Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/16/2002, C9 - GRANT APPLICATION FOR AN ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE: CONTEXT-SENSITIVE PLANNING FOR COMMUNITIES GRANT D.teMe.�i.� councl July 16_, 200.2 acEnba REpom c9"umh" CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO FROM: John Mandeville, Community Development Director rrvJA4,AD Prepared By: Michael Draze, Deputy Director of Community Development SUBJECT: Grant Application for an"Environmental Justice: Context-Sensitive Planning for Communities"grant for the Broad Street/Highway 227 Corridor Enhancement Plan for the area along Broad Street between Orcutt Road and High Street CAO RECOMMENDATION 1) Adopt a resolution authorizing the Community Development Director to submit a grant application to the State Division of Transportation for an Environmental Justice Grant in the amount of$200;000 to fund an Area Plan Study. 2) Approve funding the required City match in an amount not to exceed $30,000, to provide professional services related to required CEQA studies. 3) Approve in-kind expenses from the Community Development Department not to exceed $11,500 (5% of the total project costs). DISCUSSION Background Beginning with the 1999-01 Financial Plan, Council interest has been expressed in conducting more comprehensive planning along the Broad Street corridor (see vicinity map, Attachment 1). This project was considered during preparation of the 2001-03 Financial Plan, however the Council set the proposal aside pending identification of a possible funding source. To this point, resources have not been available for such an undertaking. Recently, however, staff has become aware of a .grant program that could provide both the financial and staff resources needed to initiate this project. The California Department of Transportation, (Caltrans) Division of Transportation Planning provides grants (up to $300,000 per grant) to promote "Environmental Justice: Context- Sensitive Planning for Communities". These grants are awarded on a competitive basis to cities and various other governmental and private non-profit organizations. To be competitive, the proposed projects should have a clear focus on transportation and community development issues that address the interests of low-income, minority, Native American or any other under- represented communities (Attachment 2). C9-1 Council Agenda Report—Environmental Justice Grant Application Page 2 The area along Broad Street between High Street and Orcutt Road historically housed ethnic and lower income families. Following World War II the uses in the area became increasingly service commercial due in part to its location adjacent to the railroad tracks and Highway 227. This shift in uses has created a mix of older small homes and small businesses. Many of the smaller homes in this neighborhood provide relatively affordable housing with the newer Villa Rosa residential condominiums providing a range of affordable to upper moderate housing. Broad Street in the project area is a State Highway and transportation thoroughfare close to, and directly connecting to, the downtown. The corridor is ideally situated to implement now-widely accepted transit oriented development principles. The location is also well suited for higher density housing that will serve traditionally low-income households through lower housing costs and convenient access to the downtown and the Railroad Transit Center as well as nearby jobs. Site Description The study area runs along both sides of Broad Street from Rockview Place on the south to High Street on the north and from the railroad tracks on the east and the first block along the west side of Broad Street. The general plan for the area is primarily Services and Manufacturing along the east side of Broad with Medium Density Residential along the west side. This area is a key entrance to the City, our Historic Railroad District as well as the Historic Old Town and Central Business District. The area also includes a larger-than-average amount of underutilized properties. The traffic volumes, speed, and width of the State Highway in this neighborhood have created complaints about pedestrian and bicycle safety and the existing intersections do not function as efficiently as they should. In consultation with City staff, SLOCOG and others, Caltrans is presently leading a Highway 227 transportation corridor study south of this project that would dovetail nicely with added land use planning for the area. What The Grant Proposal Is—and Isn't—About In summary, the purpose of the grant is to initiate a deferred Council interest by acquiring added resources needed to begin the study. These added resources would support various costs, including hiring contract staff in order to work on this project without delaying other priorities. This application is not about delaying or deferring other project applications presently under consideration along the Broad Street corridor, such as the Albertson's Center project or the recently initiated OrcuttBroad Street general plan amendment. It will take time to determine if we are successful with our grant application, and if so, to gear-up to initiate the study (e.g. hire staff). From beginning to end, given the level of citizen/advisory body input involved in San Luis Obispo community planning, it could easily take 2-3 years to complete the plan (e.g. the Mid-Higuera Plan took even longer — and this was a smaller area). Thus, other applications along Broad Street should continue to be processed, and while serving as input to the plan, should not have to await plan completion for resolution. About two years ago a group of private citizens approached the City staff with a proposal for a "Broad Street Enhancement Plan". Their proposal centered on physical and operational improvements to Broad Street to improve this major entrance to the City and on changes in the C9-2 Council Agenda Report—Environmental Justice Grant Application Page 3 land uses between Broad