HomeMy WebLinkAbout8.3, Attch 5, Exh A Draft CC ResoRESOLUTION NO. XX-11
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF DUBLIN
AMENDING THE COMMUNITY DESIGN AND SUSTAINABILITY ELEMENT OF THE
GENERAL PLAN TO INCORPORATE STRATEGIES ON SUSTAINABLE NEIGHBORHOOD
DESIGN (PLPA-2011-00052)
WHEREAS, the City of Dublin's Ten Year Strategic Plan consists of a mission, vision,
and various statements and strategies to achieve implementation of the Plan. The Ten Year
Strategic Plan for Fiscal Year 2010-2011 lists the community's values in a variety of areas, and
one of the three "Values in Guiding Development" is to "Support pedestrian-friendly
development, transit-oriented development, green building, and environmental responsiveness";
and
WHEREAS, the City Council reviewed a recommendation from Staff at a meeting on
December 21, 2010 to develop a Sustainable Neighborhood Design Strategy to directly support
these values, and directed Staff to proceed with the development of a strategy; and
WHEREAS, on March 1, 2011, the City Council reviewed and confirmed Staff's
recommendations on the key elements of the Draft Sustainable Neighborhood Design Strategy,
the applicability of the Sustainable Neighborhood Design Strategy; and the methods of
implementing and adopting the Sustainable Neighborhood Design Strategy; and
WHEREAS, the City Council directed Staff to incorporate the Sustainable Neighborhood
Design Strategy into the goals, policies, and programs of the General Plan; and
WHEREAS, the Dublin General Plan was originally adopted on February 11, 1985, and
has been amended a number of times since that date; and
WHEREAS, jurisdictions may adopt additional elements as they see fit; and
WHEREAS, the Community Design and Sustainability Element is an optional element
that was added to the Dublin General Plan as Chapter 10 on September 16, 2008 (Resolution
177-08); and
WHEREAS, the Community Design and Sustainability Element provides a guiding vision
for the character of future public and private improvements throughout the City while preserving
energy, water and other natural features; and
WHEREAS, amendments to the Community Design and Sustainability Element have
been prepared that incorporate the goals, policies, and programs of the Sustainable
Neighborhood Design Strategy as reviewed and considered by the City Council; and
WHEREAS, amendments to the Community Design and Sustainability Element are
exempt from the environmental review requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3), because the activity is covered by
the general rule that CEQA applies only to projects which have the potential for causing a
significant effect on the environment, and where it can be seen with certainty that there is no
EXHIBIT A TO
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possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment, the
activity is not subject to CEQA; and
WHEREAS, the City of Dublin Planning Commission ("Planning Commission") held a
public hearing on the amendments to the Community Design and Sustainability Element on
December 13, 2011; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission did hear and consider all said reports,
recommendations and testimony describe herein, and used its independent judgment to
evaluate the Project, and adopted Resolution 11-xx, incorporated herein by reference,
recommending that the City Council adopt a resolution amending the Community Design and
Sustainability Element of the General Plan to incorporate strategies on Sustainable
Neighborhood Design; and
WHEREAS, a City Council Staff Report dated January 17, 2012, and incorporated herein
by reference, described and analyzed the amendments to the Community Design and
Sustainability Element; and
WHEREAS, the City Council reviewed the Project at a noticed Public Hearing on January
17, 2012, at which time all interested parties had the opportunity to be heard; and
WHEREAS, the City Council did hear and consider all said reports, recommendations
and testimony described herein and used its independent judgment to evaluate the Project.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the foregoing recitals are true and correct
and made a part of this Resolution.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council hereby approves the following
amendments to the Community Design and Sustainability Element (Chapter 10) of the General
Plan.
