Agenda Date: 04/21/2015
Subject:
Title
Resolution of the city council of the City of Littleton, Colorado, authorizing an intergovernmental agreement with the Regional Transportation District regarding funding for the Mineral and Littleton Downtown Light Rail Station Area Plans.
Body
Presented By: |
Glen Van Nimwegen, Director of Community Development |
POLICY QUESTION:
Does city council support an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) between the city and the Regional Transportation District (RTD) authorizing funding for the Mineral Avenue and Littleton Downtown Light Rail Station Area Plans?
BACKGROUND:
The Citywide Plan, an element of the city's Comprehensive Plan, includes priorities for the update or creation of a small area plan for each of the city's identified neighborhoods, activity corridors, and activity areas. Consistent with the vision, goals, and policies set forth in the Citywide Plan, the development of plans for the Mineral light rail station area and the Littleton Downtown light rail station area are categorized as high priority.
The city has been awarded partial funding for the development of these two light rail station area plans through the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Grant to RTD from the Federal Highway Administration. By authorizing this IGA, the city and RTD agree that the plans will help promote regional sustainability by contributing to transit oriented development sites that collectively reduce regional per capita vehicle miles traveled, air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and water consumption. It is anticipated that the grants will be $75,000 for the development of the Mineral Station Area Plan, and $100,000 for the development of the Littleton Downtown Station Area Plan. The city's share of the project cost will be 80% or $18,750 for the Mineral Station Area Plan and $25,000 for the Littleton Downtown Station Area Plan.
The city will issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) to engage consultants to develop the plans. The city will choose the consultant after considering the recommendation of a committee consisting of representatives from the city and RTD. The city and the consultant will be parties to the consulting contract. The city, as the contracting agency, will administer the consultant's contract.
The goals for each of the two station area plans are to define:
1. The short-term, projected, and potential long-term markets for the study area;
2. Strategies for establishing a sustainable long-term market;
3. The role of the study area in the city and the region;
4. The desired character of the study area and of any sub-areas;
5. Sustainable development practices specific to the study area;
6. A circulation and parking plan and program that enhances connections and gives priority to pedestrians;
7. A design framework that provides a physical interpretation of the plan and indicates general locations of land uses, height, massing, circulation elements, and other design characteristics; and
8. An implementation program that establishes the "next steps;" i.e. the timeline, financing, and responsibilities for the life of the development.
The city and RTD commit that they will make reasonable efforts to secure approvals from their respective governing bodies to implement needed infrastructure improvements with their capital improvement program; adopt appropriate zoning code, master plan, and other regulatory changes; and incorporate plan recommendations into local ordinances, regulations, or other requirements governing development of the plan areas. Nothing commits either the city or RTD to grant such approvals, and nothing commits either party to fund any improvements identified in these plans or any other adopted plans.
STAFF ANALYSIS:
The IGA is a requirement of the grant funding. The funding provides 80%, or $175,000, of the projected costs of two plans, each of which is a high priority of the Citywide Plan. Both plans will provide information that will be necessary for achieving the optimum development of the two station areas. While the administrative work associated with both grants is substantial for staff, the benefits significantly outweigh the costs.
FISCAL IMPACTS:
The funding assistance referenced by the IGA requires a minimum of 80% matching funds from the city. The IGA places a maximum of $175,000 on the funding provided by RTD and a requirement that any funding above the anticipated project cost be provided by the city. The IGA requires that the city provides an $18,750 match for the Mineral Station Area Plan and a $25,000 match for the Littleton Downtown Station Area Plan. The total dollar cost for the city's match for the two plans will be $43,750 and will be paid from the Community Development Department's budget. The city will invoice RTD on a monthly basis for reimbursement of payments to the consultant.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the resolution authorizing an IGA between the city and RTD regarding funding for the Mineral Avenue and Littleton Downtown Light Rail Station Area Plans.
PROPOSED MOTION:
Proposed Motion
I move to approve the resolution authorizing an intergovernmental agreement with the Regional Transportation District regarding funding for the Mineral and Littleton Downtown Light Rail Station Area Plans.