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HomeMy WebLinkAbout8.4 DublinGenPlan 02-03CITY CLERK AGEN DA STATEMENT CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: September 16, 2003 SUBJECT: ATTACHMENTS: RECOMMENDATION: Annual Report on the Status of the Dublin General Plan Report Prepared by: Jeri Ram, Planning Mana~ ger 1. Annual Report on the Status of thc Dublin General Plan, July 1, 2002 - June 30, 2003 Receive Staff presentation. Accept the Annual Report on the Status of the Dublin General Plan. FINANCIAL STATEMENT: None BACKGROUND: Local governments are required by Government Code Section 65400(b)(1) to provide an annual report to their City Council, the State of California Office of Planning and Research and the State of California Department of Housing and Community Development regarding the status of the General Plan and progress in its implementation. PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The City of Dublin has made significant progress in implementing the General Plan over the last fiscal year. The Progress Report is divided into the sections of the General Plan, and some of the highlights and accomplishments of the past year are noted in each chapter. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW: None required, RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the City Council receive Staff presentation and accept the Annum Report on the StatUs of thc Dublin General Plan (Attachment 1). G:\General Plan\CC Staff Report GP progress report.doc COPIES TO: In House Distribution Annual Report on the Status of the Dublin General Plan July 1, 2002 - June 30, 2003 Government Code Section 65400(b) requires that the planning agency of local governments provide an annual report to their legislative body on the status of the General Plan. The report must address the City's progress in its General Plan implementation, including the progress in meeting its share of regional housing needs. The Annual Report should also include a discussion of constraints to the maintenance, improvement, and development of housing. The intent of this requirement is to ensure that the General Plan directs all land use decisions and remains an effective guide for future development. Because the role of the General Plan is to act as a "constitution" for the long-term physical development of a community and because it is required to be updated periodically to reflect current circumstances, it is critical that local planning agencies periodically review the general plan and its implementation. The Progress Report is a tool for doing this. The following information is provided in compliance with Government Code Requirements. General Background The Dublin General Plan was adopted on February 11, 1985, soon after the City was first incorporated. The General Plan contains the seven State-required elements, but organized in a different way. The State allows the combining of elements or the addition of new elements as long as the required seven elements are present in some fashion. Dublin's General Plan contains the following sections: Land Use and Circulation: Land Use Element Land Use and Circulation: Parks and Open Space Element Land Use and Circulation: Schools, Public Lands, and Utilities Element Land Use and Circulation: Circulation and Scenic Highways Element. Housing Element Environmental Resources Management: Conservation Element Environmental Resources Management: Seismic Safety and Safety Element Environmental Resources Management: Noise Element Local governments are required to keep their General Plans current and internally consistent. There is no specific requirement that a local government update its General Plan on a particular timeline, with the exception of the Housing Element, which is required to be updated every five years. Dublin's Housing Element was recently updated and certified by the State Housing and Community Development Department on July 11, 2003. The following list represents the progress the City has made towards implementing the goals of the General Plan during the last fiscal year: July 1, 2002 through June 30, 2003. The list is organized according to the elements of the Dublin General Plan. Page l oflO ATTACHMENT I Land Use and Circulation: Land Use Element Amendments The Land Use Element can be amended a maximum of four times per calendar year. During the 2002 calendar year, the Land Use Element of the General Plan was amended three times, and has been amended twice so far in 2003, as explained below: 1. Doolan Canyon amendment (2002): The Land Use Element of the General Plan was amended to adjust the City of Dublin's Eastern Extended Planning Area boundary and remove the "Future Study Area" designation from property that is outside of the city limits. The intent was to remove any indications that Dublin has plans to continue to annex property to the east. 2. Land Use Map amendment (2002): The Land Use Element of the General Plan was amended to consolidate the Primary Planning Area land use map and the Eastern Extended Planning Area land use map into one single map. No land use changes were made, simply text clarifications as they referred to the maps. 3. Transit Center amendment (2002): The Land Use Element of the General Plan was amended to change the land use designation of approximately 91 acres of property adjacent to the Dublin BART Station. The land use designation changed from Public Lands to a combination of Campus Office, High Density Residential, Public/Semi-Public, and Open Space land use designations. The project proposed for the site includes 1500 high-density residential units, up to 2 million square feet of campus office uses, 70,000 square feet of ancillary commercial uses, a 8.73 net acre Neighborhood Park, and a new parking structure. 4. Site 1SA amendment (2003): The Land Use Element of the General Plan was amended to change the land use designation for Site 15A, an approximately 11.36 acre property located on the northeast comer of Dublin Boulevard and Arnold Drive, from High Density Residential to Campus Office. 