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HomeMy WebLinkAboutReso 231-00 VillagePkwy SP RESOLUTION NO. 231 - 00 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DUBLIN ADOPTING THE VILLAGE PARKWAY SPECIFIC PLAN AS RECOMMENDED BY STAff AND REPEALING PORTIONS OF THE 1987 DOWNTOWN SPECIFIC PLAN PA 99-054, CITY OF DUBLIN WHEREAS, the City of Dublin is desirous of improving the appearance, functionality, economic vitality of the downtown portion of Dublin in a manner consistent with the broad vision expressed in the Dublin General Plan; and, WHEREAS, the City has prepared the Village Parkway Specific Plan (Exhibit A) which has been prepared pursuant to Government Code Sec. 65450 et. seq.; and, WHEREAS, the Specific Plan includes permitted land uses, development standards, urban design guidelines, transportation improvements and implementation programs to achieve the goals of the Dublin General Plan; and, WHEREAS, the City of Dublin adopted a Downtown Specific Plan in 1987 for areas within the boundaries of the proposed Specific Plan. However, due to changing market and other conditions, this' Specific Plan is no longer relevant to this area or Development Zones (10 and 11) now included within the boundaries of the Village Parkway Specific Plan and should be repealed; and WHEREAS, an Initial Study and draft Negative Declaration have been prepared for this application pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15071, and are on file in the Dublin Planning Department. Based on the Initial Study, a draft Negative Declaration was prepared for the Specific Plan with the finding that the implementation of the Plans would have no adverse environmental effects as mitigation measures are incorporated into the project. The draft Negative Declaration is recommended for City Council adoption; and, WHEREAS, the Planning Commission did hold a public hearing on the Village Parkway Specific Plan on September 26, 2000, October 10, 2000 and October 24, 2000, and recommended approval to the City Council on October 24, 2000; and, WHEREAS, the Community Development Department did hold a public meeting on the Village Parkway Specific Plan with property owners on November 9, 2000; and, WHEREAS, the City Council did hold a public hearing on the Village Parkway Specific Plan on November 21, 2000 and December 19, 2000; and, WHEREAS, proper notice of said hearing was given in all respects as required by law; and, WHEREAS, the City Council did hear and use their independent judgment and considered all said reports, recommendations and testimony herein above set forth. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE Dublin City Council does hereby find that the proposed Village Parkway Specific Plan is consistent with the land use designations, goals, policies and implementing programs set forth in the Dublin General Plan, as amended. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT THE Dublin City Council adopts the Village Parkway Specific Plan as recommended by Staff, with the existing Village Parkway right-of- way (as shown in Exhibit 7A in the Specific Plan) in attached Exhibit B as the established alignment for Village Parkway, subject to modification in Exhibit C, and repeal of the 1987 Downtown Specific Plan as it relates to those lands within the boundaries of the proposed Specific Plan. PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED this 19th day of December 2000. AYES: Councilmembers Lockhart, McCormick, Oravetz, Zika and Mayor Houston NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None ATTEST~~ C_~ K2/G/12 - 19 - 00/reso-vp - sp. do c (Item 6.4) gXDowntown Spec~cPlan\cc-resVPSPsps2.doc 2 Village Parkway Alignment: Staff Recommendation (Existing Alignment) ' ' EXHIBIT '~ i ~. ~' ' ~ A '~~ r"T ..... ' .........' '' ..Staff Re(;Om mend, ati.o,-*n EXHIBIT C To Attachment 9 VILLAGE PARKWAY SPECIFIC PLAN MODIFICATIONS Change 1: Add to Section 1.5, Project Goals and Objectives, page 6, new Goal 10. As follows: Enhance the visual quality of the planning area by encouraging appropriate projects with major public access either visually from roadways, large outdoor areas, or pedestrian traffic to incorporate public art into the design, and in accordance with the City's Public Art Policy. K2/G/12-19-00/vp-sp-exC.doc G:/Downtown SpecifcPlans/cc -resoVP SPexB. do c 0> C- .;::; (f) .& '-/ c o .~~ ~ ~ -0 C 0) E. E. o <.) 0) ct. ~ r:n ~ , , , , , , , , , , ~. 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I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I VILLAGE PARKWAY SPECIFIC PLAN Table of Contents Chapter Page Executive Summary 1 1.0 Introduction, Purpose and Project Location 3 2.0 General Notes 6 3.0 Existing Conditions 8 4.0 Land Use Concept 12 5.0 Traffic Improvements and Parking 14 6.0 Urban Design Guidelines 18 7.0 Infrastructure and Maintenance 25 8.0 Administration and Implementation 26 Appendix Item A: Item B: Item C: Item D: Parcel Map & List of Property Owners Task Force Members & Locations Village Parkway - Roadway Alternatives Negative Declaration and Initial Study I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I VILLAGE PARKWAY SPECIFIC PLAN EXHIBITS Exhibit Title Exhibit 1 Regional Context Exhibit 2 Local Context Exhibit 3 Specific Plan Boundary Exhibit 4 Existing Land Uses Exhibit 5 Existing General Plan Exhibit 6 Existing Zoning Exhibit 7 Existing Circulation System Exhibit 7 A Existing Conditions Exhibit 7B Village Parkway Roadway Improvements - Alternative 3: Task Force Recommendation Exhibit 8 Existing Utility Plan Exhibit 9 Land Use Plan Appendix Exhibit 10 Location of Task Force Members' Property/Business Exhibits 10A-D Village Parkway Roadway Improvements - Alternatives 1 through 4 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I VILLAGE P ARKW A Y SPECIFIC PLAN FIGURES Figure Title Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 5 Figure 6 Figure 7 Figure 8 Figure 9 Figure 10 Figure 11 Figure 12 Architectural Character 1 Architectural Character 2 Roofs Building Form, Massing and Materials Facade Improvement Elevation 1 Facade Improvement Elevation 2 Plaza Features Gateway Diagram Streetscape-Parallel Parking Preferred Plant Matrix Streetscape Character Village Parkway Pedestrian Oriented Streetscape I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I VILLAGE P ARKW A Y SPECIFIC PLAN Executive Summary The Village Parkway Specific Plan is one of three specific plan documents developed for the central urbanized area of the City of Dublin which address the future development in the downtown area of the City. Two other specific plan documents, the Downtown Core Specific Plan and the West Dublin BART Specific Plan, have also been developed to address portions of other sections in the downtown area. The Specific Plans are intended to direct the use of land, the design of public improvements, and the design and appearance of private and public development, including buildings, parking areas, signs and landscaping. Goals and objectives are included in the planning document to assist in fulfilling the intent of the Plan. Design Guidelines are also established in the context of the Plan to assist in guiding the design quality of the area's development. Additionally, sections addressing Administration and Implementation, and possible Financing mechanisms for Plan implementation are contained in the document. The adoption of the Village Parkway Specific Plan by the Dublin City Council on December 19, 2000 required that portions of the previously adopted (1987) Downtown Specific Plan be repealed to modify sections of that document relative to Development Zones 10 and 11. The Village Parkway Specific Plan Area, West Bart Specific Plan Area, and the Downtown Core Specific Plan Area, to the west of Village Parkway, represent what remains of the original "Downtown" commercial area of the City of Dublin. The Village Parkway Specific Plan area is generally located along the east and west sides of Village Parkway between Dublin Boulevard to the south and Amador Valley Boulevard to the north. The Village Parkway area consists of approximately 31 acres of commercial services, retail, restaurant, office and automotive service type land uses. Under the Concept Plan for the area, these existing uses would not change, but would be stablized and enhanced. A higher intensity of development and a more pedestrian- oriented environment are encouraged by the Plan through increased floor-area-ratios (FAR), establishment of design guidelines for development, and streetscape improvements. The FAR of .35 for the Village Parkway area is consistent with the City's present General Plan. The maximum amount of development in the Village Parkway area is anticipated to be 408,108 square feet. In February 2000, a task force for the Village Parkway Specific Plan area was formed at the City Council's direction to discuss the issues and problems facing businesses and property owners in the area, direct the future land uses along Village Parkway and to evaluate traffic and circulation issues relative to promoting increased economic growth in the area. The Village Parkway Specific Plan Task Force consisted of thirteen business owners, property owners and residents of the City that have shown an interest in the future physical and economic development of the Village Parkway Specific Plan area. Task Force members appointed by the City Council to the committee included Rick Camacho, George Churchill, Charlotte Fernandez, David Hess, Stan McClanahan, Connie Mack, Thomas Odam, Dan Scannell, Redic Thomas, Jimmy and Yvonne Tiu, and Wilma White. The Appendix of this document contains a list of these members and a map, Exhibit 10, which shows the general location of the businesses or properties represented by the participating members. During the six-month period in which the Village Parkway Specific Plan Task Force met to discuss the plan, the Task Force determined that there is a need to revitalize businesses along the segment of Village Parkway between Amador Valley Boulevard to the north and Dublin Boulevard to the south. To accomplish this and to achieve the goals and objectives of the I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 1.0 Introduction, Purpose and Project Location 1.1 Purposes of the Specific Plan The Village Parkway Specific Plan has been prepared in concert with local property owners and businesses to assure the highest and most productive use of the land in this portion of Dublin is achieved. This Specific Plan governs the use of land, development standards, design of public improvements, and the design and appearance of private improvements including buildings, signs and landscaping. The Specific Plan also provides a blueprint to implement the overall vision and design requirements contained in the Village Parkway Specific Plan. Land use standards, regulations, definitions and other criteria contained in this document shall govern all of the property within the Village Parkway Specific Plan area. 1.2 Location The Village Parkway planning area is sited within the City of Dublin, in south easterly Alameda County, California. More specifically, the Specific Plan area includes commercial and other non-residential properties between the north and south sides of Amador Valley Road to the north and Dublin Boulevard to the south. The 1-680 Freeway forms the southwestern boundary of the area and lies adjacent to the rear property line of commercial uses. A combination of restaurants, offices, retail commercial, service commercial and other non-residential uses front along Village Parkway. The planning area contains approximately 31 acres of land. Exhibit 1 shows the regional context of the planning area and Exhibit 2 shows the location ofthe project boundary in relation to the remainder of the City of Dublin. Exhibit 3 depicts the Village Parkway Specific Plan boundary in relation to other downtown Specific Plans prepared in the downtown Dublin area. 1.3 Local and Regional Context The Village Parkway planning area is sited within the Livermore-Amador Valley area, a rapidly growing area in the East Bay of the San Francisco Bay region. The City of Dublin has a population of approximately 32,500 and a geographic area of approximately 12.2 square miles. Major uses surrounding the specific plan area include low density, single family residential housing to the north and east, commercial uses to the south and the 1-680 freeway to the west. West ofI-680, commercial development exists, which is included in the Downtown Core Specific Plan. 1.4 Proiect Goals and Obiectives Goals and objectives of the Village Parkway Specific Plan include: Land Use Goal 1: Revitalize and upgrade the appearance and functionality of the Village Parkway area so that existing businesses can thrive and new businesses that comply with the overall vision of the Specific Plan can be attracted. Village Parkway Specific Plan City of Dublin page 3 LEGEND ~~""" .",.),'C,'ton;;i,;!1 1""__J<<-I. ."s.~\.\~~. h...~~,~,< ,~r;t:.1:W"i',;;;,,,,,,~.,,,~ . E~x. Jl t '-,,] '/(-..) l..