Community Development Update
Hercules City Council
05/13/2025
Community Development Programs
2 Meet the Team
3 Tim Rood
Director
Seana Field
Senior Planner
Shiva Matinpour
CD Specialist
Larissa Alchin
Associate Planner
(contract)
James Jonte
Code Enforcement Officer(contract)
Bob RossWireless planner
(contract)
Peer City Staffing
4 Hercules CDD has a very small Planning staff compared to peer cities
Planning
Long Range Planning
General Plan
Housing Element Update
LHMP Update
Replacement RHNA sites
Resilient Shoreline Plan
Zoning Ordinance Updates
Mandatory Reporting
General Plan
Housing Element
Measure J
LHMP
5 Key Initiative: General Plan Update & EIR
Supports Council’s Strategic Goals:
Land Use Strategy
Economic Development Strategy
Dedicated Funding from Permits
Community Engagement Process
Environmental Impact Report
RFP to be released this summer
2 to 3-Year Timeframe to Adoption
6 Planning
Current Planning:
Use Permits
Design Review Permits
Lot Line Adjustments
Agenda material for Planning Commission/Council
Review Building permits for zoning/permit conformance
Public Information
Wireless applications, permits and leases
Monitoring project compliance (COAs, MMRPs)
7 8
42 Planning permits reviewed
172 housing units proposed
$91,995 received in planning permit fees
$12,644 waived fees for cosponsored events
42 Planning inquiries (July-December)
2024 Planning Permits
Transportation Planning
Hercules Hub
Measure J Biannual reports and presentations
I-80 Alternatives Assessment
SR-4 Corridor Vision
MTC Transit-Oriented Communities Policy
STPG Grant Application
General Plan Circulation Element update
9 A Regional Model for
Transit-Oriented Development
Housing
Adopted 2023-31 Housing Element commits the City to many new programs, including:
Provide affordable housing incentives, outreach and streamlining Support at least one voucher-based housing development project Revise code standards for senior housing, manufactured housing, etc. as needed Expand by-right processes and flexibility for adaptive reuse of nonresidential existing buildings Develop policy and issue NOFA for Housing Asset Funds
Assist in pursuing funding applications for low-income housing projects Provide financial assistance to low-income homeowners for minor repairs 10 Housing Program Highlight: Home Repair
Draft FY 25-26 Budget includes $30,000 to initiate a new home repair program Implements Housing Element Program H1-4: Monitor and Preserve Affordable and At-Risk Housing 11 Designed to improve living conditions and safety of residents in need Use available funding to provide financial assistance for minor repairs of homes owned and occupied by lower-income residents Eligible repairs include a wide variety of essential maintenance such as plumbing, electrical, painting, carpentry, roof repairs and masonry work Partnership with a local nonprofit organization, Rebuilding Together East Bay Network
Building Division
Partnership with County Department of Conservation and Development Intake, completeness check, payment for Planning and Building applications Impact fee collection
Counter service (public information)
Noticing for hearings and decisions
Project accounting and invoicing
12 13
865 building permits issued in 2024
Facilitated $25 million in private investment
$120,796 received in building permit fees
2024 Building Permits
Code Enforcement
In 2024:
114 requests opened
114 requests closed
18 Code cases opened
6 Code cases closed
Open Code Cases
Special Project: Deferred Records Management
Planning permit records from ~1996 to 2011 are paper files stored in a portable building filled with debris Other records are in mixed, unlabeled boxes in the attic These records should be organized, digitized and saved to an accessible permit management system 15 Planning permits are permanent records
These records are important for establishing conditions of approval and providing a basis for evaluating future code enforcement complaints One parcel can have multiple different types of approvals and modifications A land management system is needed to tie permits to parcels
Land Management System Example
16 A land management system is needed to tie permits to parcels
Economic Development
Yiftee program
Business Attraction Grants
SBA Community Builders Network (in progress)
Outreach to Major Employers, Businesses, Brokers, Bayfront Chamber Northern Waterfront Green Empowerment Zone
County Economic Development Group
East Bay EDA Development Directors Council
Council ideas to help businesses
17 Sales Tax Receipts
About $3.7 million collected annually (YE 24Q4)
18 Major Development Projects in Hercules
Owl Ranch
Sycamore Crossing Retail
Blocks K-L-M-P-O
Blocks E-G Hotel
Blocks
A-B-C-D-J
America’s Tire
Emblem (Loop site)
Bayline
Owl Ranch
40 single-family homes on a 7.44-acre site
Developer: D.R. Horton
Sales center and models open
20 Bayfront
A total of 459 housing units and 207 hotel keys proposed Four separate entitlements under review
Two developers
21 Blocks E-G Hotel
Blocks
A-B-C-D
Bayline
