1. Submitted REAP 2.0 HIT Application — Fresno City Council, January 19, 2023

Regional Early Action
Planning Grants of 2021
(REAP 2.0)
Full Application for the Higher Impact Transformative (HIT) Allocation State of California
Governor Gavin Newsom

A complete, signed, original application.

A fully executed resolution authorizing application for, and receipt of, REAP 2.0 funds (template available as a download on REAP 2.0 webpage) A fully executed Government Taxpayer ID Form (available as a download on REAP 2.0 webpage)
Sample invoice for grant amount (template available as a download on REAP 2.0 webpage)
Any additional applicable supporting documentation, as needed (e.g., scope of work, project timeline, etc.)
Pursuant to Section 301 of the REAP 2.0 Guidelines, in order to be considered for funding, all applicants must submit a complete, signed application to [email protected] by December 31, 2022 with the following documentation:

REAP 2.0 Application Packaging Instructions
The applicant is applying to the Department of Housing and Community Development (Department) for a grant authorized under the Regional Early Action Planning Grants of 2021 (REAP 2.0) provisions pursuant to Health and Safety Code Sections 50515.06 through 50515.10. The REAP 2.0 Higher Impact Transformative (HIT) Allocation is intended to make funding available to regional entities including Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs), rural counties, and tribal entities on a competitive basis to support novel, unique or innovative approaches that are scalable and that further REAP 2.0’s Goals and Objectives.

REAP 2.0 makes funding available to meet the state’s Housing and equity goals, reduce Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) Per Capita, and advance implementation of the region’s Sustainable Communities Strategy (SCS) or Alternative Planning Strategy, as applicable.

Please refer to the REAP 2.0 Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) and HIT Program Guidelines for detailed information on eligible activities, applicants, and awards. If you have questions regarding this application or REAP 2.0, email [email protected].

If approved for funding, the REAP 2.0 application is incorporated as part of your Standard Agreement with the Department. To be considered for funding, all sections of this application, including attachments and exhibits if required, must be complete and accurate.

REAP Amount Other Non-REAP
Amounts Total Amount
Total budget for all Proposed Uses: #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! Activity Type Activity
No. Activity Title REAP Amount Other Non-REAP
Amounts Total Amount
Proposed Use 1
Upgrade Water and Wastewater
Infrastructure in High Speed Rail
Station Area
$ 10,000,000.00 $ 15,060,000.00 $ 25,060,000.00 Subtask 1.1
Project Startup and Grant
Administration $ 10,000.00 $ 10,000.00 Subtask 1.2 En
gineering Design and Bidding $ 1,000,000.00 $ 1,000,000.00 Subtask 1.3 Construction $ 9,000,000.00 $ 15,000,000.00 $ 24,000,000.00 Subtask 1.4 Pro
ject Closeout $ 50,000.00 $ 50,000.00 FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
Proposed Use 2 #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF!
#REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! See Proposed Use tab. #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! See Proposed Use tab. #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! See Proposed Use tab. #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! See Proposed Use tab. #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! See Proposed Use tab. #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! See Proposed Use tab. #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! See Proposed Use tab. #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! See Proposed Use tab. #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! See Proposed Use tab.

Proposed Use 3 #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF!
#REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! See Proposed Use tab. #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! See Proposed Use tab. #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! See Proposed Use tab. #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! See Proposed Use tab. #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! See Proposed Use tab. #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! See Proposed Use tab. #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! See Proposed Use tab. #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! See Proposed Use tab. #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! See Proposed Use tab.

Proposed Use 4 #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF!
#REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! See Proposed Use tab.

B. Application Budget Overview
Health & Safety Code 50515.08(c)(1)(A) & Guidelines 301(A)(1-3) In the space below, provide a high-level proposal description summary for the REAP 2.0 program proposal (500 word limit).

Our proposal is to rehabilitate and upgrade water and sewer infrastructure to support increased housing density near the future High Speed Rail (HSR) Station in downtown Fresno. The improvements will accelerate infill development that will provide greater housing supply, choice, and affordability.

Nearly a century ago, the majority of the City of Fresno (City) population lived in or near downtown. However, with the spike in growth following the second world war primarily through the construction of single-family homes and commuting through personal vehicles, the population began to abandon the downtown in favor of neighborhoods on the edges. Following decades of a similar pattern of growth, the City now recognizes the need to create higher density neighborhoods centralized around services, job centers, and retail. While the City has started to emphasize infill development throughout the downtown, the development of the nation’s first HSR Station provides a major opportunity to make the City’s vision a reality.