1. Section 10.3.1 of Chapter 10 is hereby amended to read as follows:
10.3.1 The Image of the City
A commonly used model of urban design comes from theorist and author Kevin Lynch (The Image
of the City, 1960). His overriding idea was for cities to create a more memorable identity by
enhancing the image of their major elements. He divided the city into the following functional
areas, each of which contributes distinct design potential:
Paths -Paths connect activity areas and can have an important identity of their own.
Landmarks -Visually prominent buildings, important cultural centers, or special natural features
serve to give a city a distinct image and are important amenities.
Edges -Boundaries signal one's arrival at a new land use, area, or feature. If edges are clearly
marked, such as in the use of entry signs or monuments, a city's identity is strengthened.
Nodes -Focal points, intersections, and gathering places create activity centers that draw people
into them and stimulate adjacent development.
Districts -Special areas of the city have their own visual and functional identity and help
differentiate the visual monotony seen in many cities today.
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Lynch's five functional areas have been refined into the following five goals for Dublin.
1. Promote a Positive Regional Identity of the City.
2. Create a Sense of Arrival at gateways to the City.
3. Ensure quality and compatible Design of the Built Form.
4. Establish Sustainable Neighborhood Design patterns with Connections and Linkages
throughout the City.
5. Encourage Sustainability to provide a high quality of life and to preserve resources and
opportunities for future generations.
2. Section 10.8 of Chapter 10 is hereby amended to read as follows:
10.8 Encouraging Sustainable Neighborhood Design and Creating Connections and
Linkages
Connections and linkages are what unify the villages, residential neighborhoods, commercial and
industrial areas, and various developments within each neighborhood. Dublin includes a
variety of connections and linkages for pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists. These provide
connections within and between properties and the public right-of-way including streets,
sidewalks, trails, etc. Some connections and linkages have design and landscaping patterns
unique to that corridor, while others have a design and landscaping pattern unique to the type
of connection (i.e. sidewalk or freeway).
How a village, district, or neighborhood is laid out can have a big impact on whether the area is
comfortable for pedestrians and cyclists, and it can be a determinant of how much time people
spend outdoors and how they choose to circulate around the area. New development in
Dublin:
Includes neighborhoods with a robust network of internal streets and good connections to
surrounding neighborhoods where pedestrians, bicyclists, and drivers can move efficiently and
safely.
Promotes walking and cycling by providing safe, appealing, and comfortable street
environments that support public health by reducing pedestrian injuries and encouraging daily
physical activity.
Aids in the improvement of resident's physical and mental health and social capital by
providing a variety of open spaces (public and private) close to work and home to facilitate
neighborhood connectivity, social networking, civic engagement, physical activity, and time
spent outdoors.
Compliance with Section 10.8 (Encouraging Sustainable Neighborhood Design and Creating
Connections and Linkages) is required for the following types of projects:
• New General Plan and Specific Plan Amendments and new Specific Plans;
• Annexations;
• New Stage 1 and/or Stage 2 Planned Development Rezones;
• Rezoning applications; and
• Any subdivision of property or other new development that creates new streets (without
changing the applicable land use designation) must comply only with those goals, policies,
and implementation measures contained in Sections 10.8.1 through 10.8.4 (Street Patterns
and Design), inclusive.
10.8.1 Intent: Street Patterns and Design
Create connections and linkages throughout the various areas of Dublin and within and between
properties and the public right-of-way. These connections and linkages should be provided
for a variety of users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, transit riders, and motorists and should
ensure safe and easy travel between key destinations, including residential, civic/public, and
commercial spaces.
10.8.2 Goal: Street Patterns and Design
Establish Connections and Linkages throughout the City by promoting transportation efficiency,
reducing vehicle miles traveled (VMT), enabling easier non-vehicular circulation, and
promoting walking and cycling.
10.8.3 Policies: Street Patterns and Design
A. Provide safe, visually pleasing, and comfortable pedestrian and bicycle connections between
destinations within a project area by providing wide multi-use paths, generous sidewalks, and
dedicated bicycle lanes on Class I and II Collector and Arterial streets.
