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File Number: 19-492 <br />(streamlined) review process for multi-family residential projects under specific conditions and <br />near transit locations. To qualify for this process, an applicant would be required to pay prevailing <br />wage for construction labor. This law exempts such projects from environmental (CEQA) review <br />and limits the local government agency’s project review to locally adopted “objective design and <br />development standards.” <br />Developing objective design standards is a challenge, as design is subjective and not typically <br />prescribed or quantitative. The City of San Leandro has design guidelines, which are found in <br />more recent specific plans such as for the Downtown and Bay Fair transit-oriented development <br />(TOD) areas. However, not all of these design guidelines are “objective” design standards. <br />Development of objective residential design standards would serve to provide proactive, more <br />uniform and clearer guidance to developers seeking to pursue housing and/or mixed-use projects <br />in San Leandro and would help ensure that the value added through a discretionary review <br />process is not lost if streamlined approvals apply. Developing objective residential design <br />standards would help retain local control of high-quality design in new multi-family and mixed-use <br />residential developments. <br />Applicable General Plan Policies <br />• Policy CD-5.4 Architectural Consistency. In established neighborhoods, protect <br />architectural integrity by requiring infill housing, replacement housing, and major additions <br />or remodels to be sensitive to and compatible with the prevailing scale and appearance of <br />adjacent development. <br />• Policy LU-6.1 Downtown Plans. In accordance with the adopted Downtown Plan and <br />Urban Design Guidelines and the Downtown San Leandro Transit Oriented Development <br />Strategy, ensure that new downtown development is attractive and creates an image <br />conducive to revitalization. <br />• Housing Element Policy 59.01 Zoning Regulations. Ensure that the development <br />standards, use restrictions, parking requirements, and other regulations contained in the <br />San Leandro Zoning Code enable the production of housing for all income groups. Overly <br />restrictive or redundant requirements should be strongly discouraged. <br />Environmental Review <br />There is no environmental review required to apply for and receive a SB2 planning grant. <br />Fiscal Impacts <br />There is no fiscal impact on General Funds associated with this item. The SB2 Planning Grants <br />Program does not require a local financial commitment or “match” from local jurisdictions <br />requesting grant funds. City staff time required for administering the grant applications and <br />managing the projects funded by the grant would be absorbed as part of the staff workload. Up to <br />5% of the grant may be used to cover administrative support for the applications. <br />ATTACHMENT(S) <br />Page 3 City of San Leandro Printed on 9/11/2019 <br />42