HomeMy WebLinkAbout98-024 AllAboardMiniStorage GPA AGENDA STATEMENT
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING DATE: February 9, 1999
SUBJECT:
Public Hearing: PA 98-024, All Aboard Mini Storage General Plan
Amendment
Prepared by: Dennis Carrington, Senior Planner/Zoning Administrator
ATTACHMENTS:
B.
C.
D.
E.
Study area map with All Aboard project
Study area map without All Aboard project
Letter from Shyam Taggarsi
Alternatives Analysis
Resolution recommending that the City Council amend the
Dublin General Plan to:
1. Apply the Industrial Park and Campus Office land use
designations as described in the Eastem Dublin General
Plan Amendment dated January 7, 1994, to the Primary
Planning Area of the Dublin General Plan,
2. Change the Transportation Corridor and Business
Park/Industrial: Outdoor Storage designations in the
study area to the combined Industrial Park/Campus
Office designation.
RECOMMENDATION:
APPLICANT/
OWNERS:
B.
C.
D.
E.
Open public hearing
Receive Staff presentation and public testimony
Question Staff and the public
Discuss General Plan Amendment options
Adopt Resolution (Attachment E) recommending City Council
amend the Dublin General Plan to:
1. Apply the Industrial Park and Campus Office land use
designations as described in the Eastern Dublin General
Plan Amendment dated January 7, 1994, to the Primary
Planning Area of the Dublin General Plan,
2. Change the Transportation Corridor and Business
Park/Industrial: Outdoor Storage designations in the
study area to the combined Industrial Park/Campus
Office designation.
All Aboard Mini Storage/Union Pacific Railroad Company
990 Highland Drive, Suite 300
Solana Beach, CA 92705
COPIES TO: All Aboard Mini Storage
Edwin and Irene Omernik
Edwin and Judith Wright
Shyam Taggarsi
In-house distribution
ITEM NO. ~' --~
Edwin and Irene Omemik
P.O. Box 2098
Dublin, CA 94568
Edwin and Judith Wright
200 Victorine Road
Livermore, CA 94550
FINANCIAL STATEMENT: Potential fiscal impacts depending on land use approved
DESCRIPTION:
General Plan Amendment Study. All Aboard Mini Storage has proposed an 85,699 square foot self
storage facility on 4.21 net acres owned by the Union Pacific Railroad Company located East of Dougherty
Road. The City Council initiated the All Aboard Mini Storage General Plan Amendment Study on May 5,
1998, to analyze General Plan land use alternatives for the railroad property and for two other properties
lying east of Dougherty Road, between the railroad property and Houston Place (see Exhibits A and B). The
owners of land in the study area are the Union Pacific Railroad Company, Edwin and Irene Omemik, and
Edwin and Judith Wright. The site is relatively level and drains toward the railroad right-of-way on the east.
Location. The study area is located on the East side of Dougherty Road, from the north side of the Union
Pacific Railroad Company south to Houston Place. This area is strategically located at one of the main
entrances to the central portion o£the City of Dublin and to Eastern Dublin. It lies along Dougherty Road
that is a major arterial connecting Dublin to Contra Costa County to the north.
Current land uses. The Union Pacific property is currently vacant but was used for railroad purposes
between 1915 and the early 1980's when the tracks were removed. The Omemik property is the site ora
truss manufacturing company. The Wright property is used for automobile repair, paint sales, shutter sales
and a marble bullnosing company.
Zoning. The Omemik and Wright properties are zoned PD allowing C-2 and M-1 uses. The Union Pacific
property is zoned M-1.
General Plan. The Omernik and Wright properties are designated Business Park/Industrial: Outdoor
Storage on the General Plan. The Union Pacific property is designated Transportation Corridor.
Acreage. The acreages for the study properties are shown in the table below. Net acres are used to
determine allowable square footages in non-residential projects. Gross acres are used to determine the
number of dwelling units permitted in residential projects. This report provides estimates of square footage
and acres of potential land uses and of dwelling units. The actual yield for these developments could be less
due to dedication requirements, internal circulation requirements, and site development difficulties.
NAME NET ACRES GROSS ACRES
Omernik 6.2 7.95
Wright 1.19 1.57
Union Pacific Railroad Company 4.21 8.85 (est.)
Total 11.6 18.37
ANALYSIS:
Setting. The study area is located in an area characterized by a mixture of land uses. To the East lies the
Camp Parks Reserve Fomes Training Area. To the south are the Mayflower and Caton van and storage
companies, a proposed contact lens manufacturing facility, an automobile repair shop, a building supply
company and a mini-storage company. To the west on the other side of Dougherty Road is a commemial
district that is characterized by mini-storage uses, auto-related uses and light industrial uses. These uses
include automobile repair, painting, sales and parts, a mini-storage company, a concrete coating company
and a printing company. To the northwest on the West side of Dougherty Road is the 283 unit Park Sierra
Apartments complex that is currently under construction. Surrounding land uses could change over time if
property values rise in the area due to high value developments to the East in the Eastern Dublin Specific
Plan and to the north in the Dougherty Valley project.
