Attachment B
[Date]
Lynn von Koch-Liebert
Executive Director, California Strategic Growth Council 1400 Tenth Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
SUBJECT: People’s Self-Help Housing (PSHH) – Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities (AHSC) Grant Application
Dear Executive Director von Koch-Liebert,
The City of Santa Maria routinely pursues grant funding opportunities and strategic partnerships that advance the City’s adopted transportation, climate, and housing goals.
In furtherance of these objectives, the City i s pleased to partner with People’s Self -Help Housing (PSHH) in support of its application for the Heritage View affordable housing development and associated transportation improvements for funding through the State of California’s Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities (AHSC) Program.
The City understands that PSHH intends to apply for AHSC funding to support of Sustainable Transportation Infrastructure (STI) investments designed to improve bicycle, pedestrian, and transit access between affordable housing, employment centers, and regional destinations. These proposed improvements are consistent with the City’s General Plan, Climate Action and Adaptation Plan, Active Transportation Plan, and regional sustainability and greenhouse gas reduction goals.
The proposed transportation-related improvements supported by the City include, but are not limited to, the following:
Sustainable Transportation Infrastructure (STI):
STI #1: College Drive Class I Bike Path – Construction of a separated Class I bicycle path along College Drive from Main Street (DR -166) to Stowell Road, including landscaping improvements such as shade trees and pedestrian -scale lighting where feasible. The project will close a key gap in the City’s active transportation network and improv e access between residential neighborhoods, Allan Hancock College, commercial areas along Main Street (SR -166), and regional bicycle facilities.
STI #2: Bradley Road and Jones Street Sidewalk Gap Closure – Construction of a continuous ADA-compliant sidewalk along Bradley Road from Cypress Street to Jones Street and along Jones Street where pedestrian facilities currently do not Attachment B
exist. The project will close a critical gap in the City’s pedestrian network and improve safe access between residential neighborh oods, Allan Hancock College, and commercial destinations along Main Street (SR -166). Where feasible, the project will incorporate pedestrian -oriented streetscape improvements such as landscaped parkways with drought-tolerant shade trees, pedestrian-scale lighting, and other amenities that enhance safety, comfort, and accessibility for people walking.
STI #3: Transit Buses/Coaches– Procurement of transit buses/coaches to support an intercity transit route connecting Santa Maria and Santa Barbara, improving regional mobility, expanding access to jobs and services, and reducing vehicle miles traveled and greenhouse gas emissions.
These improvements will support reduced vehicle miles traveled, expanded active transportation opportunities, and improved access to affordable housing consistent with the goals of the AHSC Program. Should PSHH’s AHSC application be successful, the City of Santa Maria will take all required actions, including any necessary City Council approvals, to enter into agreements and otherwise f acilitate implementation of the transportation improvements described above and further detailed in the AHSC application.
The City further confirms that the proposed Sustainable Transportation Infrastructure (STI) projects will be constructed within public right-of-way owned or controlled by the City of Santa Maria , and that the City has, or will obtain, the necessary site control required to implement these improvements.
These improvements will support reduced vehicle miles traveled, expanded active transportation opportunities, and improved access to affordable housing consistent with the goals of the AHSC Program.
The City of Santa Maria has extensive experience delivering active transportation and transit capital projects using local, State, and Federal funding sources. Recent examples include the Battles Road Green Corridor Rehabilitation and Beautification Project, which transformed a 1.1 -mile corridor into a landscaped multi -use pathway with lighting, recreation amenities, and stormwater improvem ents, as well as Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) funded roadway safety projects that implemented traffic calming, median construction, and bicycle and pedestrian safety improvements. The City of Santa Maria, through Santa Maria Regional Transit (SMRT), has successfully procured, deployed, and operated transit vehicles using State and Federal funding, demonstrating the City’s capacity to deliver, operate, and maintain transit capital investments.
This experience positions the City well to successf ully implement the proposed AHSC - funded improvements in partnership with PSHH.
Attachment B
Sincerely,