The HSR Station is located in the heart of the downtown, within walking distance to multiple governmental agencies, bus and rail transit centers, and entertainment venues. The City has already made attempts to redevelop the nearby area, such as with the construction of The Monarch, a four-story infill housing community with 57 units of quality, affordable housing, and approximately 4,700 square feet of mixed-use commercial space. However, further development is on pause due to the limits of the water and sewer infrastructure. Current water and sewer infrastructure in the area is significantly aged and was designed to support lower density housing. Before any additional housing developments can be initiated, the City must first:
(1)Conduct a detailed hydraulic analysis of the planned water demands and sewer flows through the area with the planned high-density developments (2)Design the necessary water and sewer facilities to support planned growth based on the hydraulic analysis (3)Upgrade existing water and sewer facilities through a mixture of rehabilitating existing pipelines where appropriate and replacing others with upsized pipelines to provide the necessary capacity
With appropriate water and sewer facilities in place, the City can proceed with planned development around the future HSR Station. Following execution of this project, the City will jumpstart the production of infill housing at capacities that help balance supply and demand to increase affordability. The resulting water and sewer facility improvements and infill housing will act as investments for underserved neighborhoods, including formerly redlined neighborhoods. Furthermore, the proximity of future housing to the City’s primary bus and rail transit centers, major job corridors, and retail, residents can thrive without needing a car, thereby reducing vehicle miles traveled.

Unfortunately with 23% of households living in poverty and the great majority below the California median income level the City is challenged financi ally to Note: This tab will autopopulate using your responses under the "Proposed Use" tabs. Do not type your responses directly into this tab. #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! See Proposed Use tab. #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! See Proposed Use tab. #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! See Proposed Use tab. #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! See Proposed Use tab. #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! See Proposed Use tab. #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! See Proposed Use tab. #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! See Proposed Use tab. #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! See Proposed Use tab.

Proposed Use 5 #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF!
c. Geographic Equity
d. Appropriate blends of planning and implementation activities Our proposal is to invest in infrastructure upgrades that are needed to increase housing capacity near the future High Speed Rail station in downtown Fresno. Current infrastructure is not able to handle the capacity that is envisioned for the area and this serves as a barrier to creating the nation's first High Speed Rail Neighborhood.

This proposal is based on several planning efforts that involved significant community outreach, including the Station Area Master Plan, the Downtown Neighborhoods Community Plan, and the Fulton Corridor Specific Plan. Through each of these focused plans as well as the City's General Plan, there is support to add transit-connected housing to Downtown, to transform it into a vibrant job hub and entertainment center, while incorporating all the everyday amenities that are part of a complete neighborhood.

Through this proposal we will achieve the production of infill housing at capacities that help balance supply and demand to increase affordability. It will also reduce housing construction costs, which can support lower costs to future residents. It will invest resources into underserved neighborhoods, including formerly redlined neighborhoods, and will help community vision beome reality. Finally, through the proximity of future housing to both the Cit
y's main bus hub and High Speed Rail, it will reduce VMT by helping to eliminate the C. Program Priorities
Guidelines 301(A)(1)
Use the space below to identify your program priorities. In your response, include the following:
i. How each priority was determined by outreach
ii. How priorities reflect and are consistent with:
a. REAP 2.0 Goals and Objectives
b. Inter- and Intra-regional coordination

X
X
X
X
X
X
Proposed Use Details, Timeline, and Budge
t
Activity Type Activity No. Activity Title
Proposed Use 1
Upgrade Water and
Wastewater Infrastructure
in High Speed Rail
Station Area
Subtask 1.1
Project Startup and Grant
Administration
Subtask 1.2 Engineering Design and
Biddin
g
Subtask 1.3 Construction
Subtask 1.4 Project Closeout
Activity Type Activity No. Estimated Start Date Estimated End Date
REAP 2.0
Amount
Other Non-REAP

2.0 Amounts Total Amount
Proposed Use 1 9/1/2023 3/30/2026 $ 10,000,000.00 $ 15,060,000.00 $ 25,060,000.00 Subtask 1.1 9/1/2023 11/30/2023 $ 10,000.00 $ 10,000.00 Subtask 1.2 12/1/2023 3/31/2024 $ 1,000,000.00 $ 1,000,000.00 Subtask 1.3 4/1/2024 12/31/2024 $ 9,000,000.00 $ 15,000,000.00 $ 24,000,000.00 Subtask 1.4 1/1/2025 12/31/2025 $ 50,000.00 $ 50,000.00 0 3/30/2026 FALSE
0 3/30/2026 FALSE
0 FALSE
0 FALSE
0 FALSE
D. Threshold Requiriements - Proposed Use #1
HSC 50515.08(c)(1)(E) , HSC 50515.08(G), & Guidelines 203 Threshold Requirement C: The application shall reference one or more of the following categories of allowable uses of the funds (check one or more):

Accelerating infill development that facilitates housing supply, choice, and affordability.

Supporting residents through realizing multimodal communities.

Threshold Requirement A and B: The application must reference all of the following categories of allowable uses of the funds (check one or more):

Providing direct benefits for and within Disadvantaged and Historically Underserved Communities Improving place based strategies to encourage community revitilization that positively impact Disadvantaged and Historical Underserved Communities Reducing driving through shifting travel behavior.

