100 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523-3323 – (925) 671-5270 www.pleasanthillca.org
To: Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR) and the State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD)
From: City of Pleasant Hill Public Works and Community Development Department Re: City of Pleasant Hill’s 2023 Annual General Plan Implementation Report I. Introduction
This report is in response to Government Code Section 65400 requiring cities to provide an annual report to the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR) and the State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) concerning the status of the General Plan and progress in its implementation.
II. Acceptance by the City Council
On March 18, 2024, the Pleasant Hill City Council adopted Resolution No. __-24 approving the General Plan implementation actions contained in this report, along with the Housing Element Annual Progress Report.
III. General Plan
The City of Pleasant Hill adopted the 2040 General Plan in May 2023.
IV. General Plan Implementation Actions
The following list contains an update of the General Plan implementation actions by the City during 2023, including highlights from the City’s Capital Improvement Program:
1. The City adopted its 2040 General Plan and 6th cycle Housing Element, which outlines a clear framework and vision for new development and city improvements through 2040. (Land Use Element [LU] Goal 12 and Housing Element [H] Program A)
2. The City approved miscellaneous updates to its zoning ordinance to comply with changes in state law, changes based on past City determinations, as well as staff-initiated revisions proposed to clarify and streamline various sections of the Zoning Ordinance, including expanding several use classifications, to provide more flexibility for commercial uses in certain zones. (Economics and Economy Element [E] Goals E-1, E-2, E-3; LU Goals 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 11, and Policy H-2.3)
3. The City amended its existing residential development standards and introduced new mixed-use development standards (and other associated amendments) to accommodate the additional density and potential multi-family development envisioned in the General Plan and Housing Element (see Ord. No 967). (Goals LU-3, LU-4, LU-8, H-2; Policies E-1.1, E-2.1, LU-1.6, LU-1.7, H-1.5 and Housing Element Programs F, H, I, K, M)
4. The City reviewed and approved several downtown commercial projects, including the East Plaza site improvements, outdoor patio seating for Jack’s Cantina and Morgan Territory tap room, and several new signs for downtown tenants. (Goals E-1, E-2, E-3, LU-1, LU-4)
5. The City approved various commercial improvements, including an outdoor sales display for Ace Hardware, and several personal fitness related uses such as Aloha Time Boxing, BODYBAR Pilates, and McNabb Fitness. (Goals E-1, E-2, E-3, LU-1, LU-4)
6. The City approved new personal service and personal improvement service uses at various locations throughout the City. (Goals E-1, E-2, E-3, LU-1, LU-4)
7. The City approved an expansion of the existing Contra Costa County Fire Protection District administrative office building and Emergency Call and Operations Center at 210-2012 Geary Road. (Goals LU-1, LU-4)
8. The City approved various improvements to single-family sites throughout the City. (Goals LU-1, LU-3, H-5)
9. The City approved various wireless telecommunication projects throughout the City, which will improve wireless phone coverage. (E Goal E-6, Public Facilities, Services, and Infrastructure Element [PFS] Goal PFS-5)
10. The City approved various residential projects including an 8-unit attached single-family subdivision at 170 Cleaveland Road with 1 affordable unit (Density Bonus and SB 330), multiple single-family homes and accessory dwelling units throughout the City. (Goals LU-1, LU-3, Housing Element Programs, I, M)
11. The City approved its first urban lot split development pursuant to Senate Bill 9, which resulted in a new single-family home at 83 Roberta Avenue. (Housing Element Program Q)
12. The City adopted an ordinance related to recently passed State legislation for accessory dwelling units (Housing Element Program P)
13. An annual $235,000 payment from the Redevelopment Agency’s Successor Agency to Grayson Creek Apartments (100% affordable), was made in 2022.
These payments will continue until 2031 (totaling $7,820,000) and are included in the Successor Agency’s Recognized Obligation Payment Schedule (Housing Element Program W)
14. The City completed Code Enforcement activity (closed over 115 cases and fielded over 1,940 email correspondences) throughout the City in part to keep up the physical appearance of the City and to ensure neighborhood nuisances are minimized (Goal LU-1)
15. The City supported small businesses by allocating $500,000 for business grants and other programs to benefit the City’s local merchants. This Business Support Initiative is being funded by American Rescue Plan Act funds. (Goals E-1, E2, E-3)
16. The first program of the Business Support Initiative is the Pleasant Hill Perks e-gift card program, launched in 2022. When a consumer purchases a Perks card, the program provides the customer with a 50% “Bonus” card. Thus, if an individual buys a $100 Perks card, they will get a second Perks card for an additional $50. The Perks cards are redeemable at 68 participating Pleasant Hill retail stores, restaurants, and personal care businesses. The program provides additional shopping and dining funds for residents to support local businesses, while generating extra consumer spending and free marketing for participating merchants.
