RESOLUTION NO. P - 3 - 25
RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF FOSTER CITY
RECOMMENDING CITY COUNCIL ACCEPTANCE OF THE GENERAL PLAN ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT FOR 2024 AND FIND THE REPORT EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) PURSUANT TO CEQA GUIDELINE SECTION 15061(B)(3).
CITY OF FOSTER CITY PLANNING COMMISSION
WHEREAS, California Government Code Section 65400 requires each governing body to prepare an annual report on the status and progress on implementation of its General Plan including its progress on implementation of the Housing Element; and WHEREAS, Government Code Section 65400(a)(2) requires that an annual report on the status of the City's General Plan and progress made towards its implementation be provided to the legislative body and submitted to the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) and the Governor's Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation (LCI) by April 1 of each year, covering the previous calendar year; and WHEREAS, the 2024 General Plan Annual Progress Report includes major implementation activities that occurred during the calendar year; and WHEREAS, the 2024 General Plan Annual Progress Report includes reporting for progress pertaining to the City's Housing Element 2023-31, which is one of nine required general plan elements; and
WHEREAS, the City has made significant progress in implementing the programs contained in the City's General Plan, including the following significant accomplishments in 2024:
• Land Use & Circulation Element
In 2024, the City launched a number of initiatives to address land use & circulation. • Periodic Monitoring of Land Uses Throughout the City - In 2024, the City received an application to construct a new Research and Development building on the Gilead Sciences Integrated Campus Master Plan located at 335 Lakeside Drive. (LUC-C-12-a)
• Green Building Guidelines and Incentives - In 2024, a total of 65 solar permits and 39 EV Charging electrical permits were issued and a total of 6 solar rebates were issued in 2024. (LUC-H-1-a)
• Climate Action Plan (CAP) - The Climate Action Plan (CAP) 2024 Update was approved by City Council on November 18, 2024. The Update incorporates measures to lower the City's Greenhouse Gas emissions to 49% below 2005 levels by 2030. Strategies included in the Plan cover four focus areas: Energy and Water, Transportation and Land Use, Waste and Consumption, and Resiliency and Leadership. (LUC-H-2-a)
Wastewater Systems Improvement - Foster City is working with the City of San Mateo to construct improvements at the jointly owned wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). Startup and commissioning of new treatment facilities are Resolution No. P - 3 - 25
targeted to be completed by August 2025, with final completion by April 2026. (LUC-L-13-a)
• Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan - On November 4, 2024, Council approved the Foster City Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan scope of services ano $80,000 awarded in grant funding. (LUC-E-2-b)
• Traffic Signals Project - Construction of the Traffic Signals at various Intersections - CIP 301-681, was completed and Notice of Completion was iccepted in February 2024. The project added 4 new signalized intersection:
it Gull Avenue and East Hillsdale Boulevard; Foster City Boulevard and Bount Drive; Edgewater Boulevard and Port Royal Avenue, and Shell Boulevard and Beach Park Boulevard. (LUC-F-1-c)
• Water System Improvements - On October 21, 2024, the Board of Directors of the Estero Municipal Improvement District (EMID) approved the scope of services for the Water Main Condition Assessment Project and authorized staff to issue an RFP. Selection of a consultant and award of a contract is anticipated to take place in March 2025. (LUC-L-11-a)
• Parks and Open Space Element
• Special Events - In 2024, the City hosted its traditional events including the Fourth of July Celebration, Summer Concert Series, Halloween Festival and Tree Lighting. Summer Days also returned for a three-day festival featuring carnival rides, music, food trucks, and a car show. (PC-y) • Parks Facilities Plan and Improve Facilities -
New Foster City Community Center: On January 16, 2024, the City Council provided direction to allocate an additional approximately $9.49 million to finance the construction of the Foster City Recreation Center rebuild project. On September 3, 2024, the City Council, by unanimous decision, awarded the construction contract to BHM Construction. On September 16, 2024, the Recreation Center closed to the public and all services and classes were moved to the VIBE Teen Center and Community Center. On November 18, 2024 the old Recreation Center building was demolished and on December 18 2024, the community was invited to a groundbreaking ceremony in Leo J. Ryan Park to celebrate the construction of a new Foster City Parks Master Plan: The City Council awarded a Professional Services Agreement to Wallace Roberts & Todd Design, LLC (WRT) on May 6, 2024, to provide professional planning and consultant support services for the Parks Master Plan Project. The scope of services for this project includes the Master Plan preparation, an inventory and assessment report, project management, development and execution of a public involvement process, working closely with staff to prepare the Plan, and creating a document for distribution to the public. A Park Needs Assessment was started in August 2024, and a project website was created (www.fostercity.org/parksmasterplan) to keep the public Resolution No. P - 3 - 25
informed on progress. Pop-up events and focus groups were held from October to November 2024 and a Parks Master Plan Task Force was formed and met in October 2024. A community statistically valic survey was conducted in December 2024 and a public workshop is set to take place in early 2025. (LUC-L-5-a & PC-d)
• Safety Element
• Levee Protection Planning and Improvements - Construction of the Levee Protection Planning and Improvements Project (CIP 327-657) was completed in February 2024. The Levee Project is designed to be resilient to the year 2100. (S-3.4)
Crime Prevention/Education - In 2024, the Police Department (PD) continued to provide a variety of crime prevention programs to educate and involve the community. (S-1.10)
• Social Media - In 2024, social media was used to provide crime alerts, crime prevention tips, traffic information and safety tips to the Foster City community. Residential and Commercial Crime Prevention surveys were conducted.