Increasing transit ridership
Include high-level tasks, major sub-tasks (e.g. project milestones like construction groundbreaking, funds fully expended, etc.), REAP 2.0 budget amounts, beginning and end dates, and deliverables. For sub-tasks including Housing predevelopment costs, provide a schedule of actions including all steps necessary for project completion.

Deliverables Notes
Updgraded water and wastewater insfrastructure near
the High Speed Rail Station
Grant agreement adopted by the City Council detailing the City's financial contributions and commitment to
completing the project
(1) 30%, 60%, and 90% Design Plans and Specificaitons
(2) 100% Construction Documents for Bidding
(1) Updgrade water and sewer infrastructure
Any reports and submittals as required by grant
Question 2: Explain how the Proposed Use Use improves place-based strategies to positively impact Disadvantaged and Historically Underserved Communities and encourage community revitalization. Note: place-based strategies generally focus on investments in a strategic location to conserve and improve assets. Examples include but are not limited to: targeted investments in neighbhorhood revitalization, developing, preserving, or rehabilitating affordable housing, preventing displacement, and improving access to community amenities. [Threshold Requirement B] As demonstrated in the attached figure entitled, “Site Location and Income”, the project area is located entirely within census tracts with median annual household incomes below $37,000. Similarly, the census tracts within a 1.5-mile radius of the project area have median annual household incomes below $37,000. The High Speed Rail station is located in a neighborhood in downtown known as Chinatown, which is a historic cultural hub and settlement for people who came to Fresno from across the world, but who were not allowed to live on the other side of the tracks. In fact, before redlining and before Highway 99 devastated Chinatown, the railroad served as the longstanding dividing line. As a result of these multiple barriers, there has been significantly less investment in Chinatown and the nearby area than in other parts of the city.

With the upgraded water and sewer infrastructure that will accelerate infill development and affordable housing, these underserved neighborhoods will get the benefits they’ve long been waiting for. As shown in the attached figures entitled “Water Mains by Diameter” and “Sewer Main by Diameter”, Chinatown has many vacant lots that can transform into mixed-use housing and retail opportunities. The City and community desire to work together to repair the fabric of this neighborhood and we must do so with the acknowledgement that the harm was due to past City and State decisions that caused this fabric to painfully tear in the first place. Thus, this grant is highly appropriate to re-seed that investment that back into Chinatown.

Upgrading infrastructure in the High Speed Rail Station Area will serve to implement many place-based strategies that have come forward as a result of multiple planning efforts for Downtown. One such solution to emerge from those strategy sessions is The Monarch, a four-story infill housing community with 57 units of quality, affordable housing, and approximately 4,700 square feet of mixed-use commercial space. Recently constructed, families have already begun to move in. The City expects to Question 1: Explain how the Proposed Use directly benefits and is located in Disadvantaged and Historically Underserved Communities. [Threshold Requirement A] The Project Area is located entirely within the Plan Area for the Fulton Corridor Specific Plan (Specific Plan, see attached). The Specific Plan is the result of an intense public process which involved residents, business owners, and property owners of the Plan Area in a series of public meetings and a six-day, open, participatory Design Workshop. The evolution of this plan was based on extensive community input throughout all phases of planning.

Key takeaway messages from the community as highlighted in the Specific Plan include:
•“Revitalize Chinatown in conjunction with the proposed High-Speed Rail station” •"Infill Chinatown's many vacant lots with sensitively scaled, mixed-use, pedestrian-friendly buildings that accommodate a variety of uses." •"Prioritize adaptive reuse of Fresno's unique, older buildings, including those listed on the Local, State, and National historic registers." •"Infill vacant land rather than tearing down distinctive, older buildings or relocating businesses to the suburbs." •"Encourage the development of a dense combination of hotel, office, residential, and retail uses near the proposed HSR station." •“Establish F Street as Chinatown’s “Main Street,” a street that accommodates local serving shops and restaurants and provides a safe and pleasant environment for shoppers.”
The vision the community has for the HSR Station Area is to serve both as a regional destination with retail and office uses while being a vibrant neighborhood with plentiful residential options. However, these visions of revitalization won’t occur without the water and sewer infrastructure to support it.

Question 3: Explain how the Proposed Use advances all Program goals and objectives, meets the definition of a Transformative Planning or Implementation Activity, and provides a significant beneficial impact. [Threshold Requirement C] The City envisions greater infill development of both affordable and market rate housing in the Project Area; however, further development is impeded by deteriorating and undersized water and sewer infrastructure. Once improved, the City will be uninhibited from planning, permitting, and constructing housing projects that meet the Program goals and objectives and significant benefit the Historically Underserved and Disadvantaged Communities. More specific responses are provided below:

Accelerating Infill Development that Facilitates Housing Supply, Choice, and Affordability – Water and sewer infrastructure investment allows additional housing development to become more feasible, adding much-needed housing supply to meet demand. The increased supply helps keep housing costs more affordable.

Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) – The City has already partnered with various developers to develop multiple affordable and market rate housing developments throughout the Project Area. The integration of both affordable and market rate units reduces economic segregation encourages diversity amongst our community members. The City plans to continue that model should the water and sewer infrastructure be improved to further such development.

Reducing VMT – The Project Area is centered around the High-Speed Rail Station, borders the Fresno Area Express Transit Center (i.e. buses), and contains more and more retail. The growing densification has brought more amenities, allowing residents to operate more independently without cars or abandon them altogether. To achieve further densification through additional infill housing projects, the water and sewer infrastructure must first be upgraded.

Furthermore, the Proposed Use meets the definition of a Transformative Planning or Implementation Activity:

Question 4: Significant beneficial impacts must lead to substantial changes in land use patterns and travel behaviors. Explain how the Proposed Use effects: rates of change (e.g., percent increase over a baseline), the magnitude of impact relative to reasonable variables or applicable targets, the effects on meeting or achieving a proportion of need or needs, or the differences in effects or outcomes relative to past trends, policies, and practices. [Threshold Requirement C] The City of Fresno anticipates approximately 3,000 new housing units to be constructed in the HSR Station environs, either through the construction of new infill housing developments or through the adaptive reuse of historic buildings in the downtown that have sat vacant for decades. To be more precise, the majority of new housing developments would occur in the Chinatown neighborhood, which is located on the West side of the Project area. Vacant lots are visible in the attached figures entitled, “Water Mains by Diameter” and “Sewer Main by Diameter”. The majority of the adaptive reuse projects are on the East side of the Project area. The combined effect of the two housing approaches will transform the land use in the downtown from primarily medium to low density residential or commercial property to higher density mixed residential-commercial. The Proposed Use would lead to the following impacts:

Rate of Change – No further developments beyond those currently planned are in the pipeline due to the limitations of the water and sewer infrastructure. Therefore, anticipated rate of change without the Proposed Use will be 0%. The population of the downtown will approximately triple by 2035 with the planned housing development, assuming the proper water and sewer infrastructure is installed, representing a growth rate of approximately 8.8%.

Magnitude of impact relative to reasonable variables or applicable targets – As stated previously, the City is anticipating 3,000 new housing units in the HSR Station environs by 2035, the majority of which is located in the Project Area. To achieve that project goal, approximately 230 new units would need to be constructed each year.

Again, to achieve such ambitious growth, the proper water and sewer facilities much first be in place.

Effects on meeting or achieving a proportion of need or needs – The additional of both market rate and affordable housing will greatly alleviate the housing burden on a Question 5 [Only fill out if applicable]: If Proposed Uses combine eligible uses with other non-REAP 2.0 efforts, including planning and implementation (e.g., other funding sources), applicants must demonstrate a reasonable relationship to these efforts, including timing and completion of the Proposed Use.

The City has estimated that the total cost of the project to be $25 million, with approximately $1 million needed for the hydraulic analysis, engineering, and administration and the remaining $24 million needed for construction activities. Because the cost of infrastructure planning and construction will exceed the amount available through the grant, the City will need to supplement the $10 million requested in this grant with approximately $15,000,000 from the water and wastewater enterprise funds.

The planned annual capital infrastructure project (CIP) expenditures for the water enterprise fund are between $40 and $50 million each of the next five years, whereas the planned annual CIP expenditures for the wastewater enterprise fund are between $50 and $90 million each of the next five years. Therefore, the Proposed Use cost of $25 million would encompass a significant portion of the CIP budgets. As such, outside funding through the REAP HIT grant is needed so as to not underfund or defer projects at other water and sewer facilities.

It is not anticipated that other non-REAP grants would be utilized to fund the Proposed Use. Instead, the City would make the necessary water and wastewater enterprise funds available to complete construction of the water and sewer infrastructure improvements.

Recommend Award
Proposed use 1 will be measured by
___.
# housing units (+type, density,
affordability)
$ amount capital investment
added
# ffi & i l
E. Scoring
Guidelines 405(A)
For each scoring area, describe how the proposal furthers the objective or additional consideration.

Please address locational considerations, supporting attributes, and measurable policy outcomes.

Scoring Areas Include: Facilitating higher impact transformative outcomes that demonstrate a new or creative model for achieving program objectives: (up to 180 points) 1A. Accelerating Infill Development that Facilitates Housing Supply, Choice and Affordability (60 points) 1B. Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (60 points) 1C. Reducing Vehicle Miles Traveled (60 points)
Additional Considerations: (up to 320 points) 2A. State Planning Priorities and Other Statewide Objective Alignment (50 points) 2B. Scalability/Transferability (50 points) 2C. Build Long-Term Capacity and Expertise (50 points) 2D.

