Hercules Planning Commission Updated 2009 Redevelopment Plan 2/17/09

Background Hercules Redevelopment Agency (1) Dynamite Project Area created in 1983 to eliminate blight on former industrial parcels (expires in 2026) (2) RDA 2 Project Area created in 1999 (expires in 2030) (1) Project Areas merged in 2005 “Amended and Restated Redevelopment Plan”

Dynamite Project Area created in 1983 North Shore Business Park BART Park-n-Ride Promenade Neighborhood Willow Ave Corridor

Project Area 2 Created in 1999 Victoria by the Bay Neighborhood Creekside and Park Lake Plaza

Merged Project Area 2005 (Dynamite + RDA 2)

Updated 2009 Plan Actions Extending Dynamite for 10 years (2036) (No change to RDA 2) Adding Hill Town and Sycamore Crossing to the Merged Project Area Reinstating Eminent Domain for 12 years on selected parcels (no residential parcels) Amending General Plan and Zoning Ordinance Certify an EIR (project level for Hill Town and program level for Sycamore Crossing)

Extend Dynamite for 10 Years (2036)

Add Hill Town & Sycamore Crossing To Project Area

Re-instate eminent domain on Selected Parcels (portions of the Waterfront) (no residential)

Re-instate eminent domain on Selected Parcels Portions of New Town Center & Willow Avenue (no residential)

Amending General Plan and Zoning Ordinance Hill Town – from Industrial to Planned Commercial - Residential Sycamore Crossing – from General Commercial to Planned Commercial – Residential (and allowing hotel use)

Hill Town & Sycamore Crossing

Hill Town Proposed Development

Hill Town Proposed Development

Hill Town Unit Count 640 Residential Units 13 acres Open Space 38 townhomes 209 courtyard housing 200 row houses 193 podium units (182 flats & 11 t.h.) 1504 – parking spaces 13 acres Open Space Commercial - tbd

Sycamore Crossing Sycamore Crossing

Sycamore Crossing Potential Build Out

Sycamore Crossing Proposed Square Footage 140,000 sq. ft. – retail 25,000 sq ft – market 170,000 sq ft - office 180 room – boutique hotel 170 – residential units Parking garages

Topics Addressed in the EIR Aesthetics Air Quality Biological Resources Cultural Resources Geology & Soils Hazards and Hazardous Materials Hydrology & Water Quality Land Use & Planning Noise Population & Housing Public Services & Recreation Traffic & Circulation Utilities & Service Systems Water Supply Wastewater Collection & Treatment Solid Waste Collection & Disposal

Findings of Significance Aesthetics Impact - Visual character could be substantially degraded Mitigation - significant and unavoidable Before Development After Development

Findings of Significance Air Quality Impact - Emissions (PM10)from new vehicle trips and area sources would exceed BAAQMD thresholds of significance for regional pollutants Mitigation – N/A can not be mitigated to a level of insignificance Includes 10% reduction for public transit, pedestrian/bike amenities and other smart growth measures Impact - GHG emissions and contribution to global climate change Mitigation – Less than significant

Findings of Significance Noise Impact - Traffic generated by the project together with background and foreseeable future development (cumulative) would increase ambient noise levels. Mitigation - No feasible mitigation since impacted area is built-out.

Other Findings of Interest Mitigations all to a level of “Less than Significant”

Traffic Primary Access Routes San Pablo Avenue (RRS) John Muir Parkway Sycamore Avenue Willow Avenue (RRS) State Route 4 (RRS) Interstate 80 (RRS)

Study Intersections

Existing+ Background + Project Impacts Intersection Existing Condition Existing + Background1 Existing+ Background + Project Cumulative Before Mitigation Sycamore @ San Pablo LOS B LOS C/D LOS F San Pablo & Linus Pauling LOS C LOS D Willow @ NTC E. Driveway N/A LOS E Sycamore & S. Front Street 1Sycamore Downtown, BART Replacement Parking, Phase I New Town Center, Parking Structure for Inter-modal transit center

Existing+ Background + Project Cumulative Before Mitigation Impacts (con’t) Intersection Existing Condition Existing + Background1 Existing+ Background + Project Cumulative Before Mitigation San Pablo & John Muir Pkwy LOS C LOS E LOS F Sycamore & Palm LOS B LOS C/D WB SR4 off-ramp @ Willow LOS D Willow & Palm 1Sycamore Downtown, BART Replacement Parking, Phase I New Town Center, Parking Structure for Inter-modal transit center

1 This measure is a city-wide policy Mitigations Intersection Mitigation LOS after mitigation Sycamore @ San Pablo Encourage use of Public Transit to reduce vehicle trips by 15%1 C/D San Pablo & Linus Pauling Install Traffic Signal. Add left and right turn lanes into site. Driveway should provide two outbound and one inbound lane. A Willow @ NTC E. Driveway Install traffic signal, widen Willow Ave and add turn lanes Sycamore & S. Front Street Install traffic signal and add WB left turn lane. 1 This measure is a city-wide policy

Mitigations (con’t) Intersection Mitigation LOS after mitigation San Pablo & John Muir Pkwy Encourage use of Public Transit to reduce vehicle trips by 15%1. Relocate I-80 offramp/SR-4 on ramp further East2. C/E Sycamore & Palm Install traffic signals and coordinate with SR-4 relocation A/C WB SR4 off-ramp @ Willow A/D Willow & Palm Install traffic signals and widen Willow and Palm approaches to two lanes in each direction. 1 This is an estimate based on expected usage 2 Traffic analysis shows this measure has the potential to significantly shift traffic patterns throughout Hercules

Geology and Soils Impact - Project could expose people and structures to adverse effects such as landslides. Mitigation – Project proponent must form a Geologic Hazard Abatement District (GHAD) or similar entity.

Hazardous Materials Impact Mitigation (less than significant) – project could potentially release hazardous materials during the process of decommissioning and dismantling the facility. Mitigation (less than significant) create a work plan1 for decommissioning and dismantling and submit the plan to RWQCB and other regulatory agencies retain qualified and licensed environmental professional to perform a final assessment of the facility throughout the site including inspecting the underground containment tank. Pipeline operators allowed to review tentative maps and plans 1 Work plan includes a sampling & analysis plan, a health and safety plan, a storm water pollution prevention plan, an air monitoring plan, a transportation plan and a soil management plan.

Alternatives No Project – some impacts based on current land use designations but does not meet RDA goals. Reduced Density – Hill Town unit count stays same (DOPA) though more dense. Sycamore Crossing square footage is reduced. air quality – impacts are still significant RDA goal of job creation would be reduced

Next Steps March 12, 2009 – DEIR Comment Period ends April 20, 2009 - Planning Commission Hearing Zone Change General Plan Amendment Final EIR Redevelopment Plan Amendment May 26, 2009 – City Council Public Hearing