HomeMy WebLinkAbout106-03RESOLUTION NO. 106-2003
ADOPTING THE "SHAPING OUR FUTURE PRINCIPLES OF AGREEMENT"
DATED OCTOBER 1, 2003
WHEREAS, the Contra Costa Shaping our Future project is a collaborative regional
planning effort that has been undertaken and funded by the 19 cities in Contra Costa
County as well as Contra Costa County and various non-governmental participants; and
WHEREAS, the purpose of Shaping our Future was to create a community based "Vision"
that would be used as a tool to guide growth in Contra Costa County over the next 20
years; and
WHEREAS, the Shaping our Future Vision addresses growth-related issues, such as using
land more efficiently, preserving the integrity of existing neighborhoods, reducing
congestion in key areas, preserving open space and hillsides and capitalizing on other key
features of the natural environment, encouraging development in city centers and transit
nodes, developing transportation strategies, redeveloping business districts that may be
underutilized, and the need for a county-wide economic development effort that will
promote jobs throughout the county but particularly in the West and East County; and
WHEREAS, the community at large has had numerous opportunities to participate in the
creation of this "Vision" through numerous workshops, focus groups and through a
countywide poll; and
WHEREAS, the Policy Committee of Shaping our Future comprised of elected
representatives from all participating jurisdictions, recommends the "Vision" outlined in
summary form in the Vision Summary Report, be approved by all participating
jurisdictions by adopting the "Principles of Agreement" dated October 1, 2003, and
attached hereto as Exhibit 1; and
WHEREAS, the Shaping or Future project is a voluntary collaborative effort and it is
understood that all participants retain sole and exclusive rights to determine land use
policy and matters within their own jurisdictions; and
WHEREAS, the Danville Town Council understands the significance of this cooperative
process involving all other county jurisdictions and wishes to continue in support of
implementing the "Vision" in Danville; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Danville Town Council hereby adopts and endorses the "Shaping
our Future Principles of Agreement" dated October 1, 2003.
APPROVED by the Danville Town Council at a regular meeting on October 21, 2003, by
the following vote:
AYES: Arnerich, Andersen, Doyle
NOES: Shimansky, Stepper
ABSTAINED: None
ABSENT: None
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
CITY ATTORNEY
ATTEST:
CITY CLERK
PAGE 2 OF RESOLUTION NO. 106-2003
SHAPING OUR FUTURE
PRINCIPLES OF AGREEMENT
(Approved by Policy Committee on October 1, 2003
· 1. URBAN LIMIT LINE
The County and local municipalities principally agree on one Urban Limit Line (ULL) as
a shared growth management tool. One agreed upon "line" should be adopted that works
for both the County and local municipalities. City boundaries and the ULL are considered
coterminous in those cases where the existing ULL lies within a city boundary unless a
city has taken official action to move the ULL within its city boundaries. The eventually
amended and adopted line should be committed to for a longer period of time, in the
range of 15-20 years. A periodic review of every 5-10 years may be suitable (and
necessary), however, to compare capacity within the boundary with ABAG growth
projections and prepare adjustments if necessary to stay within the l 5-20 year range.
2. OPEN SPACE
Protection of open space and valuable agricultural resources is important to the County
and the cities of Contra Costa. Jurisdictions in Contra Costa value protected open space -
including prime farmland and open space slated for protection - and will work towards
continued enhancement of additional open space needs through entitlement or purchase.
The County and local municipalities agree in principle to undertake the coordination and
implementation of the County community's future open space preservation goals, as
delineated in the draft proposed open space funding measure~ These and future open
space acquisition efforts shall be incorporated into the Vision's open space element..
3. GENERAL PLANS and ZONING MAPS
The County and local municipalities agree in principle that long-range vis/ohs of where
growth should locate will be based on coordinated local general plans and the Shaping
Our Future concept. General plans will be guided by the kind, type, location, and quality
of development described by the Shaping Our Future Vision. It is acknowledged that
many communities have valuable unique physical attributes that may conflict with some
Shaping Our Future goals, but are still valued and important to those communities. The
County and local municipalities agree in principle that it is appropriate for local
jurisdictions and unincorporated areas to apply the principles of Shaping Our Future as
each sees fit. Even while working towards a common regional vision, jurisdictions will
retain local control of general plans and zoning of land within their municipal boundary.
In no case shall a jurisdiction's General Plan be subordinated by the Shaping Our Future
Vision Plan.
EXItlBIT 1
Shaping Our Future:
Principles of Agreement
October 1, 2003
Page 2
4. LAND USE and TRANSPORTATION CONNECTION
The County and local municipalities agree in principle that regional transportation
planning will primarily occur through the Contra Costa Transportation Authority. While'
CCTA will coordinate with local municipalities with respect to land use, it will have no
authority over land use designation within city jurisdictions o.r the County unincorporated
area.
Regional transportation plans should contain a growth management strategy consistent
with the goals envisioned by the Shaping Our FutUre Vision~ The CCTA should also use
the Vision to guide renewal of the regional transportation ~lan.
5. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
The County and local municipalities agree in principle to coordinate with agencies such
as the Contra Costa Economic Partnership, the Contra Costa Council and local area
Chambers of Commerce to attract investment and job growth into Contra Costa. Thc
County and local municipalities will assist in developing a "one-stop shop" (e.g.
workforce development resource center) for economic and workforce development
information and referrals in the County. They also agree to assist in developing
employment opportunities and new investment throughout the County, particularly in
East and West Coun(y.
