Plan Amendment
Background
In order to continue implementation of the Richmond Community Redevelopment Agency's goal to overcome adverse physical and economic conditions and facilitate revitalization, the Agency is proposing a redevelopment plan amendment that would:
(1) increase the limit ("cap") on the amount of tax increment revenue that may be claimed by the Agency from the portions of the fiscally merged project areas subject to the current limit of $521.4 million to a revised limit of $1.06 billion;
(2) increase the limit on the principal amount of bonded indebtedness secured by tax increment revenue from the project areas fiscally merged in 1999 that may be outstanding at any one time from the current limit of $250 million to a revised combined limit of $1.6 billion;
(3) increase the limit on the principal amount of bonded indebtedness secured by tax increment revenue from the 2005 Added Area that may be outstanding at any one time from the current limit of $150 million to a combined limit of $1.6 billion, as mentioned above;
(4) combine the limits on the principal amount of outstanding bonded indebtedness secured by tax increment from the project areas fiscally merged in 1999 and the 2005 Added area, as mentioned above;
(5) update the list of projects, programs and activities that may be undertaken by the Agency in the fiscally merged project areas;
(6) extend the redevelopment plan time limit on the authorization of eminent domain for most of the fiscally merged project areas to up to twelve years from the new amendment adoption date (but not later than the applicable redevelopment activity time limit for each project area or subarea); and
(7) Amend, restate and consolidate the redevelopment plans for the nine constituent project areas with the merged project area into a single consolidated redevelopment plan for the Richmond Merged Project Area. This amended plan incorporates all of the applicable provisions of each of the current constituent Redevelopment Plans.
(8) update various redevelopment plan text provisions as necessary to comply with current CRL requirements.
The proposed plan amendment would not expand the project area boundaries or propose redevelopment projects and activities substantially beyond those authorized by the 1999 and 2005 Redevelopment Plan Amendments. Rather, the proposed redevelopment plan amendment project would facilitate continued implementation of a range of redevelopment activities and programs in the merged project areas, including:
Public improvements including areawide transportation; traffic and street improvements; parking improvements; sewer and water system improvements; utility improvements; and park improvements. All of these public improvement projects are intended to improve circulation, facilitate pedestrian access, provide visual linkages, and support private sector development efforts.
Toxic remediation programs designed to provide funding and other assistance to assist in areawide remediation, particularly in the industrial areas of the fiscally merged project areas.
Commercial and industrial attraction and retention programs to develop incentives that address specific needs of existing businesses and enhance the City’s ability to attract new businesses. Specific Agency activities under this program may include identification and promotion of catalyst development sites; land acquisition and relocation; demolition and site preparation; assistance with on- and off-side public improvements; loans and grants to new businesses; and other types of required assistance.
Commercial rehabilitation programs designed to encourage existing property owners/businesses to substantially upgrade deteriorated storefronts, correct code violations, renovate the interiors of stores and encourage new, infill commercial development.
Business development programs to reduce high business vacancies, and attract and assist in stabilizing existing small and medium sized businesses.
Beautification programs that provide physical improvements along commercial corridors, such as landscaping, street lighting, street furniture, and areawide neighborhood street safety improvements. This program includes improvements in the Downtown to create an environment more attractive to shoppers, as well as improvements in areas to provide visual linkages between residential, commercial and industrial areas.
Cultural arts and recreational facilities improvement programs, including area wide park and recreational facilities, public art, rehabilitation activities, Bay Trail improvements along the Point San Pablo Shoreline, and associated Bay Trail public access improvements.
Housing improvement programs area wide that promote the development of a wide variety of affordable housing in the community in order to enhance the vitality of the area and provide much needed housing for the City. In particular, the Agency will continue to encourage mixed use development, new housing development, rehabilitation of existing rental and ownership units, infill development, mixed income development and an array of family and senior housing possibilities.
Key Dates
On November 16, 2008, a Notice of Preparation of a Draft Environmental Impact Report (Draft EIR) for the Plan Amendment was published.
On December 4, 2008, the Richmond Planning Commission conducted a scoping meeting for the Plan Amendment Draft EIR
On October 6, 2009, the Richmond City Council and Richmond Community Redevelopment Agency Board authorized transmittal of three preliminary documents including 1) The Preliminary Report 2) The Draft Amended and Restated Redevelopment Plan and 3) the Draft Environmental Impact Report for the Plan Amendment. These documents are available for download below.
On October 8, 2009, a Notice of Completion and Availability of the Draft EIR was published and the comment period for the Draft EIR commenced. The comment period concluded on November 23, 2009.
On February 16, 2010, the Richmond City Council and the Richmond Community Redevelopment Agency Board authorized transmittal of these documents, including 1). the State Report/Report to Council, 2). the Proposed Amended and Restated Redevelopment Plan, and 3). the final Environmental Impact Report. These documents are available for download below.
On March 4, 2010 the Richmond Planning Commission adopted a resolution recommending adoption of the amended plan and certification of the EIR.
On March 25th, 2010 at 7:00 pm the Agency will host a community meeting at 440 Civic Center Plaza in the Multi-Purpose Room to answer questions on the plan amendment.
On February 16, 2010, the City Council and Agency Board authorized a Joint Public Hearing on the Plan Amendment to be held on April 6, 2010 at 6:30 pm. in the council chamber.