In total, 5,428 Pleasant Hill Perks cards have been purchased, ranging from $5 to $100. All of the Perks cards combined equal $320,803 in redemptions at the 68 local businesses. (Goals E-1, E-2, Policy E-3.2)
17. The Website & Social Media Technical Assistance Grant Program is also a part of the Business Support Initiative. This program provides grants up to $7,500 to assist retail stores, restaurants, and personal care businesses to enhance their technical capacity across several categories, including:
➢ Website improvements
➢ Online ordering capability
➢ Social media strategy & content
➢ Professional photos
➢ Business videos
➢ Graphic design
So far, 21 Pleasant Hill businesses have received grants. (Goals E-1, E-2, Policy E-3.2)
18. Collaborate on cross-marketing efforts with the City’s economic development partners and assist them with City special event and signage permits, to increase awareness of downtown businesses, and economic activity citywide. These partners include Vestar (the Downtown Shopping Center property manager), Chamber of Commerce, Visit Pleasant Hill, and Recreation and Park District.
For example, the City helped organize and promote the Downtown Light Up the Night Event and Holiday Tree Lighting in December. (Goals E-1, E-2, E-3, E-5)
19. Facilitate special events that promote quality of life and support local businesses. For example, the City:
➢ Facilitated the successful return of Off the Grid (outdoor food truck event).
➢ Partnered with the Pleasant Hill Recreation and Park District to sponsor 11 special events.
➢ Assisted the Chamber of Commerce with their special event permit for the Art, Wine & Music Festival.
➢ Collaborated with Vestar to organize and promote Light Up the Night. (Goals E-1 and E-2)
20. Served on the Visit Pleasant Hill (VPH) Board of Directors to assist VPH with carrying out their annual requirements and obligations, and to help promote the City’s hotels, attractions, and businesses. VPH continues to work on implementation and marketing campaigns to increase visibility of Pleasant Hill hotels and encourage more overnight hotel stays. In addition to increasing hotel usage, Stay Pleasant Hill also gives a boost to all of the City’s businesses by bringing additional visitors into the City to shop and eat at all of our local businesses, and by providing free marketing for many of our establishments. (Goals E-1, E-3. E-4, E-5)
21. Oak Park Gap Sidewalk Closure Project No. 04-23: Provided approximately 700 linear feet of new ADA-compliant concrete sidewalk along the north side of Oak Park Boulevard between Hook Avenue and the Pleasant Hill Library, new rectangular rapid-flashing beacons (RRFB) at two existing crosswalks, and new signage and striping. The Oak Park Boulevard Sidewalk Gap Closure Project is in a high priority location for pedestrian and bicycle improvements based on collision history, proximity to schools, number of nearby destinations, and traffic volume. The project will connect residents to Pleasant Hill Middle School, the Pleasant Hill Library, Pleasant Oaks Park, pedestrian walking trails, and future athletic fields. The project was funded by Measure K and a TDA Grant. (Transportation and Circulation Element [TC] Goals TC-1, TC-3, TC5, TC-6)
22. Diablo View Storm Drain Improvement Project No. 22-05: Provided storm drain improvements at the intersection of Diablo View Road and Pleasant Hill Road, as well as along Diablo View Road to the Barnett Circle intersection.
Project highlights included installation of 810 linear feet of 18-inch HDPE storm drainpipe along Diablo View Road and Pleasant Hill Road, drain inlets and base, 1,375 square feet of additional asphalt concrete, restoration of existing roadside swale and restoration of traffic striping and traffic signs. The project was funded with America Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. (Environmental Element [ENV] Goals ENV-2,
23. Downtown Street Tree Replacement Project No.03-23: The Pleasant Hill Downtown Project was completed in 1999 and included the installation of Bradford Pear trees along Crescent Drive, Crescent Plaza and the adjacent downtown corridor. Over nearly 25 years of growth, the Bradford Pear’s root systems presented ongoing maintenance issues, which required expensive asphalt pavement and sidewalk repairs. In addition, due to the height of the trees, pruning required a balance between the health of the trees and the needs of Downtown businesses for clearance and visibility. The typical lifespan of the Bradford Pear tree is 20-25 years, thus, these trees had reached the end of their normal life. The Downtown Street Tree Replacement Project replaced 34 existing Bradford Pear trees with new Chinese Pistache “Keith Davey” species; widened the existing tree wells; expanded the existing soil with new structural soil; installed new pavers adjacent to the new trees; repaired the existing irrigation system at each tree to its functional form; and repaired the existing damaged concrete sidewalk along the corridor adjacent to the replacement trees.
The project was funded by American Rescue Act Funds (ARPA), the Sidewalk Gap Closure Program and private funding. (Goals LU-1, TC-5, TC-9)
24. Grayson Woods Landslide Repair Project No. 22-06: Heavy rainfall during the fall of 2021 caused a small landslide on open space land located within the Grayson Woods Subdivision, between Reliez Valley Road and Iron Hill Street.
The City owns and maintains this open space. In 2006, a similar landslide occurred at the same location after heavy rainfall. Repairs were made in 2008 by grading and compacting the loose soil, reinforcing the slope with “Platepiles” (6-ft long steel angle iron driven into the hillside), and establishing plant growth. The new slide is categorized as a “shallow mudflow” of the soil above the Platepiles. Repairs included directing uphill storm water runoff away from this location, grading and compacting the soil, and re-seeding the slope.
