General Plan Annual Progress Report 2022
Hercules City Council
05/23/2023
General Plan
The General Plan is a vision of how the City of Hercules will grow and reflects the values and priorities of the community.
California state law requires each city and county to adopt a general plan “for the physical development of the county or city, and any land outside its boundaries which in the planning agency’s judgment bears relation to its planning” (Gov. Code § 65300).
Government Code Section 65400 and 65700 mandates that all cities and counties submit an annual report on the status of the General Plan and progress in implementing its Goals, Objectives, and Policies. 2 General Plan Element Review
3 Element
Adopted
Amended
Related Plans
Land Use*
1998
2008
Waterfront District Master Plan
New Pacific Properties Specific Plan
Regulating Code for the Central Hercules Plan
Circulation*
2018
Housing*
2015
Housing Element 2023 - 2031
Open Space* & Conservation*
1998
2015
(AB 162)
Refugio Creek Watershed Vision Plan
Safety*
2021
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
Noise*
1998
Hazardous Waste Management Plan
1990
2008
Economic Development
1991
Growth Management
2013
Contra Costa County Measure J
* Required Element
Recent Amendments
GPA #09-02 amended the General Plan by rezoning approximately 2.6 acres of the Waterfront District from Residential Single-Family Low-Density (RS-L) to Historic Town Center (HTC) as part of the Hercules Bayfront Project.
GPA #13-02 amended Growth Management Element for Compliance with Measure J.
GPA #15-01, adopted Housing Element 2015-2023 and amended portions of the Safety and the Open Space/Conservation Elements of the General Plan.
GPA #17-01 changed the Land Use designation for the 6.75-acre Safeway site. The GPA changed the land use designation from New Town Center (NTC) to General Commercial (GC) GPA #17-02 changed Land Use designation for approximately 8.88 acres of the Sycamore Crossing project site from General Commercial (GC) to Planned Commercial–Residential (P-CR) and Public/Semi-Public Open Space (P/SP-OS). 8/05/20XX
4 Specific Plans and Planned Developments
New Specific Properties Specific Plan
Waterfront District Master Plan
Central Hercules Plan
Major Projects
Bayfront (Waterfront)
The Exchange – A mixed-use 4-story transit-oriented development for 172 multi-family residential units and 12,000 square feet of retail space.
The Grand – A mixed-use 4-story transit-oriented development of 232 multi-family residential units (including 24 affordable units), and 12,000 square feet of amenity space.
The Mint – A 4-6 story transit-oriented development of 387 multi-family residential units (including 23 affordable units).
Hill Town
A mixed-use commercial and residential development consisting of up to 598 attached multi-family residential units and 4,200 square feet of neighborhood commercial uses.
Sycamore Crossing
A mixed-use commercial and residential development of 29,511 square feet of commercial uses, a four-story, 105-room hotel and up to 120 attached residential dwellings. 8/05/20XX
6 Major Projects
Franklin Canyon
A redevelopment project of the Franklin Canyon Golf Course with 158 RV spaces, 22 walk-in tent bungalow campsites, clubhouse, putting course, and approximately 70 acres deeded as open space to John Muir Land Trust.
Owl Ranch
A residential subdivision consisting of 40 single-family residential lots, including 1 deed restricted low income and 1 deed restricted median-income inclusionary residence.
