1 STAFF REPORT
TO: Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: Farhad Mortazavi, APA, City Planner
VIA: Daniel Barros, City Manager
MEETING DATE: June 25, 2025
SUBJECT: Compliance with MTC’s Transit Oriented Communities Policy
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the following:
RESOLUTION COMMITTING TO TAKE STEPS TOWARDS ACHIEVING COMPLIANCE WITH THE METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION’S (MTC) TRANSIT ORIENTED
COMMUNITIES (TOC) POLICY AS A CONDITION FOR MTC TO ALLOCATE REGIONAL DISCRETIONARY FUNDING INCLUDING TOWN OF COLMA’S LAND USE DENSITY
PROJECT
COUNCIL ADOPTED VALUES
The commitment to comply with allocation of the Land Use Density project grant fund to MTC for completing the Land Use Density project complies with the Council’s commitment to Responsibility through the periodic review of the implementation of adopted policies and programs.
BACKGROUND
On September 28, 2022, the MTC adopted its Transit Oriented Communities Policy by Resolution 4530. The Policy incentivizes local jurisdictions to plan and zone for higher residential and commercial densities in areas within one half mile of existing and planned transit stops and stations to support the region’s transit investments and implement key Green House Gas reduction strategies from Plan Bay Area 2050. The TOC Policy incentivizing local jurisdictions to also adopt policies focused on increasing housing production of all types, particularly affordable housing production, preservation and protection, commercial anti- displacement and stabilization, parking management, and transit station access and circulation further supports regional transit investments and Plan Bay Area 2050 implementation.
In 2023, MTC identified Town of Colma’s BART station as a Tier 2 Transit Service by determining that it was served by two BART rail lines. MTC conditioned the allocation of AGENDA ITEM #8
2 regional discretionary funding for fixed-guideway transit extension projects on compliance with the TOC Policy, and anticipated that future regional funding, such as the One Bay Area Grant (OBAG) program, will consider compliance with the TOC Policy as part of the prioritization and project selection process starting with One Bay Area Grant (OBAG) 4, expected in 2026.
The TOC Policy established different compliance expectations for existing and planned station areas based on the level of transit service. The TOC Policy identified four TOC Policy areas:
land use density, housing affordability, parking, and access/circulation. On September 30, 2024, the MTC announced a Call for Projects for TOC Planning and Implementation Grants, and informed local jurisdictions of a November 22, 2024 deadline for submitting applications, as well as grant application guidance and requirements including compliance with the TOC Policy.
ANALYSIS
Prior to MTC’s November 22, 2024 deadline for submittals of applications, Town of Colma submitted a grant application to MTC for $100,000 for Land Use Density project (the project) in response to MTC’s Call for TOC Planning and Implementation Projects, which was granted on February 14, 2025, and Colma accepted the grant award from MTC for $100,000 for the project.
MTC is planning to hire a consultant team to provide technical assistance for TOC Policy compliance by utilizing regional discretionary funding - including Colma’s $100,000 awarded grant - under which the assigned consultant will develop plans necessary for compliance with MTC’ TOC Policy. Town of Colma commits to completing the associated project following the MTC grant award by applying the grant with the intent to adopt relevant plans, policies or zoning updates emerging from the work completed through the project’s grant - comply with the TOC Policy requirements.
The term of MTC’s contract with the consultant will be from August 1, 2025 to December 31, 2030.
Reasons for the Recommended Action/Findings
The City Council must adopt the Resolution for allocation of the Land Use Density project grant fund to MTC as it is required by the transportation agency.
Sustainability Impact
A motion to commit the allocation of the Land Use Density project grant fund to MTC will have no impact on sustainability.
FISCAL IMPACT
The commitment to allocate the Land Use Density project grant fund to MTC for completing the Land Use Density project does not have an impact on the Town’s budget.
3 ENVIRONMENTAL
The City Council’s action is not a project subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) as it is more akin to the administrative function of the Town with no direct or indirect change in the environment. It is therefore exempt pursuant to State CEQA Guideline 15378 as an administrative activity of the government that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment.
ALTERNATIVES
No alternatives are considered as the Town needs to be in compliance with MTC’s required commitment to allocate the Land Use Density project’s fund for TOC Policy.
CONCLUSION
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a resolution to allocate the Land Use Density project grant fund to MTC for completing Town of Colma’s Land Use Density project.
ATTACHMENTS
A.Resolution
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF COLMA
RESOLUTION COMMITTING TO TAKE STEPS TOWARDS ACHIEVING COMPLIANCE WITH THE METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION’S (MTC) TRANSIT
ORIENTED COMMUNITIES (TOC) POLICY AS A CONDITION FOR MTC TO
ALLOCATE REGIONAL DISCRETIONARY FUNDING INCLUDING TOWN OF COLMA’S LAND USE DENSITY PROJECT
The City Council of the Town of Colma hereby resolves:
1.Background
(a)The MTC adopted its Resolution 4530 – the TOC Policy – on September 28, 2022. (b)The TOC Policy incentivizes local jurisdictions to plan and zone for higher residential and commercial densities in areas within one half mile of existing and planned transit stops and stations to support the region’s transit investments and implement key Green House Gas reduction strategies from Plan Bay Area 2050. (c) The TOC Policy incentivizing local jurisdictions to also adopt policies focused on increasing housing production of all types, particularly affordable housing production, preservation and protection, commercial anti-displacement and stabilization, parking management, and transit station access and circulation further supports regional transit investments and Plan Bay Area 2050 implementation. (d)In 2023, MTC identified Town of Colma’s BART station as a Tier 2 Transit Service (served by two BART rail lines).
(e)MTC conditions the allocation of regional discretionary funding for fixed-guideway transit extension projects on compliance with the TOC Policy. (f)MTC anticipates that future regional funding, such as the One Bay Area Grant (OBAG) program, will consider compliance with the TOC Policy as part of the prioritization and project selection process starting with One Bay Area Grant (OBAG) 4, expected in 2026.
(g)The TOC Policy establishes different compliance expectations for existing and planned station areas based on the level of transit service. (h)The TOC Policy identifies four TOC Policy areas: land use density, housing affordability, parking, and access/circulation.
(i)On September 30, 2024, the MTC announced a Call for Projects for TOC Planning and Implementation Grants, and informed local jurisdictions of a November 22, 2024
ATTACHMENT A
deadline for submitting applications, as well as grant application guidance and requirements including compliance with the TOC Policy.
2. Findings
The City Council finds as follows:
(a) That Town of Colma submitted a grant application to MTC for $100,000 for Land Use Density project (the project) in response to MTC’s Call for TOC Planning and Implementation Projects.
(b) That Town of Colma accepted the grant award from MTC for $100,000 for the project in response to MTC’s Call for TOC Planning and Implementation Projects. (c) That Town of Colma committed to completing the associated project following an MTC grant award by applying for these funds.
(d) That Town of Colma intends to adopt relevant plans, policies or zoning updates emerging from the work completed through the project’s grant to comply with the TOC Policy requirements.
Certification of Adoption
I certify that the foregoing Resolution No. 2025- was duly adopted at a regular meeting of said City Council held on June 25, 2025, by the following vote:
Name Voting Present, Not Voting Absent
Aye No Abstain Not Participating
Ken Gonzales, Mayor
Carrie Slaughter
Helen Fisicaro
Joanne F. del Rosario
Thomas Walsh
Voting Tally
Dated ______________________ ___________________________________ Ken Gonzalez, Mayor
Attest: ____________________________
Michelle Estabillo, City Clerk