HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/16/2002, C9 - GRANT APPLICATION FOR AN ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE: CONTEXT-SENSITIVE PLANNING FOR COMMUNITIES GRANT D.teMe.�i.�
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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).
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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
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GOWN II : JUN 12 A 204?
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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
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