-. ( ) '-' E SPECIFIC PLAN AREA DOWNTOWN COR SPECIFIC PLAN AREA WEST DUBUN BART SPECIFIC PLAN AREA VILLAGE PARKWAY - N.T.S. DECEMBER 2000 LOCAL CONTEXT . VILLAGE PARKWAY SPECIFIC PLAN CITY OF DUBLIN EXHIBIT 2 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Objective 1.1: Encourage a diverse mix of complementary land uses along Village Parkway. Objective 1.2: Discourage additional drive-through facilities. Proposals for new or expanded drive through operations shall be reviewed and determined on a case-by- case basis by the Planning Commission. Objective 1.3: Create opportunities for integrating live/work units into the Village Parkway area. Goal 2: Increase the amount of retail sales and related economic activity within the project area. Objective 2.1: Allow for intensification of land uses within the planning area, up to a maximum floor area ratio of 0.35 per parcel. Objective 2.2: Develop an on-going program of special events to encourage shopping and overall visitation in the Village Parkway area. Goal 3: Protect the quality oflife in residential areas adjacent to the Village Parkway area while encouraging residents to shop in the neighborhood. Objective 3.1: Extended business hours are encouraged for businesses within the Village Parkway area, as long as noise and other negative influences, including spill over of lighting, do not occur that would disturb adjacent residents. Goal 4: Create public spaces within the Specific Plan area for people to enjoy while using area shops and services. Objective 4.1: A village square and/or plaza should be developed within the Specific Plan area. Traffic, Circulation and Parking Goal 5: Village Parkway shall continue to provide access to and through the Specific Plan area. Goal 6: Traffic volumes and vehicular speed on Village Parkway shall be controlled to allow for improved access to individual businesses and to encourage a more friendly environment Objective 6.1: Maintain Village Parkway with two traffic lanes in each direction until such time as it is determined that a reduction in lanes may be beneficial to the area. . Objective 6.2: Develop and implement measures to decrease vehicular speed using Village Parkway. Appropriate traffic calming measures to be incorporated into the design of Village Parkway include bump-outs and raised crossings. Village Parkway Specific Plan City of Dublin page 4 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Objective 9.5: Standards and guidelines are to be developed for signs and lighting within the Specific Plan area to provide for a unified urban design appearance. Goal 10: Enhance the visual quality of the planning area by encouraging appropriate projects with major public access either visually from roadways and large outdoor areas, or pedestrian traffic, to incorporate public art into the design in accordance with the City's Public Art Policy. Implementation and Administration Goal 11 : New land uses, additions to existing land uses and remodeling of existing buildings shall be reviewed by the City of Dublin to ensure consistency with the Village Parkway Specific Plan. Goal 12: The City of Dublin shall work cooperatively with local property owners and businesses to achieve the goals and objectives of the Specific Plan. Objective 12.1: The City of Dublin should take the lead in funding public improvements called for within the Specific Plan assisted by local property owners and businesses to the fullest extent feasible. Objective 12.2: A Village Parkway Merchants Association and/or a Business Improvement District should be formed for the purposes of organizing special events and coordinating other area-wide improvements. Objective 12.3: Area property owners and merchants should investigate the feasibility of forming a parking district or an assessment district to develop common parking lots within the specific plan area. Objective 12.4: The City of Dublin should consider undertaking a Design Assistance Program for businesses within the Specific Plan area to help in implementing design guidelines for building enhancements. 1.5 Organization of the Specific Plan The Specific Plan provides a framework for development and redevelopment within the planning area. Development standards are provided for the various land uses comprising the planning area as well as for the other components necessary to make a successful retail and service area. These include transportation and circulation, infrastructure requirements, public services and facilities, streetscape, amenities, and implementation and administration of the Specific Plan. 2.0 General Notes 2.1 Relationship to General Plan Implementation of The Village Parkway Specific Plan furthers the goals of the Dublin General Plan. The Specific Plan also allows the community to adopt more detailed guidance for the Village Parkway area, and to tailor regulatory standards to the unique needs and characteristics of the planning area. It also allows the opportunity to establish standards and Village Parkway Specific Plan City of Dublin page 6 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I The word" subdivision" shall include tentative and final tract maps, tentative and final parcel maps, parcel map waivers and lot line adjustments. 2.4 Severability If any term, provision, condition or requirement of this Specific Plan shall be held invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of the Specific Plan or the application of such term, provision, condition or requirement to circumstances other than those in which it is held invalid or unenforceable shall not be affected thereby; and each term, provision, condition or requirement of the Specific Plan shall be valid and enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law. 3.0 Existing Conditions 3.1 Overview This section of the Specific Plan identifies physical and other environmental conditions on the project site at the time this Specific Plan was prepared. 3.2 Topography and Natural Features The site is generally flat with a gradual slope to the south. There are no unique or unusual geographic or topographic conditions present on the site, since all of the properties are developed and the Specific Plan area lies in an urbanized portion of Dublin. 3.3 Existing Land Use and Parcelization The project site has been developed with a range of retail commercial and office buildings providing goods and services primarily to local residents. One regional use within the area is the main Dublin Post Office, located on the east side of Village Parkway near Lewis Avenue. Exhibit 4 shows the general distribution ofland uses within the project area. Typically, buildings are oriented toward Village Parkway or Amador Valley Boulevard. Vehicular parking is typically provided behind or adjacent to buildings, although a number of uses do provide parking in front of buildings. Landscape and streetscape improvements vary from lot to lot, although the overall amount oflandscaping is generally minimal. Exhibit 4 also indicates existing parcelization within the project area. A summary of current parcelization, including lot sizes and ownership (as taken from the most recent County Assessor records) is contained in the Appendix of this document. 3.4 Land Use Regulatory Framework Land use regulation for the project area is provided by the City of Dublin through the General Plan and Zoning Ordinance. The General Plan Land Use designation for the Village Parkway site is a combination of "Retail/Office and Automotive," on the west side of Village Parkway which allows retail/office uses such as shopping centers, retail shops, eating establishments, business and professional offices, auto dealerships, auto body shops and similar uses and "Retail/Office" on the east side of Village Parkway, which permits shopping centers, retail shops, eating establishments, business and professional offices, motels, service stations and sale of auto parts. Village Parkway Specific Plan City of Dublin page 8 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I The project has been zoned a combination ofC-2 (General Commercial), C-l (Retail Commercial), C-N (Neighborhood Commercial) and PD (Planned Development) by the City. Each of these zoning districts allows a range of retail commercial, office, restaurant and similar land uses. Exhibit 5 depicts existing General Plan designations within the project area and Exhibit 6 shows current zoning designations. 3.5 Transportation and Circulation Major principal streets serving the Specific Plan site include Village Parkway, Dublin Boulevard and Amador Valley Boulevard. These are described more fully below: · Village Parkway extends from Dublin Boulevard north to Alcosta Boulevard. A major arterial roadway, Village Parkway has four travel lanes with raised center landscaped and hardscaped medians. Between Dublin Boulevard and Amador Valley Boulevard, Village Parkway provides access to commercial land uses. Continuing northward, this roadway provides primary access to residential areas off of Tamarack Drive, Brighton Drive and Davona Drive. A new northbound on-ramp to 1-680 from Village Parkway recently opened. · Dublin Boulevard is a major east-west roadway through the south part of the Village Parkway planning area. Dublin Boulevard has six travel lanes and raised medians from San Ramon Road to just east of Regional Street. As Dublin Boulevard approaches Golden Gate Drive, the roadway narrows to four travel lanes and maintains this configuration east to Dougherty Road. Dublin Boulevard is designated as a route of regional significant in the Alameda County Congestion Management Agency's Congestion Management Plan. · Amador Valley Boulevard extends from Cronin Circle east to Dougherty Road. A major east-west arterial street, Amador Valley Boulevard has four travel lanes within the Specific Plan area and provides access to commercial and retail areas. Regional circulation linkage is provided by 1-680, a north-south freeway and 1-580, an east- west freeway. The Livermore Amador Valley Transit Authority ("WHEELS") provides bus transit service through the Dublin area. Bus routes serving the downtown Dublin area include Routes 3, 4, 10 and 201/202 . Regional transit to and from the Dublin area is provided by the Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART). BART opened a Dublin/Pleasanton station in the late 1990's, located approximately one mile southeast of the project site. A recent proposal has been submitted to BART to construct a Downtown Dublin station approximately one-half mile south of the Village Parkway Specific Plan area at the terminus of Golden Gate Avenue. Bikeways exist or are proposed on Village Parkway, Amador Valley Boulevard and Dublin Boulevard. Village Parkway is designated as a Class II Bikeway Route, which provides for shared use of a bike way with either pedestrians on a sidewalk or motor vehicles on a street. Village Parkway Specific Plan City of Dublin page 9 I I \.......- ^ \ /~'-..../ r--. ---\ '\'\ )' "-....).--\, ,/ J \ " / "....-., , / / , /', 'y i \ "y" r-.. ! /',-,; \ ....,/---... A '~i \ /'. i /' ~.~ \~ "'> ,~..-,~ t ! _--/ ' j \ ! ~ J - l.f \, 'r---.; i L-...J''y0 i { ----\<fl.\ ,--t---i i~ . ~'~c.---- \ i i .: \ _"'~\ \ ' .......... I \;-~ \ \ ~1--i i i \ .~\()\ ' i' i \__~~ \;;...f'" \ i ,r---; '. \",,",,'\~\I '-.------? U'J--r--<''--i '\ />-.......".r-,! \ \ ,r \ ,,/'" \ i, \ \ \/ 1 t .\...., I I I I I I I VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL ". 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I I i / //~' / /',.../ .' .....---.- I I I I ! i I r " / .~~ , , ,/ " / , /,; :." \'; /' <.~\. .'<:\./ I \ , '. " -.. " / , " ) /,,/ -.," / " \ I f I \. WmtDER OU11..tT ....--i '. / '. / J' " \...... t-~; '-, ~ POST ; 'omCEl /" -. CiRCUI; GIT'( , r~~ ;13'.j :<'j~ CITY OF DUBIJN PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT ALTERNATIVE THREE VILLAGE PARKWAY SPECIFIC PLAN DECEMBER 2000 SCALE: 1"=100' i ( \..... ---- .. - ""..- .. .. . iTOG~'S ...l-....l.~. _ _ EXHIBIT 7B ~ I I , I , , I , , I , , ..', // ~>~_/....\ \-.-/....y ......--- .. ........-', r-- \ \/...):r--J ~I , ,--..-..~(" \. /"_/ '.. :. '!.- 24"1SD) \/' '; ',",,! .~ \ - '1; \~ \~', ",(1)\ \ ::..A ' .~, \-:;,A\ \.{\'\ '- 6f -'PC, . " ~ ;\ c--_.\.</ ) /__'_'~. / -_1.' I" j--\'" "\\..."".//</;>"\ ," \~ ;// r---.....r ,/ ~. -"-"'.-\ "- /'"., ,,/ ~\ \ ,,\_/A.c"r \ //,,/' \. '"" /-.......... r_ , ,--,'/// .............""-/ I .. 1. \ /./..-..../,. ..,...r/.r....... /'...~, ' ,../'...... \ ,//' / .......-/ / / .. ;' / l ,/ - _ 0<:' S) (XU \N\ - -"0.-- _-~~f2l-- " .., \ ,\'- __~12"'#) _ SPECIFIC PLAN BOUNOARY ~~~l----. _ gEWERMi'lN tSIZE>SNOfED) . DUIlUN WAlER Mi'lN [SIZE >S NOfED) .'. . .... . ",QRM QRAlN Mi'l~ tSIZE >S ~01ED) · ( -, ! 12" i1?-.--./ .. .....-.. ....... -"'''''....."j! .' 80...... '" u,-/;];,- .. 'A,ltj)"-" LEGEND EX\SI\NG Ul\L\1Y PLAN - - VIllAGE PARy,)/'JAY SPECIFIC pLAN N.T.S. DECEMBER 2000 C \1Y Or - . I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I ,-' ~' \ !~' r- -..............\ '\ /........ 'l--< ." / ---\ \.,/~\ "\// i /'" "" j.' i \/;" --___. -' " '\ ...... f l; /',1 .., /"'-.~ \, j ! . ~in ~ r---r--. " . ~s .. '--"\05\ \ ! i-......J y \~. , ': ! '~ '--(N"' ~~ \. )y~~ i \// \ \ ; \ i \.. ~ i -' '~~\ . \ 'X,. \. \~ r-..... ~ ", '\ ,/ "\ \,\\\,'" rr---' ~, \ W~',-,,/~ \'\ ~\ ;\ ~;\ ~-- ----,. \ \ \\ .. ~..\\'.\ '\ \. ' \\\:\ \ ;\ ~\ ____,X ., ~.---' \, \ \ ". "') ~. \ j-/ -.- >' ,-----/. .--.....--'." \t>\~;-\. /~\\\ \ \0, \., II "?:I' '.', W i. \_.......---...-__:.-4 \ I, \ \ ---\ \ \~ ~ , t\_/<::~;::-_V'_'~' ---,\';\ \ \ ,-- . .....--....-' ',~~\\~.--. ,.....-:;, ; 1\ ~ \_~ '--~) -.L.---;UBUN -----, ~._- BOU~\ /--:----- " .' . ('~ \, I '.\--------\ /s::::\ :--/ ""..-;/-- - ,,---- \.-- LEGEND ~ . (RIO) (R10&A) OPPORTUNITY SITE POTENTIAL PLAZA LOCATION WI DEVELOPMENT RET AlLJOFFICE RETAlLJOFFICE AND AUTO SERVICE - LAND USE PLAN VILLAGE PARKWAY SPECIFIC PLAN N.T.S. DECEMBER 2000 CITY OF DUBLIN EXHIBIT 9 I I I I I I ! I I I I I I I I I I I I I 4.3 Development Standards a. Minimum lot size (i) residential lots: 1.5 acres (excluding Planned Developments) (ii) non-residential lots: 10,000 square feet b. Minimum lot dimensions (residential lots only, Planned Developments excluded) (i) width: 50 feet (ii) depth: 80 feet c. Maximum Floor Area Ratio: 0.35 d. Maximum lot coverage: 35 percent e. Maximum site area per residential unit: 2,500 square feet. f. Setbacks: (i) front: 10 feet (all uses) (ii) rear: 20 feet for residential lots, otherwise none (iii) side, comer: 10 feet (all uses) (iv) side: 5 feet (residential uses) g. Building height: Two stories or 35 feet h. Landscaping. The following areas on private lots shall be landscaped: (i) All required setbacks (ii) Parking lots 5.0 Traffic Improvements and Parking This section ofthe Specific Plan describes the range of traffic/circulation improvements and parking requirements for the Village Parkway 'Specific Plan area: 5.1 Traffic Imvrovements and Roadway Alternatives Major Roads. Existing roads currently serving the site will be maintained and improved to meet Specific Plan standards. Village Parkway will continue as the major north-south arterial road in the center ofthe planning area, providing access to the majority of uses in the Plan area, as well as functioning as part of Dublin's city-wide circulation network. Amador Plaza Road and Dublin Boulevard will remain in their respective present locations north and south ofthe Specific Plan area. No new right-of-way or other improvements are anticipated to either ofthese two major roads. Village Parkway Specific Plan City of Dublin page 14 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Task Force also suggested that the median be reduced in height for better visibility for pedestrians crossing the street. The total right-of-way (ROW) required for this option would be 100 feet. As the roadway ROW is currently 100 feet, no additional ROW would need to be obtained from property owners. The amount of ROW needed for this alternative is less than that required for the other options considered, but it would reduce the number of through traffic lanes from four to two, thereby slowing traffic considerably. In slowing traffic on the roadway, Alternative 3 would also create additional congestion on Village Parkway during peak hour periods, and traffic may be diverted to Amador Plaza Road and residential streets with less capacity in the vicinity. With the existing level of traffic plus approved projects' and BART's estimated traffic volume, the traffic consultant's estimate is that the level-of-service (LOS) on Village Parkway would operate at LOS F (unacceptable level), decreasing from LOS C (acceptable level) with this alternative. Additionally, the LOS at the intersections of Amador Valley Boulevard/Village Parkway and Dublin Boulevard/Village Parkway would operate at LOS D during the AM peak hour, and LOS F during the PM peak hour. Implementation of this alternative would require a public/private partnership, or joint partnership between private property owners and the City to balance the cost of improvements, which are estimated at approximately $1,050,000 (preliminary estimate). This alternative requires cooperation and commitment by both the City and the property owners on Village Parkway to be successful. Therefore, a major commitment by a property owner or property owners is necessary before any change is to occur. 