CCMIN04162019 - Laserfiche WebLink

Director of Community Development Beaudin presented the agenda report addressing and update to the Downtown Specific Plan and noting staff is seeking policy direction on five topics. He commented positively on the work of the Downtown Specific Plan Update Task Force and reported they worked hard on creating a town square framework for the existing Civic Center and the former SFPUC site and infused streetscape enhancements that will ensure downtown continues to reflect its historic character. He presented a brief background, details of the draft land use plan and buildout, assumptions for residential and non-residential uses and five topics for which staff is requesting direction. In terms of massage regulations, he addressed existing regulations, Task Force recommendations, alternatives for Council consideration and staff recommendations. Regarding Active Ground-Floor Overlay, he addressed goals, allowable ground floor uses, Task Force recommendations and staff recommendations. Director of Community Development Beaudin addressed Ground-Floor Residential noting there are inconsistencies between the 2002 Downtown Specific Plan policies and General Plan Housing Element policies and provided Task Force recommendations, alternatives and staff recommendations. He discussed owner-initiated land use requests and reported there are over 170 parcels with a mismatch between the General Plan, Specific Plan and/or zoning and provided proposed corrections to Maps A and B as shown on the presentation and stated Map C does not exist anymore. The two property-owner initiated requests include designating the Shell Station at 4212 First Street and the Barone property at 475/493 St. John's Street asking to change the zoning designation from commercial to residential. He discussed Task Force recommendations, alternatives and staff recommendations. On the topic of development standards, Director of Community Development Beaudin reported it is specific to floor area ratios (FAR), addressed corresponding maps, discussed existing and proposed development standards and provided information regarding FARs. He presented Task Force recommendations, project examples in commercial, residential and mixed uses and staff recommendations for mixed-use, mixed-use transitional and residential uses. In summary, Director of Community Development Beaudin discussed next steps including seeking Council direction on the five topics discussed, final Task Force meeting, additional Planning Commission and Council public hearings and implementation. Mayor Thorne asked whether staff recommendations on the Shell and Barone property will allow them to skip making a change to the Downtown Specific Plan and Director of Community Development Beaudin reported the only benefit to flagging it at this stage is that staff would not need to amend the plan if they were to do 100% residential projects. He noted the commercial district allows for mixed-use projects and this makes it clear that staff is open to the concept of a residential project, a commercial project or a mixed-use project. In response to Mayor Thorne's question regarding the need for housing behind stores on Main Street, Director of Community Development Beaudin reported the City does not need housing units but there are policies within the Housing Element and the Land-Use Element of the General Plan that encourage residential development on upper floors and behind commercial uses. He added it would not have a negative impact on the Housing Element if residential developments were allowed only on upper floors. Councilmember Brown asked about the location of expanded retail, theaters and vitality if residents vote against the relocation of the Civic Center. Director of Community Development Beaudin indicated the plan has moved forward based on the Civic Center Master Plan, fully acknowledging the issue will have to go to voters; the City will revisit some portions of the plan if the voters decide they are not interested in relocating the Civic Center and the Library adding that the plan includes a phased relocation. Councilmember Brown asked whether the Downtown Specific Plan looks to intensify uses on side streets and Director of Community Development Beaudin stated it looks to improve the connection from Main Street to side streets as well as connecting the streetscape. In response to Councilmember Brown's inquiry as to whether driveway cuts will be needed off Main Street to access residential units in the back, Director of Community Development Beaudin reported there is a policy in the draft plan that prohibits new curb cuts and staff will ensure access is provided without impacting Main Street. In reply to City Council Minutes Page 12 of 20 April 16. 2019