Dougherty Road. Dougherty Road is the main north-south surface road connecting Dublin to Contra Costa
County to the North and to Hopyard Road in Pleasanton. Dougherty Road is classified in the Circulation
Element as a Six-Lane Prime Arterial with a design ADT of 50,000 and a 110 foot wide right-of-way.
Currently, the road has four lanes. The West side of Dougherty Road has been widened to its ultimate extent
adjacent to the study area. Any development of the study area along the East side of Dougherty Road would
be required to dedicate land to provide the ultimate right-of-way.
Design character of Dougherty Road. Dougherty road south of the Union Pacific right-of-way is
characterized by a "Strip Commercial" character with continuous primarily service and auto-related
commercial uses. While the designation is commercial, this is not a retail commercial district. Care must be
taken, regardless of what land use is approved, to insure that the eventual use has a significant design
character of its own. This is necessary so that it can stand alone and give a good sense of character and place
to the existing district. The development in this study area has the potential to set the tone for the general
area. Land uses of properties East of Dougherty Road, South of the Union Pacific Railroad right-of-way and
North of Scarlett Court will be changing as property values rise and demand increases for a mix of higher
quality industrial, office and commercial properties at one of the major entries to Dublin.
Land Use Alternatives. Staff has analyzed five alternative land use scenarios that are included in
Attachment D. The alternatives analyzed are: All Aboard development, Commercial, Industrial
ParkJCampus Office, Residential, and Commercial/Residential. For each alternative, staff analyzed two
scenarios: the entire project area as one land use, and another where the All Aboard Mini Storage use would
be located on the Union Pacific Railroad property and one of the alternative uses located on the Omernik and
Wright properties.
Summary of Alternatives Analysis.
Staff has prepared a brief description of each alternative and a summary of the advantages and disadvantages
of each alternative.
All Aboard development.
The All Aboard Mini Storage Company is proposing an 85,699 square foot mini storage facility on the Union
Pacific ownership.
Advantages
All of the storage companies above are doing well and have vacancy rates of less than 2%.
Given the low vacancy rates, it can be presumed that the All Aboard facility would also do
well.
This use would be consistent with the van and storage uses to the south and with nearby mini-
storage uses.
Mini-storage uses can make use of difficult sites such as the Union Pacific Railroad right-of-
way.
Disadvantages
The All Aboard facility would result in an over-concentration of mini-storage uses in the area
that could inhibit the location of other desirable uses in the vicinity.
Other potential land uses could generate higher rents.
The property could be better utilized as part of a larger project encompassing all 11.6 net acres
of the study area.
Commercial.
A single story retail commercial center with a maximum floor area of 252,648 square feet.
Advantages
A commercial development would provide significant tax sales and property tax revenues to
the City.
This development would be well suited for p.m. traffic northbound on Dougherty Road.
A commercial development would provide jobs and services for the City.
Disadvantages
A commercial development could possibly take business away from downtown Dublin.
A commercial development would continue a strip service commercial/auto mall condition
further north on Dougherty Road.
The 11.6 net acre site is too small to be commercially viable. Shopping centers of similar size
in Dublin (Dublin Village, Dublin Station, Dublin Square/Plumbery, and San Ramon Village)
are experiencing difficulties finding or retaining tenants.
A retail commercial use would not be compatible with surrounding strip service
commercial/auto mall land uses.
If the All Aboard project goes forward there would not be enough developable land left out of
the 7.39 acres remaining after dedication, driveways and parking for a viable shopping center.
4
Industrial Park/Campus Office.
A one or two story Industrial Park/Campus Office or "Flex" development with a maximum floor area of
378,972 square feet.
Advantages
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
An Industrial Park/Campus Office "flex" development would be more compatible with
surrounding industrial uses and strip service commercial/auto mall uses than any of the other
alternatives.
A flex development could provide a high value incubator spaces for start-up companies.
A flex development could include retail services to serve businesses in the center and allow
incidental retail by businesses located in the center.
This type of development could set the tone for the redevelopment of the surrounding area
into a high value employment center.
A flex development could provide significant tax sales and property tax revenues to the City.
There is a high demand for flex space in the region. Vacancy rates for this type of use in the
South Bay are very low and demand is increasing in this area.
This use would provide jobs and services for the City and for commuters from Contra Costa
County to the North.
The location of an employment center near the BART station is ideal.