5. Eden Senior Housing (2003): The Land Use Element of the General Plan was amended to change the land use designation on the property fi'om Retail/Office to High Density Residential. The project proposed for the site includes up to 53 multi-family senior apartment units and one manager's unit with ground floor parking and related site improvements. Occupancy of the project is limited to qualified very-low income households with a minimum age requirement. Progress towards meeting goals and guiding policies of the Land Use Element Residential Land Use The City approved several housing projects over the past year that will provide a range of housing opportunities for current and future Dublin residents. The Eden Housing project includes up to 53 affordable senior housing units, and the Fairway Ranch Housing Project Page 2 of 10 was approved on July 1, 2003, which permits the construction of 930 affordable and market rate housing units in Dublin Ranch. · The City approved the annexation of and land use entitlements for a 259-unit residential project on 108 acres on north Tassajara Road. · · Dublin Ranch Villages, which began construction in 2002 includes 1,396 condominiums and townhomes (105 of which are affordable to moderate income households). Several Dublin Ranch single-family home neighborhoods are under construction, Greenbriar Homes and Shea Properties are finishing up construction of single-family homes along Tassajara Road, and the Apartments at Waterford are finishing the last of the apartment units at the 390-unit project. · City Staff have been working with applicants on several other residential projects, including a proposed 234-unit single family neighborhood in the Area F North portion of Dublin Ranch, and two mixed use projects which incorporate residential units on the same site as commercial uses. · The Dublin Transit Center project, which received its Planned Development approval in November 2002, includes 1,500 residential units adjacent to the City's BART station. The property owner is proposing that 15% of those units be set aside for very-low, low, and moderate income individuals and families. · The Eastern Dublin Property Owners annexation was approved by the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo) in July 2002. Subsequent to the annexation, the City has been working with the property owners in the area to prepare a ResOurce Management Plan (RMP) for the area. A consultant has been retained and the resource studies will be completed this fiscal year. Commercial and Industrial Land Use · The City Council approved a 15,000 square foot expansion to and renovation of the Target Store in the Dublin Place Shopping Center in Downtown Dublin. · The Transit Center project noted above also includes up to 2 million square feet of office space and ground floor retail space on property adjacent to the existing BART station. · The Shops at Waterford mixed-use project finished construction and is almost fully occupied. The project includes a 134,025 square foot neighborhood shopping center, 390 multi-family apartment units, structured and surface parking, landscaping and related improvements. · The City Council approved a 187,000 square foot addition to the Valley Christian Center, a private school and church facility in Dublin's western hills. Page3oflO Land Use and Circulation: Parks and Open Space Element Amendments The Parks and Open Space Element was not amended this past fiscal year. Progress towards meeting goals and guiding policies of the Parks and Open Space Element Parks and Recreation · Construction of Phase Two of Emerald Glen Park began in June 2003 and is anticipated to be complete in Spring 2004. The CommunitY Design process for Bray Commons Park began in 2003 and the park construction is anticipated to be complete in June 2004. · The second phase of the renovations at the Dublin Sports Grounds was completed in 2003, which included reconfignring the drainage and irrigation for the sports fields and the installation of new play equipment. · The Dublin Library was completed in 2003 and had a successful grand opening. The building is in the Civic Center complex, along with City Hall, and the Dublin Sports Grounds. · The City held an art competition to design two new bus shelters in the City. The winning artist was chosen and designs were approved in 2003. The two shelters are scheduled to be installed in November 2003. · The City commissioned murals to be painted under the Highway 680 at Dublin Boulevard and Highway 680 at Amador Valley Boulevard freeway underpasses. The painting began in 2003 and the project is anticipated to be completed in October 2003. · The City completed reconstruction of the Murray School Bell Tower in 2003. · A preliminary draft of the City's Parks and Recreation Master Plan was completed in 2003 and a final version is expected to be finished in December 2003. · The City initiated work on the Public Art Master Plan, and. final version is expected to be finished in February 2004. · The City has begun a program to replace aging play equipment in all parks throughout the City. Replacing the equipment at Kolb Park began in February 2003 and is anticipated to be complete in Fall 2003. Open Space · The City is currently collaborating with property owners in the western hills and the East Bay Regional Park District to create a regional park in the City's Western Extended Planning Area. Page 4oflO Land Use and Circulation: Schools, Public Lands, and Utilities Element Amendments The Schools, Public Lands, and Utilities Element was not amended this past fiscal year. Progress towards meeting goals and guiding policies of the Schools, Public Lands, and Utilities Element Schools · City Staff continue to work with developers and property owners to ensure that adequate sites are reserved to meet the Dublin Unified School District's projected demand for future school uses. Public Lands The City continues to keep open lines of communication with the leadership at Camp Parks/Parks RFTA military facility to ensure that issues of mutual concern are addressed. In April 2003 the City Council authorized a General Plan amendment study to look at transferring 