The City's Mental Health Clinician supported community members during various calls throughout 2024.
• Drake, the community service dog, and his handler attended 75 events throughout 2024, offering comfort and a calming presence to those in need, while also engaging with the public.
• PD attended the Foster City 4th of July Celebration and the Summer Days Event.
• Throughout the year, PD also performed routine school safety checks during school days.
Mandated reporter training was provided to Foster City Parks ar creation summer camp counselo
• Depalaboratisted the antica National Night ouP Events, Leo PRyan Park on August 6, 2024.
• Foster City Civics Academy - On September 26, 2024, PD presented at the Foster City Civics Academy, providing an overview of the department, its services, and a tour of the Police station.
On October 5, 2024, the annual Foster City Open House was hel ffering tours of the Police Department and highlighting the variou functions and specialties within the agency.
• On October 15, 2024, PD took part in the VISA "Preparathon" event. • In December 2024, PD participated in Bike Safety Day at Beach Park Elementary School.
• PD offered tours of the Department for student groups and "Meet the Mayor" groups.
Resolution No. P - 3 - 25
• Conservation Element
• Water Quality - In 2024, as part of CIP405-660 - Water Tanks and Facilities Improvements Project, mixers were installed in each of the three 4-million gallon steel water tanks to stabilize water quality and temperatures inside tanks, reducing the rate of degradation of the chlorine residual, to deliver more consistent water quality. (C-e)
• Reduction in Automobile Trips - The City continues to promote regional events such as the Great Race for Clean Air and Bike to Work Day, as well as promoting Commute.org. The Climate Action Plan 2024 Update includes neasures and actions to reduce vehicle miles travelled commuting to work b encouraging alternate means of transportation beyond Single-Occupanc Vehicles. (C-m)
• Solar Heating and Cooling: In 2024, 65 solar permits and 39 EV charging station permits were issued. (C-p)
• Housing Element - Housing Element 2023-31 was adopted by the City Council on May 22, 2023 and revisions were adopted on March 20, 2024. The City received notification from the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) on February 2, 2024, that the proposed revisions to the Housing Element met the statutory requirements of the State Housing Element Law. On April 18, 2024, the Foster City Housing Element 2023-2031 was certified by the California HCD.
• SB 9 Objective Design Standards - On November 4, 2024, the City Council adopted Ordinance 683 amending Title 17, "Zoning" of the Foster City Municipal Code, adding a new Chapter 17.79 Two-Unit Developments and Urban Lot Splits. (H-D-6-f)
• Preapproved ADU/JADU Designs and Expedited Review - On August 5, 2024, the City Council approved Resolution 2024-80, adopting the four (4) Green and Livable Accessible Dwelling Unit Resource (GLADUR) Pre-reviewed designs for detached accessory dwelling units (ADUs) prepared by the Housing Endowment and Regional Trust of San Mateo County (HEART). In addition, pursuant to AB 1332, the City established a program for preapproval of ADU On October 15, 2024, and October 23, 2024, staff held ADU Information Sessions on ADUs/JADUs for all homeowners' associations to attend. (H-D-4- • Multi-Family Objective Design Standards - Ordinances 673 and 674 were adopted by the City Council on January 16, 2024, amending Title 17, "Zoning" by adding a new Chapter 17.96 Multifamily and Residential Mixed Use Objective Design and Development Standards and making revisions to various Chapters including 17.12 R-1 Single Family Residence District; Definitions; 17.14 R-2 Two Family Residence District; 17.16 R-T Townhouse Residence District; 17.18 R-3 Medium Density Multiple-Family Residence District; 17.20 R-4 High Density Multiple-Family Residence District; 17.26, C-2 General Business District; 17.28 C-M Commercial Mix District; 17.36 PD Planned Development Combining District; 17.58 Architectural Control and Resolution No. P - 3 - 25
• Accessory Dwelling Units - On September 18, 2023, the City Council approved pdates to Chapter 17.78 of Municipal Code to comply with 2023 State law n December 2, 2024, City Council adopted Ordinance 684, amendin Chapter 17.78, Accessory Dwelling Units, to include objective design standards for ADUs and to comply with recently adopted state laws. (H-D-4-a) • ADU/JADU Financial Incentive Program - In 2024, the City applied for the State _ocal Housing Trust Fund NOFA and award results are still pending. The Program Guidelines were approved by the City Council on September 3, 2024 by adoption of Resolution 2024-94. (H-D-4-b)