Locational Considerations could include, but are not limited to, accelerating infill housing development in established community areas, urbanized areas, or areas with transit, population and employment densities; creating a variety of housing types at different levels of affordability; reducing barriers to high density housing, including a mix and intensity of land uses; and more.

The proposed use would accelerate infill housing development in the HSR Station environs, which includes established, but long- underserved community areas. These areas are in the core of the urbanized metropolitan area, which is adjacent to the City's main bus hub. It is an area that lacks adequate population density, but serves as the regional job center. Removing infrastructure as a barrier to housing will help facilitate housing at different scales of affordability and at greater densities than is possible today. (2) Demonstrate how supporting attributes accelerate infill development that facilitates Housing Supply, Choice, and Affordability.

Supporting attributes could include, but are not limited to: addressing job and housing fit, access to housing options and affordability, walkable communities, housing mobility strategies, affordable Housing for Low-income Households, reducing barriers to high density and housing accessibility.

The proposed use will help increase the ability to develop new mixed-use buildings in the regional core of the San Joaquin Valley.

This would include new housing, retail, and office space near the High Speed Rail station. This will increase more housing options, especially in a walkable, bikeable, and busable neighborhoods. Through upgrading the existing infrastructure, the City can significantly reduce barriers to high density housing, which is not possible with the current infrastructure that we have today. (3) Describe measurable policy outcomes for accelerating infill development that facilitates Housing Supply, Choice, and Affordability.

Measurable policy outcomes could include, but are not limited to, increasing the number of Housing Units (total, type, affordable, and per acre), capital investments to support housing development, mix of housing unit types or sizes, increasing land use intensities, number of sites developable for future housing, number of new Housing units supported or provided by the proposed use, and more.

Measurable Outcomes for our proposed use include: # of new housing units; unit type, density, and affordability level; and amount of new capital investments received or leveraged from infrastructure investments.

Outcomes and Units of Measurement for Proposed Use(s)
If needed, Proposed use 2 will be
measured by ___.

If needed, Proposed use 3 will be
measured by ___.

If needed, Proposed use 4 will be
measured by ___.

If needed, Proposed use 5 will be
measured by ___.

Before proposed use 1, the status
quo is ___.
57 units (affordable) built and
54 proposed currently in HSR
station area (considering recent
developments only).

If needed, before proposed use 2,
the status quo is __.

If needed, before proposed use 3,
the status quo is __.

If needed, before proposed use 4,
the status quo is __.

If needed, before proposed use 5,
the status quo is __.

These outcomes are appropriate for
the proposed uses because ___.

The updated infrastructure will
bring the cost of development
down, allowing more housing
and neighborhood uses to
develop in an area that has
interest.

Baseline
Suitability
Measurable Outcome
E. Scoring
Guidelines 405(A)
For each scoring area, describe how the proposal furthers the objective or additional consideration. Please address locational considerations, supporting attributes, and measurable policy outcomes.

Partnerships/Collaboration toward Implementation (40 points) 2E. Readiness (35 points) 2F. Timeliness (35 points) 2G. Community Engagement (20 points) 2H. Needs or Potential for Housing, Infrastructure, VMT Reduction (20 points) 2I. Leveraging other funding (20 points) (3) Describe measurable policy outcomes for AFFH. Measurable Policy Outcomes could include, but are not limited to, increasing the number of new Affordable Housing units, number of existing Housing units continued to be made available and affordable, zoning, permit streamlining, fees, incentives, and other approaches to increase housing choices and affordability, new or enhanced public services and community assets such as parks, schools, active transportation, and other community amenities, Increased access to public services, housing-supportive infrastructure services in areas of concentrated poverty or similar areas # housing units (+type, density, affordability)
# of housing and neighborhood amenities created
# of housing and amenities in an area of concentrated poverty 1B. Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH)
(up to 60 points)
(1) Demonstrate how locational considerations affirmatively further fair housing (AFFH). Locational Considerations could include, but are not limited to: infill areas, housing development in higher resource communities or areas, investment in Disadvantaged and Historically Underserved Communities, etc.

Infrastructure upgrades near the HSR station will help add new housing and other investment to an infill area, in an area with high transit connectivity, and in a historically underserved community. (2) Demonstrate supporting attributes to AFFH. Supporting Attributes could include, but are not limited to: increasing access to housing options and affordability, housing mobility strategies, reducing barriers to high density and housing accessibility for Disadvantaged and Historically Underserved Communities, investments that increase access to walkable communities, expanded transit services, multimodal infrastructure, enhanced pedestrian and bicycle safety measures, and protected pedestrian and bicycle amenities By removing barriers to new housing development in the HSR Station area (which includes Chinatown), it will increase access to housing options, help lower the cost of development which can pass savings to residents, will add housing options for a historically underserved community, all while increasing housing and other amenities within a highly walkable environment that is connected to the City's main bus hub and the future HSR station. It is also an area undergoing improved bike and walking facilities.

