GP/Housing Element Advocacy

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Contra Costa County

Martinez

We should write a letter (

Zoe started a Doc⁠

) by Thur. 9/15/22

@Victor Flores⁠

Send letter to partners Friday 9/16/22

@Karen Rosenberg⁠

Submit by September 22nd

Martinez General Plan Draft

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Introduction & Vision⁠

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Mention protecting environmental resources early on and balancing future development

Downtown Martinez is regional priority development area (PDA)

“a locally‐identified, infill development opportunity area where there is local commitment to developing more housing along with amenities and services to meet the day‐to‐day needs of residents in a pedestrian‐friendly environment served by transit.”

Seemed to have good engagement and outreach for GP update process and multiple white papers that were used in following drafts of the GP

Incorporation of Measure I to Create a Protected Open Space and Parks Overlay Designation, Apply the Overlay to Certain Properties as Set Forth in the 1973 General Plan and Adopt Land Use Regulations Thereto

Good mention of adding jobs and jobs housing balance

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Open Space and Conservation⁠

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Recognition of tribal relations and consultation

Over 2000 acres of public and private space

Reduction in open space → turning old golf course into low density housing - rezoned

Viano Vineyard = designated unique and prime farmland

No identified mineral resources of regional or statewide significance

There are 11 listed plant species and 14 listed animal species that are known or are believed to reside within one mile of the Martinez Planning Area, or use it as part of their territory

“While Martinez’s role may not directly contribute to innovative, sustainable technologies, it can promote the use of such technologies as they become available Jan 12th City Council/Planning Commission meeting”

“Mixed‐use infill development in the downtown preserves open space while also bringing more people downtown.”

Linked to CAP for more on transportation emissions

High flood risk in Downtown

1997 Alhambra Creek Watershed Management Plan to improve the creek channel to provide 100‐year flood protection from Marina Vista to the Railroad Bridge as part of the Intermodal Facility Transit Station improvement.

1998, the City Council identified four projects to alleviate flooding

Restoration of the Marsh Area

Upgrade of the Union Pacific Railroad Bridge to 100‐year flood level of protection;

Enhancement of the Alhambra Creek channel from Marina Vista to Green Street;

Maintenance and cleaning of the creek upstream of Green Street.

March 2022, the City Council adopted the Lower Alhambra Creek Watershed Management Plan (LACWMP) with Appendices A‐D. The plan was developed by the City, with assistance from the Alhambra Watershed Council, to guide future maintenance, management, and enhancement of Alhambra Creek.

The Alhambra Watershed Council is to review the plan at least once every three years to assess watershed conditions, maintenance, management, and enhancement activities and needs, and then recommend plan revisions to the City based on these assessments.

Alhambra Creek Enhancement: provide a continuous trail system that connects the neighborhoods with Downtown, schools, parks and with the regional recreational trail network

Marina and Waterfront Trust Land Use Plan - future planning for waterfront area

Policy section had a lot of “continue to support” or “support”

no measurable policies

“Policy OSC‐P‐1.9: Encourage shade structures, trees, high‐albedo “cool” roofs, vegetated “green” roofs, and specialized paving materials in the downtown and other highly paved and highly built up areas to reduce the heat island effect.” how will they encourage this? can they mandate anything on city buildings?

Policy OSC‐P‐6.1: Reduce energy, water, and resource consumption wherever possible as they pertain to buildings and construction.

have set deadlines or goal timelines for the measures under this policy

Safety

“Policy PS‐P‐6.3: Discourage new residential development in areas designated as Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.”

ART Report: “one structure in Martinez at risk for permanent sea level rise inundation by 2030, and ten structures at risk for temporary inundation. By 2100, the number of projected vulnerable buildings increases, with 23 structures in permanent inundation areas and 41 structures in temporary inundation areas. Approximately 523 acres of Martinez’s land is expected to be permanently inundated by 2030. By 2100, that number goes up to 821 acres.”

Solid policies around flooding and fire

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Public Safety element draft⁠

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Parks & Community Facilities Element⁠

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Notes: The purpose of this element is to document existing facilities and services, identify areas of improvement, and ensure demand is met as the community grows. Currently, three general areas have been identified as underserved or are projected to be underserved:

Alhambra Hills: Expecting future development near there. Neighborhood park would meet needs. “The Land Use Element addresses policies to create additional park space in this area.”

Pacheco Corridor: Pressure from development along hwy 680. There’s an opportunity in this area to continue the Contra Costa Canal Trail, which currently terminates at Muir Road, south of Highway State Route 4. Circulation plan was policies on how to implement the County’s trail extension plans. An old recommendation was to study turning Martinez reservoir into a park.

Downtown: “This area is projected to see the most growth, which is expected to primarily take the form of infill development.” A portion of the area in the EJE has been identified as disadvantaged and is served by the Waterfront Park (31 acres and within a 2 mile radius). They plan to do some improvements to the marina and waterfront area as well as, “creating a linear park along portions of Alhambra Creek, which would also improve natural flood control;, and (2) enhancing Main Street Plaza so that it is better integrated into the design and activities of Downtown.”