An Industrial Park/Campus Office center on 11.6 acres could be economically viable with the
appropriate tenants.
Disadvantages
Industrial Park/Campus Office development in East Dublin could keep vacancy rates for this
type of use high for a while, thus delaying the leasing of similar uses on Dougherty Road.
An Industrial Park/Campus Office center on 7.39 acres (with All Aboard on the railroad
parcel) would be small by today's standards and might not be viable.
Residential.
A three story apartment or condominium development at approximately 20 dwelling units per acre yielding a
maximum of 367 dwelling units.
Advantages
4.
5.
6.
A residential development would be convenient to 1-580 and the BART station for the
commute to jobs elsewhere.
A developer is interested in developing the American Building Components property with 177
units at the present time.
A residential development could provide needed medium-high density residential units.
A residential development would be economically viable.
A residential development could provide significant property tax revenues to the City.
A residential development could be consistent with the Park Sierra development to the north
and west.
Disadvantages
3.
4.
5.
A residential development would not be compatible with surrounding land uses. Noise from
Camp Parks and the adjacent van and storage operation and auto repair uses would disturb the
residents.
The surrounding area is not an inviting pedestrian environment for potential residents.
Tax revenues for a residential use would be less than those of an Industrial Park/Campus
Office or a Commercial use.
Costs to the City for services to residences are higher per acre than those of the other
alternatives.
A residential development on 7.39 acres (if the All Aboard project were to go forward) would
have all of the disadvantages shown above and would be less viable.
Commercial/Residential.
A mixed commercial and residential development with retail commercial uses on the ground floor and
apartments or condominiums on the second and third floors. The commercial square footage would have a
maximum of 84,216 square feet. There would be a maximum of 245 dwelling units at approximately 20
dwelling units per acre.
Advantages
This type of development could be an interesting urban style development that would be
attractive to the public and residents alike.
The commercial and residential uses could have a synergistic compatibility where each
benefits and justifies the other.
The project would provide needed medium-high density residential near 1-580 and the BART
station.
It could provide significant property tax revenues and sales tax revenues to the City.
A commemial/residential development on 11.6 acres could be economically viable.
Disadvantages
2.
3.
4.
5.
This type of development is quite intensive and urban in nature and would be better suited to
downtown Dublin.
This type of development may not be commercially viable with so few square feet available
for lease.
A mixed-use development would continue a strip service commercial/auto mall condition
further north on Dougherty Road.
A mixed-use development use might not be compatible with surrounding strip service
commercial/auto mall land uses.
The residential component of a mixed-use development would not be compatible with
surrounding land uses. Noise from Camp Parks and noise from the van and storage truck
operation could disturb potential residents.
The surrounding area is not an inviting pedestrian environment for potential residents.
If the study area were subdivided into a mini-storage use on the Union Pacific property and
commercial/residential on the remaining 7.39 acres, the commercial/residential development
might not be as viable.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
A Mitigated Negative Declaration was prepared for the General Plan Amendment study. The environmental
impacts to each environmental issue studied were based on the alternative that would have the most impacts
with regard to that issue.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the Planning Commission recommend that the City Council adopt a resolution
amending the Dublin General Plan to the Industrial Park/Campus Office combined land use designation for
all of the properties analyzed in PA 98-024.
The reasons for this recommendation are as follows:
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
An Industrial Park/Campus Office "flex" development would be more compatible with surrounding
industrial uses and strip service commercial/auto mall uses than any of the other alternatives.
A flex development could provide a high value incubator spaces for start-up companies.
A flex development could include retail services to serve businesses in the center and allow incidental
retail by businesses located in the center.
This type of development could set the tone for the redevelopment of the surrounding area into a high
value employment center.
A flex development could provide significant tax sales and property tax revenues to the City.
There is a high demand for flex space in the region. Vacancy rates for this type of use in the South
Bay are very low and demand is increasing in this area.
This use would provide jobs and services for the City and for commuters to Contra Costa County to
the North.
The location of an employment center near the BART station is ideal.
An Industrial Park/Campus Office center on 11.6 acres could be economically viable with the
appropriate tenants.
g:pa98024/pcsr Feb 9, 1999
7
P. M. 4 008
TR. 6644
RM. 7080
· . I
~ I
95~/
EXHIBIT
ASSESSOR PARCEL
941-550-5-1 (Omernick)
941-55-~7-1 (Wrigh0
941-550-22-5 (UPRR)
EX~HIBIT ~
NET SQUARE FEET
305,404
51,756
183.400
540,560
NET ACRES
7.01
1.19
4.21
12.41
AR?C H S T E
November I0, 1998
Mr. Dennis Carrington
Planning Department
City of Dublin
100 Civic Plaza
Dublin, CA 94568
Arch~one Communities
22320 Foothi/l Boulevard, Second Floor
Haywazc[, California 94541
Telephone ($10) 583 2100
Fax (510) 728 7111
w~w~cl=tonecommunifies.com
Re: Omemik Property
Dear Dennis,
Pursuant to your request, enclosed please find information regarding the Omemik Property,
located on the northeast comer of Dougherty Road and Houston Place.