Proposed use 1 will be measured
by ___.
# housing units (+type,
density, affordability)
# of housing and
neighborhood amenities
If needed, Proposed use 2 will be
measured by ___.

If needed, Proposed use 3 will be
measured by ___.

If needed, Proposed use 4 will be
measured by ___.

If needed, Proposed use 5 will be
measured by ___.

Before proposed use 1, the status
quo is ___.

If needed, before proposed use 2,
the status quo is __.

If needed, before proposed use 3,
the status quo is __.

If needed, before proposed use 4,
the status quo is __.
57 units (affordable) built and
54 proposed currently in HSR
station area (considering
recent developments only).
1 communit
y plaza
If needed, before proposed use 5,
the status quo is __.

These outcomes are appropriate for
the proposed use because ___.

The updated infrastructure will
bring the cost of development
down, allowing more housing
and neighborhood uses to
develop in an area that has
interest.

Outcomes and Units of Measurement for Proposed Use(s)
Measurable Outcome
Baseline
Suitability
E. Scoring
Guidelines 405(A)
For each scoring area, describe how the proposal furthers the objective or additional consideration.

Please address locational considerations, supporting attributes, and measurable policy outcomes.

Upgrading infrastructure near the High Speed Rail station will allow greater densities than what current capacities would permit.

This means that more people will live near the high speed rail, the main bus hub, and near a variety of neighborhood amenities and employment options, served by a walkable and bikeable grid. This combination will reduce the need to drive frequently or perhaps even own a car.
(2) Demonstrate how supporting attributes reduce VMT. Supporting Attributes could include, but are not limited to: creating walkable communities, expanding transit services, enhancing pedestrian and bicycle safety measures, increasing multimodal infrastructure connections, increasing density
Part of what makes communities walkable are destinations to walk from and to. Through upgrading needed infrastructure, the HSR Station neighborhood will be allowed to developed with a greater amount of housing and daily amenities to enhance the walkable grid that is already in-place.
(3) Describe measurable policy outcomes for VMT reduction. Measurable Policy Outcomes could include, but are not limited to: estimating VMT reduced per capita, number of distinct land uses within the site, number of distinct land uses around the site, number of surrounding connections, mix of housing unit types or sizes, new or enhanced transit services, increasing transit frequencies or ridership, new pedestrian or bicycle pathways, limited off-street parking
Proposed use 1 will be measured by
___.
# housing units (+type, density,
affordability)
# office & commercial space
added
%h i
If needed, Proposed use 2 will be
measured by ___.

If needed, Proposed use 3 will be
measured by ___.

If needed, Proposed use 4 will be
measured by ___.

If needed, Proposed use 5 will be
measured by ___.

Before proposed use 1, the status
quo is ___.
57 units (affordable) built and
54 proposed currently in HSR
station area (considering
recent developments only).

If needed, before proposed use 2,
the status quo is __.

If needed, before proposed use 3,
the status quo is __.

If needed, before proposed use 4,
the status quo is __.

If needed, before proposed use 5,
the status quo is __.

These outcomes are appropriate for
the proposed use because ___.

The updated infrastructure will
bring the cost of development
down, allowing more housing
and neighborhood uses to
develop in an area that has
interest. The proximity to the
HSR station and bus hub and
available amenities downtown
should see a lower than
average car ownership rate /
mode share.

Outcomes and Units of Measurement for Proposed Use(s)
Measurable Outcome
Baseline
Suitability
Please describe how the project will align with State Planning Priorities (as described in Government Code Section 65041.1) and other Statewide objectives. This may include, but is not limited to, how the project will align with propsed uses that are integrated and achieve multiple objectives (e.g., affordability, climate adaptation, drought, equity, hazard mitigation, Infill development, and VMT reduction).

By allowing infrastructure to be upgraded to serve planned higher densities, the proposed use is in line with State Planning Priorities as it: a) promotes infill development and equity through unlocking capacity for new development in underserved neighborhoods, b) allows more housing, jobs, and amenities to be located in the urban core versus increasing pressure to sprawl into Important Farmland, c) encourages efficient development patterns by ensuring that the infrastructure is appropriate to support planned development, and d) improves a transit-served area, which can allow more individuals to choose transit over driving, reducing VMT.

E. Scoring
Guidelines 405(A)
For each scoring area, describe how the proposal furthers the objective or additional consideration.

Please address locational considerations, supporting attributes, and measurable policy outcomes.