5.1.2 Staff Recommendations - Streets cape and Parking Improvements. Along Village Parkway, should a public/private partnership not be feasible, staff srecommendation is that the existing roadway be maintained and the parallel parking on both sides of the street remain. Improvements in the streetscape and sidewalk wouldbe provided as described in the section related to streetscape standards, and Chapter 6.0 related to urban design guidelines, to encourage increased pedestrian use in the area. A Parking Authority District should be considered to fund development of joint parking areas, and may be further studied by the City Council. The district could provide an administrative unit for managing existing on-street and public parking lots, as well as fund structured parking facilities, when such facilities are necessary and financially feasible. The parking district can establish and administer a range of revenue sources including paid parking, impact fees, benefit assessments, and other private or public contributions. Other options recommended by staff to provide needed parking in the area in lieu of diagonal parking are to provide improved access to the rear of properties adjacent to the freeway corridor, and to remove barriers such as fences between parking lots by property owners. Joint access between properties would encourage customers to combine trips to various businesses and improve pedestrian access. If a substantial commitment is made by a developer to redevelop a portion of the Village Parkway Specific Plan area, the introduction of diagonal parking in the area should be reconsidered and addressed at that time. 5.1.3 Staff and Task Force Recommendations. The following are recommendations of both the staff and the Task Force: Village Parkway Specific Plan City of Dublin page 16 I I I I I I I I I I 'I I I I I I I I I have a minimum width of 20 feet and shall be marked in accord with Fire Department standards. 5.IA City Council Recommended Improvements and Roadwav Alignment In adopting the Village Parkway Specific Plan, the Dublin City Council determined that the optimum roadway alignment for Village Parkway is the existing four lane roadway. Based on safety and traffic concerns, the diagonal parking alternative will not be implemented at this time, and the parallel parking along Village Parkway will remain intact. Additionally, the City Council adopted the Specific Plan with the staff recommended streetscape and parking improvements, and also with the staff and Task Force recommendation as outlined in Section 5.1.3, above. At a future date, the City Council may decide to study the issue of diagonal parking on Village Parkway, but a more detailed analysis and evaluation of roadway conditions would be necessary at that time. 5.2 Parking and Loading The Specific Plan can establish parking requirements that augment or alter existing zoning ordinance-based requirements. Incentives may also be offered for development of mixed uses that create opportunities for shared parking or reduced parking demand. Parking and loading for individual land uses shall be as required per the Dublin Zoning Ordinance, with the following exceptions: a) Shared Parking. Where two or more nearby land uses allow for shared use of parking facilities, sharing of parking areas is encouraged subject to the preparation of a shared parking study and the approval of this study by the City of Dublin Community Development Director. b) Parking Authority District. Where the City or other public entity forms a vehicle parking authority district, on-site parking for individual parcels of land within the district may be reduced based on contributions of the land owner(s) to the District. c) City Parking Lots. The City of Dublin may determine that construction of City-owned and operated parking lots is necessary due to increased commercial and business activity in the Village Parkway area. Should the City construct parking lots within or adjacent to the Specific Plan area, the amount of on-site parking that is required for new or expanded uses may be reduced by the Community Development Director based on the proximity of City parking lots. 6.0 Urban Design Guidelines 6.1 Purpose and Intent The purpose of this section is to provide design guidelines that will direct new construction and remodels with consistent character and quality of architecture throughout the Village Parkway Specific Plan Area, which is also consistent with the desired theme. These guidelines establish an approach to design that will allow and encourage diverse architectural solutions throughout the development area while maintaining a clearly recognizable overall design character and quality. The guidelines and images were assembled and written to Village Parkway Specific Plan City of Dublin page 18 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Architectural Character, Building Form and Massing I I /6~-:R.~4~' Ilill ~ ,\,"- ":J/.l">,'W'~."'''\ (l~~~ ~~~ \:~~~'" ~ A~v "{i~7 Village Parkway Urban Design Guidelines FIGURE 1 ~ I I I I I I I I I I I I I Dormer window Clerestory windowS ) ",.. Multi-form roofs Encouraged roof materials include: _ corrugated metal _ Metal raised seam. _ Concrete tile _ Composite shingle -~~~\ 1\ ~ :.". . Z},1 "(i~~~7 --- F\GURE 3 Roofs Village ParkWay Urban Design Guidelines - I I I I I I I I I I I ,I I I I I I I I Project landscaping Pedestrian friendly elements Dual frontages and enhanced entries for pedestrian access Mixed use, commercial, office and professional space //~ ,/ \ ....0- \ \ . .~.~"- l Agrarian character architectur~ Linkages to adjoining developments Internalized parking Building Form, Massing and Materials ..~iC[l?!::4. ' t;9'~'~\~\\ 1191~~18, ~,JV~~I/~ \~~~~i~3; Village Parkway Urban Design Guidelines FIGURE 4 I I I' I I I I I Facade before renovation I Cornice Detail at Cap I L:JD DO Decorative Lighting Street! Auto Signage I Recessed Channels I il <> <> <> <> Plaster Accent Band with Accent Tiles Proportion Facade Fabric Awning Enhances Pedestrian Scale Pedestrian Signage Multi-Paned Storefront Window and Doors I I Base~ Plaster Finish Accent Tile to Enhance Base Tile/Stone Base Treatment I Facade afterrenovation I I Facade Improvement Elevation 2 IG'~~--<U!!!~ ' I;';j ~ \;~\\\ H~ ~~~ \:~~~~~~1 "r:~t/ Village Parkway Urban Design Guidelines FIGURE 6 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Elements of a Plaza: - Canopy trees - Central gathering area - Seating areas -Public art - Adjacent to street - Pedestrian access Plaza Features <~-i5!..P~;,,::, k:/' ~ '\',\.\\ il~~~\r.; \\~~;~~~t;,7 "~~~;';/ Village Parkway Urban Design Guidelines FIGURE 7 I I I I I !I I I I I I I I I I I I I I l \ Symbol Description @ Primary Gatewayllntersection [!] Secondary Gateway/Intersection Gateway Diagram 1~~?.--1?~~i; " :lff.p,~~~~ ,.,\q~/1/1 \;~~;" ~ /.'1// ':r..~..::;/ FIGURE 8 Village Parkway Urban Design Guidelines I I I I I' I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Crosswalks: The introduction of mid-block crossings between Amador Valley Boulevard and Lewis Avenue, and between Lewis Avenue and Dublin Boulevard should be considered. These crossings should incorporate emiched paving, lighting and a raised walkway to assist in traffic calming and enhance safety. 1. Pedestrian crossings should have a minimum width of 12 feet. 2. Mid-block crosswalks should be elevated 6 inches from road grade and be fitted with pedestrian activated crosswalk lighting. 3. Enhanced pedestrian crosswalks should be provided at the intersections of Dublin Boulevard and Village Parkway, and Amador Valley Parkway and Village Parkway. 4. The intersection at Lewis Avenue should be enhanced with enriched pavers at crosswalks. Street trees: Planting of new and/or replacement street trees within the Specific Plan area shall be governed by the following standards 1. Trees planted along Village Parkway are to be selected from the tree palette in the Preferred Plant Matrix (Figure 10) or be an approved alternative with comparable characteristics. 2. Trees are to be placed in tree wells along Village Parkway and should be a 2.5 inch caliper tree. Trees should be planted at 30 feet on center with as much regularity as possible. 3. Tree wells are to be irrigated with bubblers. 4. Each tree well should have an electrical outlet for lighting of street trees. 5. Tree wells are to be out filled with ornamental metal tree grates. 6. Where feasible, existing street trees should not be removed until new trees planted along Village Parkway in tree wells have been well established. 7. Street trees along Village Parkway should be a consistent species selection to maintain uniformity. 8. Tree plantings near intersections should be accent trees to set apart intersection character. Street Furnishings: The following guidelines are also to be employed for the selection and location of street furniture elements. (see Figure 11) 1. One bike rack should be placed at a minimum of every 300 feet on each side of the Village Parkway. 2. Bike racks should be installed in additional locations throughout the Specific Plan Area as needed. 3. Benches should be located at an approximate minimum of250-foot intervals with at least one bench near each comer on each side of the street at intersections. 4. Benches shall be placed at the back of the sidewalk adjacent to buildings, facing the street. Where the sidewalk is only 5 feet wide, bench shall be placed off the sidewalk area. Village Parkway Specific Plan City of Dublin page 23 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I' Note: Street furniture such as benches, trash receptacles, bicycle racks and planters will be incorporated into pedestrian areas. I Enhanced sidewalks, street tree~ingrates and streetlights will be used throughout the Specific PlanArea streets. I I I Planter Street Sign Thematic Bollard Thematic Bench Accent Paving Thematic Trash Receptacle ,.,/ . ~ Scored Concrete Sidewalk Tree Well Thematic Bike Rack Thematic Streetlight Diagonal Parking Streets cape Character Village Parkway Urban Design Guidelines FIGURE 11 I I I I I ~ Facade Renovation of Existing Commercial Structures. ~ Street Trees 30' O.C. ~~ .. o Parallel Parlcing Y s Village Parkway Pedestrian Oriented Streetscape 4J'-'-"f(~ (f~~d-I\ ~:'l-&~182i ~",-~./~' (>~o/ nr Village Parkway Urban Design Guidelines FIGURE 12 .., ) r I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Underground utilities within public rights-of- way or dedicated easement Open Space/Landscaping Parkways and medians- public streets Project entries Appropriate utility provider Includes water, sewer, drainage, natural gas, electricity, telecommunications City of Dublin Includes landscape and hardscape adjacent to streets Includes entry signs, landscape and hardscape Public park/plaza City of Dublin or BID City of Dublin, BID, or private development 8.0 Administration and Implementation 8.1 Introduction This section of the Specific Plan outlines methods for translating project objectives, the land use concept, circulation plans and other elements of the Specific Plan into reality. Primary methods for implementation include rezoning the Specific Plan area to ensure permitted uses and development standards established in the Specific Plan are incorporated as official City zoning, review of private development plans, including subdivision of land, and capital improvement projects undertaken by the City of Dublin and/or local property owners and businesses. Also addressed are methods to amend the Village Parkway Specific Plan. 8.2 Village Parkway Specific Plan (VPSP) Zoning District One ofthe first implementing actions for the Specific Plan is the initiation of a rezoning action for the Specific Plan area. Proposed zoning for the area would be "Village Parkway Specific Plan" District. The Village Parkway Specific Plan would constitute the text of the proposed zoning district and all new developments within the Specific Plan area would need to be consistent with the requirements and standards of the Specific Plan. 8.3 Non-Conforming Uses Only permitted and conditionally permitted land uses, as identified in Section 4.2 of the Village Parkway Specific Plan shall be allowed. Land uses existing as of the adoption date of this Specific Plan may continue to remain after the adoption of the Specific Plan, as allowed by Chapter 8.140 ofthe Dublin Zoning Ordinance, Non-Conforming Structures and Uses. 8.4 Review of Building Plans All proposed plans for new buildings, expansion of existing buildings and remodeling of existing buildings shall be submitted to the City of Dublin Planning Department for review of consistency with the standards and requirements of the Village Parkway Specific Plan. Minor additions and remodeling may be approved on an administrative basis by the Community Development Director, so long as proposed plans are consistent with all of the provisions of this Specific Plan. Village Parkway Specific Plan City of Dublin page 26 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I improvements. It is anticipated that these and/or other programs would be included in future City of Dublin Capital Improvements Budgets in phases, based on priority, for forthcoming years. Phase I: · Construction of improvements at Village Parkway/Dublin Blvd. intersection with eastbound approach to be widened and include separate right-turn lane. · Construction of localized drainage improvements along flood control channel to alleviate identified flood hazards within the Specific Plan area. Phase II: · Completion of a streetscape program to add new landscape elements, street improvements, street furniture and other items identified in the Specific Plan. · Widening of sidewalks to 10 feet, wherever possible, with special paving treatment. . Delineation of crosswalks with paving treatment at two mid-block locations on Village Parkway. . Gateways or entry features with plazas at one or two locations (partial funding from private development). . Development of a comprehensive sign, directory, and lighting program for the Village Parkway area, which may be in conjunction with similar programs for other Specific Plan areas. Addition of benches, outdoor seating areas, trash cans and bicycle racks at various locations throughout (partial funding from private development). · Addition of landscaping and street trees to improve streetscape. . Phase III: · Develop economic development program with involvement of merchants, business and property owners. · Establish architectural design assistance program for assistance to property owners, business owners and developers. 