Archstone Communities Trust has the subject property under contract and is proposing a
177-unit residential development on 6.9 net acres.
The concept that Archstone intends for this site is an upscale apartment community with
site planning and recreational amenities designed to accommodate families as well as
singles. The proposed development consists of residential units designed as a series of
three story buildings built at-grade with tuck-under private garage and carport parking,
grouped around a landscaped recreation courtyard.
The buildings are designed to provide a rich exterior and interior. Attention is paid to the
details of the architecture with the use of divided light windows, overhanging eaves, varied
roof lines and accent colors. Buildings are placed along the perimeter of the site to create a
residential feel to the edges of the development. The architecture sets a high standard of
design quality and is compatible with the upscale residential development that is being
built in the Emerald Park area.
Three floor plans will be available: one, two and three bedroom milts. The 3-bedroom
units provide greater diversity than typical adult apartment complexes that have only 1 and
2 bedroom units. The two and three bedroom units have ample room for family living yet
afford the privacy of master bedroom suites. All units have patios or balconies with
storage areas, washer/dryer connections and separate dining areas. All units have computer
alcoves that are wired to allow for Intemet connections.
EXHIBIT C.
November I0, 1998
Mr. Dennis Carrington
Page two
The units will come with 9' ceilings, designer selected, color coordinated wall-to-wall
carpeting and window coverings, range/oven, refrigerator, and dishwasher.
Extensive amenities will be offered that cater to families, children and adults. The
Clubhouse will feature activity spaces for all of these groups. A central feature of the
Recreation Center will be an entertainment room that can be used for movie nights,
children's parties, baby showers and private functions. There will also be a pool/spa off of
the Recreation Center. In addition, the development will feature an outdoor recreation
courtyard with BBQ equipment, picnic area, and adult conversation seating areas.
This residential community is designed to provide a superior quality living environment for
its residents.
Attached please find a schematic site plan and character elevations of Archstone's
proposal. Archstone would like to submit an application for a General Plan Amendment
and P.D. Rezoning as soon as possible.
If you have any questions please call me at (510) 583-2I 18. Thank you for your
consideration.
Sincerely,
ARCHSTONE COMMUNITIES
Shyam Taggarsi
Vice President
ALTERNATIVES ANALYSIS
This Alternatives Analysis looks at each of the five alternatives for the All Aboard Mini Storage General Plan
Amendment. The alternatives analyzed are: All Aboard development, Commercial, Industrial Park/Campus
Office, Residential, and Commercial/Residential. For each alternative, staff analyzed two scenarios: the entire
project area as one land use, and another where the All Aboard Mini Storage use would be located on the Union
Pacific Railroad property and another use would be located on the Omernik and Wright properties. The
development potential as well, as the advantages and disadvantages of each alternative, are shown. This report
provides estimates of square footage and acres of potential land uses and of dwelling units. However, the actual
yield for these developments could be less due to dedication requirements, internal circulation requirements, and
site development difficulties.
Acreage. The acreages for the study properties are shown in the table below. Net acres are used to determine
allowable square footages in non-residential projects. Gross acres are used to determine the number of dwelling
units permitted in residential projects. This report provides estimates of square footage and acres of potential
land uses and of dwelling units. The actual yield for these developments could be less due to dedication
requirements, internal circulation requirements, and site development difficulties.
NAME NET ACRES GROSS ACRES
Omemik 6.2 7.95
Wright 1.19 1.57
, Union Pacific Railroad Company 4.21 8.85 (est.)
Total 11.6 18.37
All Aboard Development. There are two mini-storage facilities within one block of the proposed facility and
four within one mile. The FAR for the most appropriate General Plan land use designation, Business
Park/Industrial ranges from .3 to .4. The largest mini-storage facility that could be placed on the Union Pacific
Railroad Company property would therefore be 73,355 square feet. The sizes of the nearby mini-storage
facilities (with the proposed facility shown for comparison) are as follows:
STORAGE COMPANY ACRES SQUARE
FEET
Allsafe 4.2 99,920
Dublin Security Storage 2.0 66,780
Dublin Self Storage 3.7 77,476
U-Haul Self Storage 5.9 134,600
Proposed All Aboard Mini 4.21 85,699
Storage (maximum
allowable is
73,355)
EXHIBIT D
Advantages and disadvantages
Advantages
All of the storage companies above are doing well and have vacancy rates of less than 2%.
