Holding further work on North San Jose Area Development Policy pending VTA Tax Measure and City Place lawsuit
Staff recommends holding further work on the North San Jose Area Development Policy pending the result of the VTA’s November ballot measure for sales tax funding of regional transportation improvements and the outcome of the City of Santa Clara “City Place” project lawsuit.
Background: The North San Jose area plays a vital role in the achievement of San Jose’s economic and fiscal goals. In 2005, the City adopted the North San Jose Area Development Policy, which revised an established policy framework to guide ongoing intensified mixed use development in this important employment center and innovation district. (Policy available at http://www.sanjoseca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/43619) The Policy provides for a specified amount of new development, including an additional 26.7 million square feet of new office/R&D development, as well as an additional 32,000 residential units, 2.7 million sq. ft. of retail development and 1,000 hotel rooms. Memo provides an update on staff’s response to the Council direction given on April 12, 2016.
On April 12, 2016, the Council directed staff to research six issues related to development in North San Jose. Since that meeting two major events have occurred that influence the Policy Update effort: 1) the City filed a lawsuit on the City of Santa Clara “City Place” project and 2) the VTA placed a regional transportation sales tax funding measure on the November ballot that has the potential to provide significant regional transportation funding for the build out of infrastructure in North San Jose. The outcome of both issues could have significant implications for any update of the Policy.
Where: San Jose City Council
When: August 30, 2016, 1:30PM, Council Chambers
Link to memo: http://sanjose.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=&event_id=2151&meta_id=588922
Link to agenda: http://sanjose.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?event_id=ab28e86e-82f4-459f-adf2-0e87a8ebb651
Deferred to 8/23: Approving sale of land beneath the San Jose Hilton from City to County
Deferred from August 16 meeting.
Recommendation: That the City Council, acting as the Successor Agency Board, approve the Purchase and Sale Agreement and Escrow Instructions between the Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency of the City of San Jose, as seller, and the County of Santa Clara, as buyer, to allow the sale of 300 South Almaden Boulevard to the County for the appraised value of $96,000.
Background:
At Mayor Liccardo’s request, the City Council has repeatedly deferred consideration of the item approving the former Redevelopment Agency’s sale of the land beneath the San Jose Hilton (300 S. Almaden Blvd.) to the County of Santa Clara. The sale to the County was approved by the Oversight Board on May 26, 2016. A series of correspondence relating to the Hilton is included in the Oversight Board packet. The later letter from County Counsel, dated Aug. 2, indicates that although the item was placed on the City Council’s closed session agenda for Aug. 2, it was not considered in closed session. The County requests that the item be agendized for the Aug. 9 City Council meeting and approved.
The Mayor’s letters state that the owners of the San Jose Hilton offered to buy the land for $150,000, which is $54,000 more than the County’s offer.
Where: San Jose City Council
When: August 23, 2016, 1:30PM, Council Chambers
Link to memo: http://sanjose.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=&event_id=2149&meta_id=587688
Link to supplemental memo: http://sanjose.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=&event_id=2149&meta_id=587690
Link to memo (Liccardo): http://sanjose.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=&event_id=2149&meta_id=587692
Link to Agreement – SCC: http://sanjose.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=&event_id=2149&meta_id=587694
Link to Letter from the public: http://sanjose.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=&event_id=2149&meta_id=587696
Link to agenda: http://sanjose.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?event_id=a173004e-0da6-40be-8d32-e5add2156159
Lyft presentation to Seniors Commission
At the Seniors Commission retreat, an hour will be dedicated to a Lyft Presentation.
Where: San Jose Seniors Commission
When: Aug. 25, 2016, 11:30 am – 12:30 pm, Camden Community Center, 3369 Union Road
Link to item: n/a
Link to agenda: http://sanjoseca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/59832
Adopting “oppose” position on Gov. Brown’s “by-right housing” bill, unless charter cities are exempted
As recommended by the Rules and Open Government Committee on August 17, 2016, the Council will consider adopting a position of Oppose Unless Amended for Budget Trailer Bill 707
Background: Staff recommends taking a position opposing Budget Trailer Bill 707 unless it is amended. As currently written, the proposed bill would significantly narrow the City’s land use authority, and it calls into question the collection of certain types of development and impact fees associated with new affordable housing. Accordingly, unless the proposed bill is amended to exempt charter cities, the City should remain opposed to it.
The Governor’s proposal seeks to address key constraints to affordable housing production including local opposition to housing (CEQA challenges), and the complexity and cost of the development review process by streamlining the development process, reducing the time needed for approval, and eliminating discretionary or subjective requirements. Under the proposed bill, a developer of a multifamily development could choose to submit a streamlined development application instead of pursing the conventional process that currently exists. This streamlined process would subject it only to “ministerial” review (similar to that of approval of Building Permits), thereby exempting the development from CEQA. For a development to be considered under the streamlined process it must be (1) on or near an “urban use,” which is significantly broader than how infill development sites are currently defined under State law, (2) meet the existing General Plan and Zoning Code, and include a percentage of affordable units in the development. Unlike the existing development review process, a development being processed under this proposed bill would not require public outreach or input, or approval by the Planning Commission or City Council. In order to qualify for the streamlined process, a developer must include affordable units in the proposed development.
