabi{+ty should also include looking at the physical layout of the development sites to see what sustainability measures can be included in the site design. Staff is requesting that the City Council provide feedback and direction on developing a"Sustainable Neighborhood Development Strategy" to enable and promote designs where the streets, homes, workplaces, and businesses built in our neighborhoods contribute positively to residents' _quality of life and the community as a whole. ANALYSIS: Promoting sustainable neighborhood design . . Recent research by the Kaiser Foundation shows that people's environments - where they live and work, how they travel around, what they eat and.where and when they are physically active - have a major impact on their health and well-being. The design of neighborhoods can vastly . impact public health, which is a chronic sustainability issue. The sustainable benefits of a neighborhood increase when it offers proximity to transit, schools, and parks, and when residents and workers can travel safely by foot or bicycle to jobs, services, and amenities.. This can create a neighborhood with a high quality of life and healthy inhabitants. Additionally, green buildings can reduce energy and water u~e, and green infrastructure such as landscaping and best practices designed to reduce stormwater runoff can protect natural resources. All of these features combine to create a sustainable neighborhood. Well-located and well-designed sustainable neighborhood development can play an integral role in improving quality of life. In addition to the City policies noted above, state legislation such as Assembly Bill 32 (mandating greenhouse gas reduction measures) and Senate Bill 375 (requiring the examination of sustainable practices throughout a region) will require local consideration of issues such as reducing vehicle miles travelled and improving air quality. Other state efforts that.will impact local planning efforts are new air quality/greenhouse gas emissions thresholds that will affect land use planning and site design. These state regulations, when combined with the enforcement of the City's existing policies, could eventually lead to the creation ~ of more environmentally sustainable neighborhoods over time. ~ However, the City could go further by creating specific standards to compel sustainab{e site design to occur. By setting expectations, standards; and a means by which to assess sustainable site design, the City can take a more active approach. Creating sustainability standards will compel early cooperation and involvement befinreen the City and the property owner/developer in the site planning process. Identifying sustainable standards outlines the City's expectations and also demonstrates a commitment to sustainable neighborhoods that could open up opportunities for future grant funding to implement plans as well as the potential for local, regional, or national recognition. Page 3 of 5 ~ ~ -~ A Sustainable Neighborhood Development Strategy could be a policy document that outlines the desired components of a sustainable neighborhood such as connected street pattern and land use plan, green infrastructure and buildings, and open space preservation and utilization. A Sustainable Neighborhood Development Strategy could also incfude a set of performance standards designed to measure the sustainability of a planned neighborhood, much like the City currently uses the GresnPoint Rated Checklist for measuri_ng the environmental efficiency of new residential buildings. An example would be LEED-ND, as described below. Developing Sustainable Neighborhood Design Standards: The LEED-ND approach One of the predominant rating systems to measure the sustainability level of . new neighborhoods is the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Neighborhood Development (LEED-ND). In the late 1990s, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) developed a system for measuring green building metrics, which led to the first LEED building rating system. The LEED systems have evolved, and today there are LEED rating systems for new construction, existing buildings, retail, schools, homes, and healthcare facilities. Unlike the other LEED rating systems that focus primarily on green building practices, the LEED for~ Neighborhood Development (LEED- ND) rating system places emphasis on site design and construction elements that bring buildings and infrastructure together. Like the other LEED rating systems, -LEED-ND certifications are awarded according to how many points are earned. Projects can.be certified for one of four levels: LEED certified, silver, gold, or platinum. A brief fact sheet describing LEED-ND is included with this Staff Report as Attachment 1. Projects that qualify for LEED-ND certification are compact, walkable, vibrant mixed=use neighborhoods with good connections to nearby communities and neighborhoods. These are the types of neighborhoods that the City Council has expressed interest in developing, so preparing a Sustainable Neighborhood Development Strategy could help better the City's ability to achieve them. Options to consider Staff is seeking feedback and direction from the City Council on whether policy alternatives should be drafted for the City Council's consideration that further develops this concept of sustainable neighborhoods. Staff requests that the City Council provide direction on which of the following options to pursue: 1. Direct Staff to return to the City Council with a report on Sustainable Neighborhood Development Strategy policy alternatives to consider. Staff will propose several alternatives to consider and will seek direction at that time on which policy alternative(s) should be developed into a policy recommendation. The report