Given the low vacancy rates, it can be presumed that the All Aboard facility would also do well.
This use would be consistent with the van and storage uses to the south and with nearby mini-
storage uses.
Mini-storage uses can make use of difficult sites such as the Union Pacific Railroad right-of-way.
Disadvantages
The All Aboard facility would result in an over-concentration of mini-storage uses in the area
that could inhibit the location of other desirable uses in the vicinity.
Other potential land uses could generate higher rents.
The property could be better utilized as part of a larger project encompassing all 11.6 net acres of
the study area.
Zoning and General Plan implications.
Zoning. The PD (Planned Development) zoning district would be used to implement any development
in the study area. If the All Aboard Mini Storage project were to be pursued on the Union Pacific
Railroad property and another project were to be pursued on remaining properties, separate PD Zoning
Districts would be applied to each site.
General Plan. If the All Aboard Mini Storage project were to be pursued on the Union Pacific Railroad
property this site, the Union Pacific Railroad property would be changed from Transportation Corridor
to Business Park/Industrial. An appropriate land use designation would be applied to the Omernik and
Wright properties for the land uses established there.
Commercial. A typical retail commercial shopping center is characterized by retail and personal service uses.
The Floor to Area Ratio for the appropriate General Plan designation of Retail/Office ranges between .25 and
.50, which would yield floor areas of between 126,324 square feet and 252,648 square feet for this project. If
the study area were subdivided into a mini-storage use on the Union Pacific property and a shopping center on
the remaining 7.39 acres, square footages would range between 80,477 and 160,954 square feet. The vacancy
rate for commercial centers in Dublin is 4.6%. The following chart shows the sizes of the shopping centers in
Dublin:
2
SHOPPING CENTER ACRES
Dublin Village/Carl's Jr. 2.92
Dublin Station 4.16
Pak 'n Save 10.72
Shamrock Village 9.17
Orchard Supply/Ross 10.51
Dublin Square/Plumbery 4.13
Dublin Place 34.86
Mervyns/Albertsons 19.51
Hacienda Crossings 50.0
San Ramon Village 5.17
PlazaJDuckett-Wilson,
American Furniture
Advantages and disadvantages
Advantages
A commercial development would provide significant tax sales and property tax revenues to the
City.
This development would be well suited for p.m. traffic northbound on Dougherty Road.
A commercial development would provide jobs and services for the City.
Disadvantages
A commercial development could possibly take business away from downtown Dublin.
A commercial development would continue a strip service commercial/auto mall condition
further north on Dougherty Road.
The 11.6 net acre site is too small to be commercially viable. Shopping centers of similar size in
Dublin (Dublin Village, Dublin Station, Dublin Square/Plumbery, and San Ramon Village) are
experiencing difficulties finding or retaining tenants.
A retail commemial use would not be compatible with surrounding strip service commemial/auto
mall land uses.
If the All Aboard project goes forward there would not be enough developable land left out of the
7.39 acres remaining after dedication, driveways and parking for a viable shopping center.
Zoning and General Plan implications.
Zoning. A PD Zoning District would be applied to either a commercial or mini-storage us on this site.
General Plan. For a commercial project on all 11.6 acres, it would be necessary to change the Omernik
and Wright properties from Business Park/Industrial: Outdoor Storage to Retail/Office and the railroad
property from Transportation Corridor to Retail/Office. For the All Aboard Mini Storage use to go
forward, it would be necessary to change the General Plan from Transportation Corridor to Business
Park/Industrial.
Industrial Park/Campus Office. An Industrial Park/Campus Office land use is characterized by a campus-like
setting for non-retail office uses, and light industrial uses which do not generate nuisances related to emissions,
noise, odors, or glare. This type of development combines the desirable traits of Industrial Park and Campus
Office uses into a "Flex" use that meets the needs of businesses with both industrial and office components.
This "combined" land use designation has only been applied for the Opus Business Park in the Eastern Dublin
Specific Plan. It is not included in the Dublin General Plan as applying to the "Principal Planning Area".
The Floor to Area Ratio for the combined General Plan designation of Industrial Park/Campus Office ranges
between .35 and .75, which would yield theoretical floor areas of between 176,854 square feet and 378,972
square feet for this project. If the study area were subdivided into a mini-storage use on the Union Pacific
property and a campus office center on the remaining 7.39 acres, the industrial park/campus office land use
would have square footages of between 112,668 and 241,431. The vacancy rate for industrial park/campus
office centers in Dublin is typically around 7.5%. The following chart shows the sizes of the industrial
park/campus office centers in Dublin.
