Title
Adopt a Resolution to Approve and Authorize the City Manager to Execute a Consulting Services Agreement with Alta Planning + Design, Inc. for the Bay Fair Development Plan and Specific Plan Update in an Amount Not to Exceed $1,345,585 (MTC Priority Development Area Grant Funded)
Staffreport
COUNCIL PRIORITY
• Economic Development
• Housing and Homelessness
• Infrastructure
SUMMARY
Staff recommend that the City Council adopt the attached Resolution approving a Consulting Services Agreement (CSA) with Alta Planning + Design, Inc. (Alta) in an amount not to exceed $1,345,585 for preparation of the Bay Fair Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Sub-Area 1 Development Plan and related updates to the Bay Fair TOD Specific Plan, General Plan, and Zoning Code.
Alta will serve as the prime consultant and lead a multidisciplinary team to prepare a Development Plan and implementing plan amendments that establish the framework for a walkable, transit-oriented, mixed-use district at the Bay Fair BART station.
The Agreement is fully funded by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) Priority Development Area (PDA) planning grant and has no impact on the General Fund. Completion of the Development Plan is a requirement of the City's MTC grant and will better position Sub-Area 1 for development.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommend that the City Council adopt the attached Resolution to approve and authorize the City Manager to execute a Consulting Services Agreement with Alta for the Bay Fair Development Plan and Specific Plan Update in an amount not to exceed $1,345,585.
BACKGROUND
The Bay Fair Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Specific Plan was adopted in 2018 and amended in 2020. Together, the Specific Plan and implementing B-TOD Zoning (2021) promote the long-term sustainability and vibrancy of the Bay Fair area as a walkable, transit-oriented, mixed-use district.
In 2023, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) awarded the City a $1,800,000 grant to prepare a Development Plan and related updates to the Bay Fair TOD Specific Plan, General Plan, and Zoning Code. The Development Plan will establish an implementation framework that addresses street and block layout, open space, multimodal circulation, utilities and infrastructure, parking, and funding and financing.
The City issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for professional consulting services on September 27, 2023 and received eight proposals by the October 30, 2023 deadline. A multi-department staff team evaluated the proposals with input from BART staff and private property owner stakeholders. An agreement for the Bay Fair Development Plan and Specific Plan Update was previously authorized and initiated in February 2024. The City has since terminated that agreement with the initial primary consultant and undertook a rescoping process with Alta, which was runner-up candidate from the RFP process.
ANALYSIS
This action authorizes the full, grant-funded Development Plan and Specific Plan Update effort with Alta as prime consultant. The budget aligns with the remaining $1,345,585 MTC grant budget. Because the initial procurement for a consultant for this effort was through a competitive process, staff recommend that the Council find it is in the City’s best interests to waive the competitive selection process for the award of this contract under San Leandro Municipal Code Sec. 1-6-315.
Alta will serve as prime consultant, leading project management, urban design, and preparation of the Specific Plan and General Plan amendments. The prime consultant will be supported by the following subconsultants:
• Mithun (urban design): development alternatives and development programming.
• Fehr & Peers (transportation): traffic safety and operations analysis, mobility hub design, transportation demand management (TDM), and parking and curb management policies.
• BKF Engineers (civil and infrastructure): catalytic infrastructure design, channel crossings, flood control, and utilities.
• Economic & Planning Systems (implementation and funding): financing strategy, including potential mechanisms such as an Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District (EIFD).
• Rincon Consultants (environmental): California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review, including preparation of a Program Supplemental Environmental Impact Report (SEIR).
APPLICABLE GENERAL PLAN POLICIES
This action would advance General Plan Policy LU-8.10, which calls for transforming the area around the Bay Fair BART station into a dynamic new transit-oriented development area. This action would also advance numerous policies and programs from the City's certified 2023-2031 Housing Element, including Action 8.1, which calls for continuing to implement the Bay Fair TOD Specific Plan and commits the City to working closely with BART to find funds and resources to facilitate pre-development work.
FINANCIAL IMPACTS
The total cost of this Consulting Services Agreement is $1,345,585. The Agreement is fully funded by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) Priority Development Area (PDA) planning grant awarded to the City in 2023 and has no impact on the General Fund.
ATTACHMENTS:
A: Draft Council Resolution
B: Scope of Work and Budget
PREPARED BY: Avalon Schultz, Assistant Community Development Director, Community Development Department