187 acres of government property along Dublin Boulevard to private development. City Staff and the applicant will be examining possible land uses over the next several months to determine what type of development might take place on the property. Utilities · The City continues to work closely with project applicants and the service utilities to ensure that there is adequate capacity to serve all new and existing areas of Dublin. Land Use and Circulation: Circulation and Scenic Highways Element Amendments The Circulation and Scenic Highways Element was not amended this past fiscal year. Progress towards meeting goals and guiding policies of the Circulation and Scenic Highways Element · Several street improvements are either under construction or completed, including: o Dublin Boulevard widening between Village Parkway and Sierra Lane Page 5oflO o Dublin Boulevard and Central Parkway extensions to Keegan Road o Reconstruction of the Highway 580 freeway overpass at Tassajara/Santa Rita Road c> Village Parkway & Lewis Avenue intersection improvements c~ Fallon Road northern extension During Fiscal Year 2002-2003, $421,090, of Dublin's Capital Improvement Program was allocated for bicycle and pedestrian projects. Authorization to improve the Alamo Creek Trail between Amador Valley Boulevard and the City Limits was approved in 2003 The City continues to support the construction of a new West Dublin BART station and anticipates the opening of the new station by 2006. The City continues to collect traffic improvement fees for new development projects to ensure that new facilities are built to accommodate the additional vehicle, bicycle, and pedestrian trips that result from the project. Housing Element Amendments The Housing Element was updated this past year and was certified by the State Department of Housing and Community Development on July 11, 2003. Progress towards meeting goals and guiding policies of the Housing Element · The City continues to promote high-density residential mixed-use projects in the development in the Downtown Intensification Area. Two applications for mixed-use development projects in the Downtown Intensification Area are currently under review: o In November 2002, the City received an application for a commercial office and 304-unit multi-family residential project in close proximity to the future West Dublin BART station. c~ In June 2003, the City began reviewing a pre-application for a hotel, restaurant, and 210-unit multi-family residential project adjacent to the future West Dublin BART station. · The City is cooperating with nonprofit housing providers to develop units affordable to very-low- and low-income households. Examples of City's involvement include: Page 6 of 10 o In February 2003, the City approved a Loan Agreement of $280,000 for a non- profit developer for the preparation of Dublin Senior Affordable Housing at former library site. o In June 2003, the City entered into an Option for Lease with the 'same non-profit developer at $1 per year for former library site. o The City committed up to $2.4 million for gap financing from the City's in-lieu Housing Fund, depending on results of applications submitted for tax credits and for HUD financing. Results to be 53-unit Affordable Senior Rental Complex for very low-income residents 62 years or older. o City Staff' provided assistance to the same non-profit developer of Dublin Senior Affordable Housing in preparing applications for both HUD and TCAC. o City Staff provided assistance to developer of Fairway Ranch in preparing applications for CDLAC for bond allocation. · The City is continuing to provide incentives for the development of affordable housing units. Examples of the City's involvement include: o The City Council approved a density bonus of 186 units to the developer of the Fairway Ranch Affordable Housing Project for the provision of 20% of the housing units for low-income and 10% for very low-income. o Financing was committed for $4.5 million from the City's in-lieu housing fund to the developer of the Fairway Ranch Affordable Housing Project depending on results of applications submitted to CDLAC for two tax-exempt bond allocations. o Alternate development standards were adopted with reduced parking standards for the Fairway Ranch Affordable Housing Project. · The City is continuing to implement the Inclusionary Zoning ordinance. Ten different residential developments are currently in various phases of applying for land use entitlements of one form or another. All of these developments will be required to comply with the Inclusionary Ordinance at the time of their approval. · The City is continuing to work on a commercial linkage study. A consultant has been hired to assist Staff and it is.anticipated that the study will be completed by early October 2003. · The City is continuing to improve housing affordability with higher densities near the Dublin BART station. In May 2003 a Master Development Plan for the Dublin Transit Center was approved by the City Council. The Transit Center is adjacent to the existing Dublin/Pleasanton BART Station. At this time, the Transit Center will consist of four separate mixed-use developments. Each will need to apply for entitlements when at that stage of preparation.. An anticipated 1,500 units will be provided at this site, 112 affordable to low- and very low-income households and 10% of the remaining for moderate-income households. · The City is continuing to provide priority processing for senior-housing projects and other residential developments providing 10 percent or more of the housing units as affordable for very low-, low-, and moderate-income households. Expedited processing Page 7 of I0 was provided for the Fairway Ranch Affordable Housing Project, a development with 930 units, 535 of these affordable to very low-, low- and moderate-income households.. · The City has committed to evaluating the feasibility of establishing a shared-living program in Dublin through a nonprofit organization. The City Council has approved funding in the 2003-2004 Housing budget for a Housing Needs Survey. The intent