INDUSTRIAL PARK/CAMPUS ACRES
OFFICE CENTER
Creekside Business Park 25
DeSilva Group (Hexcel) 8.31
Sierra Industrial Park 10.72
Sierra Trinity Park (Bedford) 13.86
Creekside Office Park 29
Advantages and disadvantages
Advantages
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
An Industrial Park/Campus Office "flex" development would be more compatible with
surrounding industrial uses and strip service commercial/auto mall uses than any of the other
alternatives.
A flex development could provide a high value incubator spaces for start-up companies.
A flex development could include retail services to serve businesses in the center and allow
incidental retail by businesses located in the center.
This type of development could set the tone for the redevelopment of the surrounding area into a
high value employment center.
A flex development could provide significant tax sales and property tax revenues to the City.
There is a high demand for flex space in the region. Vacancy rates for this type of use in the
South Bay are very low and demand is increasing in this area.
This use would provide jobs and services for the City and for commuters from Contra Costa
County to the North.
The location of an employment center near the BART station is ideal.
An Industrial Park/Campus Office center on 11.6 acres could be economically viable with the
appropriate tenants.
Disadvantages
Industrial Park/Campus Office development in East Dublin could keep vacancy rates for this
type of use high for a while, thus delaying the leasing of similar uses on Dougherty Road.
An Industrial Park/Campus Office center on 7.39 acres (with All Aboard on the railroad parcel)
would be small by today's standards and might not be viable.
Zoning and General Plan implications.
Zoning. If an industrial park/campus office project were to be pursued on this site, a PD Zoning District
would be applied. The mini storage use would be zoned to a separate PD Zoning District.
General Plan. It would be necessary to change the General Plan to add the combined Campus Office
designation to the Primary Planning Area. Currently it is only used in the Eastern Dublin Specific Plan.
The Industrial Park/Campus Office designation would then be applied to the industrial park/campus
office portion of the project and the Transportation Corridor designation would be changed to the
Business Park/Industrial designation for the mini-storage portion of the project.
Residential. The most appropriate residential type and density for this location would be three story apartment
or condominium units with an average density of 20 dwelling units to the acre (approximately 367 units for the
entire 18.37 gross acres). This would correspond to the Medium-High Density Residential designation of the
General Plan that has a density range from 14.1 to 25.0 dwelling units per gross acre. This development would
be similar to the Park Sierra development located immediately to the northwest on Dougherty Road. If the
study area were subdivided into a mini-storage use on the Union Pacific property and residential on the
remaining 9.52 gross acres, the project would contain approximately 190 dwelling units. This project would
probably be viable at the density of 20 dwelling units per acre but, as a small development, would be
surrounded by different land uses and isolated. The vacancy rate for medium-high density residential
developments in Dublin is close to Zero in the present housing market.
Shyam Taggarsi has submitted a letter (Attachment C) in which he has shown interest in developing the
Omemik property for residential purposes. His concept would propose 177 units on 7.95 gross acres. The
proposed density would be 22.26 dwelling units per gross acre. This density corresponds to the Medium-High
Density Residential designation of the General Plan.
The following chart shows the sizes of the Medium-High Density residential Developments in Dublin.
MEDIUM HIGH DENSITY DWELING ACRES DWELLING
RESIDENTIAL (14.1 - 25.0 DU/AC) UNITS UNITS PER
ACRE
California Brookside 123 7.4 16.62
Park Sierra Apartments 283 14.32 19.76
Jefferson at Dublin 368 16 23
Emerald Hills Apartments 324 I 1.9 27.23 (for
(Villas at Santa Rita) comparison
purposes)
Advantages and disadvantages
Advantages
4.
5.
6.
A residential development would be convenient to 1-580 and the BART station for the commute
to jobs elsewhere.
A developer is interested in developing the American Building Components property with 177
units at the present time.
A residential development could provide needed medium-high density residential units.
A residential development would be economically viable.
A residential development could provide significant property tax revenues to the City.
A residential development could be consistent with the Park Sierra development to the north and
west.
Disadvantages
A residential development would not be compatible with surrounding land uses. Noise from
Camp Parks and the adjacent van and storage operation and auto repair uses would disturb the
residents.
The surrounding area is not an inviting pedestrian environment for potential residents.
Tax revenues for a residential use would be less than those of an Industrial Park/Campus Office
or a Commercial use.
Costs to the City for services to residences are higher per acm than those of the other alternatives.
A residential development on 7.39 acres (if the All Aboard project were to go forward) would
have all of the disadvantages shown above and would be less viable.
Zoning and General Plan implications.
Zoning. Ifa Medium-High Density residential project were to be pursued on this site, a PD Zoning
District would be applied. The mini storage use would be zoned to a separate PD Zoning District.
General Plan. It would be necessary to change the General Plan from Business Park/Industrial: Outdoor
Storage to Medium-High Density Residential for the residential portion of the project. The
Transportation Corridor designation would be changed to the Business Park/Industrial designation for
the mini-storage portion of the project.
