City Council and Authorities Concurrent
September 13, 2022

1 Council and
Authorities
Concurrent
Meeting
Item #5 RTC 22-1004
Direction to Staff on Alternatives
for the Completion of the El
Camino Real Specific Plan
September 13, 2022
El Camino Real Specific Plan
Background – Prior City Council Direction
 June 15, 2021 – Revise the Specific Plan to have maximum heights of 2, 3 and 4 stories and corresponding
densities (7-0)
 July 6, 2021 – Continue per June 15 di rection rather than consider a medium density alternative
(4-3)
 October 19, 2021 – Direction to prepare a new, reduced density Specific Plan and continue consideration of the original
Specific Plan, and prepare an
economic
feasibility analysis for both (4-3); Budget amendment ($900,000) fails on 4-3 vote;
No motion on alternative budget amendment ($50.000) to
fund
zoning code changes only
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2 POST MEETING MATERIAL
2 El Camino Real Specific Plan
Background and Alternatives for Council Consideraton
Prior City Council Direction
 June 2022 - Adopted FY 2023-24 Capital Improvement Program Budget funds new Specific Plan; Direction to staff to consider how to reduce cost Less Expensive Alternatives
 Significantly modified Specific Plan that is consistent with EIR  Strategic modifications of prior Specific Plan
 Zoning Code and Roadway Plan in lieu of Specific Plan 3 El Camino Real Specific Plan
City Council Goals for El Camino Real
Topics that have been of particular concern during discussions of the proposed Plan could be addressed through the alternatives:
 Objective Design Standards
 Neighborhood Interface
 Height Limits
 Activity Centers
 Location of Density
 Total Density
 Specific Plan Preparation Costs
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El Camino Real Specific Plan
Cost Estimates
 An entirely new Plan = $850,000 for consultant plus $150,000 for contract staff to provide project management duties ($1M Total)
 Alternatives:
o Prepare a significantly modified Specific Plan that retains enough density and elements (e.g., a range of densities that support mixed-use) of the prior Specific Plan to be consistent with the prior draft EIR = $250,000 o Make minor modifications to the 2021 draft Specific Plan to address key Council concerns
o No further work on a Specific Plan; Incorporate objective standards into the Zoning Code
5 El Camino Real Specific Plan
Alternatives for Council Action

1. Direct staff to conduct additional planning work to prepare a new draft Specific Plan per City Council direction.

2. Direct staff to prepare a significantly modified Specific Plan that retains enough density and elements (e.g., a range of densities that support mixed- use) of the prior Specific Plan so as to be consistent with the prior draft EIR.

3. Direct staff to create two new zoning districts with objective design standards that align with the existing General Plan land use designations for the El Camino Real corridor and to prepare an El Camino Real Infrastructure Plan/Streetscape Plan for the creation of bicycle lanes along the corridor.
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Council and
Authorities
Concurrent
Meeting
Item #5 RTC 22-1004
Direction to Staff on Alternatives
for the Completion of the El
Camino Real Specific Plan
September 13, 2022
Land Use Plan
Plan Elements
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8 5
Allowed Building Heights
Plan Elements
9 Neighborhood Transition Strategies
Plan Elements
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Plan Elements
ECR Right-of-Way – Interim Concept
Remove on-street parking to accommodate a protected bikeway (median or other physical barrier); sidewalk bus boarding; wider sidewalks and street trees as parcels redevelop
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Plan Elements
ECR Right-of-Way – Final Concept
Remove on-street parking to accommodate a cycle track and bus boarding islands; 20 ft sidewalks; street trees + furnishings
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 Bus
boarding
island
 Bicycle
cycle
track
Plan Elements
ECR Right-of-Way – Final Concept
El Camino Real Specific Plan
Project Background
 2010 – General Plan Update allows mixed-use development  2010–2017 – 13 Projects (1,292 Units) entitled
 May 2014 – Grant funding for the project from Bay Area Metro  2017 – Council direction to prepare a Specific Plan
 June 15, 2021 – Council direction to modi fy Specific Plan by reducing density  June 30, 2021 – MTC grant funding ended
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