8.12 Financing ofImprovements/Financing Plan Implementation of the public improvements within the Specific Plan area may be shared between the City of Dublin and private landowners and businesses. As an implementation program following the adoption of the Village Parkway Specific Plan, the City shall prepare a detailed Financing Plan for the Village Parkway area, identifying proposed public and private improvements, estimated improvement costs and specific methods to pay for improvements. It is anticipated that some or all of the following financing mechanisms will be employed to carry out the vision of the Village Parkway Specific Plan. 8.12.1 City of Dublin Capital Improvement Budget The City's Capital Improvement Budget can be used to design and construct major public improvements within and adjacent to the Village Parkway area, including but not limited Village Parkway Specific Plan City of Dublin page 28 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Appendix Item A: Parcel Map & List of Property Owners Item B: Task Force Members & Locations Item C: Village Parkway - Roadway Alternatives Item D: Negative Declaration & Initial Study _.~\ " , '\ " " \ \; J \ ~ \ \ \'.~' h I, , \ \ '". \ \j "':". \ \"" , " I . Item A ":,,:__0# - - U) <: <:( -I Q () u:: (3 ~ U) ~ o a.f- c:t~ :Eo ...Ja W<: u- 0:: CiS c:t::J a.a . ....,.'. ....... . -. "~::-:5--~- -:--/-. . >:'. ' ..,- -- .- - ; , I . 'I ~ I ! I.. ,\ \ . I 1- '\ ~ \ \ '. \ \ . I \ '. \ , \ \ \ . \' \ '. " \ I . '\ \ \ \ \ ,'.....,. \\..~' '. "'\ '. '. '. " \. ..... "" \ " ... , . . . , '. I, '. " \ . . . . .. -- . , ., , '. , , , , , , , . . , , : I I I : : I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Jimmy & Yvonne Tiu ARCO 6248 Village Parkway Dublin, CA 94568 Redic Thomas, Jr. Dublin Resident George Churchill 6990 Village Parkway #20 I Dublin, CA 94568 Dan Scannell Dublin Resident Task Force Members Item B Sawsan Wolshi The Frame Company 7038 Village Parkway Dublin, CA 94568 Connie Mack Dublin Resident Stan McClanahan Dublin Resident David Hess 7140 Village Parkway Dublin, CA 94568 Rick Camacho 7136 Village Parkway Dublin, CA 94568 Charlotte Fernandez 6918 Village Parkway Dublin, CA 94568 Thomas Odam Lawrence Gallery 7079 Village Parkway Dublin, CA 94568 Wilma White The Dublin Trophy House 7030 Village Parkway Dublin, CA 94568 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Item C VILLAGE PARKWAY ROADWAY IMPROVEMENT ALTERNATIVES During the six-month period that the Village Parkway Specific Plan Task Force met, the committee determined that there is a need to revitalize businesses along the segment of Village Parkway between Amador Valley Boulevard to the north and Dublin Boulevard to the south. To accomplish this, it was decided by the task force that slowing traffic and providing better parking opportunities close to businesses would create a more pedestrian and shopper friendly environment, thereby stimulating the economic growth of businesses and increasing the activity level in the area. Four different options for roadway improvements along Village Parkway were evaluated during the specific plan development process, along with the existing roadway configuration as shown in Exhibit 7A of the Specific Plan. The Task Force recommended implementation of a roadway design that would decrease the number of traffic lanes and add diagonal parking within the existing right-of-way. Staff recommended maintaining the roadway with four lanes of traffic and parallel parking as it currently exists, with streetscape design modifications. This section contains a brief description of each of the Village Parkway roadway alternatives considered followed by exhibits illustrating the alignment and cross section of Village Parkway for each alternative. Alternative 1: The Village Parkway Specific Plan Task Force reviewed the various options for the roadway, all of which contained diagonal parking to bring people closer to business storefronts and to change the streetscape in the area. Alternative 1, as shown in Exhibit lOA, would provide four lanes of traffic on Village Parkway (two lanes in each direction) combined with diagonal parking along the street frontage in selected locations. There are approximately 60 existing parallel parking spaces along Village Parkway at this time, and 121 parking spaces could be provided with this alternative. A four-foot class III bicycle lane would be located between the diagonal parking and the right traffic lane. The sidewalk would be widened from five feet (existing right-of-way is eight feet) to 10 feet to provide enough space for increased pedestrian use. Two new crosswalks for pedestrians would be provided in mid-block locations with caution signals. Each traffic lane would be 12 feet and the center median would be reduced from 16 feet to 14 feet in width. In the Consultant's Report of the Transportation Impacts for the Proposed Village Parkway, Downtown Core, and West BART Station Specific Plans prepared by Omni- Means for the Downtown specific plans, the consultant determined that this alternative would create the least potential roadway impacts of the four alternatives and recommended it for implementation. This determination was based on the follovring: 1) four travel lanes would be maintained; 2) diagonal parking would provide additional spaces close to business frontages; and, 3) bicycle traffic would be provided on the street (however, this could create some conflicts between motorists backing out of spaces and bicyclists). Some conflicts may occur between through vehicles and those backing out of 1 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I traffic lanes from four to two, thereby slowing traffic considerably. In slowing traffic on the roadway, Alternative 3 would also create additional congestion on Village Parkway during peak hour periods, and traffic may be diverted to Amador Plaza Road and streets with less capacity in the vicinity. With the existing level oftraffic plus approved projects' and BART's estimated traffic volume, the traffic consultant's estimate is that the level-of-service (LOS) on Village Parkway would operate at LOS F (unacceptable level), decreasing from LOS C (acceptable level) with this alternative. Additionally, the LOS at the intersections of Amador Valley BoulevardNillage Parkway and Dublin BoulevardNillage Parkway would operate at LOS D during the AM peak hour, and LOS F during the PM peak hour Implementation of this alternative would require a public/private partnership, or joint partnership between private property owners and the City to balance the cost of improvements, but to a lesser degree than Alternative 1 and 2. This alternative requires cooperation and commitment by both the City and the property owners on Village Parkway to be successful. The preliminary cost estimate for this alternative is $1,050,000, and is the lowest cost alternative when compared to the other three alternatives. Staffhas several concerns regarding narrowing Village Parkway to two lanes of traffic and adding diagonal parking. Vehicle trip diversion may occur and adversely affect the adjacent neighborhood to the east. This could affect the quality of life for that portion of the City residential area by creating safety hazards for residents and children attending the neighborhood school. Noise levels could also increase in the area with the additional cut-through traffic. Additionally, the Alameda County Fire Department and Dublin Police Department have expressed concerns related to community safety, response time, and the creation of roadway hazards in the event that Village Parkway is reduced to two lanes of traffic with diagonal parking within the existing right-of-way. Another option for the alignment of Village Parkway, which is the staff recommended option, is to maintain the existing roadway without expansion, and continue the use of parallel parking on both sides of the street. Improvements in the streetscape and sidewalk could be provided as described in the section ofthis document on design to encourage increased pedestrian use in the area. Additionally, joint/shared parking should be encouraged between properties, with fences removed which impede pedestrian access. This option would require less capital funds for implementation and would create less roadway impacts. Alternative 4 - Alternative 4, as shown in Exhibit lOD, would provide four lanes oftraffic on Village Parkway (two lanes in each direction) and a four-foot bicycle lane. Diagonal parking would be provided along the frontage of businesses in selected locations, but it would be separated from street traffic by narrow medians. A total of approximately 106 parking spaces would be provided with this alternative along Village Parkway. Drive aisle entrances would provide access to these separated parking areas. Two new crosswalks for pedestrians would be provided in mid-block locations with caution signals. Each traffic lane would be 12 feet and the center median would be reduced from 16 feet to 14 feet in width. The total right-of-way (ROW) required for this option would be 128 feet. As the roadway ROW is currently 100 feet, an additional14 feet of ROW on each side of the street would need to be obtained from property owners. 3 . \ \..J \__---.-\ ct.U-\ \ \ d L! ..... 4.-:> L-- \ /" \ l----.-' HS\fNI ' ".....r..:: \ \ 'C1'V;) ".." ',- } \ ".., Il '........_ _/ \, r'".-. ' -......., V<YL - \ / J '..... 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I 01\ 7 a l, ..... ~3771;i 1\ ---------------.-- - -------- '\ , I I , / I ;/'"------------ I '-- / 1 NV.:)'tfJ\ r~'---"? r'~ j r--"'7 / ; / ....----...J ,! . J ;--.___ I 1--'-'1 LJ 7- /\00 <:y 7-. \ \0-"..,,- <' \ \p...-/ I J ! , j~ ..:.. o C> .,- t: ~ :r: >< UJ I I I I I I I I I I, I I I I I I I I I Project Title: Item n t. .~ ,,'. CITY OF DUBLIN 100 Civic Plaza, Dublin, California 94568 Website: http://www.ci.dublin.ca.us DRAFT NEGATIVE DECLARATION September 2, 2000 Revised December 14,2000 Downtown Specific Plans - Downtown Core Specific Plan (PA-99-055), West Dublin BART Specific Plan (PA-99-056), and Village Parkway Specific Plan (PA-99- 054) Description of Project: The proposed Project consists of three specific plans developed for the downtown area of Dublin, the Downtown Core Specific Plan, the West Dublin BART Specific Plan, and the Village Parkway Specific Plan to be considered for adoption by the Dublin City Council. The Specific Plans are intended to direct the use of land, the design of public improvements, and the design and appearance of private and public development, including buildings, parking areas, signs and landscaping. The adoptions of the Plans will require General Plan Amendments for the Downtown Core and West Dublin BART Specific Plan areas related to land use changes and land use intensification. Additionally, the portions of the previously adopted (1987) Downtown Specific Plan will require repeal with adoption of the plans, to modify sections of the document relative to Zones 1, 2, 3, 4, 7,8,10 and 11. Following Plan adoption, amendment of the City's Zoning Ordinance will be necessary. Project Location: Central downtown area of Dublin, generally west of Maple Drive and Portage Road, south of Amador Valley Boulevard, north of Interstate 580, and east of Regional Street. Name of Proponent: City of Dublin, Community Development Department, 100 Civic Plaza, Dublin, CA 94568, (925) 833-6610 Public Heari'ngs: Determination: A Planning Commission Public Hearing on the Draft Negative Declaration and the associated Project is tentatively scheduled for September 26,2000 to consider a recommendation of approval to the City Council. A City Council Public Hearing for approval is tentatively scheduled for October 17, 2000, November 21 ,2000 and December 19, 2000. All hearings will be held in the City Council Chambers, City of Dublin offices, 100 Civic Plaza, Dublin, CA. I hereby find that the proposed project could not have a significant effect on the environment and a Negative Declaration will be adopted. This document and the accompanvino Environmental Initial Study have been revised to incorporate and evaluate modifications in the Specific Plans that occurred durino the proiect review process. All impacts of these chanoes have been assessed and determined to be insionificant based on the policies and pr?orams incorporated in the Specific Plans. Because the modifications are minor in nature and result in no new sionificant impacts, recirculation of the Neoative Declaration is not required. Area Code (925) . City Manager 833-6650 . City Council 833-6650 . Personnel 833-6605 . Economic Development 833.6650 Finance 833-6640 . Public Works/Engineering 833.6630 . Parks & Community Services 833-6645 . Police 833-6670 Planning/Code Enforcement 833.6610 . Building Inspection 833-6620 . Fire Prevention Bureau 833-6606 Printed on Recycled Paper I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I INTERSTATE 580 - N.T.S. SEPTEMBER 2000 LOCAL CONTEXT DOWNTOWN SPECIFIC PlAN C I T Y 0 F DUB L I N I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I INTRODUCTION This initial study has been prepared by the City of Dublin to assess the potential environmental effects of the proposed Specific Plans and General Plan Amendments for the Downtown Core Specific Plan, the West Dublin BART Specific Plan, and the Village Parkway Specific Plan areas. The analysis is intended to satisfy the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and provide the City with adequate information for project review. This initial study includes a project description, environmental checklist and discussion focused upon issues identified in the checklist. Modifications in the Specific Plans have been made since the oriqinal draft Neqative Declaration and Initial Study were circulated in September 2000. The revisions to the Plans are described in this revised document. and have been evaluated on the basis of their related environmental impacts in this revised document. Because the modifications are minor in nature and result in no siqnificant impacts, recirculation of the Neqative Declaration and Initial Study is not required under CEQA Guidelines section 15073.5. Additions to the oriqinal document are shown with an underline, and deletions from the document are shown with a ctriko throuqh. In summary, this Initial Study concludes that the project will not pose any significant adverse environmental impacts. With the policies and proqrams are included in the Specific Plans, no siqnificant impacts will result. The Initial Study was prepared based upon the location of the project, planning staff review, field review, comments from City, County and local agencies, studies prepared by