of the survey is to get a better understanding of what the area housing needs are and therefore what programs are likely to succeed. Based on the results of the study, the City may proceed to initiate a Shared-Living Program and seek to locate a Community Based Nonprofit to administer this program. · The City's Housing Specialist continues to maintain and update information on housing assistance programs and facilitates the construction of affordable housing. Affordable housing programs and opportunities, links with other organizations, and information about the first phase of the Dublin Ranch Villages below market rate housing units are listed on the City's Internet webpage. The City continues to provide opportunities for first-time homebuyers to purchase homes in Dublin. In June 2003, the 2003-2004 Housing budget was approved which includes funds to proceed with a Housing Needs Study. Pending the study's results, an appropriate First Time Homebuyer Program may be created for the City. The City continues to work to preserve low-income housing that is present in the community. In December 2002, the list of rental properties was updated and it was determined that there are no subsidized rental properties in the City of Dublin at-risk of converting to market-rate housing. · The City continues to encourage efficient use of existing housing stock and to promote the development of small units at low cost. In June 2003, The City's ordinance relating to second living units was revised per State law. · The City is in the process of evaluating the general feasibility of developing additional housing units in an affordable or mixed-income development on the Arroyo Vista site. In May 2003, The City of Dublin entered into an Agreement with the Housing Authority of Alameda County for $30,000 to provide for a feasibility analysis of the possibility of rehabilitating or redeveloping the Arroyo Vista Public Housing Development. Following the signing of the agreement, The Housing Authority of Alameda County, along with the City of Dublin, held a tenant meeting at Arroyo Vista to inform the residents of the feasibility study and concept of future development. · The City continues to provide subsidies for housing rehabilitation. From July 2002-June 2003, 6 minor home repairs and 1 major home improvement were completed. For the next fiscal year, The County of Alameda Housing and Community Development Department (HCD) has made $84,222 available from program income from repaid rehabilitation loans to use for rehabilitation programs within the City of Dublin. · The City continues to promote equal housing opportunities for all Dublin residents by , providing funding through CDBG funds for ECHO Housing to continue to administer counseling and investigate housing discrimination complaints. Additionally, The City's web page has an entry for fair housing issues, directing interested readers both to ECHO Page 8 of I0 Housing and to the State of California Consumer Affairs Office booklet, "California Tenants: Guide to Residential Tenants and Landlord's Rights and Responsibilities." The City is in the process of evaluating the feasibility of a universal-design ordinance that provides for greater adaptability and accessibility of housing for persons with disabilities. Environmental Resources Management: Conservation Element Amendments The Conservation Element was not amended this past fiscal year. Progress towards meeting goals and guiding policies of the Conservation Element · The City cominues to review each new development project that is proposed near a natural resource such as a stream corridor with the intent of protecting the resource. Conditions of approval include measures to ensure adequate setbacks, minimal impacts to water quality, passive recreational opportunities, and the maintenance of natural systems to the extent possible. · The City continues to work with developers to ensure that open space corridors that are established in new neighborhoods are maintained and managed appropriately. · The City is currently collaborating with property owners in the western hills and the East Bay Regional Park District to create a regional park in the City's Western Extended Planning Area. · The City has begun work to preserve Dublin's historic resources. Staff is completing an archeological resource analysis and historic resource inventory study, which analyzes the history of Dublin, quality of Dublin's historic structures, and establishes implementation measures, including the development of design guidelines and recommended changes to the City's zoning ordinance. Work on this project is continuing into the next fiscal year. Page 9 of I0 Environmental Resources Management: Seismic Safety and Safety Element Amendments The Seismic Safety and Safety Element was not amended this past fiscal year. Progress towards meeting goals and guiding policies of the Seismic Safety and Safety Element Due to the nature of the goals and policies of the Seismic Safety and Safety Element, most of the efforts to implement the General Plan are ongoing in nature. However, several accomplishments are of note: Construction began on two new fire stations designed to serve the City's Eastern Extended Planning Area. The City obtained two grants of $50,000 each from the Alameda County Waste Management Authority to build the two new stations, which are using a variety of green building techniques. · An update to the City's Emergency Operations Plan began in March 2003. · The City conducted an intensive Neighborhood Emergency Training program in November 2002. · The City sponsored disaster preparedness trainings for various community groups and non-profit organizations in Dublin. · The City took part in a county-wide disaster preparedness exercise in November 2002. Environmental Resources Management: Noise Element Amendments The Noise Element was not amended this past fiscal year. Progress towards meeting goals and guiding policies of the Noise Element Due to the nature of the goals and policies of the Noise Element, the efforts to implement the General Plan are ongoing in nature. Page lO of lO