HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 2021-073 N.C.S. 5/17/2021
Resolution No. 2021-073 N.C.S. Page 1
Resolution No. 2021-073 N.C.S.
of the City of Petaluma, California
RESOLUTION OF THE PETALUMA CITY COUNCIL AUTHORIZING APPLICATION FOR THE
AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES PROGRAM FOR THE
MERIDIAN AT CORONA STATION AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECT
WHEREAS, the State of California, the Strategic Growth Council (SGC), and the Department of Community
Development (Department) issued a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) dated February 26, 2021, under the
Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities (AHSC) Program established under Division 44, Part 1 of the
Public Resources Code commencing with Section 75200; and
WHEREAS, the City of Petaluma desires to apply for AHSC Program funds and partner with Danco
Communities and Sonoma Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) in submitting the Application Package released by
the Department for the AHSC Program; and
WHEREAS, the SGC is authorized to approve funding allocations for the AHSC Program, subject to the
terms and conditions of the NOFA, Program Guidelines, Application Package, and Standard Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the Department is authorized to administer the approved funding allocations of the AHSC
Program; and
WHEREAS, the City of Petaluma’s General Plan promotes investment in alternative modes of transportation,
including the second SMART rail station at Corona Road as called out on the Land Use Map (Figure 1-1); and
WHEREAS, the City of Petaluma’s General Plan Policy 2-P-89 calls for collaboration with regional and
other agencies to create a new light rail transit station near Corona Road with high intensity, transit oriented
development; and
WHEREAS, the City of Petaluma’s General Plan Policy 5-P-24 calls for a pedestrian network and streetscape
amenities near schools, transit, shopping, and mixed use corridors and Policy 5-P-22 calls for a well-connected
pedestrian network linking new and existing developments to adjacent land uses; and
WHEREAS, General Plan Policy 5-P-42 calls for expansion of the bus transit system so that it is convenient
and provides frequent, regular service along major City corridors serving the SMART park and ride lot; and
WHEREAS, the City of Petaluma’s General Plan supports efforts for transit oriented development along
McDowell Boulevard as called out in Policy 5-P-43; and
WHEREAS, the City of Petaluma’s certified Housing Element (2015-2023), Goal 4 calls for promoting the
development of housing affordable to extremely low, very low, low- and moderate-income households; and
WHEREAS, the City of Petaluma’s certified Housing Element (2015-2023), Policy 6.3 calls for supporting
efforts to provide transitional and supportive housing to those moving from homelessness to independent living;
and
WHEREAS, the City of Petaluma’s certified Housing Element (2015-2023), Policy 6.6 promotes the
construction of rental units for larger families; and
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WHEREAS, on December 7, 2020, in accordance with Government Code Section 6651(d), the Petaluma
City Council adopted Resolution No. 2020-179 N.C.S. establishing a policy to authorize an increase in the
allowable units in a by right supportive housing development as prescribed by state Assembly Bill 2162 from 50
units or fewer to up to 131 units for the Meridian at Corona Station Affordable Housing Project; and
WHEREAS, Danco Communities wishes to develop the Meridian at Corona Station project for 131 units of
affordable units, including at least 33 units of supportive housing and associated services and has requested City
and SMART partnership to develop regional alternative transportation infrastructure and affordable housing in
part through the AHSC grant program; and
WHEREAS, the City of Petaluma considered this item at a duly noticed public meeting on May 17, 2021, at
which time members of the public were provided the opportunity to provide written or oral comment; and
WHEREAS, in accordance with Government Code Section 65651, subdivision (b), paragraph (2), qualifying
supportive housing projects under AB 2162 are not projects subject to the requirements of the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA); and
WHEREAS, the sustainable transportation and program activities identified by the City of Petaluma for
inclusion in the AHSC Grant application include infrastructure improvements on North McDowell Boulevard to
include additional bus stops, new and enhanced pedestrian improvements within the public right of way, a new
class II bike lane on Corona Road, and enhanced transit operations to achieve 15 minute headways on North
McDowell; and
WHEREAS, the City’s proposed activities consists of pedestrian, bicycle, and transit infrastructure and
transit service along N. McDowell Boulevard including installation of sidewalks between Corona Road and Scott
Street (on the west side of N. McDowell), a crosswalk on N. McDowell Blvd. at Scott Street, a 900 foot Class II
bike lane on Corona Road between the SMART rail corridor and N. McDowell, five (5) new bus stops on N.