consultants, use of City Planning Documents, the CEQA Law and Guidelines, and City of Dublin CEQA Guidelines. PROJECT DESCRIPTION The proposed project consists of three specific plans developed for the downtown area of Dublin, the Downtown Core Specific Plan, the West Dublin BART Specific Plan, and the Village Parkway Specific Plan to be considered for adoption by the Dublin City Council. The Specific Plans are intended to direct the use of land, the design of public improvements, and the design and appearance of private and public development, including buildings, parking areas, signs and landscaping. The adoptions of the Plans will require General Plan Amendments for the Downtown Core and West Dublin BART Specific Plan areas related to land use changes and land use intensification. Additionally, the portions of the previously adopted (1987) Downtown Specific Plan will require repeal with adoption of the plans, to modify sections of the document relative to Zones 1,2,3,4,7,8,10 and 11. Following Plan adoption, amendment of the City's Zoning Ordinance will be necessary. The Downtown Core Specific Plan area is generally located between 1-680 to the east and San Ramon Road to the west, and Amador Valley Boulevard to the north and Dublin Boulevard to the south, and consists of approximately 51 acres of commercial land uses. The westerly boundary of the Plan area is the westerly property line of the parcels containing the existing Montgomery Wards and Target retail stores. The Specific Plan calls for a maximum development potential of 1,206,848 1,100,110 square feet commercial, office and mixed-use development and approximately 148 dwellings. The oriqinal environmental initial study evaluated a maximum development potential of 1,100,110 square feet for the area. However, since that time, the City Council has discussed an alternative plan to remove the High Densitv Residential land use for senior housinq from the Plan, and maintain the retail commercial use on the Dublin Place shoppinq center site with an increase in FAR to AO. This chanqe. if approved, would increase the square footaqe of Commercial A retail use in the area bv approximatelv 40,000 square feet. Additionallv, an increased FAR of .79 was recommended to the City Council bv the Planninq Commission for the property owned bv Dublin Honda on Amador Plaza Road, which could increase the potential buildout square footaqe of the 2.55acres of Retail/Auto use in the Plan area bv 65,330 square feet to 87,750 square feet:. The West Dublin BART Specific Plan area is generally located between 1-580 to the south and Dublin Boulevard to the north. San Ramon Road lies to the west of the area, and properties on the west side of Golden Gate Avenue are included in the plan area. The area consists of approximately 70 acres of commercial, office and light industrial land uses. The Village Parkway Specific Plan area is generally located between the north and south sides of Amador Valley Road to the north and Dublin Boulevard to Dublm Plannmg Department Downtown Specific Plans Page 2 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I CITY OF DUBLIN Environmental Checklist Initial Study 1. Project title: Downtown Specific Plans - Downtown Core Specific Plan (PA-99-055), West Dublin BART Specific Plan (PA-99-056), and Village Parkway Specific Plan (PA-99-054) 2. Lead agency name and address: City of Dublin, Community Development Department, 100 Civic Plaza, Dublin, CA, 94568 3. Contact person and phone number: Janet Harbin, Senior Planner (925) 833-6610 4. Project location: Central downtown area of Dublin, generally west of Maple Drive and Portage Road, south of Amador Valley Boulevard, north of Interstate 580, and east of Regional Street. See Exhibit 1 for a regional location map and Exhibit 2 for the location of the three proposed Specific Plans. 5. Assessors Parcel Number(s): Various 6. Project sponsor's name and address: City of Dublin, Community Development Department, 100 Civic Plaza, Dublin, CA 94568 7. General Plan designations: Downtown Core Specific Plan Area - Retail/Office West Dublin BART Specific Plan Area - Retail/Office and Public/Semi-Public Facility Village Parkway Specific Plan Area - Retail/Office and Retail/Office and Automotive 8. Zoning: Downtown Core Specific Plan Area - C-1 (Retail Commercial), C-2 (General Commercial), and PD (Planned District) West Dublin BART Specific Plan Area - C-1 (Retail Commercial), C-2 (General Commercial), and M-1 (Light Industrial District) Village Parkway Specific Plan Area - C-1 (Retail Commercial), C-2 (General Commercial), C-N (Neighborhood Commercial), and PD (Planned District) 9. Specific Plan designation: Previously adopted (1987) Downtown Specific Plan, Zones 1,2,3.4,7, 8,10 and 11 10. Description of project: See previous page. 11. Surrounding land uses and setting: The project area is located in the commercial core of the City of Dublin and generally consists of retail, commercial service, office and some light industrial type uses. Easterly of the project area is Portage Road and Maple Drive, and the residential DublIn Planning Department Downtown Specific Plans Page 4 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Date: Auqust 30.2000: revised December 14. 2000 For: PA 99-054, -055 & -056 Downtown Core, West Dublin BART & Village Parkway Specific Plans, GPA Printed Janet Harbin, Senior Planner Evaluation of Environmental Impacts 1) A brief explanation is required for all answers except "no impact" answers that are adequately supported by the information sources a lead agency cites in the parenthesis following each question. A "no impact" 'answer is adequately supported if the referenced information sources show that the impact simply does not apply to projects like the one involved (e.g. the project falls outside a fault rupture zone). A "no impact" answer should be explained where it is based on project-specific factors as well as general factors (e.g. the project will not expose sensitive receptors to pollutants, based on a project-specific screening analysis). 2) All answers must take account of the whole action, including off-site as well as on-site, cumulative as well as project-level, indirect as well as direct, and construction as well as operational impacts. 3) "Potentially Significant Impact" is appropriate if there is substantial evidence that an effect is significant. If there are one or more "potentially significant impact" entries when the determination is made, an EIR is required. 4) "Negative Declaration: Potentially Significant Unless Mitigation Incorporated" implies elsewhere the incorporation of mitigation measures has reduced an effect from "potentially significant effect" to a "less than significant impact." The lead agency must describe the mitigation measures and briefly explain how they reduce the effect to a less than significant level. 5) Earlier analyses may be used where, pursuant to the tiering, program EIR, or other CEQA processes, an effect has been adequately analyzed in an earlier EIR or negative declaration. Section 15063 (c) (3) (D). Earlier analyses are discussed in Section 17 at the end of the checklist. 6) Lead agencies are encouraged to incorporate the checklist references to information sources for potential impacts (e.g. general plans, zoning ordinances). References to a previously prepared or outside document should, where appropriate, include a reference to the page or pages where the document in substantiated. A source list shDuld be attached and other sources used or individuals contacted should be cited in the discussion. 7) This is only a suggested form and lead agencies are free to use different forms. Dublin Planning Department Downtown Specific Plans Page 6 I I I I I I I I I I ,I I I I I I I I II IV. Water. Would the proposal result in: a) Changes in absorption rates, drainage patterns, or the rate and amount of surface run-off? (Source: 1) b) Exposure of people or property to water related hazards such as flooding? (Source: FEMA map, 1) c) Discharge into surface waters or other alteration of surface water quality (e.g. temperature, dissolved oxygen or turbidity)? (Source: 1,5,6) d) Changes in the amount of surface water in any water body? (Source: 1,5,6) e) Changes in currents or the course or direction of water movements? (Source: 1,6) f) Changes in the quantity of ground waters, either through direct additions or withdrawals, or through substantial loss of groundwater recharge capability? (Source: 1,6) g) Altered direction of rate of flow of groundwater? (Source: 1,6) h) Impacts to groundwater quality? (Source: 1,6) V. Air Quality. Would the proposal: a) Violate any air quality standard or contribute to an existing or projected air quality violation? (Source: 3,4) b) Expose sensitive receptors to pollutants? (Source: 1,3,4) c) Alter air movement, moisture, temperature, or cause any change in climate? (Source: 1) d) Create objectionable odors? (Source: 1) VI. Transportation/Circulation. Would the proposal result in? a) Increased vehicle trips or traffic congestion? (Source: 3) b) Hazards to safety from design features (e.g. sharp curves or dangerous intersections) or incompatible uses (e.g. farm equipment)? (Source: 3) c) Inadequate emergency access or access to nearby uses? (Source: 3,4,5) d) Insufficient parking capacity onsite or offsite? (Source: 1, 3) x X X X X X 6 ~ X X X X X X X 6 X X Dublm Planning Department Downtown Specific Plans Page 8 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I a) Increases in existing noise levels? (Source: 1,5) b) Exposure of people to severe noise levels? (Source: 1,5) XI. Public Services. Would the proposal result in a need for new or altered governmental services in any of the following areas? a) Fire protection? (Source: 1,4) b) Police protection? (Source: 1,4) c) Schools? (Source: 1,4) d) Maintenance of public facilities, including roads? (Source: 1,4,5) e) Other governmental services? (Source: 1,4,5) XII. Utilities and Service Systems. Would the proposal result in a need for new systems or supplies, or substantial alterations in the following utilities? a) Power or natural gas? (Source: 4) b) Communication systems? (Source: 4) . c) Local or regional water treatment or distribution systems? (Source: 4) d) Sewer or septic systems? (Source: 4) e) Storm water drainage? (Source: 1,4,5) f) Solid waste disposal? (Source: 1,4,5) g) Local or regional water supplies? (Source: 1,4) XIII. Aesthetics. Would the proposal: a) Affect a scenic vista or view? (Source: 1, 5) b) Have a demonstrable negative aesthetic effect? (Source: 1, 5) . c) Create light or glare? (Source: 5) XIV. Cultural Resources. Would the proposal: a) Disturb paleontological resources? (Source: 1,5) b) Disturb archeological resources? (Source: 1,5) c) Have the potential to cause a physical change which would affect unique ethnic cultural values? (Source: 1,5) d) Restrict existing religious or sacred uses within potential impact area? (Source: 1,5,6) XV. Recreation. Would the proposal: Dublm Planning Department Downtown SpeCific Plans x X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X Page 10 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I XVI. Mandatory Findings of Significance. a) Does the project have the potential to degrade the quality of the environment, substantially reduce the habitat of a fish or wildlife species, cause a fish or wildlife population to drop below self-sustaining levels, threaten to eliminate a plant or animal community, reduce the number of or restrict the range of a rare or endangered plant or animal or eliminate important examples of the major periods of California history or prehistory? b) Does the project have the potential to achieve short-term, to the disadvantage of long-term, environmental goals? c) Does the project have impacts that are individually limited, but cumulatively considerable? ("Cumulatively considerable" means that the incremental effects of a project are considerable when viewed in connection with the effects of past projects, the effects of other current projects and the effects of probable future projects). d) Does the project have environmental effects which will cause substantial adverse effects on human beings, either directly or indirectly? Potentially Potentially Less than No Significant Significant Significant Impact Unless Impact Mitigated X X X X Sources used to determine potential environmental impacts 1. Dublin General Plan and/or Zoning Ordinance 2. Evaluation of Development Scenarios, Downtown Dublin, prepared by Economic and Planning Systems (EPS) (July 25,2000) 3. Traffic analysis prepared by Omni-Means (August 4, 2000); secondary revisions to the Omni- Means traffic analvsis (September 22. 2000: memo from Georqe Nickelson of Omni-Means dated November 13, 2000: and, letters from Peter Gallowav of Omni-Means dated December 8, 2000. 4. Communication with appropriate City of Dublin Department(s) and service providers 5. Site visit 6. Other source (geotechnical reports, biological surveys and other studies) Dublm Plannmg Department Downtown Specific Plans Page 12 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I commercial establishments. The mixed-use area (high density residential and commercial combination) shown at the southeast corner of Amador Valley Boulevard/Amador Plaza Road would be compatible with the residential development across Amador Valley Boulevard and the existing retail commercial uses on Amador Plaza Road. In both the Downtown Core and the West Dublin BART Specific Plan areas, intensification of development through increased floor area ratios (FAR) is anticipated. The City's General Plan presently allows a up to a maximum FAR of .50 in each area for retail and office type uses. The Downtown Core Specific Plan suggests a maximum FAR of .79 for retail and office uses, and the West Dublin BART Specific Plan suggests a maximum FAR of .83 for retail and office uses, .,.S7. 