B. Provide clear, identifiable, and ample pedestrian and bicycle pathways that connect
sidewalks, parking areas, building entrances, trails, and other site features by using
wayfinding techniques such as signage, landscaping, hardscape, and prominent building
entrances, where feasible (reference: Bikeways Master Plan).
C. Provide a continuous and ample network of pedestrian and bicycle routes within a project area
and logical connections to the exterior of the project area and thereby create safe routes of
travel to transit facilities, public gathering spaces, trails, parks, community centers, schools,
City villages, gateways, and entries (reference: Bikeways Master Plan).
D. Provide connections through closed streets (e.g. cul-de-sacs) within a neighborhood for
pedestrian and bicycle access.
E. Ensure that sidewalks, pedestrian and bicycle pathways, and trails are furnished with
pedestrian amenities such as lighting, signage, trash receptacles, etc., where appropriate
(reference: Streetscape Master Plan, Bikeways Master Plan).
F. Provide increased connectivity to the nearest BART station for pedestrians and cyclists
travelling to the station from development projects located within one-half mile of the station.
10.8.4 Implementation Measures: Street Patterns and Design
A. Implement the Streetscape Master Plan and the Bikeways Master Plan.
B. Review development through the Planned Development Regulations and/or the Site
Development Review process for measures that achieve the above goals and policies.
C. Review new street design and layout for conformance with the following street standards
(unless alternative design methods are proposed that will achieve the above "Street Patterns
and Design" goals and policies):
1 No closed cul-de-sacs. New residential cul-de-sacs should have cut-throughs at the end
that are accessible to pedestrians and cyclists. The cul-de-sac can open to another cul-
de-sac, another street, or a park, trail, or open space area. All cut-throughs should ensure
compliance with "Community Policing Through Environmental Design (OPTED)" principles
and accessibility for public safety vehicles.
2 New residential collector streets should have a minimum 5' wide sidewalk or multi-use
path, 4' parkway strip with street trees at intervals averaging no more than 40 feet, and a
bike lane that is separate from on-street parking and travel lanes.
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3 New non-residential Class I and Class II collector streets should have a minimum 8' wide
sidewalk or multi-use path, 4' parkway strip with street trees at intervals averaging no
more than 40 feet, a bike lane that is separate from on-street parking and travel lanes, and
a raised median.
4 New arterial streets should have a minimum 10' wide sidewalk or multi-use path, generous
parkway strip with street trees at intervals averaging no more than 40 feet, a bike lane that
is separate from on-street parking and travel lanes, and a raised median.
5 All streets at the perimeter of a school site should have a minimum 10' wide sidewalk or
multi-use path, 4' parkway strip with street trees at intervals averaging no more than 40
feet, and a bike lane that is separate from on-street parking and travel lanes, regardless of
the street type.
6. In areas of residential development, intersections should occur every 600' on average and
at 800' maximum. Non-vehicular intersections (e.g. separated pedestrian/ bicycle paths or
trails) may count towards fulfilling these average and maximum requirements.
D. A pedestrian and bicycle accessibility plan shall be created [maybe "drafted"?]for new
neighborhoods. The plan should illustrate the continuous pedestrian and bicycle connections
throughout the project site, highlighting the connections to school sites, public spaces, and
civic/semi-public uses in particular.
E. Allow for bus turnout lanes at new school sites to encourage the use of public transit.
F. Create a transportation network map.
10.8.5 Intent: Land Use Patterns and Design
Create neighborhoods with generous open spaces (both public and private) located close to the
places people live and work. Create opportunities for residents to live near transit by
establishing a minimum standard of residential density for sites in close proximity to BART
10.8.6 Goal: Land Use Patterns and Design
Provide a variety of open spaces close to residences and businesses and improve access to
transit
10.8.7 Policies: Land Use Patterns and Design
A. Locate open spaces in close proximity to residents and businesses.
B. Establish a minimum density requirement for residential development in the vicinity of a
regional transit station (e.g. BART).