• Rental Housing Assistance Information - Staff created and updated multiple webpages for information and resources on fair housing, funding, housing legislation, rental below market rate units, etc. (H-C-4-a) • Anti-Displacement Strategy - On September 16, 2024, a City Council Study Session was held on the Anti Displacement Strategy, and by Minute Order, the City Council provided policy direction to establish Anti-Displacement Strategy as a mandate for BMR landlords/property managers and codify the strategies in an Ordinance. (H-C-3-b)
• Amend Parking Requirements - On January 16, 2024, the City Council adopted Ordinance 674, making revisions to various Chapters, including 17.62, requirements for multi-family housing as necessary,
including but not limited to reducing guest parking requirements by 50% and establishing bicycle parking requirements for residential uses, to allow General Plan densities and to reduce housing costs. On December 2. 2024, the City adopted Ordinance 684, amending Chapter 17.62 to provide appropriate parking requirements for special needs populations. (H-D-6-c and LUC-G-1-a)
• Adequate Water Supply - On May 1, 2023, the EMID approved a new Chapter
8.90, Water Neutrality Growth, to the EMID Municipal Code and in 2024, developed guidelines for implementation of the Ordinance. EMID has Water Conservation ordinances and offers water conservation rebates to all water customers (residential and commercial) and actively promotes rebates. (H-A- 4-a)
• Age Friendly Initiative - On June 5, 2023, Council accepted the Age-Friendly City Initiative Three-Year Action Plan by Minute Order No. 1922. Agreement for Age-Friendly Action Plan Consultant Services was executed. Staff worked with the Consultant to draft an Action Plan based on stakeholder survey input. In November 2023, the Association of Retired Persons (AARP) reviewed and approved a submitted draft of Foster City's AFC Initiative Action Plan. The City's AFC plan was approved by the City Council on January 16. 2024.
As part of this effort, the Parks and Recreation Department held outreach meetings with providers in 2024. Staff opted to have one-on-one meetings rather than a roundtable due to low turnout at prior meetings and at the request of providers.
In an effort to enhance programming for seniors in the community, the Parks and Recreation Department hosted a Senior Showcase, offered free activities like Drop-in Cards and Bingo, organized trips and seminars, and provided a Resolution No. P - 3 - 25
designated senior seating area at the 2024 annual Tree Lighting Ceremony. (H-F-1-h)
• Continue to Monitor Expiration of Affordability Covenants - Staff reviewed the expiration dates for all rental affordability covenants, and none will expire within the next 5 years. In the 2024 General Plan APR, staff listed the seven (7) ownership units in Emerald Bay as one of the affordability covenants that will expire by 2026. (H-C-2-b)
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission finds that preparation of the General Plan Annual Report is not a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378, and is also exempt from CEQA under the CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3), Common Sense Exemption; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission considered and reviewed the General Plan Annual Progress Report at the Planning Commission Regular Meeting on February 20, 2025.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Planning Commission of the City of Foster City, has reviewed and investigated the General Plan Annual Progress Report in onformance with Government Code Section 65400(a) and based on facts and analysis in th taff Report, written and oral testimony, and exhibits presented recommends that the City Counc accept the Annual Progress Report on the General Plan for 2024 as attached hereto.
Resolution No. P - 3 - 25
PASSED AND ADOPTED as a Resolution of the City of Foster City Planning Commission at the Regular Meeting thereof held on February 20, 2025, by the following vote:
AYES, COMMISSIONERS: Kenkre, Pedro, Stoveland, and Chair Haddad NOES, COMMISSIONERS:
ABSENT, COMMISSIONERS: Jagtiani
ABSTAIN, COMMISSIONERS:
Nicolas Haddad
Nicolas Haddad (Feb 21, 2025 22:16 PST)
NICOLAS HADDAD, CHAIR
ATTEST:
Sofia Mangalam
SOFIA MANGALAM, SECRETARY