HomeMy WebLinkAbout7.1 Downtown Dublin UpdateCELEBRATING
STAFF REPORT
CITY COUNCIL
DUBLIN
CALIFORNIA
Agenda Item 7.1
DATE: October 18, 2022
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
FROM: Linda Smith, City Manager
SU B,ECT : Downtown Dublin Update
Prepared by: Hazel L. Wetherford, Economic Development Director
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The City Council will receive a presentation on updates to the Downtown Dublin Preferred Vision.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Receive the presentation.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There are no financial impacts associated with receiving the presentation.
DESCRIPTION:
On October 15, 2019, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 107-19 which approved a
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City and American Realty Advisors (ARA),
the primary property owner of the Dublin Place shopping center.
On November 5, 2019, the City Council approved the Downtown Dublin Preferred Vision (DPV)
and its three main principles (siting of the town square, a new street grid network, and the
downtown character).
On December 3, 2019, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 126-19 which amended the General
Plan and Downtown Dublin Specific Plan to allow an increase in the allowable commercial floor
area ratio in the Transit Oriented and Retail Districts, combined new residential dwelling unit
allocation into one pool for all three districts, and amended the parking standards for the Village
Parkway and Transit Oriented Districts.
On July 21, 2020, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 79-20 which amended the Downtown
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Dublin Specific Plan to create a new street grid in the Retail District, site a town square, combine
the remaining allocation of new non-residential square footage from the Transit Oriented and
Retail Districts into one pool, allow lodging in the Retail District, and update the design guidelines
for the Core Area of the Retail District.
On November 17, 2020, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 121-20 which adopted the
Downtown Dublin Streetscape Plan and amended the citywide Streetscape Plan.
On April 6, 2021, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 26-21 which approved a First
Amendment to the MOU with ARA, providing a 12-month term extension.
On February 5, 2022, the City Council received an update on Downtown Dublin as part of the
Strategic Planning retreat.
On April 5, 2022, the City Council adopted Resolution 30-22 which approved a Second
Amendment to the MOU with ARA, providing a 14-month term extension.
Throughout the City Council actions over the last three years, ARA has refocused its priorities and
made significant strides in support of the DPV. ARA hired Hines, one of the largest privately held
real estate investors and managers, and shortly thereafter submitted a new offer to Burlington to
acquire the remaining two parcels needed for Phase I of the DPV which includes the creation of
the town square and a mixed -use development project bordering the town square.
Burlington responded with interest and has been in discussions with ARA and Hines on the best
options for them to move forward which includes an onsite relocation. In addition, ARA has hired
Gensler, a global design and architecture firm, to assist with the master planning of the site. ARA,
Hines, and Gensler embarked on a benchmarking assessment across the country, touring the best -
in -class mixed -use development sites as part of their research in developing a master plan in line
with the DPV.
ARA's team returned to the City with a master site plan that showed modifications to the town
square and street grid network while still capturing the intent of the DPV. Staff is currently
evaluating ARA's proposal, and then will continue to work with the City's consultant team on
evaluating the right-of-way acquisition for the street grid network, the street cross section
designs, the parking analysis, and the finalization of the various related studies.
Lastly, as it relates to the Downtown Dublin Specific Plan, minor modifications may be required to
building height to match the Transit Oriented District, percentage of street frontage, minimum
storefront height, and allowance for life sciences with research and development as a land use to
ensure the full concept of the DPV is achievable.
STRATEGIC PLAN INITIATIVE:
Strategy 1: Downtown Dublin and Economic Development
Objective A: Continue support of the downtown preferred vision and downtown specific plan
improving visual and environmental quality and evaluating specific business uses.
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Objective B: Pursue mixed -use projects to create economic vitality.
NOTICING REQUIREMENTS/PUBLIC OUTREACH:
The City Council Agenda was posted.
ATTACHMENTS:
None.
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