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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-19-2017 Item 15 - CodronCouncil Memorandum - ,I, DATE: September 19, 2017 TO: City Council FROM: Michael Codron, Community Development Director VIA: Katie Lichtig, City Manager f* COUNCIL MEETING: `I 1 (7 ITEM NO.: %. S I I:. 1.9 i '-1 0 SUBJECT: PH 15: Avila Ranch (Carbon Reduction Question and Additional County Correspondence on Buckley Road Carbon Reduction Staff received an inquiry from a Council member regarding the "zero carbon" wording in Section 7.07 of the Development Agreement proposed between the City of San Luis Obispo and Avila Ranch, LLC. Specifically, would this section apply to the project should the City pursue a carbon reduction policy rather than a zero carbon policy, and are there any legal constraints regarding the Gas Company's right to provide service? The language included in Section 7.07 of the Development Agreement would not impede the project from complying with future City-wide policies or programs related to carbon reduction. Any future policies or programs related to achieving carbon reduction would be analyzed from a legal perspective at the time the policy or program language is drafted, and would be best considered by Council as part of the Climate Action Major City Goal, which is scheduled to be complete December 2018. The Avila Ranch project, or any other development's, ability to comply with a future carbon reduction policy or program would be a consideration in the language of such a future policy or program. However, it is important to understand that the City's Franchise Agreement provides the Gas Company with the right to distribute "gas for any and all purposes, under, along, across or upon the streets of the City." The term of the Agreement is indeterminate and expires only upon the Gas Company going out of business or the City's purchase of the Gas Company's assets in the City. Therefore, the City is obligated to allow the Gas Company to serve all existing and new housing developments until such time as the agreement is terminated. Buckley Road Correspondence City staff received another correspondence from Dave Flynn, County Public Works Deputy Director, on Friday, September 15. The attached e-mail acknowledges the cooperation received from the City and the developer on Buckley Road improvements above and beyond that which can be required through the environmental review process for the project. In addition, the e-mail includes details about the County's budget and plans for installing various improvements over time. The e-mail confirms that the Avila Ranch project applicants are working with the County to contribute funds to facilitate these improvements, as anticipated and required by the development agreement recommended for City Council approval. Please contact Tyler Corey (tcorey@slocity.org) or Michael Codron (mcodron@slocity.org) should there be any questions. Attachment: 9/15/17 E-mail from Dave Flynn, County Public Works Deputy Director Codron, Michael From: Dave Flynn <dflynn@co.slo.ca.us> Sent: Friday, September 15, 2017 4:50 PM To: Codron, Michael Cc: Wade Horton; Adam Hill; Glenn D. Marshall; Hudson, Jake; Johnson, Derek Subject: County's planning for Buckley Road and Developer's Contribution Follow Up Flag: Follow up Flag Status: Flagged Hello Mr. Codron; County Public Works would like to acknowledge the cooperation on the Avila Ranch proposed , from both City staff and the developer, in working towards mitigating potential traffic impacts over and above that in the environmental document for the project; specifically Buckley Road at the intersections of Davenport Creek Road and Route 227. Our office is in the process of developing a thorough topo and utility mapping along Buckley Road from which we can develop a corridor plan for subsequent widening projects. This is work funded under our current fiscal year budget. We completed a curve correction/widening project at the east end of Buckley Road a year ago and we'd intend to extend that three lane section with improved shoulders to the west (to Hoover Lane); then look to have a two lane road with improved shoulders to the boundary of the proposed Avila Ranch project. The current forty foot right of way is insufficient and planning lets us determine right of way needs for the road widening and the utility relocations necessary on future projects. One big component here is looking at potential taking of Airport property. Working with FAA is a long process and something we need to start in order to make headway on acquisitions(which could take five years or more). Getting land and moving the fence along the airport will be its own project. In the near term, improvements would involve the Avila Ranch's intention to provide $230,000 towards operational improvements which they are proposing to do via the development agreement with the city. We intend to develop an interim left channelization and shoulder widening centered about Davenport Creek Road intersection as that would be our most significant near term need. To do this will require land acquisition along the south side of the road (as the Airport is likely not forthcoming in the next couple years). We'll start on a design in January to define limits. We would like to push west to connect to the existing four foot shoulders at the Hoover Lane intersection with this work. Will need to do an environmental document in early 2018 and then see what amount and timetable there is for the land acquisition with the goal of breaking ground for this in second half of 2019. We do have the opportunity to fund Buckley Road improvements over time if revenues from the annexed area are so directed or, in the future, with the new Senate Bill 1 transportation funding which we expect to receive starting next spring. S61 does not afford much funding at first but by 2020, we should see an additional $ 9 million coming into the road fund which will allow us to tackle future widening in small segments; including widening three bridges along Buckley Road. However, to work towards these physical improvements, it is going to start with acquiring the necessary right of way so that will be staff's emphasis in producing a corridor study for Buckley Road. We also noted that the Avila Ranch developer is setting aside funding in the proposed developer's agreement, I believe around $ 250,000, to advance design of a roundabout at that location. This too is welcome news to advance work at this location. Our staff is taking a proposed Route 227 fee to our Board of Supervisors on October 17th to collect funds in the unincorporated area for construct a roundabout. Coupled with regional funds through SLOCOG, this could be built in the next 5-7 years. Please let me know if you have other questions or would like more information on Buckley Road. COUNTY SAN LUIS 0 1 BIIPO -dddM&, Dave Flynn Deputy Director g 0 4.,;4�9' Public Works, County of San Luis Obispo M Tel: (805) 781-4463 An APWA Accredited Agency lug.