Subject: HOUSING OPPORTUNITY STUDY ENVIRONMENTAL
SERVICES CONTRACT
COUNCIL DISTRICT: Citywide
Adoption of a resolution
authorizing the City Manager to negotiate and execute an agreement with David
J. Powers & Associates, Inc. for the preparation of an Environmental Impact
Report and/or necessary environmental
documents to support Phase II of the Housing Opportunity Study, in the amount
of $197,600 for the period May 10, 2001 to January 15, 2002.
BACKGROUND
In January 2000, City Council directed staff to conduct a study of all General Plan Transit-Oriented Development Corridors to identify specific sites suitable for higher density and mixed-use development. The Housing Opportunity Study (HOS) has three phases, with each phase evaluating different Transit-Oriented Development Corridors. The first phase of the HOS focused primarily on the northern half of the Capitol Transit-Oriented Development Corridor, and all 14 sites were considered by the City Council during the February 2001 hearing.
The second phase of the HOS intends to identify vacant and/or underutilized sites primarily along the Stevens Creek/West San Carlos and Santa Clara/Alum Rock Transit-Oriented Development Corridors. These sites will be the subject of General Plan land use and text amendments during the 2001 General Plan Annual Review. Staff is also considering other land use and text amendments which seek to increase the supply of housing. If required, an Area Development Policy will be prepared to create more flexible traffic of level service measures to accommodate a change in land use without adversely impacting traffic on local residential streets. Consultant services are needed to prepare an Environmental Impact Report for Phase II of the HOS or provide necessary environmental documents to provide environmental clearance for all of the HOS-Phase II Amendments, and to assist with the preparation of the Area Development Policy, if necessary.
David J. Powers & Associates has been retained as the consultant for environmental services for the Housing Opportunity Study. This firm prepared the EIR for Phase I of the HOS as well as the San Jose 2020 General Plan Update, which gives them a detailed and comprehensive understanding of the City’s long term development goals and policies, including infill, higher density, mixed-use and transit-oriented development. In addition, David J. Powers & Associates has experience working on Area Development Policies in San Jose (North San Jose Development Policy and Evergreen Area Development Policy), if an Area Development Policy is required.
The Housing Opportunity Study involves extensive public outreach. Community meetings are typically held as part of the General Plan Review process. Additional public meetings will be held as necessary to provide opportunities for public comment and participation.
Funding in the amount of $197,600 for the preparation of an Environmental Impact Report and/or environmental documents for the General Plan Amendments associated with Phase II of the Housing Opportunity Study was appropriated in the FY 2000-01 budget.
This memorandum and the agreement have been coordinated with the City Attorney’s Office.
Fund: General Fund (001): $148,200
Low/Moderate Income Housing Fund (443): $49,400
APPN: 0582
Amount: $197,600
Budget Document: 2000-01 Adopted Operating Budget, Page 587
JAMES R. DERRYBERRY, DIRECTOR
Planning Building and Code Enforcement