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CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
City of Anaheim
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
DATE: NOVEMBER 15, 2022
FROM: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: COMMERCIAL FAÇADE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
ATTACHMENT (Y/N): YES ITEM # 37
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council, following a public hearing, by Resolution, establish the Commercial Façade Improvement Program (Program) and approve the Guidelines for the Program, direct and authorize the Director of Economic Development, or designee, to execute all related documents, and to take such actions as necessary or advisable to implement and administer the Program on behalf of the City, accept the attached report pursuant to Section 53083 of the California Government Code; and determine that the Project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
DISCUSSION:
As part of the City’s on-going efforts to revitalize the City’s commercial corridors, encourage private investment, enhance business aesthetics, and encourage business growth in the City, the City Council approved an allocation of $500,000 as part of the Economic Development Department’s Budget in FY 2022-23. The Economic Development Department has developed program guidelines for the Commercial Façade Improvement Program (Program) to provide one time grants for businesses for storefront enhancement and site improvements. The Program provides funding to eligible commercial property owners and business owners for the purpose of improving the physical appearance of facades.
Financial assistance will be made in the form of a one-time City Grant for each eligible property or business as outlined in the attached Program Guidelines. Eligible property improvements will depend on the grant type and each business will be required to contribute at least 25% of the total façade improvement costs. The City will cover the remaining 75%, not to exceed the approved grant amount, of the total façade improvements.
There are two grant options proposed:
1. Grant A: Cosmetic Façade Improvements of up to $10,000
2. Grant B: Structural Façade Improvements of up to $100,000 Commercial Façade Improvement Program
November 15, 2022
Eligible improvements include exterior rehabilitation items such as: repair of exterior surfaces, exterior painting, exterior lighting, landscaping, storefront restoration or renovation, exterior façade treatments, and signage repair or replacement. Please see draft Program Guidelines for details (Attachment 2).
Economic Development staff will administer the Program. The Business Development Manager will serve as the Program Manager and coordinate with other city staff and consultants (as necessary) supporting the Program. City staff will be responsible for reviewing applications and determining the applicant’s eligibility.
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION:
In accordance with CEQA (Public Resources Code Sections 21000-21177) and pursuant to Section 15061 of Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations (CCR), the City of Anaheim, as Lead Agency, is required to determine if the Program is exempt from CEQA.
Upon review of the CCR, staff recommends that the City Council determine the Program is Categorically Exempt from CEQA pursuant to Class 1, Section 15301 (Existing Facilities) of Title 14 of the CCR which consists of the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features, involving negligible or no expansion of use beyond that existing at the time of the lead agency’s determination.
After determining that this Program is Categorically Exempt from CEQA, the City will file a Notice of Exemption with the County Clerk, which starts a 35-day statute of limitations for challenges of the decision.
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
Adequate funding is available in the Economic Development Department’s Fiscal Year 2022/2023 Economic Development Fund budget.
Respectfully submitted,
Sergio M. Ramirez
Economic Development Director
Attachments:
1. Resolution
2. Commercial Façade Improvement Program Guidelines
3. Section 53083 Report