Street and the railroad track. In December 2000, a sketch proposal of the plan was discussed at a Planning Commission workshop. The group's vision was to essentially extend the Old Town neighborhood all the way to Orcutt Road. While such citizen interest and involvement will help the City's grant application and can serve as useful input into the study, staff again wishes to emphasize that the proposed study is intended to advance a Council interest and include even wider citizen input than we've been able to in the past;it is not intended to either support or detract from current area development applications. These applications should be acted on by the City based on their own merit, and should not be deferred pending the outcome of a study that is likely to take quite some time to complete. FISCAL IMPACT The "Environmental Justice: Context-Sensitive Planning for Communities" grant program has several financial requirements, including a local match of at least 10% of total project cost. In discussions with the staff at Caltrans district office, it was clear that to be competitive, the City would need to make a somewhat larger match. The project should be viable with a total project cost of approximately $240,000, a local match of approximately $28,000 and the allowed 5% ($12,000) in-kind match, although it is likely the City will actually provide more than the allowed in-kind staff support. Two other fiscal impacts are that administrative costs may not exceed 10% of total project costs and the grant may not be used for environmental studies normally required for project development under NEPA or CEQA. The grant funds will be used for contract assistance and consultant work. It is the Department's intent to use a portion of the $30,000 local match as well as part of the in-kind match to perform the required environmental review. If the City is recommended for funding by the State, the staff will return to the Council with a recommended source of funds for the required match. ALTERNATIVES 1) Do not apply for the "Environmental Justice: Context-Sensitive Planning for Communities" grant program and look for other grant programs that could help fund this important project. 2) Do not apply for the "Environmental Justice: Context-Sensitive Planning for Communities" grant program and direct staff to return during the next budget cycle with a program budget for City funding of the study. Attachments Attachment#1: Vicinity map Attachment#2: Grant summary Attachment#3: Draft Resolution J:\Mdraze\Grants\EJGCCRept07O2.doc C9-3 Attachment I Broad Street Corridor Study Area Terrace Hill High St1 L South St , Meadow Park Sinsheimer Park ♦ 0 ------------ ♦ 4t- Y N South Hills • N ♦ 0 500 1000 Feet ti .............. ...... C9- Final Draft: April 22,2002 FY 2002/2003 Attachment 2 FY 2002 — 2003 Grants Package Environmental Justice: Context-Sensitive Planning for Communities Division of Transportation Planning 9- 44 a C9-5 1 1 Final Draft:April 22,.2002 Attachment 2 Examples 9f Eligible.Projects Proposed projects should have a clear focus on transportation and community development issues that address interests of low-income, minority,Native American, or any other underrepresented communities. Examples of eligible projects can include: • Identifying and addressing transportation needs for the community; • Identifying and involving under-represented groups in planning and project development; • Improving demographic and socioeconomic analysis to identify emerging communities • Planning and safety improvements for pedestrians and bicycles; • Feasibility studies for transportation improvements; • Community revitalization and economic development with a transportation component; • Improving cooperation in community development between public agencies and communities • Developing guidelines and supporting information for EJ element of General Plan; • Assessing impacts of transportation plans and projects on the community; • Bilingual services for hearings, workshops and promotion of transportation services; • Private Sector partnerships and foundation investment to enhance mobility and economic vitality; • Promoting advanced transportation technology and energy efficiency in communities; • Community-based design and public art associated with transportation facilities and Right-of-Way; • Transportation projects with community health benefits; • Improving access to telecommunication and internet where transportation benefit is demonstrated; • Transportation and land use projects in central and inner cities and older suburbs; • Transportation projects in underdeveloped rural and agricultural areas; • In-fill development and brown field redevelopment with a transportation benefit for low-income and minority communities. These grants are intended to develop practical guidelines and approaches for context-sensitive planning to the greatest extent possible. Academic research and modeling are not being stressed in this grant program. Note: environmental studies, plans or documents normally required for project development under NEPA or CEQA are not eligible for these grants. Actual construction and procurement of equipment or materials, such as building a facility or purchasing vehicles and computers, are not eligible for these grants. For programmatic questions, contact either: Norman Dong at (916) 651-6889. Email: norman dong(n,dot.ca.gov or Brian Abbanat at(916) 653-3726. Email: brian abbanat(a,dot.ca.gov C9-6 7 - ' ATTACHMENT 2 PROJECT SUMMARY SHEET Broad Street/Highway 227 Corridor Enhancement Plan Objective To involve the neighborhood in a comprehensive study of the corridor along both sides of Broad Street/Highway 227 from Rockview Place on the south to High Street on the north and from the railroad tracks on the east and the first block along the west side of Broad Street Discussion The area along Broad Street between High Street and Orcutt Road historically housed ethnic and lower income families. Following World War 11 the uses in the area became increasingly