Redwood City Planning Commission Special Meeting: Transit District Amendments

On October 25, 2022, at 6:00 PM, the Redwood City Planning Commission held a special meeting to consider and make a recommendation on the proposed Transit District Amendments to the General Plan and Downtown Precise Plan (DTPP), as well as the certification of a Subsequent Environmental Impact Report (SEIR) for the project. The meeting included a public hearing and culminated in unanimous votes recommending City Council approval.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Steven Russell (Pacifica, CA) submitted an email expressing strong support for creating the Transit District, citing the need for housing near transit (up to 1,100 homes, over 20% affordable), expanded Caltrain service, improved bike/pedestrian infrastructure, and economic vitality.
• Megan Conn (Redwood City, CA) also submitted an email in support, echoing similar benefits and urging the Commission to approve the amendments.
• Jason Newblanc (Redwood City Arts Commission) submitted a letter advocating for the inclusion of residential and parking structure valuations in the city's Art in Public Places ordinance within the Transit District, to ensure public art is integrated into new development.
• Caltrain (Dahlia Chazan, Deputy Chief of Planning) submitted a letter of strong support, emphasizing the project's role in enabling a four-track station and transit-oriented development.
• SamTrans (Christy Wegener, Planning Director) submitted a letter of support, highlighting the importance of the Redwood City Transit Center as a regional hub and the benefits of a new transit center and housing.
• No in-person or virtual verbal comments were recorded; the public record indicates comments were submitted in writing prior to the meeting.

Discussion Items

• Staff Presentation: Principal Planner Lindy Chan presented the Transit District Amendments, which would create a 16.6-acre Transit District within the DTPP area, focused on transit-oriented development near the Caltrain station. The proposed changes included:
  • Development capacity: up to 1,100 housing units (including up to 343 affordable units), 1.23 million sq ft of office (the Reduced Office Alternative), 100,000 sq ft retail, and 200 lodging rooms.
  • Elimination of vehicle parking minimums, increased bicycle parking ratios.
  • Circulation improvements: reconfiguration of Hamilton and Franklin streets, protected bike lanes, pedestrian safety enhancements.
  • Design flexibility: adding Contemporary architecture to the permitted styles, modifying minimum building heights to support retail.
  • Process: City Council would become the final approval authority for large projects in the district.
• Environmental Review: The SEIR identified significant and unavoidable impacts from air quality and climate change, but concluded that the project's benefits—including reduced vehicle miles traveled, transit-oriented growth, and affordable housing—outweighed those impacts. The Reduced Office Alternative (1.23 million sq ft of office instead of 1.63 million) was identified as the environmentally superior alternative.
• Commission Discussion: Commissioners expressed support for the Transit District, noting its alignment with city goals for housing, transportation, and sustainability. They discussed the need to ensure robust community benefits, including affordable housing and public art. The Commission acknowledged the SEIR findings and the Statement of Overriding Considerations.

Key Outcomes

• The Planning Commission adopted Resolution No. 22-06, which recommends that the City Council certify the Final Subsequent Environmental Impact Report (SEIR), adopt the Statement of Overriding Considerations, and approve the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program. The vote was unanimous (5-0, with all five commissioners present).
• The Planning Commission adopted Resolution No. 22-07, which recommends that the City Council approve the Transit District Amendments to the General Plan and DTPP, specifically the Reduced Office Alternative (1.23 million sq ft office cap, 1,100 housing units). The vote was unanimous.
• The official recommendation will be forwarded to the City Council, which is tentatively scheduled to consider the project on November 28, 2022.
• The Commission directed staff to consider including public art requirements for residential and parking structures in the Transit District, reflecting testimony from Jason Newblanc.

Next Steps: The City Council will hold a public hearing on November 28, 2022, to make the final decision on the Transit District Amendments and SEIR certification.