Where: San Jose City Council
When: August 23, 2016, 1:30PM, Council Chambers
Link to staff action request: http://sanjose.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?meta_id=587661
Link to memo: http://sanjose.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=&event_id=2150&meta_id=588918
Link to agenda: http://sanjose.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?event_id=a173004e-0da6-40be-8d32-e5add2156159
City of Sunnyvale
Approval of Peery Park Specific Plan, EIR & related approvals; includes 1.5M s.f. in already-submitted proposals
Staff recommends that the Planning Commission forward a package of recommendations to the City Council to: certify the Environmental Impact Report and related actions; adopt the Peery Park Specific Plan with modifications and related actions; amend the zoning code and precise zoning map, adopt fees, prioritize flexible community benefits and authorize the use of fees for the Peery Park Rides local match.
The area known as Peery Park was primarily developed between 1960 and 1970 with low-rise office and research and development (R&D) industrial buildings.
The total net new office/industrial/retail building area that would be allowed by the Specific Plan is 2.2 million square feet. This includes 0.9 million square feet allowed pursuant to the existing General Plan and 1.3 million square feet included as a part of the specific plan.
There are currently 10 formally-submitted development projects within the PPSP, of which eight had submitted formal applications prior to the NOP period of the EIR. Having those projects known from the beginning allowed their near-term impacts to be reviewed as part of the EIR. The purpose of the near term analyses was to analyze near-term impacts of these development projects that total approximately 1,537,723 net new square feet of office and industrial development and up to 116 housing units.
City Council hearing is scheduled for Sept. 20, 2016.
Where: Sunnyvale Planning Commission
When: Aug. 22, 2016, 7:30 pm
Link to item: https://sunnyvaleca.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=2817571&GUID=BEAAA3F1-CEEF-4ABF-BB25-62BFF02B99A3&FullText=1
Link to agenda: http://sccgov.iqm2.com/Citizens/Detail_Meeting.aspx?ID=7530
City of Santa Clara
Approving membership in California Home Financing Authority and participation in 2 PACE programs
Staff are recommending that Council 1) adopt a resolution to include Santa Clara city properties within the California Home Finance Authority Community Facilities District No. 2014-1 (Clean Energy) to finance renewable energy improvements, energy efficiency and water conservation improvements and electric vehicle charging infrastructure, 2) adopt another resolution to approve participation in the California Home Finance Authority PACE Program, and 3) authorize the City Manager to execute the Golden State Finance Authority Amended and Restated Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement and any necessary documents to enter into such membership.
Council has previously adopted resolutions authorizing the City of Santa Clara to join the CaliforniaFIRST Program created by the California Statewide Communities Development Authority and the HERO Program created by the Western Riverside Council of Governments. Two additional PACE programs are now offered through a joint powers agency (JPA), the California Home Financing Authority (CHFA), and administered by Ygrene Energy Fund CA LLC (Ygrene). These are the CHFA Community Facilities District No. 2014-1, and the CHFA Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Program. To participate in either program, the City must become an Associate Member of CHFA. Each resolution also authorizes CHFA (i) to accept applications from property owners within the City’s incorporated area to finance authorized improvements; and (ii) to conduct proceedings and levy special taxes or contractual assessments, as applicable, on the property of participating owners.
Where: Santa Clara City Council
When: August 23, 2016, 7:00pm
Link to item: http://sireweb.santaclaraca.gov/sirepub/agdocs.aspx?doctype=agenda&itemid=53121
Link to agenda: http://sireweb.santaclaraca.gov/sirepub/mtgviewer.aspx?meetid=1814&doctype=AGENDA
Approving Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) regional collaborative services agreement with PACE providers
Staff are recommending that Council approve and authorize the City Manager to sign the acknowledgment addendums of the Regional Collaborative Services Agreement, as executed between Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) and Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) providers, for California HERO Program administered by the Western Riverside Council of Governments and the PACE programs administered by Ygrene Energy Fund California LLC. These agreements will enable participation in the PACE programs to be discussed in the previous item.
In order to provide a level of consumer protection for Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program participants, the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) created and administers the Regional Collaborative Services Agreement (RCSA). The intent of the RCSA is to collaborate with PACE Providers on behalf of member jurisdictions to monitor PACE Providers’ activities in regards to consumer protections practices, improve program reporting and transparency; and support complementary efforts in local communities.
Where: Santa Clara City Council
When: August 23, 2016, 7:00pm
Link to item: http://sireweb.santaclaraca.gov/sirepub/agdocs.aspx?doctype=agenda&itemid=53122
Link to agenda: http://sireweb.santaclaraca.gov/sirepub/mtgviewer.aspx?meetid=1814&doctype=AGENDA
Study session on future BART extension, VTA sales tax measure, and County Expressway Plan 2040
City Council has requested that three study sessions be agendized to discuss transportation infrastructure related to the City of Santa Clara (City). At the first study session on July 19, City Council and the public were provided information on transportation planning and the future BART
extension. This second study session will finish the questions and answers on the future BART extension, and then start discussion on the Envision Silicon Valley Sales Tax Measure and the County Expressway Plan 2040 improvements in the City. The third study session scheduled for September 20 will cover the future of transportation in the City. No additional information available.
Where: Santa Clara City Council
When: August 23, 2016, 5:00pm
Link to item: http://sireweb.santaclaraca.gov/sirepub/agdocs.aspx?doctype=agenda&itemid=53131
Link to agenda: http://sireweb.santaclaraca.gov/sirepub/mtgviewer.aspx?meetid=1814&doctype=AGENDA
Do you have a news tip you would like to share? Would you like to contribute to The Left Hook? Email us at LeftHookBlog@gmail.com
No Comments