REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action to Adopt a Resolution of Commitment as a Condition of the Award from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission of Transit-Oriented Communities Implementation Grants
Report
COUNCIL PILLAR
Deliver and Enhance High Quality Services and Infrastructure
DISCUSSION
The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) is in the process of awarding approximately $20 million for local planning and policy development related to MTC’s 2024 Regional Transit-Oriented Communities (TOC) Policy. The TOC policy seeks to support the region’s transit investments by centering housing, jobs, and services within one half-mile of a station area (Attachment 1). The City of Santa Clara has several transit-rich areas, four stations along the Tasman light rail, Santa Clara Caltrain/BART, and Lawrence Station/Caltrain. The purpose of this report is to obtain Council approval to accept the grants only and authorize the City Manager to execute grant agreements with MTC as necessary.
There are four components within the TOC Policy to help center housing, jobs, and services within one half mile of transit areas:
• Increasing residential and commercial densities around station areas;
• Adopting housing policies related to housing production, preservation, and protection (also known as the three P’s);
• Adjusting minimum and maximum parking ratios as well as transportation demand management policies; and
• Planning for station access that includes active transportation uses and mobility hub infrastructure.
At the November 19, 2024, City Council meeting, the Council adopted a Resolution of Local Support for the City's application for the Transit-Oriented Communities grant. The City subsequently applied for technical assistance grants relating to all four components of the TOC Policy and received grants in three of the policy areas (including increasing commercial densities, adjusting parking ratios, and station access planning). The total award of the grant was $800,000 across the three policy areas. The Planning Division and Traffic Engineering Division were awarded grants to implement the following policy areas:
Rezoning along Tasman light rail: $250,000
Parking Management at TOC areas: $150,000
Station Access & Circulation at Santa Clara Caltrain/BART $400,000
As the next step in the grant award process, MTC is requesting a resolution of local commitment from the City Council. The resolution is to include a commitment to complete the work associated with the grant award and express the City’s intent to adopt the relevant plans and policies that result from the work., a Resolution of Commitment is provided as Attachment 2 to this report to implement this requirement. In addition, MTC requires each local agency to complete a funding agreement, or a supplemental agreement if a master funding agreement between the two agencies already exists, and/or a liability waiver. The acceptance of the award and authorization of the City Manager to execute grant agreements will allow staff to develop detailed work plans for use of the grant funds that will then come back to the City Council at a later date.
The Community Development Department will manage the two grant awards for Rezoning along Tasman Light Rail and Parking Management at TOC areas. The Public Works Department will manage the third grant award of the Santa Clara Caltrain/BART Station Multimodal Crossing Feasibility Study (Study) in the Station Access & Circulation policy area. The Study will develop and evaluate various design concepts for a direct connection between Benton Street and Brokaw Road near the Santa Clara Caltrain Station.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(a) as it has no potential for resulting in a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
This action does not have a cost to the City, except for associated staff time in preparation of the agenda materials.
COORDINATION
This report has been coordinated with the Department of Public Works, Finance Department and City Attorney’s Office.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
1. Adopt a Resolution of Commitment for the City’s expenditure of technical assistance grant funds and intent to adopt implementing policies related to MTC’s Transit-Oriented Communities Policy; and
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute all documents related to accepting the technical assistance grants in final forms approved by the City Attorney.
Staff
Reviewed by: Afshan Hamid, Director, Community Development Department
Approved by: Jovan D. Grogan, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. MTC Transit-Oriented Communities Policy
2. Resolution of Commitment
3. Weblink MTC Transit-Oriented Communities Policy