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Report regarding Resolution authorizing an application for a LEAP Planning Grant (Tony Rozzi, Principal Planner)
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RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Staff recommends that City Council adopt a resolution authorizing an application for the Local Early Action Planning (LEAP) Grants Program intended for the preparation, adoption, and implementation of plans that streamline housing approvals and accelerate housing production.
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BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
The State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) has issued a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) dated January 27, 2020, for its Local Early Action Planning (LEAP) Grant Program. HCD is authorized to provide up to $119 million under LEAP Grants to jurisdictions for the preparation and adoption of planning documents, process improvements that accelerate housing production, and facilitate compliance in implementing the sixth cycle of the regional housing need assessment (RHNA).
The amount of LEAP Grant funding awarded is based on the population of a city. As a medium sized city, the City of South San Francisco has been allocated a maximum allowance amount of $300,000. The grant is non-competitive and the City will be awarded the funding following the application. Staff will apply for all $300,000 through two programs, discussed below.
Project 1: 2023-2031 Housing Element
Staff will partner with 21 Elements and their primary consultant Baird + Driskell Community Planning to complete and adopt the next Housing Element reflecting the sixth cycle of RHNA allocation. The services provided though the 21 Elements working group are intended to support and allow staff to complete the Housing Element “in house”, which will be budget conscious and build on the momentum created by the General Plan 2040 Update process. Through the General Plan 2040 Update, known as “Shape SSF”, sites will be identified for up zoning to meet the three expected RHNA allocation cycles within the 20-year lifespan of the Shape SSF. Much of the work that will be completed through Shape SSF will prepare the City to implement a new Housing Element, however, LEAP funds will cover the costs of Baird + Driskell’s assistance and funding for a staff planner (up to a 0.5 FTE) to finalize the document for approximately one year. The project cost estimate is approximately $150,000.
Project 2: Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Right-of-way Design and Activation Planning
The City will take over maintenance and development rights to the BART right-of-way (BART ROW) running through South San Francisco at some point in 2020 or early 2021. Based on this transfer of maintenance, the City will control the appearance and use of the land, significantly increasing open space and recreation opportunities. The BART ROW will require proactive and creative programming and the City would like to utilize a landscape architecture and planning firm to survey, map, and engage with the community to develop a master plan for this right-of-way. The nexus to fostering housing development is relatively straightforward - with this infrastructure planning, any residential project proposed within the BART ROW sphere of influence could opt to construct a portion of the right-of-way improvements as laid out in the master plan as A) a community benefit for maximum density as required in City ordinance, or B) in lieu of required on-site open space. Typically, residential unit construction, and affordable housing development in particular, are hindered by on-site development requirements such as landscaping and public/private open space. This effort would permit the proposed project to maximize housing unit development on residentially zoned parcels and create open/recreation space within the BART ROW that would be open to all. The master planning project cost estimate is approximately $150,000.
FISCAL IMPACT
Aside from expenditures of staff time to complete the LEAP grant application, the fiscal impact is minimal for the process. The City will be awarded $300,000 for projects that would otherwise have required General Plan funds or Housing Fund monies.
RELATIONSHIP TO STRATEGIC PLAN
Applying for the LEAP planning grant fulfills the City’s strategic initiative of providing a full range of housing options.
CONCLUSION
Staff recommends that City Council adopt a resolution authorizing an application for a LEAP Grant intended for the preparation, adoption, and implementation of plans that streamline housing approvals and accelerate housing production.