Commercial/Residential Development. A commercial/residential development could incorporate commercial
development such as retail and eating and drinking establishments on the ground floor and apartments or
condominiums on the second and third floors at an average density of 20 dwelling units per acre. This type of
development would be new to Dublin and would resemble the type of development existing along Clement
Street in San Francisco and in European cities. Approximately 245 dwelling units would be built and between
42,108 and 84,216 square feet of commercial development would be built if the entire site were built as a
mixed-use development. Approximately 127 dwelling units would be built and between 26,826 square feet and
53,651 square feet of commercial development would be built if the All Aboard project were to go forward.
Advantages and disadvantages
Advantages
This type of development could be an interesting urban style development that would be
attractive to the public and residents alike.
The commercial and residential uses could have a synergistic compatibility where each benefits
and justifies the other.
The project would provide needed medium-high density residential near 1-580 and the BART
station.
It could provide significant property tax revenues and sales tax revenues to the City.
A commercial/residential development on 11.6 acres could be economically viable.
Disadvantages
2.
3.
4.
5.
This type of development is quite intensive and urban in nature and would be better suited to
downtown Dublin.
This type of development may not be commercially viable with so few square feet available for
lease.
A mixed-use development would continue a strip service commemial/auto mall condition further
north on Dougherty Road.
A mixed-use development use might not be compatible with surrounding strip service
commemial/auto mall land uses.
The residential component of a mixed-use development would not be compatible with
surrounding land uses. Noise from Camp Parks and noise from the van and storage truck
operation could disturb potential residents.
The surrounding area is not an inviting pedestrian environment for potential residents.
If the study area were subdivided into a mini-storage use on the Union Pacific property and
commercial/residential on the remaining 7.39 acres, the commercial/residential development
might not be as viable.
Zoning and General Plan implications.
Zoning. Ifa mixed use project were to be pursued on this site, a PD Zoning District would be applied.
The mini storage use could be zoned to a separate PD Zoning District.
General Plan. It would be necessary to change the General Plan from Business Park/Industrial: Outdoor
Storage to a combination of the Medium-High Residential and Retail/Office designations of the general
Plan. Any mini-storage development would require the Business Park/Industrial designation.
The following table summarizes the alternatives before the City Council:
ALL ABOARD GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT STUDY
ALTERNATIVES NET FAR FAR SQ. FEET SQ. FEET GROSS DWELLING
~,CRES LOW HIGH LOW HIGH ACRES UNITS
All Commercial 11.6 0.25 0.5 126324 25264~
Commercialon Omernik/Wright 7.39 0.25 0.5 80477 160954
All Aboard on UPRR 4.21 0.3 0.4 55016 73355
All Ind. Park/Campus Office 11.6 0.35 0.75 176854 378972
Ind. Park/Campus Office on Omernik/Wright 7.3,c 0.35 0.75 112666 241431
All Aboard on UPRR 4.21 0.3 0.4 55016 73355
All Residential 18.37 367
Residential on Omernik/Wright 9.52 190
All Aboard on UPRR 4.21 0.3 0.4 55016 73355
All Commercial/Residential Use 11.6 42108 84216 245
commercial on ground floor,
residential on 2nd and 3rd floors)
Comm./Res. Use on Omernik/Wright 7.39 26826 53651 127
All Aboard on UPRR 421 0.3 0.4 55016 73355
g:pa98024/Alternatives Analysis
RESOLUTION NO. 99 -
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF DUBLIN
RECOMMENDING CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL OF THE
ALL ABOARD MINI STORAGE GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT
WHEREAS, the initiation of a General Plan Amendment Study was requested by Richard L.
Gooch on behalf of the Union Pacific Railroad Company and All Aboard Mini Storage for a 85,669
square foot storage center on the Union Pacific Railroad right-of-way south of Dougherty Road; and
WHEREAS, Section 65358 (a) of the State of California Government Code states that an
amendment to a general plan shall be in a manner specified by the legislative body; and
WHEREAS, the City Council on May 5, 1998 initiated the All Aboard Mini Storage General Plan
Amendment; and
WHEREAS, on November 17, 1998, the City Council directed Staff to include residential use as
part of the general plan amendment study; and
WHEREAS, a general plan amendment study was prepared by Staff which analyzed several
alternatives; and
WHEREAS, the General Plan Amendment Study recommends that the Planning Commission
recommend that the City Council approve a general plan amendment to apply the Industrial Park and
Campus Office land use designations, as described in the Eastern Dublin General Plan Amendment dated
January 7, 1994,to the Primary Planning Area of the Dublin General Plan; and
WHEREAS, the general plan amendment study recommends that the Plarming Commission
recommend that the City Council approve a general plan amendment for the study area to change the
Transportation Corridor and Business Park/Industrial: Outdoor Storage designations in the study area to
the combined Industrial Park/Campus Office General Plan designation; and
WHEREAS, the General Plan Amendment Study has been reviewed in accordance with the
provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and a Mitigated Negative Declaration
was prepared; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission considered the General Plan Amendment Study at a
public hearing on February 9, 1999; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission did hear and consider all said reports, recommendations
and testimony hereinabove set forth and used its independent judgement to make a decision.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Planning Commission does hereby
recommend that the City Council approve a general plan amendment to apply the Industrial Park and
Campus Office land use designations as described in the Eastern Dublin General Plan Amendment dated
January 7, 1994, to the Primary Planning Area of the Dublin General Plan.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Planning Commission does
hereby recommend that the City Council approve a general plan amendment to change the Transportation
Corridor and Business Park/Industrial: Outdoor Storage designations in the study area to the combined
Industrial Park/Campus Office General Plan designation.
