HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions 2011-060 N.C.S. 04/18/2011Resolution No. 2011 -060 N.C.S.
of the City of Petaluma, California
OBJECTING TO THE POTENTIAL LOCATION OF SONOMA -MARIN AREA
RAIL TRANSIT'S (SMART's) OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE
FACILITY IN DOWNTOWN PETALUMA AND AUTHORIZING
THE MAYOR TO SUBMIT A LETTER TO SMART
WHEREAS, SMART is facing a funding gap of between $109 million and $145 million
to construct the Initial Operating Segment of passenger rail service from Downtown San Rafael
to Railroad Square in Santa Rosa; and,
WHEREAS, SMART staff has identified cost reductions and deferrals to be considered
by the Board of Directors at its April 20, 2011 meeting; and,
WHEREAS, a significant cost component of the SMART rail system is land acquisition
and construction of an Operations and Maintenance Facility; and,
WHEREAS, SMART is considering locating a reduced Operations and Maintenance
Facility on the 4.7 -acre SMART -owned property adjacent to Petaluma's historic rail depot as a
cost - saving option; and,
WHEREAS, locating the Operations and Maintenance Facility in Downtown Petaluma
would have negative impacts on both SMART ridership and the long -term goals identified in the
Central Petaluma Specific Plan, the Petaluma Economic Development Strategy, the current
Station Area Planning process, and regional planning efforts aimed at implementing SB 375 and
reducing greenhouse gas emissions; and,
WHEREAS, Petaluma does not object to such a facility at an alternate site and is willing
to cooperate with SMART in considering changes including but not limited to planning
amendments or general plan amendments, lot line adjustments, or other remedies that may be
available to the degree feasible at alternate Petaluma sites; and,
WHEREAS, Petaluma is the second largest city in the North Bay, contributing significantly to
the economic vitality and well being of SMART's sales tax revenue, the Petaluma City Council
Resolution No. 2011 -060 N.C.S. Page 1
encourages reprioritization of the Corona Road Station to a higher priority or not deferring the station all
together.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Petaluma City Council that the
Mayor is herby authorized and directed to submit to the SMART Board of Directors on behalf of
the City Council, for consideration at the Board of Directors' April 20, 2011 meeting, a letter
presenting the City's objection to the potential location of SMART's Operations and
Maintenance Facility in Downtown Petaluma substantially in accordance with the draft letter
attached to and made a part of this resolution as Exhibit A.
Under the power and authority conferred upon this Council by the Charter of said City.
REFERENCE:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN
ATTEST:
I hereby certify the foregoing Resolution was introduced and adopted by the
Council of the City of Petaluma at a Regular meeting on the 18` day of April, 2011,
by the following vote:
Albertson, Barrett, Mayor Glass, Vice Mayor Healy, Kearney, Renee
as to
City
None
Harris
No
Deputy City Clerk
Mayor
Resolution No. 2011 -060 N.C.S. Page 2
EXHIBIT A
April 18, 2011
Via Facsimile and US Mail
SMART Board of Directors
750 Lindaro Street, Suite 200
San Rafael, CA 94901
RE: Potential Location of SMART Operations and Maintenance Facility in Downtown Petaluma
Dear Directors:
The City of Petaluma recognizes and understands SMART's funding challenges related to lower
than expected revenues. However, the consideration of locating a reduced or temporary
Operations and Maintenance Facility (OMF) on the 4.7 -acre property adjacent to the historic
Petaluma rail depot as a cost saving measure cannot be supported and is strongly opposed by
the City of Petaluma for several reasons as described below.
Transit- Oriented Development: The downtown SMART property is critical to the success of
achieving: transit - oriented development and the vision of a robust mix of uses supportive of both
passenger rail ridership and the long -term goals articulated in the Central Petaluma Specific
Plan for the area between Downtown Petaluma and the historic rail depot.
Station Area Planning Program: The location of an OMF at this site brings great uncertainty to the
Station Area Planning process currently being undertaken by the City of Petaluma, funded by
the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC), and supported with matching funds from
SMART. The SMART property is a catalyst site which if used as an OMF would severely impact the
feasibility and marketability of other key sites in the area for transit- oriented development as well
as ridership potential.
Regional Planning Goals: SB 375, enacted in 2008, requires that land -use planning and
transportation are integrated in the form a Sustainable Communities Strategy in an effort to
reduce greenhouse gas emissions from personal -use vehicles. The Association of Bay Area
Governments and MTC recently released the Initial Vision Scenario for the Sustainable
Communities Strategy. Central to achieving its goals is the location of future growth within MTC's
FOCUS Priority Development Areas (PDAs). The SMART property sits at the center of Petaluma's
designated FOCUS PDA. Location of an OMF on this site is contrary to these regional planning
efforts and greenhouse gas reduction targets.
Site Limitations: At 4.7 acres, the property is far smaller than what SMART OMF studies indicate is
needed - 17.3 acres at startup and 24.1 acres at buildout. Access and circulation is extremely
constrained in this area, connecting additional rail spurs across East D Street and or East
Washington Street to connect the main line with an OMF may be infeasible. In addition, locating
the OMF on this property would inhibit access to the station site from both the existing Petaluma
Transit Mall and Downtown for pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit users further impacting SMART
ridership.
Land Use and Zoning: Finally, an OMF is inconsistent with both the land use and zoning for this
property and would not be allowed under City regulations and will not be supported.
Petaluma has always been a strong supporter of SMART rail and we look forward to continuing
to work together to promote complementary development of housing and job generating uses
in the areas surrounding the passenger rail stations that will both support SMART ridership and
Petaluma's economic health. We respectfully request that the downtown SMART property be
removed from consideration as an Operations and Maintenance Facility. Such a project,
coupled with deferral of the Corona Road station (which Petaluma would like to see set as a
Resolution No. 2011-060 N.C.S. Page 3
higher priority or not deferred at all) would have significant impacts for both the City of
Petaluma and SMART.
Petaluma does not object to such a facility at an alternate site and is willing to cooperate with
SMART in considering changes such as, but not limited to, general plan amendments, lot line
adjustments, or other remedies that may be available to the degree feasible at alternate
Petaluma sites.
Best Regards,
David Glass
Mayor
Enclosure: Resolution No. 2011-060 N.C.S.
Resolution No. 2011-060 N.C.S. Page 4