Fresno is taking a proactive approach in HSR Station planning and is seeking to be "development ready" prior to the rail becoming operational. Without this needed infrastructure, development will face higher barriers which will slow housing development. Slower housing development near the future station will put greater pressure on existing housing stock and sprawl. By getting housing-ready, Fresno can become a model for other High Speed Rail cities throughout the State. 2B. Scalability/Transferability
E. Scoring
Guidelines 405(A)
For each scoring area, describe how the proposal furthers the objective or additional consideration.

Please address locational considerations, supporting attributes, and measurable policy outcomes.

Partnerships/Collaboration toward Implementation (40 points) 2E. Readiness (35 points) 2F. Timeliness (35 points) 2G. Community Engagement (20 points) 2H. Needs or Potential for Housing, Infrastructure, VMT Reduction (20 points) 2I. Leveraging other funding (20 points) While past experience and other municipal examples show that City-led investment can lead to more public and private investment, the City of Fresno will still track the amount of investment made and funds leverages to be able to measure the impact the proposed use will have. This is importance to understand our return on investment and how appropriate it is to repeat in other neighborhoods that needs infrastructure improvements. This tracking can be made available to other jurisdictions, especially our sister HSR-cities, to help in their decision making efforts. (up to 50 points)
Please describe activities included in the project that will build stability in knowledge and expertise to continue the work toward the objectives of the Proposed Uses. These are including but not limited to facilitating local hiring and local training opportunities, as well as local decision making.

There are two learning outcomes that can result for this process: 1) by measuring the leverage received from direct investment in our infrastructure, decision-makers can better weigh and consider how local resources can be invested advantageously into key transit-corridors and into underserved neighborhoods, 2) the City utilizes local preference in hiring except in exceptional cases. If a local firm is hired to support the infrastructure upgrades this will build local experience that can be exercised regionally.

E. Scoring
Guidelines 405(A)
For each scoring area, describe how the proposal furthers the objective or additional consideration.

Please address locational considerations, supporting attributes, and measurable policy outcomes.

Partnerships/Collaboration toward Implementation (40 points) 2E. Readiness (35 points) 2F. Timeliness (35 points) 2G. Community Engagement (20 points) 2H. Needs or Potential for Housing, Infrastructure, VMT Reduction (20 points) 2I. Leveraging other funding (20 points) 2C. Build Long-Term Capacity and Expertise
(2) If applicable, please explain how partnerships and collaboration in the project will emphasize implementation and outcomes , including involvement and support of final decision makers and approval bodies. (up to 40 points)
(1) Please describe whether the Proposed Uses for the project builds upon existing collaboration or is a collaboration between different neighborhoods, regions, Jurisdictions, governments, or academic institutions The proposed use builds on planning efforts that have occurred across agencies and between the City and its downtown neighborhoods. This would be an important step toward implementation. 2D. Partnerships/Collaboration toward Implementation
E. Scoring
Guidelines 405(A)
For each scoring area, describe how the proposal furthers the objective or additional consideration.

Please address locational considerations, supporting attributes, and measurable policy outcomes.

Having keen collaboration and communication can reduce potential for negative impacts, such as impacts to businesses, general connectivity and addressing historic mistakes to underserved communities.

Please describe how fast Policy Outcomes are anticipated to be achieved with the potential project. (up to 35 points)
Please describe how the project will remove barriers or complete activities that will expedite and facilitate development or completion of Proposed Uses toward Policy Outcomes.

The proposed use will include the needed studies and construction funds to complete water infrastructure upgrades in the HSR Station area. This would help reduce barriers to needed development in the area to realize planning efforts that call for a vibrant and healthy neighborhood.
2F. Timeliness
(up to 35 points)
2E. Readiness
E. Scoring
Guidelines 405(A)
For each scoring area, describe how the proposal furthers the objective or additional consideration.

Please address locational considerations, supporting attributes, and measurable policy outcomes.

The City will work closely with the Chinatown Foundation and the Downtown Partnership to ensure that construction activities will be undertaken with care and concern for the existing people and businesses that are part of the HSR neighborhood.

Having keen collaboration and communication can reduce potential for negative impacts, such as impacts to businesses, general connectivity, and addressing historic mistakes to underserved communities.

E. Scoring
Guidelines 405(A)
For each scoring area, describe how the proposal furthers the objective or additional consideration.

Please address locational considerations, supporting attributes, and measurable policy outcomes.

Posible optional metrics for measuring housing need include, but are not limited to: RHNA, rates of overcrowding, rates of cost burden, homelessness point-in-time (PIT) count, prevalence of substandard housing, or other relevant data sources specific to tribes or rural jurisdictions. Some of this data can be found at https://affh-data-resources-cahcd.hub.arcgis.com Housing development has not kept up with population growth in Fresno. Housing growth, where it has occurred, has traditionally been provided by fringe/greenfield development, not more efficient and climate-friendly infill development. We need to address this key issue of housing need if we want to see a sustainable future for Fresno where residents have a safe and affordable place to live, with access to clean air and walkable streets.