6. HOUSING ELEMENTS
Under California State law each jurisdiction is responsible for developing a housing
element as part of its General Plans. The County and local municipalities agree in
principle to cooperate and communicate with each other in the development of their
homing elements using best available data of developable and redevelopable land. An
agreed upon agency will maintain a database of the housing clements of thc cities and the
County, accessible by all City and County planning offices. With respect to appropriate
proportion of affordable housing allocated to each jurisdiction, the data will be used to
track housing allocations in each jurisdiction. Each agency has a responsibility to address
affordable housing issues using a variety of strategies and programs to achieve its goals.
It shall be the goal of each community to strive towards an overall regional jobs and
housing balance.
7. REINVESTMENT and INFILL DEVELOPMENT
An integral element of the Shaping Our Future Vision is to encourage the
accommodation of growth in reinvestment and infill areas, as identified by local agencies.
Reinvestment in underutilized developed land preserves the health of stable.
neighborhoods, existing vibrant urban areas, and open space. The growth and prosperity
of urban centers, as envisioned in the Shaping Our Future Vision, requires that areas be
identified for reinvestment, and policies, laws, and investments support these targeted
areas. The County and local municipalities agree in principle to the importance of
Shaping Our Future
Principles of Agreement
October 1, 2003
Page 3
reinvestment and infill development where it is most appropriate, and to the preservation
of existing neighborhoods.
8. SOCIAL EQUITY
The County and local municipalities agree in principle to develop affordable housing in
the most appropriate settings and to mitigate the effects of displacement that reinvestment
can have in affordable communities. Additionally, the County and local municipalities
agree to explore the creation of a housing "trust fund" that can be used to supplement
local agency efforts and focus investments in affordable housing in locations or
jurisdictions that most need assistance and where local agencies are working diligently to
achieve affordable housing goals. The housing trust fund should include agencies such as
local governments, the Contra Costa Economic Partnership, the banking commmiity,
community development financial iusfimfions and other entities that will further the goal
of creating affordable housing within Contra Costa County.
9. SCHOOL DISTRICT COORDINATION
An educated populace is a cornerstone to the long-term well being of the region. The
County and local municipalities agree in principle to collaborate with school districts and'
area colleges to continue to .improve educational opportunities for area citizens. The
County and local municipalities agree to initiate discussions with local area schools,
school districts, and higher-education institutions to determine suitable and best locations
for new schools and colleges and also redevelopment of existing schools, as part of the
· planning process. The objective of such planning is to assure that any changes in school
facility and program requirements resulting from growth can be implemented without any
detrimental impact on the availability of educational opportunities in Contra Costa
County.
10. PARKLANDS
As higher density development occurs in town and village centers and at major Ixansit
facilities as outlined in this Vision, each agency agrees to cousider the adequacy of
existing park facilities and plan additions where appropriate.
11. WATER A1ND SEWER FACILITIES
In Contra Costa County, special districts often provide water and sewer scrvice~. These
services are critical to implementing the Shaping Our Future Vision. Each planning
agency agrees to work closely with appropriate districts to assure that there is service
available to meet the needs of planned job and housing expansion called for in local
general plans. The objective of such service planning is to assure that the additional
demands for water and sewer capacity resulting from growth can be adequately met
Shaping'Our Future
Principles of Agreement
October 1, 2003
Page 4
without placing additional constraints on existing service customers, and without any
detrimental impact on existing service quality.
12. AGENCY TO AGENCY COOPERATION
The Shaping Our Future Vision was a collective effort of cities and Contra Costa County.
The cooperative effort should be continued when it comes to specific comprehensive
planning with the result of neighboring communities working together as plans are
formulated and adopted.
Many cities have LAFCO established sphere of influence boUndaries outlining where the
city will eventually grow through annexations. The sphere boundaries are based on
logical and practical governmental service areas. Thc affected jurisdictions commit to
recognizing the established sphere of influence lines and agree to cooperative,
comprehensive planning so that future land use and development standards will be
compatible. Any development in Spheres of Influence should be consistent with such
plans developed jointly by affected jurisdictions.
13. COMMON DATABASE for GROWTH INFORMATION
Comprehensive and consistent data are critical to coordinating and monitoring a
countywide growth management strategy. It is necessary to maintain standardized data
that are useable at the region-wide level to observe, compare, and monitor the cumulative
effects of change with respect to growth management. County hnd local municipalities
agree in principle to ehsure appropriate and reliable methods in gathering data, in.
particular standardizing the method for determining ~'acant land and properties already
developed with high potential for reinvestment. Local municipalities agree in principle to
collaborate with the County to establish criteria for identifying vacant and underutilized
lands, based upon locally adopted General Plan standards.
14. COMMON VOICE
United responses to local, regional, and state and other regulating entities based on the
values and well-being of the regional Contra Costa community is valued by the County
and local municipalities.
15. COMMON VISION
The County and local municipalities principally agree and.acknowledge that the Shaping
Our Future Vision will guide land nsc and transportation planning and coordination
among jurisdictions, Moreover, it is agreed that the Vision is a dynamic document that
may be modified in the future by mutual consent of thc affected signatories to reflect
changes in the county.
Shaping Our Future
Principles of Agreement
October 1, 2003
Page 5
· h is the general intent of thc County and local municipalities to enter into a Compact to
carry forward the Principles of Agreement and the implementation of the elements and
goals developed in the Shaping Our Future Vision~