The Hercules Hub
The Hercules Hub is a regional, state-of-the-art housing and transportation development on the Hercules Waterfront. It will connect thousands of housing units with a new train stop along the Capitol Corridor, bicycle and pedestrian pathways, bus routes, carpool options, and future ferry service. 8/05/20XX
7 Land Use Element (1998)
The Land Use Element envisions the future of Hercules
Amended in 2008 by the “Waterfront Master Plan Initiative” Land Use Map has been amended related to specific projects Comprehensive update recommended
8/05/20XX
8 Circulation Element (2018)
Comprehensive update to the 1998 Circulation Element
Compliant with Complete Streets Act (AB 1358)
Consistent with and implements other regional plans, including Plan Bay Area, Regional Transportation Improvement Program, Countywide Comprehensive Transportation Plan, Countywide Congestion Management Program, Countywide Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan, and Measure J Transportation and Growth Management Program 8/05/20XX
9 Housing Element (2015-2023)
State-mandated 8-year update cycle
Housing Element APR submitted yearly
Must plan for city’s “fair share” of regional housing needs (regional housing needs allocation or RHNA) RHNA projects population growth to determine housing and affordability needs to estimate number of units are needed. 2023 – 2031 Housing Element is currently under review with HCD 8/05/20XX
10 Income Level
RHNA Allocation
Total Progress
Through 2022
Remaining Allocation
Very Low
Deed Restricted
220
0 220
Non-Deed Restricted
Low
Deed Restricted
118
16 102
Non-Deed Restricted
Moderate
Deed Restricted
100
217
0 Non-Deed Restricted
Above Moderate
244
760
0 Total
682
993
322
Open Space & Conservation Element (1998)
Amended in 2015 with the 5th Cycle Housing Element to comply with AB 162 AB 162 requires Conservation and Safety Elements to consider flooding and hydrology Parks and Recreation Facilities Master Plan anticipated to be adopted in 2023 Comprehensive update recommended to reflect changed conditions and conservation projects 8/05/20XX
11 Safety Element (2021)
Comprehensive update to the 1998 Safety Element
The Safety Element includes general hazard, risk reduction, and avoidance strategies; climate change vulnerability and measures to address those vulnerabilities; emergency response priorities; and comprehensive hazard mitigation to minimize disruption and expedite recovery following disasters.
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
8/05/20XX
12 Noise Element (1998)
The Noise Element analyzes and quantifies, to the extent practicable, current and projected noise levels in the community and must consider noise levels from; Highways/freeways
Arterial & major local streets
Passenger/freight railroad
Rapid transit systems
Commercial and military aviation and airport operations Local industrial plants
Other local noise contributing sources
13 Hazardous Waste Element (1990)
Not a required element
Since 1990, industrial production and storage of hazardous materials has ceased, and large areas of legacy contamination have been cleaned up.
Amended in 2008 by the “Waterfront Master Plan Initiative” to acknowledge hazardous waste clean-up activities in the Waterfront District since 1985.
A comprehensive update or review of the continued need for element, would be beneficial in prioritizing the use of City resources. 14 Economic Development Element (1991)
Not a required element
Since the Economic Development Element was prepared and adopted, major developments have altered the City’s economic situation significantly 2022 Covid-relief funding helped develop and implement new economic development programs Comprehensive update recommended
15 Growth Management Element (2013)
Not a required state element
Required by Measure J
Growth Management Element was updated in 2013 to comply with the requirements of the Measure J Growth Management Program (GMP). 16 Compliance
17 Element
Recommendation
Update Timeline
Land Use* (1998)
Comprehensive update to remain relevant given changed conditions Over 20 years old
Reflect recent plans/projects
Consider development feasibility absent redevelopment power Not programed
Circulation* (2018)
Element is compliant
Not programed
Housing* (2015)
Element will be compliant when adopted
Currently being updated for 2023
Open Space* & Conservation* (1998)
Comprehensive update to remain relevant given changed conditions Over 20 years old
Reflect Parks & Recreation Facilities Master Plan recommendations Climate change policies
Not programed
Safety* (2021)
Element is compliant
Climate Change
Not programed
Noise* (1998)
Comprehensive update to remain relevant given changed conditions Over 20 years old
Not programed
Hazardous Waste Management Plan (1990)
Comprehensive update to remain relevant given changed conditions Over 20 years old
Not programed
Economic Development (1991)
Comprehensive update to remain relevant given changed conditions Over 20 years old
Not programed
Growth Management (2013)
Periodic updates in accordance with Measure J
Not programed
General Plan elements mostly comply with OPR’s 2017 General Plan Guidelines.
Some elements and topics could be updated to further the community’s vision, improve usability, and remain relevant. *Required Element
8/05/20XX
The Community Development Department continues to evaluate the process and budget to undertake a comprehensive update to the current General Plan.
A comprehensive update would provide the opportunity to make the entire General Plan current, consistent and compliant with state laws and guidelines. 18 Comprehensive GP Update
Recommended Action
City Council: Direct Staff to submit the 2022 General Plan Annual Progress Report to HCD and OPR. 8/05/20XX
19