DEPARTMENT: Department of Planning & Community Development
DEPARTMENT HEAD: John Dugan, AICP
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
A Resolution accepting a grant from VIA Metropolitan Transit Authority in the amount of $250,000.00 to contribute to the development of the Comprehensive Plan update.
SUMMARY:
A Resolution accepting a grant from VIA Metropolitan Transit Authority in the amount of $250,000.00 to contribute to the development of the City of San Antonio (COSA) Comprehensive Plan (the Plan) update.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
As the Metropolitan Transit Agency serving the San Antonio community, VIA is a vital partner in the City of San Antonio's Comprehensive Plan update. VIA also is a key stakeholder in the Multi-modal Transportation Plan and Sustainability Plan. On November 18, 2014 the VIA Board of Trustees passed a Resolution directing VIA staff to coordinate the efforts of VIA's Long Range Comprehensive Transportation Plan (LRCTP) with the COSA Comprehensive Plan update and authorized a financial contribution of $250,000 for the Comprehensive Plan.
ISSUE:
As a condition to the monetary contribution, it is agreed and understood that the scope of the development efforts (1) will necessarily include a public participation process, (2) illustrate recommended growth scenarios and (3) culminate in a plan document that will benefit all parties and provide for the needs of the community. To accomplish this scope, VIA proposes, and the Department of Planning & Community Development accepts, the following provisions:
VIA will have a position on the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee and will be active participants in technical management and policy advisement efforts in the development of the Plan. This stipulation has been met;
City and VIA staff shall work together to identify and develop comprehensive and detailed land use plans for as many as ten (10) corridors. The plans shall have sufficient detail to foster the integration of transit and land use within the 2040 planning horizon as contained in the LRCTP, as amended, and to support the planning recommendation in the Comprehensive Plan update. This effort is currently ongoing, but has been initiated;
City and VIA staff will diligently pursue the adoption of transit/transportation policies that foster sustained ridership growth. These efforts will provide recommendations for modification of various City codes and regulations;
The City and VIA agree to cooperate, coordinate, create and implement methodologies and processes that are intended to and have the capability of educating the general public, the development community, and other impacted groups about transit supportive land use, transit supportive housing, transit supportive development; and
As a means to implement the Plan, the City and VIA will work together to identify and pursue funding opportunities that encourage multi-modal investments and sustained ridership growth.
VIA proposes that the sum of the contribution of $250,000.00 will be paid in two equal payments of $125,000.00, the first coming within five days of the City's decision on this agreement and the other in July 2015, once the VIA Board has determined that the intent of this agreement has been initiated and that substantial progress is being made.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Council may choose to reject the proposed grant and retain the current scope of work for the City's Comprehensive Plan.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This Resolution authorizes the acceptance of grant funds in the amount of $250,000.00 from VIA Metropolitan Transit Authority to contribute to the development of the City's Comprehensive Plan update. Grant funds received from VIA will be deposited into the General Fund.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the Resolution accepting this grant.