Block J
Blocks
K-L-M-P-O
Bayfront Blocks KLMP&O
SB 330 proposal for 175 townhomes (incl. 22 live/work) within the approved 90-acre mixed-use Bayfront project Master developer: Ledcor
Under review
22 Bayfront Blocks E&G Hotel
Proposed 207-key hotel with retail, restaurant, meeting rooms and amenities Master developer: Ledcor
Under review
23 Bayfront Blocks ABCD&J
SB 330/Builder’s remedy proposal for 142 market-rate townhomes and 36 affordable apartments Master developer: Ledcor
Under review
24 BaylineBayfront Blocks F&H
25 Proposed 110-unit affordable/workforce housing, with up to 25% of units reserved for people with disabilities Targeting SB 35 ministerial approval and State Density Bonus Developer: Community HousingWorks
Pre-application
EmblemLoop Site
SB 330/Builder’s Remedy proposal for 162 market-rate and 18 affordable apartments Requires City to identify and rezone adequate replacement RHNA sites within 120 days of project approval Developer: Quarterra
Under review
26 Sycamore Crossing Retail
Approved for 29,511 sq ft retail
Master Developer: The Lewis Group
Leasing underway
Design Review Permit for modifications under review
27 Hercules Shopping Centers
Sycamore Crossing
Creekside Center
Park Lake Plaza
Willow
Safeway
Hercules Retail
Sycamore Place
Community
Neighborhood
Convenience
ICSC Shopping Center Classifications
29 Community Center
Creekside
Neighborhood Center
Safeway
Lucky
Convenience Center
Willow
Hercules Retail
Sycamore Place
Power Center
Pinole Vista Crossing
HERCULES CENTERS
Lifestyle Center
Fourth Street
Hercules Shopping Centers
30 Creekside Center – Community CenterAnchor: Home Depot 170,000 sq ft; 30,000 sq ft Big Lots! space available
Park Lake Plaza – Neighborhood Center
74,000 sq ft, Anchor: Lucky
Safeway Center – Neighborhood Center
65,000 sq ft; Anchor: Safeway
Willow Avenue Plaza – Convenience Center
29,000 sq ft. Starbucks, Mazatlán, El Cuscatlán, etc
Hercules Retail Center – Convenience Center
20,000 sq ft. Kinder’s, Starbucks, etc
Sycamore Place – Convenience Center
13,000 sq ft, Vacant due to reconstruction
Shopping Center Vacancies
31 Creekside Center – Community CenterAnchor: Home Depot 170,000 sq ft; 30,000 sq ft Big Lots! space available
Park Lake Plaza – Neighborhood Center
74,000 sq ft, Anchor: Lucky
Safeway Center – Neighborhood Center
65,000 sq ft; Anchor: Safeway
Willow Avenue Plaza – Convenience Center
29,000 sq ft. Starbucks, Mazatlán, El Cuscatlán, etc.
One 1,200 sq ft suite available
Hercules Retail Center – Convenience Center
20,000 sq ft. Kinder’s, Starbucks, etc
Sycamore Place – Convenience Center
13,000 sq ft, Vacant due to reconstruction
Overall, 13% total vacancy in shopping centers
Retail Opportunities
32 Based on 2024 leakage analysis, opportunities include:
Auto Dealers
Furniture/Home Furnishings
General Merchandise
Grocery Stores
Specialty Food Stores
Health/Personal Care
Clothing/Shoe Stores
Department Stores
Beer/Wine/Liquor Stores
Bars/drinking places
Creekside Center
Community Shopping Center
Built 1984 to 2004
170,000 sq. ft.
19% vacant (Big Lots!)
8 new leases since January 2023
$ 1.172 million invested in 2024
7 property owners (!)
Home Depot responsible for overall exterior maintenance, pavement, and monument signs per CC&Rs Repairs include red curbs, striping, new ADA parking, dry rot repair
HD DEVELOPMENT, OF MARYLAND
HALLE PROPERTIES LLC
CITY OF HERCULES
CS CREEKSIDE HERCULES LLC
NORTH FIRST STREET PROPERTIES
ALCATRAZ475 LP
PRB MANAGEMENT LLC
America’s Tire
Approved 8,938-square foot tire store at Creekside Center Under construction
Includes 2 EV chargers and6 EV-ready spaces
Park Lake Plaza
Neighborhood Center
Built 1990-91
74,000 sq. ft.
0% vacant
3 property owners
$130,000 invested in 2023-24
McDonald’s drive-thru expansion in 2023
HERCULES SPE MW LLC
LIN GROUP LLC
MCDONALDS CORP
1560 SYCAMORE LLC
Safeway
Neighborhood Center
Built 2021
65,000 sq. ft.
0% vacant
2 property owners
11 DC fast EV chargers and one Level 2 charger; solar canopy/generator/battery coming in 2025 $5.4 million being invested
Hercules Retail
Convenience Center
Built 1999
20,000 sq. ft.
0% vacant
One owner (acquired 2022)
HERCULES REAL E INVEST LLC
Willow Center
Convenience Center
Built 1990, 2000, 2010
28,000 sq. ft.
5% vacant (1 space open)
4 property owners
$325,000 invested in 2023-24
Starbucks remodel 2023
VACAVILLE MOBILE HOME PARK LLC
JOHN KRATZ
TUCKER ASSOCIATES INC
GTY PACIFIC LEASING LLC
Sycamore Place
Convenience Center
Built 1984
13,000 sq. ft.
100% vacant
Under reconstruction following 2023 fire
$388,000 being invested
New Businesses *Grant awardees
Tommy’s BBQ*
Pho Hanoi 89*
Sugar Toof*
HŌM Coffee*
BT Nails & Spa
Starbread Bakery
40 Key Initiative: Shopping Centers
Councilmembers desire improvements such as Tesla chargers, new signage, planter boxes, and additional trash receptacles Property owners/managers would need to authorize expenditures and maintain facilities City could offer incentives
To be explored further with Economic Development Committee 41 Thank you!
Hercules City Council
05/13/2025