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Bellam Boulevard/Vista del Mar Crosswalk

In an effort to increase the parking supply and improve pedestrian facilities in the Canal neighborhood, Public Works has identified several improvements at the Bellam Boulevard/Vista del Mar uncontrolled crossing. An uncontrolled crossing is anywhere a pedestrian can cross where a motorist must yield to their right-of-way. Increasing sight lines by eliminating parking at the...

2020-06-01 Agenda Packet

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: Testing Increases, County Eviction Moratorium, & More!

Access to COVID-19 testing continues to increase in our community. In the past three weeks, Marin County has nearly tripled its testing capability. Widespread testing is a crucial step in containing the virus and moving us forward on our path towards recovery. Anyone who is feeling sick should get tested. Also, even if you aren’t experiencing symptoms, it’s recommended that you get tested if you were exposed...

Priority Development Areas in San Rafael

Should the City continue to pursue a PDA-designation and funding for a PDA planning process for Northgate and Southeast San Rafael/Canal? As part of the on-going work for San Rafael’s General Plan 2040, City staff has received requests for deeper planning efforts in the Canal neighborhood and around the Northgate Mall area. Planning efforts such as these require grant...

Fifth Avenue/River Oaks Road

Knight Drive/Ashwood Court

Mission Avenue/west of Alice Street

Mission Avenue/Park Street

Crosswalk Improvements

About Project goals Enhance uncontrolled crosswalks with basic, enhanced, and specialized treatments, based on need, priority, and funding availability Install high-visibility crosswalks, add red curb for visibility, add warning and pedestrian crossing signage at uncontrolled crossings (uncontrolled crosswalks at locations where sidewalks or designated walkways intersect a roadway at a location with no traffic control...

What funding is available to a PDA?

The most common funding source for a PDA is the One Bay Area Grant (OBAG) Program, which is administered by MTC. Established in 2012, OBAG taps federal funds to maintain MTC's commitments to regional transportation priorities while also advancing the Bay Area's land-use and housing goals. Cities and counties in the Bay Area can use...

Can we change the PDA boundaries?

Yes! The purpose of a PDA designation it to begin a community-driven planning process. Through this planning process, we will continue to refine the PDA boundaries based upon community input. Additionally, MTC/ABAG provides access to funding for jurisdictions with PDAs to help facilitate this process.

Can a PDA be removed by the City?

Yes. After a PDA has been designated, it can be removed at any time by the local jurisdiction. This process is known as a rescinding a PDA. A designated PDA can be removed by the City Council adopting a resolution rescinding the PDA. While removing the PDA is immediate, it may continue to appear as...

By designating a PDA, are we allowing projects to be streamlined or exempt from environmental review CEQA?

No. A PDA is a tool that provides access to funding for area planning and needed and/or planned infrastructure improvements. A PDA holds no authority or power over environmental review or exemptions prescribed by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). However, a PDA can provide a funding source to develop and adopt community-driven planning processes....

How is the Regional Housing Need Allocation (RHNA) connected to PDA?

RHNA is the State-mandated housing allocation that is provided to each local jurisdiction, which is required to be addressed in the Housing Elements of all local General Plans. The housing allocations from RHNA is applied to the city as whole. There is no “allocation” that is applied to or assigned to PDAs. Therefore, there is...

What is a Priority Development Area?

First, a Priority Development Area or “PDA” is a place that has convenient public transit service that is prioritized by local governments (cities/counties) for housing, jobs and services. PDAs range from Downtowns to Main Streets to aging shopping malls. Second, a PDA is a funding and planning tool. If a local jurisdiction voluntarily nominates an...

Why does this have to be done now while we are sheltering in place?

The Call for Letters of Interest to nominate a PDA was released on March 11, 2020, which was the same week the Shelter-in-Place Order was enacted. The process to nominate a PDA has a specific time limit and deadline for filing. A Letter of Interest to nominate an area for PDA designation must be...

How can we preserve the small-town character of our community?

While a PDA is an area earmarked and prioritized for housing, jobs and services, the designation, in itself, has no impact on maintaining or preserving the small-town character of a community. If preserving the small town character is a key community goal, the community-driven planning process required by a PDA designation would control building scale,...

Does this mean we will start seeing high rise buildings in our community?

No, the designation of a PDA for an area does not mean that high rise buildings will be developed in the community. A PDA designation is a funding and planning tool; it does not zone for or authorize land development. A PDA would help fund a community-driven planning process which would look at the density,...

Will a PDA impact traffic and parking in North San Rafael or the Canal Neighborhood?

No. A PDA is a planning tool and does not zone, authorize or approve new development or other physical changes. Rather, a PDA provides access to funding to construct needed and/or planned infrastructure improvements aimed at addressing traffic issues. Additionally, PDAs also provide access to funding to help facilitate a community-driven planning process that would better plan...

Priority Development Areas - 2020