1.00 for strictly office use, and 1.00 for mixed-use development. An increased FAR of 1.00 for office use. as considered for approval by the City Council, on 6.98 acres within this Plan area has been evaluated in this assessment. Additionally. an increased FAR of 1.12 for the property adiacent to the West Dublin BART Station is beinq considered in coniunction with the development of a 240 room hotel. Although these proposed FAR's under the specific plans are greater than those presently. provided for in the existing General Plan, they are consistent with FAR's in traditional, thriving downtown areas, and in transit villaqes as proposed with the West Dublin BART Station development. This is not considered a siqnificant increase nor would it create a siqnificant impact. General plan amendments will be necessary to amend the allowed FAR for the downtown plan areas and modify the land uses. The proposed FAR's for the plan areas have been analyzed in regard to traffic generation rates, and only minor traffic improvements are necessary to support the intensification of the proposed development under the plans (refer to Section VI, Transportation). Possible chanqes in trip qeneration rates and levels of service related to the land use chanqes from . the oriqinal Plans are addressed in the Transportation/Circulation section of this document. These improvements have been programmed into the Specific Plans. Should FAR's exceedinq these amounts be proposed with future land use applications. a specific traffic analysis and land use analysis would be required prior to approval to determine the impacts of the related intensified land use on the roadway system. Additionally, adoption of the Downtown Core and West Dublin BART Specific Plans will require that portions of the previously adopted (1987) Downtown Specific Plan be repealed to modify sections of the document relative to Development Zones 1,2,3,4,7,8,10 and 11, which are within these specific areas. Following Plan adoption, amendment of the City's Zoning Ordinance will be necessary. There are no proposed land use changes or modifications for the Village Parkway Specific Plan area. The present General Plan allows up to a maximum FAR of .50 for the Village Parkway area, and the average FAR in that area is currently .26. Therefore, further intensification in this plan area up to a FAR of .50 would be within the range permitted under the present General Plan. No general plan amendment will be necessary in conjunction with adoption of this Specific Plan. b) Conflict with applicable environmental plans or policies? NI. The City of Dublin has adopted no other city-wide or specific environmental plans or policies which would affect this project.. No impacts would therefore result c) Incompatibilities with existing land use in the vicinity? NI. The proposed land uses to be established with the Specific Plans would be compatible with and support the surrounding retail commercial uses in the three areas (refer to Comment a, above). Non-confprminq uses in the Specific Plan area would be reviewed in accordance with the City's established zoninq requlations. There will, therefore, be no impacts related to land use compatibility. d) Effect on agricultural operations or soils? NI. The site has been used for commercial uses since the early 1960's. No agricultural operations exist in the subject areas or the surrounding areas of the City. No impacts would therefore result. (< Dublin Planning Department Downtown Specific Plans Page 14 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I c) Displacement of existing housing, especially affordable housing? NI. The project site has been developed as a retail commercial and office downtown area. 'It presently contains no housing. Therefore, there would be no displacement of housing units on the site. III. Soils and Geology Environmental Settinq The site lies within the Tri-Valley area, in the commercial core of Dublin. According to historic geologic studies in the area, the site is underlain by poorly consolidated, non-marine deposit sedimentary rocks of the Tassajara Formation. The geotechnical investigation report prepared for the project indicates that the site is not within an Alquist-Priolo Fault Zone (1982). There are no mapped faults which are known to . traverse the site, the closest Alquist-Priolo Fault Zone is the Calaveras Fault located along San Ramon Road approximately one-quarter mile to. the west. The next nearest active seismic faults include the Hayward and the San Andreas Faults which are located approximately 9 miles southwest, and 27 miles west-southwest, respectively. The closest potentially active faults include the (1) Verona, which is located approximately 3 miles to the south, and (2) the Las Positas, which is located approximately 9 miles to the southeast. The soil conditions in the downtown area are summarized from previously prepared geotechnical studies as follows: Medium stiff to stiff lean clays to the maximum depth of about 41.5 feet below site grade (BSG). The upper 2 to 5 feet BSG consist of dark brown lean clays with varied gravel and sand content. The upper 6 to 12 inches of the clays were intermixed with wood debris suggesting that the upper 6 inches was engineered fill. The near surface clays exhibit low to moderate plasticity, a low to moderate expansion potential, and moderate shear strength. The consolidation tests indicate that the clays are over-consolidated and exhibit low compressibility under the anticipated foundation loads. Groundwater was encountered in most of the test borings drilled below 10 feet BSG at depths ranging from 12 to 13 feet BSG. From a geotechnical standpoint, the area is suitable for proposed retail commercial and residential development with regard to support of shallow spread foundations and concrete slabs-on- grade. As this is a currently built and urbanized area, when excavation activities are proposed with individual projects on specific sites, geotechnical studies specific to that property may be required at that time. Project Impacts a) Is the site subject to fault rupture? NI. The risk of fault rupture on the site is anticipated to be low, since the nearest known active or potentially active faults lie a minimum of one quarter mile away. No impacts would therefore result. b) Is the site subject to ground shaking? LS. The site as well as the encompassing region is anticipated to be subject to moderate to severe ground shaking from a number of active and potentially active faults in the greater Bay Area, including the Hayward fault, San Andreas fault and Calaveras fault. The ground shaking issue is less than significant for properties in the Specific Plan areas because new development constructed will be required to adhere to the requirements of the Uniform Building Code and other seismic safety standards as they are developed over the life of the Specific Plans. c) Is the site subject to seismic ground failure? NI. Based on previous geotechnical reports and information for this area of the City, the risk of ground failure would be low. Routine enforcement of provisions of the 1997 Uniform Building Code and recommendations contained in geoteChnical reports prepared for specific development projects will serve to reduce potential impacts of seismic ground failure to a less than significant level. Dublm Plannmg Department Downtown Specific Plans Page 16 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I allow for drainage and irrigation. Construction of new buildings within the areas, under the auspices of the Specific Plans, would add new impervious surfaces, but would also add additional pervious surfaces in terms of plazas and more landscaping as required by the Specific Plans. Less-than- significant impacts to absorption patterns are therefore anticipated. b) Exposure of people or property to flood hazard? LS. Portions of the Village Parkway and Downtown Core Specific Plan are subject to flooding during 1 DO-year flood events and are generally inundated with water during periods of intense and/or long-term rain fall. Representatives of the City of Dublin Public Works Department have indicated that sub-regional drainage improvements will be undertaken in the future as part of the City's Capital Improvement budget to alleviate flooding hazards. Programs to deal with flood hazards are included in the Village Parkway and Downtown Core Specific Plans. Less-than-significant impacts are therefore anticipated with regard to flood hazards. c) Discharge into surface waters or changes to surface water quality? NI. Existing storm drainage facilities are planned to be used to accommodate stormwater runoff from the Specific Plan areas. Since the amount of stormwater runoff is not anticipated to increase above existing volumes (see comment a, above), no impacts are anticipated with regard to discharge into surface water. Future development projects undertaken under the auspices of the Specific Plans will be required to meet the water quality requirements of the City of Dublin's NPDES permit and the Alameda County Urban Runoff Clean Water Program. d) Changes in amount of surface water? NI. Adoption of the proposed Specific Plan would have no impacts to surface waters as all drainage shall be directed to the existing storm drainage system. No impacts to surface bodies of water are therefore anticipated. e) Changes in currents or direction of water movement? NI. The project would not alter currents or direction of water movement in nearby water bodies since no substantial changes are anticipated to the volume of stormwater runoff. f) Changes in quantity of groundwater? NI. Approval and implementation of the three Specific Plans would not significantly alter existing ground water resources on or near the project site because all drainage is directed to the storm drainage system operated by Zone 7. Similarly, significant amounts of groundwater use are not anticipated, since representatives of the Dublin-San Ramon Services District have indicated that adequate water supplies have been identified to serve the maximum amount of development envisioned in the proposed Specific Plans. g) Altered direction of groundwater? LS Nf. The project would not affect groundwater direction, since no significant subsurface construction is anticipated. In the event that subsurface excavation is proposed, adopted City standards require that specific development proiects. such as those requirino underoround parkino structures. prepare a site-specific hydrolooical analysis with oeotechnical and soils analysis to determine oroundwater levels. No sionificant impacts are anticipated related to altered direction of oroundwater. h) Impacts to groundwater quality? NI. The scope of the project is such that groundwater resources will not be affected, as discussed above. i) Substantial reduction of groundwater resources? LS. The project involves approval of three Specific Plans to upgrade the appearance and land uses in downtown Dublin. Since more intensive land uses are anticipated in the Plans above that allowed in the current General Plan, some increase in the use of water is anticipated. Representatives of the Dublin-San Ramon Services District have indicated that adequate water supplies have been identified and addressed in future District plans to serve the Dublin Planning Department Page 18 Downtown Specific Plans I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Although building heights may be somewhat higher than currently found on the site, no substantial interference regarding prevailing wind patterns or climatic conditions is anticipated. d) Create objectionable odors? NI. Permitted uses allowed by the Specific Plans include primarily retail, office, entertainment, lodging and residential land uses, none of which are associated with the release of significant amounts of objectionable odors. Therefore, no impacts are anticipated. VI. Transportation/Circulation [Note: The following section is based on an analysis of the traffic and transportation performed by Omni- Means, Transportation Consultants in AUQust 2000. with updates in September, November and December 2000.] Environmental SettinQ Major roadways serving the site include: . Interstate 580, a six-lane east-west freeway connecting Dublin with nearby local communities such as Livermore and Pleasanton and regional destinations, such as Tracy and Oakland. In the vicinity of the proposed project, 1-580 carries between 160,000 and 187,000 vehicles per day. Nearby interchanges include 580/680; Dougherty Rd.lHopyard Rd. and Hacienda Dr. . . Interstate 680 is a six-lane north-south freeway connecting Dublin with local communities in the Tri-Valley area and regional destinations north and south of Dublin. This freeway accommodates between 123,000 and 144,000 vehicles per day with interchanges at Alcosta Blvd., Interstate 580 and Stoneridge Drive. Dougherty Road extends in a north-south direction east of the Specific Plan areas. A major arterial roadway, Dougherty Road has four travel lanes north of Dublin Boulevard. South of Dublin Boulevard, the roadway widens to six travel lanes as it crosses over 1-680, a full-access interchange for eastbound/westbound traffic is located at Doughertyll-580. In the Dublin Boulevard area, Dougherty Road provides access primarily to commercial and retail areas. North of Dublin Boulevard, the road provides access to residential areas as it approaches Amador Valley Boulevard. . Amador Plaza Road. is a north-south street extending from Amador Valley Boulevard south through Dublin Boulevard. Between Amador Valley Boulevard and Dublin Boulevard, Amador Plaza Road has two travel lanes and a two-way left-turn lane. South of Dublin Boulevard, the roadway has two travel lanes and provides access to existing and new retail-commercial land uses . Amador Plaza Road is planed to connect to the new 1-680 southbound on/off ramps currently under construction. Dublin Boulevard is a major east-west roadway through the south part of the Village Parkway planning area. Dublin Boulevard has six travel lanes and raised medians from San Ramon Road to just east of Regional Street. As Dublin Boulevard approaches Golden Gate Drive, the roadway narrows to four travel lanes and maintains this configuration east to Dougherty Road. Dublin Boulevard is designated as a route of regional significant in the Alameda County Congestion Management Agency's Congestion Management Plan. . . Golden Gate Drive is a short, two-lane roadway that extends south from Dublin Boulevard. Providing access to commercial areas, Golden Gate Drive is designed with two travel lanes. . Regional Street extends south, from Amador Valley Road through Dublin Boulevard. South of Dublin Boulevard, Regional Street is a wide, two-lane road provides access to retail and commercial areas. North of Dublin Boulevard, the road has two travel lanes with a two-way left- turn lane. Dublm Pla,r:mlng Department Downtown Specific Plans Page 20 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I' I I I I I The Livermore Amador Valley Transit Authority ("WHEELS") provides bus transit service through the Dublin area. Bus routes serving the downtown Dublin area include Routes 3, 4, 10 and 201/202. Regional transit to and from the Dublin area is provided by the Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART). BART opened a Dublin/Pleasanton station in the late 1990's, located approximately one mile east of the project site. A recent proposal has been submitted to BART to construct a Downtown Dublin station within the West Dublin BART Specific Plan area at the terminus of Golden Gate Drive, approximately 1/2 mile south of this Specific Plan area. Bikeways exist or are proposed on Amador Valley Boulevard and Dublin Boulevard . Amador Valley Boulevard is presently designated for a Class II bikeway lane, which is designed with a one-way striped lane for bicycle travel on the roadway. Dublin Boulevard is proposed for a