Preliminary Report
Preliminary Report Appendix
Draft Amendment Plan
Draft EIR
In order to continue implementation of the Richmond Community Redevelopment Agency's goal to overcome adverse physical and economic conditions and facilitate revitalization, the Agency is proposing a redevelopment plan amendment that would:
(1) increase the limit ("cap") on the amount of tax increment revenue that may be claimed by the Agency from the portions of the fiscally merged project areas subject to the current limit of $521.4 million to a revised limit of $1.06 billion;
(2) increase the limit on the principal amount of bonded indebtedness secured by tax increment revenue from the project areas fiscally merged in 1999 that may be outstanding at any one time from the current limit of $250 million to a revised combined limit of $1.6 billion;
(3) increase the limit on the principal amount of bonded indebtedness secured by tax increment revenue from the 2005 Added Area that may be outstanding at any one time from the current limit of $150 million to a combined limit of $1.6 billion, as mentioned above;
(4) combine the limits on the principal amount of outstanding bonded indebtedness secured by tax increment from the project areas fiscally merged in 1999 and the 2005 Added area, as mentioned above;
(5) update the list of projects, programs and activities that may be undertaken by the Agency in the fiscally merged project areas;
(6) extend the redevelopment plan time limit on the authorization of eminent domain for most of the fiscally merged project areas to up to twelve years from the new amendment adoption date (but not later than the applicable redevelopment activity time limit for each project area or subarea); and
(7) Amend, restate and consolidate the redevelopment plans for the nine constituent project areas with the merged project area into a single consolidated redevelopment plan for the Richmond Merged Project Area. This amended plan incorporates all of the applicable provisions of each of the current constituent Redevelopment Plans.
(8) update various redevelopment plan text provisions as necessary to comply with current CRL requirements.
The proposed plan amendment would not expand the project area boundaries or propose redevelopment projects and activities substantially beyond those authorized by the 1999 and 2005 Redevelopment Plan Amendments. Rather, the proposed redevelopment plan amendment project would facilitate continued implementation of a range of redevelopment activities and programs in the merged project areas, including:
Public improvements including areawide transportation; traffic and street improvements; parking improvements; sewer and water system improvements; utility improvements; and park improvements. All of these public improvement projects are intended to improve circulation, facilitate pedestrian access, provide visual linkages, and support private sector development efforts.
Toxic remediation programs designed to provide funding and other assistance to assist in areawide remediation, particularly in the industrial areas of the fiscally merged project areas.
Commercial and industrial attraction and retention programs to develop incentives that address specific needs of existing businesses and enhance the City’s ability to attract new businesses. Specific Agency activities under this program may include identification and promotion of catalyst development sites; land acquisition and relocation; demolition and site preparation; assistance with on- and off-side public improvements; loans and grants to new businesses; and other types of required assistance.
Commercial rehabilitation programs designed to encourage existing property owners/businesses to substantially upgrade deteriorated storefronts, correct code violations, renovate the interiors of stores and encourage new, infill commercial development.
Business development programs to reduce high business vacancies, and attract and assist in stabilizing existing small and medium sized businesses.
Beautification programs that provide physical improvements along commercial corridors, such as landscaping, street lighting, street furniture, and areawide neighborhood street safety improvements. This program includes improvements in the Downtown to create an environment more attractive to shoppers, as well as improvements in areas to provide visual linkages between residential, commercial and industrial areas.
Cultural arts and recreational facilities improvement programs, including area wide park and recreational facilities, public art, rehabilitation activities, Bay Trail improvements along the Point San Pablo Shoreline, and associated Bay Trail public access improvements.
Housing improvement programs area wide that promote the development of a wide variety of affordable housing in the community in order to enhance the vitality of the area and provide much needed housing for the City. In particular, the Agency will continue to encourage mixed use development, new housing development, rehabilitation of existing rental and ownership units, infill development, mixed income development and an array of family and senior housing possibilities.
Key Dates
On November 16, 2008, a Notice of Preparation of a Draft Environmental Impact Report (Draft EIR) for the Plan Amendment was published.
On December 4, 2008, the Richmond Planning Commission conducted a scoping meeting for the Plan Amendment Draft EIR
On October 6, 2009, the Richmond City Council and Richmond Community Redevelopment Agency Board authorized transmittal of three preliminary documents including 1) The Preliminary Report 2) The Draft Amended and Restated Redevelopment Plan and 3) the Draft Environmental Impact Report for the Plan Amendment. These documents are available for download below.
On October 8, 2009, a Notice of Completion and Availability of the Draft EIR was published and the comment period for the Draft EIR commenced. The comment period concluded on November 23, 2009.
On February 16, 2010, the Richmond City Council and the Richmond Community Redevelopment Agency Board authorized transmittal of these documents, including 1). the State Report/Report to Council, 2). the Proposed Amended and Restated Redevelopment Plan, and 3). the final Environmental Impact Report. These documents are available for download below.
On March 4, 2010 the Richmond Planning Commission adopted a resolution recommending adoption of the amended plan and certification of the EIR.
On March 25th, 2010 at 7:00 pm the Agency will host a community meeting at 440 Civic Center Plaza in the Multi-Purpose Room to answer questions on the plan amendment.
On February 16, 2010, the City Council and Agency Board authorized a Joint Public Hearing on the Plan Amendment to be held on April 6, 2010 at 6:30 pm. in the council chamber.
Preliminary Report
Preliminary Report Appendix
Draft Amendment Plan
Draft EIR
Report to Council
Report to Council Appendices
Proposed Amended Plan
Final EIR