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Home My WebLink AboutMINUTES - 09232008 - C.64 Contra p O TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Costa FROM: James Kennedy, Deputy Director-Redevelopment '.' '.°� County Department of Conservation and Development °�s' - "`� >a coox� DATE: September 23, 2008 SUBJECT: North Richmond General Plan Amendment/Specific Plan SPECIFIC REQUEST(S) OR RECOMMENDATION(S) & BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION RECOMMENDATIONS: ACKNOWLEDGE RECEIPT of a June 3, 2008 letter from Signature Properties withdrawing their request for a General Plan Amendment/Specific Plan in the North Richmond area (County Files: GP#07-0008 and SP#07-0001); and AUTHORIZE the Director of Conservation and Development to continue processing the General Plan Amendment/Specific Plan for the North Richmond area with the financial support of the Contra Costa County Redevelopment Agency. FISCAL IMPACT: No General Fund Impact. Approximately $800,000 in consultant costs and staff costs are estimated to be required to complete the General Plan Amendment and Specific Plan for North Richmond. The Redevelopment Agency has budgeted funds in its FY 09 Budget for this purpose. CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: ® YES ❑ NO SIGNATUR RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR _RECOM EN ATIO O BOARD CO ITTEE APPROVE _OTHER SIGNATURE (S): ACTION OF BOARD ON ,9-3 d-4o,dAPPROVED AS REC MENDED_ e- OJH7`R VOTE OF SUPERVISORS I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN AND UNANIMOUS (ABSENT ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD AYES: NOES: OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN. ABSENT: ABSTAIN: �— �3 0� ATTESTED -i1-�/im L-_ Contact: James Kennedy (925-335-7225) DAW15 TWA, CLERK OF THE cc: Department of Conservation and Development (DCD) OARD OF SUPERVISORS AND Redevelopment Agency COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR Wallace, Roberts and Todd (via DCD) BY , DEPUTY J"k BACKGROUND/REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS: On June 5, 2007 the Board of Supervisors authorized a General Plan Amendment Study and Specific Plan for a portion of the northern industrial area of North Richmond (see Exhibit A). The subject area is generally bounded by Wildcat Creek, San Pablo Creek, the Richmond Parkway, and the Union Pacific Railroad tracks. The purpose of the Specific Plan is to provide policy direction and guidance on how this area would develop as a new neighborhood with a mix of residential, commercial and public uses. The Specific Plan was initiated at the request of Signature Properties, who had a controlling interest in 55 acres within the Specific Plan area. On February 12, 2008 the Board of Supervisors approved a Consultant Services Contract in the amount of $828,857 with Wallace, Roberts, and Todd (WRT) for the preparation of a Specific Plan and Environmental Impact Report. The Specific Plan work was initiated. On June 3, 2008 Signature Properties sent a letter to the Department of Conservation and Development withdrawing its request for the General Plan Amendment/Specific Plan in the North Richmond area (Exhibit B). Signature Properties cited economic uncertainty and the softening of the housing market in requesting the withdrawal. At the time of withdrawal approximately $185,000 in costs had been incurred. Signature Properties paid those costs. Despite the withdrawal of Signature Properties the Redevelopment Agency felt the General Plan Amendment/Specific Plan still made sense to pursue at this time. With the concurrence of the North Richmond Municipal Advisory Council (Exhibit C) the Redevelopment Agency is proposing to budget approximately $850,000 to cover the remainder of the WRT contract costs (approximately $645,000), public outreach costs ($75,000) and Department of Conservation and Development costs ($125,000). If this recommendation is approved by the Board of Supervisors the Specific Plan process would be restarted in October, 2008 with an intent to complete the process over the next 12-18 months. CONSEQUENCES OF NEGATIVE ACTION: If this recommendation is not approved the General Plan Amendment process would be terminated. The General Plan designation for the subject area would continue to remain Heavy-Industrial. Current economic studies suggest that demand for such uses is problemmatic. JKfjk ATTACHMENT A North Richmond General Plan Amendment/Specific Plan Area Oil� P '\CI '`I 1� n � - C i I � A�� +.��• I.,t=F I�11 I ��.._..� ll ! 't.�w. Moo .. m KLf., =d aJt�_, 1NR ,tt Y r1 1A2 �.� w It R P.-Ir • _ �C a E � rtr y. .• � � f —'f X� .. � i B ` . k� �..w•4;`. eft. •mom^®�. -,--..-- __�- _ i i I�, jai � �,� ? -',I ''''a' � ��.- +�� '• ATTACHMENT B Signature Properties Letter of June 3, 2008 (9G� r,•.t ti June 3, 2008 Mr, Patrick Roche Principal Planner Contra Costa County Department of Conservation&Development 651 Pine St. Martinez, CA 94553-1229 Dear Mr. Roche: Signature Properties is withdrawing its request for a General Plan amendment for the North Richmond area. This is currently being processed as the North Richmond Specific Plan (GP#07-0008) and Environmental Impact Report. Due to economic uncertainty, we are not able to continue funding and processing of this application. This will serve as our 30 day notice to terminate the agreement between the county and Signature Properties for contract no. 49786 between the county and ART for the preparation of the Specific Plan. Please prepare a final invoice for the work that has been completed to date and forward to me for final payment. Thank you for your efforts in this matter. Reg rds, I Jos phT. awidski Vice President,Forward Planning 4670 WILLOW ROAD, SUITE 200, PLEASANTON, CA 94588-2710 925.463. 1122 FAX 925.463.0832 ATTACHMENT C North Richmond Municipal Advisory Council Letter of Support Q North Richmond MunicipalAdvioCrYT ",f 515 Silver Avenue Richmond, California 94801 Officers: 2600 JUN 16 A 9: 5 i President Lee Jones Vice President 1�11 %iitt Joe Wallace L'Lrl Treasurer June 11 2008 Maricela Navarro Board Member Dr.Henry Clark Board Member Don Gilmore Board Member Clift'Hammond Mr. Jim Kennedy Redevelopment Director Contra Costa County Redevelopment Agency 2530 Arnold Drive, Suite#190 Martinez; CA 94553 RE: North Richmond Specific Plan Dear Mr. Kennedy: On Tuesday June 10,2008 the North.Richmond Municipal Advisory Council (NRMAC) heard and considered the'Redevelopment Agency's (Agency)proposal to modify the budget for fiscal year 2007-2008. This budget adjustment would-allow the Agency to sponsor the development of the North Richmond SpecificPlan,and,Environmental Impact Report. The NRMAC wholeheartedly supports the North Richmond Specific Plan and,this related'budget modification. If you have any questions,pleaseldo not hesitate to contact:me directly at 5107798-3322 oriones 8821gyahoo.com, Sincerely, Lee Jones' Chair;North`Richmond Municipal Advisory Council cc: NRMAC D'Andre Wells