service commercial related due in part to its location near the railroad tracks and Highway 227. This shift in uses has created a mix of older small homes and small businesses. Many of the smaller homes in this neighborhood provide relatively affordable housing with the newer Villa Rosa residential condominiums providing a range of affordable to upper moderate housing. Broad Street in the project area is a State Highway and transportation thoroughfare close to, and directly connecting to, the downtown. The corridor is ideally situated to implement now- widely accepted transit oriented development principles. The location is also well suited for higher density housing that will serve traditionally low-income households through lower housing costs and convenient access to the downtown and the Railroad Transit Center as well as nearby jobs. Tasks % of Work Cost$ 1) Staffing and consultant selection 5% $12,000 2) Review and Consolidation of data 10% 24,000 3) Outreach/task force/neighborhood survey 20% 48,000 4) Preparation of alternatives 20% 48,000 5) Report and recommendations on findings 10% 24,000 6) Preparation of Area Plan 25% 60,000 7) Environmental review of plan 10% 24,000 Products 1) Procedures on more effective community involvement 2) Results of neighborhood survey 3) Report on potential solutions to corridor problems 4) Draft Area Plan Revenues Expenditures Environmental Justice Grant $200,000 City staff(Admin. costs) $24,000 City budget $28,000 Contract employee 72,000 In-kind match $12,000 Consultants 140,000 Materials& Supplies 4,000 Total $240,000 $240,000 C9-7 Attachment 3 RESOLUTION NO. (2002 Series) A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO AUTHORIZING THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR TO APPLY FOR AN ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE GRANT TO STUDY THE BROAD STREET CORRIDOR WHEREAS, the California Department of Transportation, Division of Transportation Planning has grant monies available to promote Environmental Justice: Context-Sensitive Planning for Communities; and WHEREAS, the City of San Luis Obispo has an area Broad Street/Highway 227 between Orcutt Road and High Street that could benefit from a study of potential changes in land uses that specifically includes a targeted effort to involve minority business owners as well as traditionally under-represented home owners and property owners; and WHEREAS, there exists a clearly demonstrated interest in the community to look at improving the appearance and functionally of this major entrance to the City's historic district and downtown; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of San Luis Obispo that the Community Development Director is authorized to apply to the State of California for an Environmental Justice Grant; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ALSO RESOLVED, that if recommended for funding by the State of California, the Council of the City of San Luis Obispo authorizes the City of San Luis Obispo to accept a grant of up to $200,000. Upon motion of , seconded by and on the following roll call vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: The foregoing resolution was adopted this day of 200x. Mayor Allen Settle ATTEST: Lee Price, City Clerk C9-8 Attachment g Resolution No. (199a Series) Page 2 APPROVED AS TO FORM: Je 'e . Jori nse `City 'dr, C9-9 Retahl Wb d00irW—bl f An ��. GOWN II : JUN 12 A 204? ' a !L Roland C.Maddalena 1329 Broad Street San Luis Obispo,CA 93401 June 27,2002 Michael Draze, City Planning Dept 990 Palm Street San Luis Obispo,CA 93401 Re:Lot 122 San Luis Obispo Suburban Tract Dear Mr.Draze,and other planners, For the reasons,as discussed at today's meeting,we object to the present plan as proposed for the Righetti Orcutt Road Specific Plan. Contrary to what was said,a tentative plan is"permanent"when wanting to do something different with your property at a future date. As I indicated to you, We are willing to support your plan if 1 Designate our lot residential high density,as it should be. Glenn Matteson said,when I questioned the lower density designation on lot 122,"we needed more density elsewhere,so we shifted it from your property because we didn't think you wanted to develop your land." 2 Remove the unreasonable percentage of open space,park,and unsubstantiated amount of"wetlands designation. The proposed plan shows the highest percentage of open space designation of any of the properties in the plan area on our lot 122. It just isn't so,and as I explained to you,I feel it is so because we did not agree to participate in part of the plan. 3 Provide that we,and the other owners wishing to do so,be able to forever exclude from any influence of the plan,our home and reasonable surrounding from any of the plan's obligations. Each of us are concerned that what has and is our home be protected from any adverse consequences of the plan. Such as a road or setback that may wipe out or destroy our home.. As you may have surmised from the overwhelming opposition,most of the owners are angry. We don't understand why the French,Islay II•ills,and other developments were allowed to be created without burdening the surrounding neighborhood with an unwanted general plan. The Regetties have a large enough parcel of property to develop it without being burdeened with planning the whole"end of town." I feel that the request to Council for commencement of an EIR should not be included in the same agenda on July 16". It is leading to the Council and sets up a foregone conclusion of denial for our request of withdrawal and is unfair to the applicants. Pl `understand that we(who happen to be the majority of owners)do not object to the development of e cuff Road area. We do,however,object to the unfairness and way this is being handled. i *and . dalena Cc Mayor Allen Settle and City Council 210C0UNCIL 20CDD DIR. ❑-fAO ❑ FIN DIR L�CAO El FIRE CHIEF D, . FORNEY 11PW DIR 3TLERK/ORIG ❑ POLICE CHF ❑ DEPT HEADS ❑ REC DIR ❑ 423 ❑ UTIL DIR ❑ l.JLitmws.1 0 HR DIR