Facilities -

Martinez Waterfront Amphitheater: This outdoor venue located at 115 Tarantino Drive used for musicals, plays and City events. Future plans for the amphitheater will be the subject of the Marina and Waterfront Trust Land Use Plan.

Policies -

Policy PCU‐P‐1.6: Promote the use of recycled water and drought resistant, native, and climate resilient plants for City parks and civic spaces. 👍

Measure PCU‐I‐1.6a: Reduce water consumption where possible through the use of artificial turf, native plants, drought‐tolerant landscaping, water conservation technology (such as efficient timers, and water heads), and possible use of recycled water in parks and recreation facilities.

Overall the other policies were good. Pro-trails for hiking and recreation. Supportive of pedestrian access, EV infrastructure, etc. I wrote down the climate resilience specific items. No timelines, I don’t think these elements have them in the way Housing Elements do.

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EJ & Disadvantaged Communities Element⁠

- Overall pretty solid.

Martinez has one census tract area that meets the low-income criteria in the north portion of the downtown and waterfront area as shown in
Figure 10-1⁠
.

Pro-bike and pedestrian safety. Plans to reduce VMT through alternate transportation modes. Prioritizes downtown improvements to reduce congestion.

Policy EJ-16: Encourage the establishment of new food uses such as restaurants and markets as part of the polices of the revised Marina and Waterfront Trust Land Use Plan.

Policy EJ-P-20: For the next update of the Housing Element, include information and policies regarding housing cost burden, homelessness, household characteristics, age of housing stock, rental housing stock condition, and inventory of affordable housing.

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Circulation⁠

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Walkable downtown, mixed-use corridors, accessible commercial and employment centers.

Increasing vehicular and non-vehicular mobility as well as public transportation, while preserving the local environment, remaining mindful of the City’s fiscal responsibilities,

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Downtown Community-Based Transportation Plan⁠

. The DCBTP addresses gaps in Martinez’s transportation system by offering recommendations for future capital and programmatic investments. Beyond recommendations to expand pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure and the County Connection bus service area, the plan offers programmatic recommendations to improve access for Martinez’s disadvantaged sub-populations.

Martinez Local Travel Trends:

Public Transportation 6.2%

Bicycle 0.5%

Walked: 1.9%

WFH: 6.2%

Multimodal Improvements - Improvement Description

Ferry Terminal: Construct Ferry Terminal to accommodate ferry service to and from San Francisco. Linked service may include stops at Antioch and Richmond.

Bike Improvements Install both Class II and Class III bike lanes and path improvements identified in the Countywide Bicycle Plan.

In 2018 the CCTA adopted the updated Countywide Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan (CBPP). The plan is based on the following goals:

Encourage more people to walk and bicycle

Increase safety and security for pedestrians and bicyclists

Create a safe, connected, and comfortable network of bikeways and walkways for all ages and abilities

Increase the livability and attractiveness of Contra Costa’s communities and districts

Equitably serve all of Contra Costa’s communities while ensuring that public investments are focused on projects with the greatest benefits

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Marina Trust Land Use Plan⁠

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SB 1424, approved by the Governor on September 26, 2014, provided for a grant of trust lands to the City of Martinez. The bill requires the trust lands to be held by the City, as trustee: …for the benefit of all the people of the state for purposes consistent with the public trust doctrine, including the protection of maritime or water-dependent commerce, navigation, and fisheries, the preservation of the lands in their natural state for scientific study, open space, wildlife habitat, and water-oriented recreation.

The bill also requires the City of Martinez to submit to the State Lands Commission (SLC) by December 31, 2019, a Trust Lands Use Plan (TLUP). The bill City must also file with the SLC by September 30, 2025, and every five years thereafter, a detailed report of its TLUP uses and an annual statement of trust revenues and expenditures.

Provisions for TLUP under SB 1424

5. A description of how the trustee (City of Martinez) proposes to protect and preserve natural and manmade resources and facilities located on the Trust Lands and operated in connection with the use of the Trust Lands, including but not limited to, addressing impacts from sea level rise.

Parking Lot

250 vehicle parking spaces

95 vehicle with trailer spaces

Nothing about bike parking or micro-mobility options

2. Future Use of Trust Lands

Consistent with the following set of General Plan policies, the City of Martinez’s long-term vision for the Trust Lands focuses on

• improving access to the area,

• preservation of existing habitats and resources, and

• integration of the Trust Lands into the fabric of the City in order to maximize public benefit.

Sea Level Rise - Good policies but nothing about NbS.

Policy 25 – Develop Rising Tide strategies and incorporate into Marina Master Plan. (Contra Costa County Hazard Mitigation Plan, City of Martinez Annex, Action M-30)

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