will, outline the following: • How a Sustainable Neighborhood Development Strategy policy could work; '• How LEED-ND standards, or other sustainable neighborhood concepts, could be integrated into a policy; • How the policy could be implemented; • Recommendations on which types of development could be subject to compliance with a future policy; and • Recommendations for public outreach .to review the concepts being considered. Page 4 of 5 5 ~c~ ~ 2. Direct Staff to continue to utilize existing policy documents, processes, and state mandates to compel green initiatives at the neighborhood level. No new policy direction at this time. NOTICING REQUIREMENTS/PUBLIC OUTREACH: A public notice is not required to seek direction from the City Council on whether or not to prepare sustainable neighborhood policy alternatives. Future reports would address pub{ic outreach on policy alternatives being considered. ATTACHMENTS: 1. LEED for Neighborhood Development Fact Sheet Page5of5 ~ ~~_, i~ ~ FACT SHEET LEED° for Neighborhood Development LEED for Neighborhood Development (LEED-ND) integrates the principles of smart growth, New Urbanism and green building into the first national rating system for neighborhood design and was developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) in partnership with the Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU) and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). Significance of LEED for Neighborhood Development certification LEEp for Neighborhood Development recognizes devetopment projects that successfully protect and enhance the overall health, natural environment and quality of life in our communities. The rating system encourages smart growth and 1Vew Urbanist best practices by promoting the location and design of neighborhoods that reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT) and creating developments where jobs and services are accessible by foot or public transit. It also promotes an array of green building and green infrastructure practices, particularly more efficient energy and water use-especially important in urban areas where infrastructure is often overtaxed. Project types ` ' LEED for Neigiiborhood Development is designed to certify exemplary development projects that perform well in terms of smart growth, urbanism, and green buitding. Projects may constitute whole neighborhoods, portions of neighbo~hoods, o~ multiple neighborhoods. Projects are often mixed-use, though srriall single-use projects that complement existing neighborhood uses may also use the rating system. Local jurisdictions should not use LEED-ND as a replacement for comprehensive planning, however, many local jurisdictions may find that LEED for Neighborhood Development is a meaningful tool to help promote sustainable land devefopment if incentivized or used as a guideline when revising local codes and regulations. Credit Categories The following credit categories are included in the rating system: • Smart Locatton and Linkage encourages communities to. consider location, transportation alternatives, and preservation of sensitive lands while also discouraging sprawl. • Neighborhood Pattern and Design emphasizes vibrant, equitable communities that are healthy, wa{kable, and mixed-use. • Green Infrastructure and Buildings promotes the design and construction of buildings and infrastructure that reduce energy and water use, while promoting more sustainable use of materials, reuse of existing and historic structures, and other sustainable best practices. •. Innovation and Design Process recognizes exemplary and innovative performance reaching beyond the existing credits in the rating system, as well as the value of including an accredited professional on the design team. • Regional Priority encourages projects to focus on eaming credits of significance to the projecYs local environment. U.S. GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL ZI01 L St pW, Suite 500. Was~ington, OC 20+J31 . Phone 2U2 828-7d2T. • U56EC.org - 4 ~ v ~ ~ ~ Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) and Annual Audit for the Fiscal 8:37:43 PM 8.4 (310-30) Administrative~ Services Director Paul Rankin presented th taff Report and advised that the City of Dublin had compiled and published its Comprehe ive Annual Financial Report (CAFR), for the fiseal year ending June 30, 2010. This repo ' cluded financial statements pr~pared by City Staff along with the audit prepared by Capori ~ and Larson (C&L), a subsidiary of Marcum, LLP, the independent auditors selected by City Council. The CAFR is a report which encompassed information beyond minim financial reporting requirements. The Auditors have provided a"clean opinion" based their review. The report had also been reviewed by the City Council ad-hoc Audit Sub mmittee. The report also included a discussion of the allocation of General Fund Rese s. The City Council comment,~ on the positive features of the report. On motion of Vm. art, seconded by Cm. Swalwell and by unanimous vote, the City Council received the re rts and confirmed the establishment of the fund balances as stated for the year ending ne 30, 2010; and directed Staff to proceed with the development of specific policies r ted to the designation of reserves in accordance with accounting standards. . ~~..