CITY OF COMMERCEAGENDA REPORTCITY OF COMMERCEAGENDA REPORT
CITY OF COMMERCE
AGENDA REPORT
CITY OF COMMERCE
AGENDA REPORT
TO: Honorable City Council
FROM: City Manager
SUBJECT: Consideration of Letter of Support for Metro’s Land Bank Pilot Program to Include Input from Local Jurisdictions; and Letter of Support for State Transportation Funding of Metro’s West Santa Ana Branch Meeting Date: November 22, 2022
RECOMMENDATION:
The City Council will consider approving Letters of Supports to: 1) Support Los Angeles County Metro’s request to allocate $500,000,000 of State Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program (“TIRCP”) funds apportioned for Southern California for the West Santa Ana Branch; and 2) Support Los Angeles County Metro’s Land Bank Pilot Program with a requirement to consult with a local jurisdiction as part of the decision-making process.
BACKGROUND:
COUNTY LAND BANK PILOT PROGRAM
Los Angeles County is in the midst of a historic housing crisis, with tens of thousands of people migrating out every year, in search of more affordable places to live. At the same time, efforts to improve the Los Angeles River, as well as efforts to build new high-quality transit, have raised concerns that these changes could impact lower-income individuals and be priced-out from possible affordable housing options.
One effort underway to address the region’s housing crisis is the creation of a Land Bank Pilot Program, which was authorized by the LA County Board of Supervisors in June 2022. The program has already been allocated $40 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding, which will go toward the acquisition of land and support the construction of affordable housing in communities where it is needed most.
In an effort to coordinate Metro resources with LA County, in June 2022, the Metro Board of Directors approved a motion (2022-0422) requesting staff to collaborate with LA County agencies and outside community partners on a Land Bank Pilot Program and to identify roles that Metro can take as part of the Land Bank Pilot and associated duties. This motion further directed staff to report back in October 2022.
That motion clarifies as part of a Land Bank Pilot Program that Metro will: 1) Collaborate with local jurisdictions through the corridor planning and Transit Oriented Communities Implementation Plan process to identify key community priorities and opportunities for the County’s Land Bank Pilot Program to help achieve shared goals and to consider how any potential sites align with local visions for station areas; 2) Coordinate with County and local jurisdictions to determine appropriateness and explore feasibility of incorporating cities in the County’s Land Bank Pilot Program; 3) Through the Housing Lab, identify odd-shaped remnant properties that may provide alternative forms of housing; 4) Institute a checklist to be used in the planning process to help staff consider the potential for joint development in property acquisitions; 5) coordination with the County on planning matters Questions have been raised by many cities throughout LA County regarding Metro’s role and how Metro’s capital program will fit in with the County’s Land Bank Pilot Program. Therefore, adoption of Board policy that aligns with the recently-issued Board directives are necessary to ensure clarity of roles and responsibilities, for Metro and for impacted cities such as City of Commerce.
It is recommended to support approval of motion by Directors Hahn, Najarian, Dutra, Sandoval, and Butts to adopt a policy that is consistent with Metro’s Transit Oriented Communities Policy, Metro property may only be included in LA County’s Land Bank Pilot Program so long as it is done in coordination with local jurisdictions.
WEST SANTA ANA BRANCH PROJECT
Along with the Phase Two Eastside Extension that will go to the Citadel, Metro’s West Santa Ana Branch Project represents two of the more important transit projects that have the potential to positively impact the region, as well as the City of Commerce. It will have the ability to extend an alternative transit option, while having the potential to address some of the State’s mandates regarding low-income housing within transit-dependent communities.
The West Santa Ana Branch will be a 19-mile light-rail line, connecting Southeast Los Angeles communities to Downtown Los Angeles, and by extension, connecting many to their respective jobs within the County. Nearly the entire alignment for this light-rail line is located within the CalEnviroScreen’s SB 535-defined “Disadvantaged Communities,” which faces some of the worst air pollution anywhere in the State. The people along the proposed West Santa Ana Branch project corridor are located within under-served regions that are impacted by transit, heavy industry, along with industrial pollution and traffic congestion. A project such as Santa Ana Branch has the ability to offer some level of mitigation to these issues.
As proposed by Metro, the Project is set to begin early utility relocation work in 2023, and Cities affected by this project, including the City of Commerce are working in collaboration with Metro to accelerate the project at every opportunity. A $500,000,000 allocation of TIRCP funding in the upcoming grant cycle would secure the resources necessary to advance the project’s utility relocation and associated works to ensure that the Project remains on schedule for completion in 2033-2035.
METRO GOLD LINE EASTSIDE EXTENSION PHASE II
On November 16, 2022 Metro’s committee voted to recommend to the full Metro Board the approval of Washington Alignment Alternative 1 that would connect Commerce with East Los Angeles and Montebello. Under this alternative, Montebello would be the terminus, however under the same motion, environmental clearance will be sought for the full length of the project with a terminus in Whittier, with the hope of achieving the full project as further funding sources become available. The City of Commerce is already on record in full support of this project. Its also worth noting that the maintenance facility for this project will be in Montebello. Though, Commerce was considered for various reasons including cultural resources in Commerce, Metro staff recommended the station for Montebello.
The projected route will travel south underneath Atlantic Boulevard to the Citadel in Commerce where there will be a station and then on Washington Boulevard stopping at Greenwood Avenue in Montebello. The line is contemplated as completely underground in the City of Commerce, and to surface in Montebello. Metro deemed this route to be the most cost-effective and best alternative. There is still a funding shortfall which will require further pursuit of funding. The full Metro Board will consider the item on December 1, 2022.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Approve letter of support as outlined by staff herein, subject to modifications and adjustments based on any direction received from the City Council.
2. Provide alternative direction.
3. Not approve the motion to approve the grant agreement.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Preparation of the Support Letters can be carried out with no fiscal impact on the City of Commerce.
RELATIONSHIP TO STRATEGIC GOALS:
This agenda item relates to the 2016 Strategic Plan:
Community Quality of Life
Guiding Principle #5
Foster environmentally conscious initiatives and continue to identify and develop City codes that support a clean, well-maintained, sustainable community.
Respectfully submitted: Edgar P. Cisneros, City Manager Prepared by: Lena Shumway, Director of Administrative Services and City Clerk Approved as to form: Noel Tapia, City Attorney
ATTACHMENTS:
Draft Support Letters