According to the One Fresno Housing Strategy (April 2022), our remaining RHNA is approximately 10,000 units for very low to moderate income level households. Affordable housing tends to need higher densities, such as that planned for the HSR Station. Also, the type of housing that is most needed according to household demographics is more multifamily and single- family attached, which is in-line with the type of housing that is permitted in the HSR Station area. (2) Please describe the degree of need or the potential for infrastructure projects in the jurisdiction, and how this proposal addresses such needs or potential.

Possible optional metrics for measuring infrastructure need include, but are not limited to, local sources of data regarding capcity and coverage for a variety of types of infrastructure needed for housing development.

Our planned housing cannot be support through current infrastructure, hence the need for this project to create the infrastructure upgrades that can handle additional capacity. (4) Please describe the degree of need or the potential for disaster recovery or mitigation projects in the jurisdiction, and how this proposal addresses such needs or potential.

Possible optional metrics for measuring disaster recovery and mitigation could include, but are not limited to, the prevalence of environmental hazards (very high fire hazard severity zone, areas at risk of flooding, etc.); the number of homes lost to a disaster event; an explanation of how the proposed use improves bringing homes and communities in compliance with the latest disaster related building safety standards, improves infrastructure in order to mitigate the impact of disasters or recover from disasters such as upgrading stormwater infrastructure or upgrading infrastructure to increase density, or facilitates the development of strategically located disaster related amenities such as community resilience centers and low carbon transportation to and from these amenities; or other local knowledge. Some of this relevant data can be found at https://egis.fire.ca.gov/FHSZ/ or at https://affh-data- resources-cahcd.hub.arcgis.com.

While Fresno is relatively protected from direct flood and wildfire risk, the contours of the Valley do impose unique hazards related to air quality impacts. Our fog traps pollutants and wildfire smoke can linger, creating unhealthy air impacts in addition to our already burdened PM exposure. Our dependence on automobiles as a primary mode of transportation exacerbates these conditions. One of the key goals of High Speed Rail is to reduce greenhouse gas emmissions, but to be truly beneficial, access to the stations also need to environmentally friendly. In this way our proposed use is in-line with HSR, seeking to create the conditions to reduce auto-reliance, VMT, and auto-emitted GHG. (3) Please describe the degree of need or the potential for VMT reduction projects in the jurisdiction, and how this proposal addresses such needs or potential.

Possible optional metrics for measuring VMT reduction need include, but are not limited to: how the proposed use will improve accessibility to destinations and daily services (i.e. jobs, healthcare, education, grocery, etc.) by public transit, walking, reduced car trips or bicycling through improvements or expansion of transit services, active transportation infrastructure improvements, creation of new programs to reduce single-occupancy vehicle travel, etc. Relevant resources to support may include ridership data and service planning identified in short and long range transit plans, projects and data from active transportation plans, and other local planning efforts which support travel by transit, walking, or bicycling. Tribal/ Rural entities need only find a metric relevant to their specific circumstances. Additionally, resources from the California Air Resources Board (CARB) may be helpful:
https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/our-work/programs/sustainable-communities-program/research-effects-transportation-and-land-use The Census tracts that comprise the HSR Station Area (6019000300, 6019000200, and 6019000100) are all within the Top 25% of CalEnviroScreen 4.0, meaning they face disproportionate pollution burden. By creating a vibrant neighborhood near the HSR station that is also near the City's main bus hub, and which is in an area with a historic, walkable grid, Fresnans will be able to live, work, and play without needing a car. Visitors to Fresno will be able to exit the HSR station and visit their family, friends, or business partners, without needing a car. The first step to reducing VMT and improving our air quality is to invest in this neighborhood through the needed infrastructure improvements. (up to 20 points)
Please describe whether the potential project will utilize additional funding commitments from public and private entities.

The project will utilize additional funding from the City's capital improvement funding in order to complete the project.

E. Scoring
Guidelines 405(A)
For each scoring area, describe how the proposal furthers the objective or additional consideration.

Please address locational considerations, supporting attributes, and measurable policy outcomes.

Fulton Corridor Specific Plan: https://cityoffresno.wpenginepowered.com/darm/wp-c Fresno Station Master Plan: https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/5028833/Fres Financing Valley Infill Report: http://www.councilofinfillbuilders.org/wp-content/uploa [Map] Station Area Income: https://cityoffresno.sharefile.com/d-s15678f46c95f46c08 [Map] Station Area Pollution: https://cityoffresno.sharefile.com/d-s15678f46c95f46c0 [Map] Station Area Fulton Corridor Specific Plan: https://cityoffresno.sharefile.com/d [Map] Station Area Water Systems: https://cityoffresno.sharefile.com/d-se2eaa7007 [Map Station Area Sewer Systems: https://cityoffresno.sharefile.com/d-se2eaa7007

Fresno City CouncilJanuary 19, 2023

Fresno City Council
January 19, 2023