EXHIBIT
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this 9th day of February, 1999.
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
ATTEST:
Clerk
Community Development Director
g:pa98024/PCPreso-GPA.do¢
HST
February 9, 1999
Planning Commission
City of Dublin
100 Civic Plaza
Dublin, CA 94568
Archstone Communities
22320 Foothill Boulevard, Second Floor
Hayward, California 94541
Telephone (510) 583 2100
Fax (510) 728 7111
www. amhstonecommunities.com
Re: Omemik Property
Dear Commissioners,
Archstone Communities Trust is pleased to propose a medium high density residential
development in the All Aboard Mini Storage General Plan Amendment Study Area. A more
detailed description of our proposal is enclosed in the staff report.
This letter is to request the Planning Commission to recommend that the City Council amend the
General Plan to allow medium-high density residential land use in the Study Area. I would like
to take this opportunity to briefly outline the major advantages of multifamily residential land
use in the Study Area and present counter viewpoints to the disadvantages stated in the staff
report:
Within the sub-regional context, medium density residential use would be compatible and
consistent with other residential uses in the area. As shown in the attached exhibit, the
subject area is across the street from apartments that are under construction (Shea Properties).
Within a one half mile radius are five other sites that either have apamuents under
construction (Archstone and JPI) or have the possibility of apartments (Alameda County's
Transit Center land near BART).
All of these sites are connected to each other and to the BART station by the proposed
Scarlett Drive/Iron Horse Trail and the East-West Trail which is currently under
construction. This is a perfect oppommity to build housing near a mass transit center with
convenient pedestrian access.
With proper landscaping and pedesWian walkways, the edges of the Study Area Could be very
attractive and pedestrian-friendly. Our proposal includes the widening of Dougherty Road
along the site frontage and widening Houston Place to allow for a connection with the
proposed Scarlett Drive extension. Sidewalks and street landscaping will be provided on
both street fronts.
We were recently informed that the All Aboard Mini Storage proposal has been withdrawn
from the City. Union Pacific (the land owner) is now marketing the site to other developers.
We met with representatives of Union Pacific last week to discuss the possible sale of their
property to us. If the City Council amends the General Plan to allow residential use in the
Study Area, the Union Pacific site could also be developed for aparhnents, in which case the
proposed Scarier Drive extension and the Iron Horse Trail could become a reality within a
short timeframe.
Once constructed, the Scarlett Drive extension allows east-bound traffic from the Study Area
and Dougherty Valley to avoid the intersection at Dougherty Road and Dublin Boulevard.
Additionally, bus lanes on Scarlett Drive will further help to alleviate traffic congestion in
the area.
While we take noise from adjacent uses into serious consideration, our opinion is that it can
be easily mitigated with dual-pane windows and other acoustical methods. The Shea project
had to prepare an acoustical study and was able to mitigate the noise concerns on its site.
We believe that apartments will actually generate more tax revenue than an Industrial
ParkdOffice Campus in the Study Area. A 378,972 sq. fi. office campus at 0.75 FAR (which
far exceeds typical FARs of office and flex developments in the Th-Valley) is estimated to
value at $53 million at $140/sq.fL Whereas, 367 apartment units at the current rate of
$150,000/unit will be valued at $55 million.
Apartments in the Study Area will provide much needed multifamily housing to serve all of
the office and retail development currently underway in East Dublin and the Tri Valley area
in general.
In conclusion, we believe that this is a great oppommity to provide a high quality, upscale
residential development at one of the major entries into Dublin. We urge you to consider
residential use favorably in the Study Area and recommend to the City Council to allow medium
high density land use here.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
ARCHSTONE COMMUNITIES TRUST
Shyam R. Taggarsi
Vice President
EAST
TP.A II.