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HomeMy WebLinkAbout111225-03.2 STUDY STUDY SESSION MEMORANDUM 3.2 TO: Mayor and Town Council November 12, 2025 SUBJECT: Consideration of temporary use of 510 La Gonda Way Proposal by San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District BACKGROUND While the Town relocated its offices and Police Department from 510 La Gonda Way to 500 La Gonda Way in 2022, the Town still owns the 510 La Gonda property. The property is currently being used for needed parking and houses a solar array providing power to the Town. In 2024, the general plan and zoning designation for the property was changed to multi-family residential. The Town’s Housing Element contains a proposed time frame for the Town to select a developer for residential development of the property. The San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District (the “Fire District”) has determined that it is necessary to rebuild their Station 31, which is located at 800 San Ramon Valley Boulevard. During that process (which is currently estimated to take a maximum of 18- 24 months), the Fire District needs to find a temporary location within Danville to relocate the employees and equipment from Station 31. Keeping this presence in Danville is an important public safety advantage for the Town’s residents. The Fire District and Town have looked at Town owned properties to identify a potential site for this temporary relocation. After this review, both Town and Fire District staff believe the best option is 510 La Gonda. Town and Fire District staff have laid out issues to be addressed and would like to receive preliminary feedback from the Town Council before proceeding any further. DISCUSSION The following is a summary of issues identified by staff for both agencies: Housing of Fire District Employees assigned to Station 31 After inspecting the existing building at 510 La Gonda with a contractor and Town building officials, the Fire District believes it would be a better solution to make necessary improvements to the existing building (at Fire District cost) rather than use portables. Town staff concurs. 510 La Gonda and Fire District 2 November 12, 2025 Parking Pending completion of the expanded parking lot at 500 La Gonda (which will occur as part of the future residential development), the Town uses the rear parking lot at 510 La Gonda for employee parking. In addition, the existing solar array in the rear parking lot hosts the EV chargers necessary to power the Town’s EV fleet. Town and Fire District staff believe that a combination of the front parking lot at 510 and unused spaces in the rear lot will provide adequate parking. Planning and Building Approvals Because the zoning on the 510 La Gonda property was changed to residential, use of the property by the Fire District would require approval of a Land Use permit. The Town’s planning staff believes the necessary findings for such a permit could be made. Any physical improvements to the building would of course require building permits from the Town. Preliminary reviews indicate no significant issues there. Timing for future residential development of the property As indicated above, the Town changed the general plan and zoning designations on the 510 La Gonda property to multi-family residential and identified the site as one helping meet the Town’s RHNA obligation in our current housing element. The housing element identifies a proposed timeline for development of the property, with the Town developing an RFP to go out to potential developers by the end of 2026, selecting a developer by the end of 2027 and construction beginning by the end of 2028. After speaking with housing consultants, the Town can still achieve this timeline by pursuing the early steps in the process while the Fire District is still using the property and certainly within the 2031 horizon of the housing element. Lease Terms The Town and Fire District would need to negotiate terms for a lease of the property, which would require approval by both the Town Council and the Fire District Board. The lease would address any rent, utility and maintenance issues. 510 La Gonda and Fire District 3 November 12, 2025 RECOMMENDATION Provide direction to Town staff regarding a potential lease of 510 La Gonda to the Fire District. Prepared by: Robert B. Ewing City Attorney