REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
November 6, 2014
FROM: JENNIFER K. CLARK, Director
Development and Resource Management Department
BY: DEL ESTABROOKE, Parking Manager
Parking Services Division
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to Parking Permit Agreement between Housing Authority and the City of Fresno:
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15301 (Existing Facility) of California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines; and
2. Approve a Parking Permit Agreement for 25 parking spaces in City of Fresno Parking Garage #7 located at 801 Van Ness at a base rate of $35 per month per stall for a two (2) year term (Council District 3).
Body
RECOMMENDATIONS
Adopt findings of Categorical Exemption per staff determination, pursuant to Article 19, Section 15301/Class 1 (Existing Facility) of the CEQA Guidelines for the Parking Permit Agreement between the Housing Authority and the City of Fresno and approve a Parking Permit Agreement for 25 parking spaces in City of Fresno Parking Garage #7 located at 801 Van Ness at a base rate of $35 per month per stall for a two (2) year term with two (2) optional one (1) year extensions.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City of Fresno and the Housing Authority have worked diligently revitalizing the area near the downtown Inyo Street and Van Ness Ave Intersection. The former Droge building has been razed and a new building constructed. When completed, this venue will house both tenants and commercial activity. The footprint of the new site does not provide enough parking for the tenants of the new building. Additional parking in the amount of 25 parking stalls will be made available in the City of Fresno parking Garage located across the street at 801 Van Ness. The Parking Agreement has an initial term of two (2) years with two (2) optional one (1) year terms. Monthly rate can be renegotiated after the initial 2 year term. The $35 rate is comparable as this is an affordable housing unit for low and moderate incomes.
BACKGROUND
The corner of Inyo Street and Van Ness Avenue in Downtown Fresno was home to the former Droge Building but has been vacant for a number of years. The building was actually held upright by steel poles and had deteriorated until it was structurally unsafe and it had to be demolished. The City of Fresno and the Housing Authority have reinvigorated this Intersection with a brand new multi-story building that will become the home of both residential and commercial use. The limited building footprint makes it impossible to provide onsite parking for the tenants. Across the street from this building is the City owned Spiral Garage that has capacity to hold close to 600 vehicles. Only approximately 25 parking stalls are required to meet the building's needs. Visitor parking is also provided in the same parking garage.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
Staff has determined that the proposed Agreement is exempt under CEQA Guideline 15301 Class 1, which provides exemption for the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing public structures and facilities, involving negligible or no expansion of use beyond that existing at the time of the lead agency's determination. The proposed Agreement is within the Class 1 exemption because it involves existing City parking structures and facilities involving negligible or no expansion of use.
The above exemption is not precluded by Guideline 15300.2, which prevents the use of categorical exemptions for projects where there is a reasonable possibility that the activity will have a significant effect on the environment due to unusual circumstances, or where a project may cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical resource. The proposed Agreement does not have a significant effect on the environment due to unusual circumstances, nor does it cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical resource. None of the exceptions to Categorical Exemptions set forth in the CEQA Guidelines, section 15300.2 apply to this project.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not considered because this agreement does not include a bid or award of a construction or services contract.
FISCAL IMPACT
The parking agreement generates approximately $21,000 in revenue for the initial term.