The Clearlake Redevelopment Agency voted unanimously on Tuesday, June 13 to approve a five-year implementation plan. With one council seat vacant and Councilmember Bob Malley absent, the vote was 3-0 among Councilmember Peggy Smith, Mayor Joyce Overton and Vice Mayor Judy Thein.
Consultants Andrew J. Plescia and Tom Sinclair presented an overview on Tuesday of the draft five-year plan, which governs the Highlands Park Community Development Project Area.
“This is a blueprint for your agency to follow over the next five years,” said Plescia, “to address rehabilitation and community housing obligations. It”s your policy statement regarding what the priorities of your community are over that five-year time.”
The Highlands Park Community Development Project Area encompasses 3,025 acres, approximately two-thirds of Clearlake city limits. An 80-vote margin among participating voters approved a Community Development Plan in November 1990. A later ordinance by the city council, in December 1994, set the plan”s time limit at 20 years.
Once every five years, the redevelopment agency must prepare and adopt an implementation plan that governs community redevelopment. The agency has contracted with A. Plescia & Co. to create the five-year plan for fiscal years 2006-2007 to 2010-2011.
The process began in January with the first of two public hearings, which gauged community priorities. A second public hearing, in April of this year, served to provide an overview and obtain additional input.
The plan focuses its recommendations in two overall areas, of redevelopment and housing, which account for 80 percent and 20 percent of redevelopment investments. Revenue projections for non-housing activities, offset by existing obligations, is for $958,000.
Redevelopment activities are classified within four areas: public improvements and infrastructure, property acquisition and assembly, property improvement and economic development. Specific recommendations include:
Public improvements and infrastructure
? Design, engineering and installation of public infrastructure and improvements including streets, curb/gutter/sidewalk, utilities, drainage, street lighting and landscaping in the North Lakeshore, Central Lakeshore, South Lakeshore, Southeast and Northeast sub-areas;
? Planning and design of improvements to Lakeshore Drive to increase/improve traffic flow in the section from State Route 53 to Olympic Drive, including resolution of the issue of existing parking that backs onto Lakeshore Drive;
? Design, engineering and construction of public parking spaces on certain properties/sites to be identified in downtown Clearlake to support existing and planned future commercial and retail uses; and
? Seek state or federal funding to be matched with tax increment funding for the further development of Highlands Park, including the potential of an interpretive center.
Property acquisition and assembly
? Agency acquisition of key strategically located infill development sites in downtown Clearlake for future private commercial and retail development;
? Agency acquisition of key strategically located properties along the shoreline of Clear Lake for the purpose of providing increased opportunities for public access and views to Clear Lake;
? Acquisition of certain properties in downtown Clearlake for development as public parking to support existing and planned future commercial and retail uses; and
? Complete assembly of the Clearlake Business Park development site in order to provide for a development site adequate in size to accommodate private development of a high quality, regional serving commercial and retail project.
Property improvement
? Develop a program for providing technical and financial assistance (low interest loans) for rehabilitation of existing commercial and retail properties/buildings within the downtown core of Clearlake, with funding provided on a revolving loan basis;
? Increase efforts by the City of Clearlake to implement code enforcement and nuisance abatement programs as part of the city/agency efforts related to overall neighborhood revitalization; and
? Partner with private or quasi-private organizations to develop and implement a program or programs designed to encourage better maintenance of existing properties and buildings, including education outreach and technical assistance to homeowners, rental property owners and business owners.
Economic development
? Disposition of the Austin Resort development site for the purpose of private development of a high quality destination hotel/resort project with restaurant and retail uses; and including marina, beach access, public open space/recreation and view corridor to Clear Lake;
? Disposition of the assembled Clearlake Business Park development site for the purposes of private development of a high quality, regional serving commercial and retail project; and
? Preparation of an economic development revitalization strategy for the downtown core of Clearlake, including an overall vision, market analysis, land use plan, design guidelines, development standards, public improvement plans and an implementation/financing approach (Downtown Revitalization Strategy). As a component of the Downtown Revitalization Strategy, identification of key strategically located properties that should be encouraged as “catalyst” development sites to demonstrate the physical/economic feasibility of proposed commercial, retail and/or mixed-use development.
The affordable housing compliance portion of the implementation plan sets forth proposed activities for a projected 116 units of housing stock. The plan projects that $2.8 million will be available in the agency”s housing fund once existing obligations offset the fund”s projected revenues. Specific activities include:
? New construction ? Financial assistance or “gap” financing for the development of approximately 24 units for very-low, low and moderate income households;
? Housing rehabilitation ? Financial assistance (loans) for the rehabilitation of approximately 62 existing units of ownership or rental housing, either occupied by low and moderate income households or unoccupied units with substantial health and/or safety violations;
? First time home buyers program ? Financial assistance (loans) for approximately 20 low and moderate income households; and
? Acquisition of existing units ? Acquisition of approximately six to 10 existing rental units by the agency as a means to secure affordable rents for low and moderate income households.
Contact Cynthia Parkhill at cparkhill@clearlakeobserver.com.