McDowell Blvd., as well increased transit service frequency on N. McDowell Blvd. to 15 minute headways during
peak hours. All improvements will occur within or immediately adjacent to the existing right-of-way. There is
negligible or no expansion of use beyond what currently exists and there are no cumulative impacts, unusual
circumstances or other factors that would make the exemption inapplicable. Therefore, the project is exempt under
CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 (c), Existing Facilities, including the addition of bicycle facilities, bicycle lanes,
transit improvements and service frequency, pedestrian crossings, and similar alterations that do not create
additional automobile lanes. Additionally, the project is exempt pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15304
(h), Minor Alterations to land including the creation of bike lanes, sidewalks, and transit infrastructure within the
existing right-of-way; and
WHEREAS, the increase of transit service frequency is exempt under Public Resources Code section
21080(b)(10) and CEQA Guidelines Section 15275 Specified Mass Transit Projects.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Petaluma hereby:
1. Declares that the above recitals are true and correct and are incorporated into this resolution as findings of the
City Council.
2. Finds the City’s proposed activities consists of pedestrian, bicycle, and transit infrastructure and transit service
along N. McDowell Boulevard including installation of sidewalks between Corona Road and Scott Street (on
the west side of N. McDowell), a crosswalk on N. McDowell Blvd. at Scott Street, a 900 foot Class II bike
lane on Corona Road between the SMART rail corridor and N. McDowell, five (5) new bus stops on N.
McDowell Blvd., as well increased transit service frequency on N. McDowell Blvd. to 15 minute headways
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during peak hours. All improvements will occur within or immediately adjacent to the existing right-of-way.
There is negligible or no expansion of use beyond what currently exists and there are no cumulative impacts,
unusual circumstances or other factors that would make the exemption inapplicable. Therefore, the project is
exempt under CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 (c), Existing Facilities, including the addition of bicycle
facilities, bicycle lanes, transit improvements and service frequency, pedestrian crossings, and similar
alterations that do not create additional automobile lanes. Additionally, the project is exempt pursuant to
CEQA Guidelines Section 15304 (h), Minor Alterations to land including the creation of bike lanes, sidewalks,
and transit infrastructure within the existing right-of-way.
3. Finds the increase of transit service frequency is exempt under Public Resources Code section 21080(b)(10)
and CEQA Guidelines Section 15275 Specified Mass Transit Projects.
4. Authorizes and directs Staff to work with Danco Communities to apply for and submit to the Department the
AHSC Program Application as detailed in the NOFA dated February 26, 2021, for the 2021-22 fiscal year in
a total amount not to exceed $1,600,000 for a grant for Sustainable Transportation (STI) and Program (PGM)
activities (“AHSC Grant”) as defined the AHSC Program Guidelines. This compliments the joint application
with SMART in the amount of approximately $8,400,000 for additional Sustainable Transportation (STI)
activities associated with the Corona Station SMART rail station and with Danco Communities in the amount
of approximately $20,000,000 for the affordable housing project.
5. If the application is approved, the Applicant is hereby authorized and directed to enter into, execute, and
deliver a State of California Standard Agreement (Standard Agreement) in a total amount not to exceed
$1,600,000, and any and all other document required or deemed necessary or appropriate to secure the AHSC
Program funds from the Department, and all amendments thereto (collectively, the “AHSC Documents”).
6. The City shall be subject to the terms and conditions as specified in the Standard Agreement. Funds are to be
used for allowable capital asset project expenditures to be identified in Exhibit A of the Standard Agreement.
The application in full is incorporated as part of the Standard Agreement. Any and all activities funded,
information provided, and timelines represented in the application are enforceable through the Standard
Agreement. Applicant hereby agrees to use the funds for eligible capital asset(s) in the manner presented in
the application as approved by the Department and in accordance with the NOFA and Program Guidelines
and Application Package.
7. If awarded, the City will enter into an agreement with Danco Communities assigning the construction and
development responsibilities, including procurement, labor standards, and other requirements of the Standard
Agreement as necessary to complete the project to Danco Communities, which will indemnify the City,
assuming full responsibility for grant performance.
8. The City Manager or her designee is hereby authorized to enter into and sign the grant agreement and execute
in the name of Applicant the AHSC Program Application Package and the AHSC Program Documents as
required by the Department for participation in the AHSC Program.
Under the power and authority conferred upon this Council by the Charter of said City.
REFERENCE: I hereby certify the foregoing Resolution was introduced and adopted by the
Council of the City of Petaluma at a Regular meeting on the 17th day of May
2021, by the following vote:
Approved as to form:
__________________________
City Attorney
AYES: Mayor Barrett; Fischer; Healy; King; McDonnell; Pocekay
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
RECUSED: Vice Mayor Barnacle
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ATTEST: ______________________________________________
City Clerk
______________________________________________
Mayor
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