Class II bikeway lane, to be opened with the completion of the roadway improvements. Public sidewalks have been constructed adjacent to many of the streets within and adjacent to the Specific Plan areas. The City commissioned a traffic consultant (Omni-Means, transportation consultants) to prepare a traffic analysis regarding transportation arid circulation impacts of approving and implementing the three Specific Plans. General Plan Transportation Policy Framework The General Plan measures and evaluates traffic congestion conditions of the roadway network by using intersection level of service ("LOS") analysis. The LOS analysis describes the operational efficiency of an intersection by comparing the volume of critical traffic movements to intersection capacity and determining average delays. LOS can range from "A," representing free-flowing conditions, to "F," representing very severe congestion and intersection breakdown. The General Plan adopts LOS D or better as the acceptable LOS for all routes of regional significance (these routes include: Dublin Blvd., Dougherty Rd., Tassajara Rd., and San Ramon Rd.). Development and road improvements should be phased so that the LOS does not deteriorate below LOS D (V/C .91 or greater) (General Plan Guiding Policies 5.1.1 B and C). Siqnificance Criteria Based upon General Plan policies, an intersection impact is considered significant if it causes the overall intersection LOS, or a movement LOS in the intersection, to fall below LOS D. Proiect Impacts a) Increased vehicle trips or traffic congestion? LS. The proposed project would increase vehicle trips and traffic congestion on the local roadway network, which could deteriorate existing levels of service on some affected roadways. Table 1, summarizes existing traffic conditions in and around the Specific Plan sites, which also includes anticipated traffic from approved but not yet constructed projects. The table also shows anticipated traffic impacts for the same intersections at full build out of maximum Specific Plan densities. For two of the intersections, Golden GatelDublin Boulevard and Amador Plaza/Dublin Boulevard, projected traffic would exceed City thresholds of significance. For these two intersections, the Specific Plans require the installation of traffic improvements as part of Specific Plan development to raise the future Level of Service to comply with City standards. Additional roadway widening improvements would be needed with the projected traffic volumes. Golden Gate Drive would require widening to four travel lanes with two-way left-turn lanes between Dublin Plannrng Department Downtown Specific Plans Page 22 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I feet. Accordino to the City's traffic consultant, this would result in more traffic trips per day than the residential use at the same location. Because of this, intersections in the vicinity may operate at LOS "DOl rather than LOS "C". LOS "0" is oenerally considered an acceptable level of service, so althouoh trips would increase, it would not be a siqnificant increase and will be adequately addressed by the policies and proqrams in the Specific Plans. At their meetinq on October 24, 2000, the Planninq Commission suqqested revisions to be included in the Downtown Core Specific Plan, and also in the General Plan Amendments for the proiect. The Commission suqqested a chanqe in the! FAR for a 2.55 acre Retail/Auto use property to reflect a request by Kenneth and Marc Harvey of Dublin Honda for property on Amador Plaza Road. The chanqe modifies the FAR from 0.20 (or 22,420 square feet with the existinq development on the site) to 0.79, resultinq in a development potential of 87,750 square feet. This chanqe would provide for consistency between the FAR of the Honda dealership property and that of the adiacent property, former site of Shamrock Ford, at the corner of Dublin Boulevard and Amador Plaza Road. It is not anticipated that traffic in the area would increase with this FAR increase as the existinq use would remain the same, and the additional square footaqe would be utilized for storaqe and office space associated with that use. The policies and proqrams in the Specific Plans should be adequate for the proposed land use. Anv land use chanqe application for this property in the future would require a land use and traffic analvsis to evaluate the impacts on the Specific Plan area. For the Village Parkway Specific Plan area, the City Council appointed a Task Force which met over a six-month period to discuss and direct the revitalization of the business community along the segment of Village Parkway between Amador Valley Boulevard to the north and Dublin Boulevard to the south. To accomplish this revitalization effort, it was decided by the Task Force that slowing traffic and providing better parking opportunities close to businesses would create a more pedestrian and shopper friendly environment, thereby stimulating the economic growth of businesses and increasing the activity level in the area. Four different options for roadway improvements along Village Parkway were evaluated during the specific plan development process, along with the existing roadway configuration as shown in Exhibit 7 A of the Specific Plan. The following is a brief description of each of the Village Parkway roadway alternatives considered. Exhibits illustrating the alignment and cross section of Village Parkway for each alternative are contained in Appendix A5 of the Village Parkway Specific Plan. Alternative 1: The Village Parkway Specific Plan Task Force reviewed the various options for the roadway, all of which contained diagonal parking to bring people closer to business storefronts and to change the streetscape in the area. Alternative 1, as shown in Exhibit 10A of Appendix A5 of the Specific Plan, would provide four lanes of traffic on Village Parkway (two lanes in each direction) combined with diagonal parking along the street frontage in selected locations. There are approximately 60 existing parallel parking spaces along Village Parkway at this time, and 121 parking spaces could be provided with this alternative. A four-foot class III bicycle lane would be located between the diagonal parking and the right traffic lane. The sidewalk would be widened from five feet (existing right-of-way is eight feet) to 10 feet to provide enough space for increased pedestrian use. Two new crosswalks for pedestrians would be provided in mid-block locations with caution signals. Each traffic lane would be 12 feet and the center median would be reduced from 16 feet to 14 feet in width. In the Consultant's Report of the Transportation Impacts for the Proposed Village Parkway, Downtown Core, and West BART Station Specific Plans prepared by Omni-Means for the Downtown specific plans, the consultant determined that this alternative would create the least potential roadway impacts of the four alternatives and recommended it for implementation. This determination was based on the following: 1) four travel lanes would be maintained; 2) diagonal parking would provide additional spaces close to business frontages; and, 3) bicycle traffic would be provided on the street (however, this could create some conflicts between motorists backing out of spaces and bicyclists). Some conflicts may occur between through vehicles and those Dublm Planning Department Downtown SpeCific Plans Page 24 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I intersections of Amador Valley BoulevardNillage Parkway and Dublin BoulevardNillage Parkway would operate at LOS 0 during the AM peak hour, and LOS F during the PM peak hour Implementation of this alternative would require a public/private partnership, or joint partnership between private property owners and the City to balance the cost of improvements, but to a lesser degree than Alternative 1 and 2. This alternative requires cooperation and commitment by both the City and the property owners on Village Parkway to be successful. The preliminary cost estimate for this alternative is $1,050,000, and is the lowest cost alternative when compared to the other three alternatives. Alternative 4 - Alternative 4, as shown in Exhibit 100, would provide four lanes of traffic on Village Parkway (two lanes in each direction) and a four-foot bicycle lane. Diagonal parking would be provided along the frontage of businesses in selected locations, but it would be separated from street traffic by narrow medians. A total of approximately 106 parking spaces would be provided with this alternative along Village Parkway. Drive aisle entrances would provide access to these separated parking areas. Two new crosswalks for pedestrians would be provided in mid-block locations with caution signals. Each traffic lane would be 12 feet and the center median would be reduced from 16 feet to 14 feet in width. The total right-of-way (ROW) required for this option would be 128 feet. As the roadway ROW is currently 100 feet, an additional 14 feet of ROW on each side of the street would need to be obtained from property owners. This alternative would increase the distance between roadway traffic and the businesses on Village Parkway, and may not meet the objective of slowing traffic and providing a more pedestrian oriented streetscape, as the width of the ROW would be substantially increased. Implementation of this alternative would require a public/private partnership, or joint partnership between private property owners and the City to balance the cost of improvements. The preliminary cost estimate for this alternative is the highest of the four alternatives at $3,130,000. Therefore, as the cost is extremely high and it would not meet the basic objective of providing parking close to the street and businesses with better pedestrian access, it is not recommended as a viable alternative. . Staff has several concerns reqardinq narrowinq Villaqe Parkway to two lanes of traffic and addinq diaqonal parkinq, as preferred by the Task Force. Vehicle trip diversion may occur. as discussed in the previous section, and adversely affect the adjacent neiqhborhood to the east. This could affect the quality of life for that portion of the City residential area by creatinq safety hazards for residents and children attendinq the neiqhborhood school. Noise levels could also increase in the area with the additional cut-throuqh traffic. Additionally, the Alameda County Fire Department and Dublin Police Department have expressed concerns related to community safety. response time, and the creation of roadway hazards in the event that Villaqe Parkway is reduced to two lanes of traffic with diaqonal parkinq within the existinq riqht-of-way. Another option for the alignment of Village Parkway, which is the staff recommended option (see attached diaqram), is to maintain the existing roadway without expansion, and continue the use of parallel parking on both sides of the street. Improvements in the streetscape and sidewalk could be provided as described in the section of this document on design to encourage increased pedestrian use in the area. Additionally, joint/shared parking should be encouraged between properties, with fences removed which impede pedestrian access. This option would require less capital funds for implementation and would create less roadway impacts. A letter has been received from the Alameda County Conqestion Manaqement Aqency (ACCMA) commentinq on the transportation and circulation analysis prepared for the Specific Plans. The City's traffic consultant has responded to these comments ina letter dated December 8, 2000. The ACCMA stated that the Dublin Specific Plans qualified for analysis usinq the CountyWide Transporation Demand Dublin Planning Department Downtown Specific Plans Page 26 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I DO.85 CO.78 DO.87 D 0.89 AO.36 A 0.54 A 0.48 CO.79 A 0.28 A 0.48 B 0.68 E 0.91 B 0.62 CO.80 A 0.44 CO.76 AO.58 F 1.02 A 0.50 00.83 A 0.47 A 0.60 A 0.47 B 0.66 A 0.40 A 0.51 A 0.42 AO.53 AO.35 A 0.51 A 0.36 A 0.54 AO.37 B 0.66 AO.39 C 0.71 CO.74 D 0.90 C 0.75 D 0.88 B 0.62 AO.58 B 0.62 AO.56 C 0.73 D 0.85 C 0.72 D 0.85 A A AO.56 B 0.61 A 0.41 A 0.45 Note: Italics text indicates volume to capacity ratio and Level of Service after implementation of Specific Plan traffic improvements d) Insufficient parking capacity on site or offsite? LS. Approval of the three Specific Plans and construction of improvements based on the Specific Plans would increase the demand. for on-site parking within each of the three areas. Parking demand would also be increased due to the planned presence of the proposed West Dublin BART station, the development of which is not part of the Specific Plan project. Requirements included in each of the Specific Plans require that all new land uses proposed pursuant to a Specific Plan include on-site parking to meet current City of Dublin parking requirements. Existinq uses are assumed to provide sufficient parkinq with applicable City standards on-site at the time of oriqinal construction and development. The Specific Plans provide that ~xceptions to parkinq requlations may be allowed for shared use of parking facilities, or in instances where the Planninq Commission or City Council find evidence based on a parkinq analvsis that a reduced parkinq ratio is appropriate due to the proximity of the use to public transit service. The Specific Plans also provide that Provioion of additional parking facilities maybe reviewed and required will be reviewed as individual Site Development Review applications are submitted to the City of Dublin for new construction projects. This review process will ensure that adequate parking is provided and any parking impacts would be less-than-significant. e) Hazards or barriers for pedestrians or bicyclists? NI. The proposed Specific Plans .would require construction of new bicycle and pedestrian facilities to encourage non-auto travel modes. No impacts are therefore anticipated. f) Conflicts with adopted policies supporting alternative transportation (e.g. bus turnouts, bicycle . racks)? Nl. Each of the Specific Plans require the installation of some new facilities to support enhanced bus service to each of the three sites. However, the additional facilities would be within areas presently served by transporta~ion services. The new facilities would be consistent with . adopted policies supporting alternative transportation as they would provide more opportunities to use varying modes of transportation. Therefore, no impacts are foreseer:. g) Rail, waterborne or air traffic impacts? Nl. The proposed project is not sited near operating railroad facilities, near a navigable waterway or near an airport. Although the West Dublin BART Specific Plan is located near the proposed West Dublin BART station, the intent of the Specific Plan is to Dublin Planning Department Downtown Specific Plans Page 28 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I