C. Establish supportive facilities for a regional transit station (e.g. BART) in large residential
neighborhoods to facilitate pedestrian and cyclist access to transit.
10.8.9 Implementation Measures: Land Use Patterns and Design
A. Review new neighborhood design and layout for conformance with the following standards
(unless alternative design methods are proposed that will achieve the above "Land Use
Patterns and Design" goals and policies):
1. Design neighborhoods so that a park, civic, semi-public, or publicly-accessible passive-
use space, at least %2 acre in size, lies within a '/4 mile walk distance of 75% of planned
and existing residences and commercial businesses. The space can be either a public
park (in compliance with the Parks and Recreation Master Plan) or privately-owned, as
long as it is accessible to the general public.
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2. Design neighborhoods so that a park, civic, semi-public, or publicly-accessible recreational
facility at least one acre in size with either indoor or outdoor recreational amenities, lies
within a '/2-mile walk distance of 75% of planned and existing residences and commercial
businesses. Recreational facilities must include some physical improvements and may
include "tot lots," swimming pools, sports fields, community buildings or recreation centers,
or can be any public park. The recreational facility can be either a public park (if it is in
compliance with the Parks and Recreation Master Plan) or privately-owned, as long as it is
accessible to the general public. It can be a facility that charges a fee for use.
B. For all residential uses within '/4 mile of a BART station, 25 units per net acre is the minimum
density goal, and for all residential uses within % mile of a BART station, 10 units per net acre
is the minimum density goal. Higher densities within %2 mile of a regional transit station are
encouraged.
C. Identify a "Transit Hub" in any new neighborhood that has 500+ residential units and is located
more than one mile from a regional transit station. A Transit Hub would be a central location
in the project where pedestrian trails, bike lanes, and streets converge at a central transit stop.
If bus service is to be provided to the project area, the Transit Hub would be the location to put
the bus stop, bicycle parking, and bus shelter. There is no minimum size for a Transit Hub
and its ideal location is adjacent to an open space, park, or public/civic facility.
10.8.10 Intent: Access to Schools
Create neighborhoods that benefit from well-located and easily-accessible school sites by locating
schools on safe, yet connected thoroughfares and by minimizing the distance from school
sites for the maximum number of likely students (e.g. adjacent to attached and detached
single family homes)
10.8.11 Goal: Access to Schools
Integrate schools safely and effectively into the neighborhood street and land use pattern.
10.8.12 Policies: Access to Schools
A. New school sites shall be chosen for maximum safety and accessibility for students.
10.8.13 Implementation Measures: Access to Schools
A. School sites shall be located and designed for accessibility to the maximum number of likely
students. Although frontage on two streets is needed, school sites are ideally not located at
the intersection of two Cfass I collector streets, and the site must be designed and located so
that pedestrians and cyclists can easily reach the site via safe bike lanes, multi-use paths, and
sidewalks.
B. Design a neighborhood such that at least 50% of any attached and detached single-family
residential units are within a %2 mile walking distance of any new elementary or middle school
site on the project site.
C. For projects that do not involve the creation of a new school site, locate attached and
detached single-family residential units in areas within the project that facilitates the most
direct walking route to existing school site(s). Streets within and/or bordering the project area
that lead from new dwelling units to an existing school site (or dedicated future school site)
should be designed to have a complete network of multi-use paths or sidewalks on at least
one side and either bicycle lanes or traffic control and/or calming measures.
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council finds that these amendments to the
Community Design and Sustainability Element are consistent with all other goals, policies and
implementing programs set forth in the General Plan.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council finds that it is in the public interest to
approve these amendments to the Community Design and Sustainability Element.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Resolution shall be effective 30 days after the
date of adoption.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 17th day of January 2012 by the following
vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
ATTEST:
City Clerk
Mayor
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