~ Sustainable Neiphborhood Development Strateqv 8:45:26 PM 8.5 (530-10) Principal Planner Kristi Bascom presented the Staff Report and advised that the City of Dublin had taken an active role in promoting sustainability. in the public realm. On the private side, initiatives such as the Green Building Ordinance were resulting in the construction of more sustainable buildings. However, Staff believed that the City could benefit from developing a "Sustainable Neighborhood Development Strategy," which would enable and promote sustainable site design and planning for the streets, homes, workplaces, and businesses we build in our neighborhoods. This Staff Report contained an overview of why the City Council could consider developing a Sustainable Neighborhood Development Strategy. Cm. Swalwell asked if there was a way to balance requirements with incentives. Would these requirements make costs so high that applicants could not afford to build, or.no one can afford to purchase it? Ms. Bascom stated there were many alternatives that could be brought forward for City Council consideration. When looking at LEED, there were some prerequisites that were required to be DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL MtNUTES 13 VOLUME 29 ` OF Dtii,. REGULAR MEETING rn ~~ December21,2010 19~~ ~,~ ~`~C~,ll ATTACHMENT 2 ~ ~ ~ LEED certified but there were many variations. Some components were items the City was already doing or encouraging, or developers were already implementing. Cm. Hildenbrand asked when the report came back, could it include other cities that had these types of programs. This was cutting edge and made for some great neighborhoods. There was a cost associated with these kinds of homes, but residents wanted these kinds of homes. Vm. Hart stated he was willing to look at incentives and programs to find a ba{ance relative to associated costs. Cm. Hildenbrand stated these were recommendations and sustainable homes options were upgrades when purchasing a new home. . Mayor Sbranti stated the nexus now for the developers to provide some of the sustainable elements were not as costly as they were three.or four years ago. By consensus, the City Council directed Staff to proceed with developing a Sustainable Neighborhood Development Strategy. , ~:~.~ OTHER BUSINESS Brief /NFORMAT/ON ONLY reports from ouncil and/or Staff, including Committee ~Reports and Reports by Council relate to meetings attended at ~ City expense (AB 1234) ~ 9:00:00 PM Cm. Swalwell stated he attended the Deputy Cm. Hildenbrand stated the City of Dub Dinner meeting on St. Patrick's Day. / Tree Lighting ceremony. uld be hosting the East Bay Division. League Cm. Biddle stated he also attende he Deputy Monego Tree Lighting ceremony. He attended the City's Breakfast with Santa vent, the N30 Open House, a Stopwaste Planning meeting, and a Community Developm t Block Grant and Community Development Support meeting. Vm. Hart had no comrp~nts on meetings attended. Mayor Sbranti ted he attended a Dublin Chamber Mixer, a N30 Board meeting, and an Alameda Co Transit Authority retreat. ` _ .~i DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 14 VOLUME 29 0 0~ REGULAR MEETING n,~ ~ ~a December 21, 2010 '~\~~~1 Gc,~ ° ~ -I ~ ~ Draft Sustainable Neighborhood Design Strategy Proposed Goals, Policies, and Standards The overarching goals of the proposed Sustainable Neighborhood Design Strategy are to: • Create neighborhoods with a robust network of internal streets and good connections to surrounding neighborhoods where pedestrians, bicyclists, and drivers can move efficiently and safely. • Promote walking and cycling by providing safe, appealing, and comfortable street environments that support public health by reducing pedestrian injuries and encouraging daily physical activity. • Improve physical and mental health and social capital by providing a variety of open spaces (public and private) close to work and home to. facilitate neighborhood connectivity, social nefinrorking, civic engagement, physical activity, and time spent, outdoors. ~ Draft Sustainable Neighborhood Design Strategy Page 1 of 6 ATTACHMENT 3 ~~°~~ ~ Policy Section One: Street Patterns and Design Intended Results: • A dedicated pedestrian and bike network • Streets with ample room for sidewalks, parkway strips, dedicated bike lanes • Multiple intersections providing increased opportunities for circulation • Safe and easy tcavel between key destinations: residential, civic/public, and commercial spaces Goa/s: • Promote transportation efficiency, including reduced vehicle miles traveled (VMT) • Enable easier non-vehicular circulation • Promote walking and cycling Policies and Standards: ~ ` ~~ ~ Policy 1: Provide safe and comfortable pedestrian and bicycle connections between destinations within a project area by providing wide multi-use paths, generous sidewalks, and dedicated bicycle lanes on all collector and arterial streets. ~ New streets shall conform to the following street standards: Standard 1a: No closed cul-de-sacs. New residential cul-de-sacs shall have cut-throughs at the end that are accessib/e to pedestrians and cyclists. The cul-de-sac can open to another cu/-de-sac, another street, or a park, trail, or open space area. All cut-throughs sha/l ensure compliance with CPTED principles and accessibility for public safety vehicles. Standard 1b: New residential collectorstreets shall have a minimum 6' wide sidewalk or multi-use path, 5' parkway strip with street trees at intervals not to exceed 40 feet, and a dedicated bike lane that is separate from on-street parking and travel /anes. Standard 1 c: New non-residential collector streets shall have a minimum 8' wide sidewalk or multi-use path, 5' parkway strip with street trees at intervals not to exceed 40 feet, a dedicated bike lane that is separate from on-street parking and travel /anes, and a raised median. Standard 1 d: New arterial streets shall have a minimum 10' wide sidewalk or multi-use path, 5' parkway strip with street trees at intervals not to exceed 40 feet, a dedicated bike lane that is separate from on-street parking and travel lanes, and a raised median. Standard 1 e: . All streets at the perimeter of a school site shall have a minimum 10' wide sidewalk or