generated by residences, business and industrial establishments by promoting recycling and similar programs. c) Result in the loss of availability of a known mineral resource that would be of future value to the region and residents of the State? NI. The project site is not located in an area designated by the California State Department of Conservation, Division of Mines and Geology, as having sufficient mineral resources that are suitable as marketable commodities. No impacts are therefore expected. IX. Hazards Environmental Settinq The Specific Plan areas are located in previously developed commercial. office and similar non- residential areas. Existing uses within the West Dublin BART and Downtown Core Specific Plan areas include automobile sales and service uses. Operation of these facilities use oil, grease, solvents and other potentially hazardous materials. It is anticipated that some or all of these uses would remain in business after adoption of the two Specific Plans; however, storage and handling of potentially hazardous materials is controlled by the Alameda County Fire Department, Alameda County Health Department, Regional Water Quality Control Board and other regulatory agencies.. Proiect Impacts a) A risk of accidental explosion or release of hazardous substances including but not limited to oil, pesticides, chemicals, or radiation? NI. With the exception of auto-oriented uses, none of the land uses permitted by the proposed Specific Plans would store, use or transport significant quantities of hazardous substances. No impacts are therefore anticipated with regard to hazardous substances. b) Possible interference with an emergency response plan or emergency evacuation plan? NI. Future site development plans proposed within the three Specific Plans will be reviewed by the Dublin Police Department, Dublin Planning Department and Alameda County Fire Department to ensure that adequate emergency evacuation is provided per City requirements. No impacts are therefore anticipated. c) The creation of any health hazard or potential health hazards? NI. Development of land uses and other facilities pursuant to the three Specific Plans are not anticipated to generate significant health hazards, since permitted uses would generally include commercial, office, entertainment, restaurant and residential uses. No industrial or manufacturing land uses are proposed. No impacts are therefore anticipated. d) Exposure of people to existing sources of potential health hazards? LS. Generally, new land uses in the Specific Plan areas would include commercial, office, lodging, entertainment and similar uses, none of which would involve creation of a health hazard. New development that may be located near automobile serving uses could have the potential to expose employees and visitors to health hazards; however, the potential for exposure of people to health hazards from existing uses will be reviewed during the Site Development Plan process to ensure compliance with all applicable health and safety regulations. Less-than-significant impacts are therefore expected. e) Increased fire hazard in areas with flammable brush, grass or trees? LS. The proposed Specific Plan areas are located in urbanized areas and existing uses have been constructed in compliance with Uniform Fire and Building Code requirements. Existing and future landscaped areas will be permanently irrigated and maintained so that the potential for fire is reduced to a less-than-significant level. . Page 30 Dublin Planning Department Downtown Specific Plans I I I I I I I I I I I , I I I I I I I Other Qovernmental services. Other governmental services are provided by the City of Dublin including community development and building services and related governmental services. Library service is provided by the Alameda County Libr~ry with supplemental funding by the City of Dublin. The City of Dublin has adopted a Public Facilities Fee for all new residential development in the community for the purpose of financing new municipal public facilities needed by such development. Facilities anticipated to be funded by the proposed fee would include completion of the Civic Center Complex, construction of a new library, expansion of the existing senior center, acquisition and development of new community and neighborhood parks and similar municipal buildings and facilities. Future applicants for development pursuant to the Specific Plans would be required to pay this fee. Environmental Impacts a) Fire protection? LS. Approval of the three Specific Plans and future construction in compliance with the Specific Plans would incrementally increase the demand for fire and emergency calls for service since additional building square footage would be added to each site. As part of the site development review process for individual buildings, specific fire protection requirements will be imposed to ensure compliance with applicable provisions of the Uniform Fire Code. Such measures would include but not limited to installation of new fire hydrants, fire extinguishers and similar features. Based on standard City fire protection requirements, fire protection impacts would be less-than-significant. b) Police protection? LS. Approval of the three Specific Plans and future construction in compliance with the Specific Plans would incrementally increase the demand for police calls for service since additional building square footage would be added to each site. As part of the site development review process for individual buildings, specific security requirements will be. imposed to ensure compliance with applicable provisions of the City's building security ordinance. Such measures would include, but not be limited to, installation of appropriate locking devices, installation of security lighting and similar features. Based on standard City security requirements, police protection impacts would be less-than-significant: c) Schools? LS. The West Dublin BART and Downtown Core Specific Rlans each call for a residential component. Although the size, type and orientation of dwellings that would be proposed for development would likely generate a minimal amount of students to be served by the Dublin Unified School District, there could be an incremental increase in the number of school-aged children. As part of subdivision and site development review of future residential projects, coordination will occur with school district officials to ensure that less-than-significant impacts would result, d) Maintenance of public facilities, including roads? LS. Approval of the Specific Plans and construction of individual development projects pursuant to the Plans would incrementally increase the need for maintenance of public facilities. Payment of public facility fees to the City of Dublin by individual projects would ensure that future maintenance impacts would be reduced to less-than-significant levels. e) Other governmental seNices? LS. Approval of the Specific Pions would represent incremental increases in the demand for general governmental services. Payment of the City's Public Facility Fee by individual project developers would offset any impacts caused by such projects, reducing any impacts to a less-than-significant impact. Page 32 Dublin Planning Department Downtown Specific Plans I I I I I '1 I I I I I I I I I I I I I Although approval of the proposed Specific Plans will incrementally increase the amount of solid waste, any such increases will be insignificant because the existing facility would be able to be accommodated given the existing solid waste facilities and resources. As stated in VIII-b above, the City is mandated by AB 939 to reduce the solid waste stream generated by residences, businesses and industrial establishment by promoting recycling and similar programs. g) Local or regional water supplies? NI. DSRSD staff indicate that adequate long-term water supplies are available from Zone 7 and other sources to serve the proposed project. XIII. Aesthetics. Environmental Settinq The Specific Plan areas are located within existing urbanized areas and are not located adjacent to. scenic highways. Environmental Impacts a) Affect a scenic vista or view? Nl. The proposed Specific Plan includes development programs to. intensify existing land use patterns. Each Specific Plan contains height and bulk requirements to ensure that scenic vistas from surrounding areas would not be blocked. The Specific Plans establish a heiqht limit of six stories for the Downtown Core and Villaqe Parkway areas. . The Planninq Commission has recommended a heiqht limit of ten stories for the West Dublin BART Specific Plan area to the. City Council. which is common with development in most urban downtowns and development near freeways. The City Council may determine that ten stories is appropriate for this area due to its location near the BART Station, a maior transit facility, and the 1-580 and 1-680 freeways. Review of individual proiects in accordance with the desiqn quidelines related to reduction in bulk and quality of desiqn as detailed in the Specific Plan will result in less-than- siqnificant impacts on views. b) Have a demonstrable negative aesthetic effect? Nl. Each Specific Plan contains design guidelines to ensure that new development projects occurring pursuant to an approved Specific Plan would result in an aesthetically pleasing manner and would include additional landscaping. As part of the Specific Plan programs, new public plazas, streetscape elements and other improvements would be completed to improve aesthetic conditions. Therefore, no negative aesthetic impacts would be created. c) Create light or glare? LS. Proposed new uses constructed pursuant to the Specific Plans could incrementally increase light levels in each of the Plan areas. New sources of light would include street lighting, plaza lighting and building security lighting with new development projects and, possible, extended hours of business. However, a significant amount of exterior lighting has already been installed within each of the Specific Plan areas. Standard conditions of approval for individual development projects will require that pole-mounted lights shall be equipped with cut-off luminaires. Wall-mounted lights must also be equipped with cut-off lenses. Any additional light or glare created would be therefore be minimalless-than-significant. XIV. Cultural Resources Environmental Settinq The project site has been developed for a range of commercial and similar non-residential areas. No cultural resources remain on the graded surface of the site. Since surface improvements are less than fifty years old or newer, no historic resources exist on the site. Dublm Planning Department Page 34 Downtown Specific Plans I I I I I I I I I I I I 8 I: I I I I I c) Does the project have impacts that are individually limited, but cumulatively considerable? ("Cumulatively considerable" means that the incremental effects of a project are considerable when viewed in connection with the effects of past projects, the effects of other current projects and the effects of probable future projects). LS. Although incremental increases in certain areas can be expected as a result of constructing this project, including additional traffic, short-term air emissions and need for public services and utilities, the project site lies within an already urbanized area and sufficient capacity exists within service systems to support the anticipated amount of development planned as part of the three Specific Plans. d) Does the project have environmental effects which will cause substantial adverse effects on human beings, either directly or indirectly? NI. Due to project design and site characteristics, approval and implementation of the three Specific Plans involve no impacts that would adversely effect human beings, either directly or indirectly. Initial Study Preparer Janet Harbin, Senior Planner Jerry Haag, Consulting Planner Agencies and Organizations Consulted The following agencies and organizations were contacted in the course of this Initial Study: City of Dublin Eddie Peabody Jr., AICP, Community Development Director Lee Thompson, Public Works Director Kevin van Katwyk, Senior Engineer T. Philipps, Alameda County Sheriff's Department James Ferdinand, Alameda County Fire Department Dublin-San Ramon Services District Bruce Webb, Senior Engineering Planner References Dublin General Plan, Revised September 1992 Dublin General Plan Housinq Element, June, 1990 Dublin Zoninq Ordinance, Adopted September 1997 Draft Downtown Core Specific Plan, City of Dublin, September /\uguct,2000 Draft Villaoe Parkway Specific Plan. City of Dublin, September August, 2000 Draft West Dublin BART Specific Plan, City of Dublin, September J\uguct, 2000 Consultant's Report on the Transportation Impacts .for the Proposed Village Parkway, Downtown Core and West BART Station Specific Plans, prepared by Omni-Means, LTD., August 28, 2000; secondary revisions to the Omni-Means traffic analysis (September 22, 2000; memo from Georqe Nickelson of Omni-Means dated November 13, 2000: and, December 8, 2000 letters from Peter Galloway of Omni-Means. DublIn PlannIng Department Downtown Specific Plans Page 36 ------~~--~--~----- Village Parkway Alignment: Staff Recommendation (Existing Alignment) ~/ "" '..", ''''\\,,'' " ;' \ ! / "~/./,, '\, , , ...., /' .... ) , ". /'/' 'v'.' / / 0 ,- , ~ /.. / r;) "{ ,/ C~~ .;::;'-/ / r- o ( L- Qj .,.......------ , """ \, , , " \., , .--..------ I!OOSTINO CONl>mON VlLLAOE PJJlICllAY Sl'IlCIFIC PLAN SIlP'I'EUBBR 2000 SO.ll..E, 1.....0. EXHIBIT 7A Staff R~~ommel1~a~iQ.n I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED' that the Dublin City Council does hereby find that: A The Specific Plans and associated actions would not have a significant effect on the environment, because mitigation is incorporated into the Plans as part of Plan implementation. B. The Negative Declaration has been prepared in accordance with Stat~ and local environmental laws and guidelines. C. The Negative Declaration is complete and adequate and reflects the City's independent judgment and analysis as to the environmental effects of the proposed Specific Plans, General Plan Amendments and repeal of portions of the 1987 DoWntown Specific Plan. . . BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Dublin City Council does hereby adopt the Negative. Declaration for P A 99-054, Village Parkway Specific Plan; P A 99-055, Downtown Core Specific Plan;' and, P A 99-056, West Dublin BART Specific Plan, including the Initial Study incorporated herein by reference. PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED this 19th day of December, 2000. AYES: Councilmembers Lockhart; McCormick, Oravetz, Zikaand Mayor Houston NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None ~Ir Mayor .dt- K2/G/12-19-00/reso-SP-negdec.doc (Item 6.4) G\Do-wntown Specfic P1ans\CCNDRES.doc 2