This project was funded by Assessment District 22. (Open Space, Parks, and Recreation Element [OSP] Goal OSP-1, and Hazards and Safety Element [HS] Goals HS-2 and HS-3)
25. Bicycle & Pedestrian Master Plan (BPMP): The City continues to modify the BPMP, that provides a consistent, long-term guide to the City in developing connected networks of multipurpose paths, bikeways, sidewalks, and street crossings. The BPMP compliments the City’s General Plan Circulation Element and provides focused visions and goals towards the development of bicycle and pedestrian facilities. The BPMP represents a shift in the City’s transportation development strategy from an automobile-oriented focus to a “complete streets” focus in order to balance the needs of multiple modes of travel. The BPMP provides general improvement recommendations and design guidelines for the City to promote consistent, safe, and efficient integration of bicycle and pedestrian facilities on City streets and near transit facilities. The BPMP supports the City in competing for Federal, State, or Local grant funding opportunities by serving as the policy document that such grant sources require to ensure projects provide a cohesive vision for bicycle pedestrian projects. The BPMP also provides policy recommendations to ensure that private development projects that benefit from new facilities pay their fair-share towards those facilities via the city’s traffic mitigation fee program. It is expected that the City will adopt the BPMP in 2024. (Policy E-6.2; Goals LU7, TC-1, TC-4, TC-5, TC-6, TC-8, TC-9, TC-11, TC-12)
26. 2022 Street Resurfacing Project No. PSC-01-22: Provided for a pavement resurface treatment on selected streets within three residential neighborhoods and two major collectors (Grayson Road and Chilpancingo Parkway). The surface treatment was followed by new thermoplastic striping of all project streets per the City’s draft Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan. Work on the collector streets was completed in November 2022. Construction stopped in December 2022, due to inclement weather, and restarted in March 2023. In an effort to increase pedestrian and bicyclist safety, additional thermoplastic striping, markings and signage upgrades were added to the project scope at five intersections within the City. Project highlights included: 29,525 square yards of Full Depth Reclamation (recycled asphalt), 19,975 tons of Hot Mix Asphalt overlay on 57 residential and two collector streets, 7,835 square feet of 3” pothole repair of arterial and collector streets, installation of 14 new ADA compliant curb ramps on residential streets, Repair of 375 linear feet of curb and gutter, updates to thermoplastic pavement markings, reflectors, striping and signage on 10.36 miles of residential and collector streets, updates to thermoplastic pavement markings, reflectors, striping and signage at 5 intersections within the City of Pleasant Hill. The project was funded by Measure K, SB1 and Gas Tax Funds. (Goals TC-1, TC-3, TC-5, TC-6)
27. Taylor Boulevard Improvement (Civic Drive to Ruth Drive) Project 01-23.
This project will construct a new traffic signal at the intersection of Taylor Boulevard and Civic Drive, new sidewalk on the north side of Taylor Boulevard between Civic Drive and Ruth Drive, and new sidewalk on both sides of Civic Drive. The project scope includes the installation of a new traffic signal, ADA curb ramps, and sidewalks. When complete, the Project will provide a continuous ADA accessible path of travel for residents to walk or bike from Lucille Lane and Ruth Drive to Valley View Middle School, College Park High School, Diablo Valley College, the City Police Department, Community Center, YMCA, and other office complexes on the north side of Taylor Boulevard. The project is funded through Measure K, Traffic Mitigation Fund, and two Transportation Development Act (TDA) grants. (Goals TC-1, TC-3, TC-5, TC-6)
28. 2023 Intersection and Crosswalk Improvement Project No. 05-23: This project will provide improvements at seven intersections throughout the City for increased pedestrian safety. The improvements include pedestrian-activated flashing stop signs and beacons, speed humps, and enhanced crosswalks. This project will construct improvements at multiple intersections that are located near schools. These improvements will increase pedestrian safety year-round and include pedestrian-activated flashing stop signs and beacons, speed humps, enhanced crosswalks, and new ADA-compliant curb ramps. This project is funded by Measure K, Sidewalk Maintenance/Gap Closure program and the Pedestrian and Bicycle Program. (Goals TC-1, TC-3, TC-5, TC-6)
29. Annual Creek Maintenance Program: The Annual Creek Maintenance Program is a citywide maintenance effort that began after flooding in January 1997.
Since then, the City works with property owners that abut one of the many creeks in the City (Murderer’s, Matson, Grayson, Ellinwood, Linda, North and Belle Ditch) to clear them of debris and vegetation that have accumulated and grown over the years, in accordance with the City’s “Directions and Guidelines for Creek Maintenance.” (Policy ENV-3.9).
V. Housing Element Reporting Requirements
More detailed information on Housing Element Programs and related implementation actions is provided in the Housing Element Annual Progress Report as approve by the Pleasant Hill City Council on March 18, 2024, and subsequently submitted to OPR and HCD.
VI. 2023 General Plan Amendments
The City of Pleasant Hill did not process any applications for General Plan amendments during the 2023 calendar year.
VII. Contact
Troy Fujimoto, City Planner
City of Pleasant Hill
[email protected] or (925)671-5224