multi-use path, 5' parkway strip with street trees at intervals not to Draft Sustainable Neighborhood Design Strategy Page 2 of 6 i~- ~r~ exceed 40 feet, a dedicated bike lane that is separate from on-street parking and travel lanes, regardless of the street type. Policy.2: ~ Provide connectivity and options for access within a neighborhood. Standard 2a: Design new intersections every 600' on average and at 800' maximum. This standard applies to non-vehicular intersections (e.g. separated pedesfrian/ bicycle paths or trails) as well. Policy 3: Provide a continuous network of pedestrian and bicycle routes within a project area and logical connections to the exterior of the project area. Standard 3a: Provide a pedestrian and bicycle accessibility plan for each neighborhood that illustrates the continuous connections throughout the project site, highlighting the connections to school sites, public spaces, and semi-public uses in ~ particular. ' Policy 4: All projects within'/Z mile of a regional transit~sfation (e.g: BART) shall provide increased connectivity to the station for pedestrians and cyclists. Draft Sustainable Neighborhood Design Strategy Page 3 of 6 l a"~ ~c.~ Policy Section Two: Land Use Patterns and Design Infended Results: • Generous open spaces (both public and private) located close to the places people live and work . • A minimum standard of residential densities in close proximity to BART Goals • Provide a variety of open spaces close to residences and businesses • Improve access to transit Policies and Standards: . Policy 5: Locate open spaces in close proximity to residents and businesses. Standard 5a: ' Design neighborhoods so that a park, civic, semi-public, or publicly- ~ accessible passive-use space, at least % acre in size lies within a'4 mile walk disfance of 75% of planned and existing residences and commercial businesses. The space can be either a public park (in compliance with the Parks and Recreation Master plan) or privately-owned, as long as it is accessible to the general public. Standard 5b: Design neighborhoods so that a park, civic, semi-public, or publicly- accessible recreational facility at least one acre in size with ~either indoor or outdoor recreational amenities, lies within a%-mile walk distance of 75% of planned and existing residences and commercial businesses. Recreational facilities must include some physical improvements and may include `~ot lots," swimming pools, sports fields, community buildings or recreation centers, or can be any public park. The recreational facility can be either a public park (if it is in compliance with the Rarks and Recreation Master plan) or privately- . owned, as long as it is accessible to the general public. It can be a facility that charges a fee for use. Policy 6: Residential development in the vicinity of a regional transit station (e.g. BART) shall have minimum development density requirements. Standard 6a: For all residential uses within % mile of a regional transit station, 25 units per net acre is the minimum density requirement, and for all residential land within % mile of a regional transit station, 10 units per net acre is the minimum density requirement. Higher densities within % mile of a regional transit sfation are encouraged. ~ Draft Sustainable Neighborhood Design Strategy Page 4 of 6 . ... . . . «~~`~ Policy 7: Support fac~lities for a regionai transit station (e.g. BART) shall be provided in large residential neighborhoods to facilitate pedestrian and cyclist access to transit. Standard 7a: Include a`Transit Hub" in any new project that has 500+ residential units and is located more than one mile from a regional transit station. A Transit Hub would be a central location in the project where pedestrian trails, bike /anes, and streets converge at a central transit stop. If bus service is to be provided to the project area, the Transit Hub wou/d be the location to put the bus stop, bicycle parking, and bus shelter. There is no minimum size for a Transit Hub and it shall be located adjacent to an open space, park, or publiclcivic facility a: Draft Sustainable Neighborhood Design Strategy Page 5 of 6 ) ~i l~ Policy Section Three: Access to Schools Intended Results: • Well-located and easily-accessible school sites • Minimize the distance from school sites for the maximum number of likely students (e.g. adjacent to attached and detached single family homes) ~ Goal: • Integrate schools into the neighborhood street and land use pattern Policies and Standards: Policy 8: School sites in neighborhoods shall be chosen for maximum safety and accessibility for students. ~ Standard 8a: School sites shall be located and designed for accessibility to the maximum number of likely students. School sites are ideally not located at the intersection of collector streets, and the site must be designed and located so that pedestrians and cyclists can easily reach the site via safe bike lanes, multi-use paths, and sidewalks. Standard 8b: Design a neighborhood such that at least 50% of any attached and detached sing/e-family residential units are within a% mile walking distance of any new e/ementary or middle school site. Standard 8c: For projects thaf do not involve the creation of a new school site, locate attached and detached single-family residential units in areas within the project that facilitates the most direct walking route to existing school site(s). Streets within and/or bordering the project area that lead from new dwelling units to an existing school site (or dedicated future school site) shall be designed to have a complete network of multi-use paths or sidewalks on at least two sides and either bicycle lanes or traffic control and/or calming measures. Draft Sustainable Neighborhood Design Strategy Page 6 of 6