HomeMy WebLinkAbout24.a. Authorize President Pro Tem to sign comment letter regarding the Plan Bay Area 2050 Draft Blueprint Page 1 of 3
Item 24.a.
CENTRALSAN
Jdf A- hom
CENTRAL CONTRA COSTA SANITARY DISTRICT
August 20, 2020
TO: HONORABLE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
FROM: MICHAEL R. MCGILL, BOARD PRESIDENT
REVIEWED BY: KENTALM, DISTRICT COUNSEL
ROGER S. BAILEY, GENERAL MANAGER
SUBJECT: AUTHORIZE PRESIDENT PRO TEM TAD PILECKI TO SIGN COMMENT
LETTER REGARDING THE PLAN BAYAREA 2050 DRAFT BLUEPRINT
The Contra Costa Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) has submitted a comment letter to the
Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) regarding the Plan BayArea 2050 Draft Blueprint.
I n 2010, the nine Bay Area LAFCO Executive Officers met with staff from Association of Bay Area
Governments (ABAG), BayArea Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD), Bay Conservation and
Development Commission (BCDC) and MTC to discuss development of the inaugural Plan BayArea. At
that time, the BayArea LAFCOs suggested that the Plan BayArea reports consider the LAFCO
established spheres of influence (SOls)for each city and special district, as the SOls establish areas
designated for probable physical boundaries and future municipal services. Further, that Plan BayArea
projections recognize special districts as critical service providers.
Attached is a draft comment letter reemphasizing the comments Contra Costa LAFCO has previously
submitted. As a current commissioner of LAFCO, I am requesting that the Central San Board consider sending
the attached comment letter in support of the recommendations provided by the Contra Costa LAFCO.
Strategic Plan re-In
GOAL ONE: Customer and Community
Strategy 2—Maintain a positive reputation
GOAL TWO: Environmental Stewardship
Strategy 3— Support regional development of local water supply
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Draft Letter from Central Santo MTC
August 20, 2020 Regular Board Meeting Agenda Packet- Page 198 of 200
Page 2 of 3
o9VII (CENTRAL SAN
CENTRAL CONTRA COSTA SANITARY DISTRICT 5019 IMHOFF PLACE, MARTINEZ, CA 94553-4392
PHONE: (925)228-9500
Sent via Email DRAFT
(925)335-7744
RAFT www.centralsan.org
August 21, 2020 ROGER S.BAILEY
General Manager
KENTON L.ALM
Counsel for the District
Mr. Dave Vautin (510)375-4571
Metropolitan Transportation Commission KATIE YOUNG
375 Beale Street, Suite 800 Secretaryof the District
San Francisco, CA 94105
Dear Mr. Vautin:
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the Plan Bay Area 2050 Draft Blueprint.
Central Contra Costa Sanitary District (Central San) echoes the comments submitted by Contra
Costa, San Mateo and Santa Clara LAFCOs regarding LAFCO's mission, role, and
responsibilities. LAFCO is charged with balancing the competing interests of preserving
agricultural and open space lands, while encouraging logical and orderly growth and
development, and the efficient extension of public services. LAFCO law also includes special
provisions relating to disadvantaged unincorporated communities (DUCs), including stipulations
which support extending municipal services to these areas.
In 2010, the nine Bay Area LAFCO Executive Officers met with staff from ABAG, BAAQMD,
BCDC and MTC to discuss development of the inaugural Plan Bay Area. At that time, the Bay
Area LAFCOs suggested that the Plan Bay Area reports consider the LAFCO established
spheres of influence (SOls) for each city and special district, as the SOls establish areas
designated for probable physical boundaries and future municipal services. Further, that Plan
Bay Area projections recognize special districts as critical service providers. In many counties,
including Contra Costa, infrastructure services (i.e., fire, sewer, water, parks and recreation) are
provided by special districts to both incorporated and unincorporated areas.
Contra Costa LAFCO previously commented on the Plan Bay Area reports and associated
environmental documents. As noted in prior letters, we continue to emphasize the following:
LAFCO establishes a SOI for each city and district. SOls designate the probable physical
boundaries and service areas for cities and districts. Plan Bay Area 2050 should
acknowledge the purpose and significance of SOls in the future growth of the Bay
Area.
Special districts provide a range of municipal services in each county, including fire, sewer,
water and parks and recreation. Future growth in the Bay Area cannot occur without special
districts. Plan Bay Area 2050 should recognize special districts as critical service
providers.
One of LAFCO's key responsibilities is to preserve agricultural and open space lands. Plan
Bay Area 2050 should identify and evaluate potential conflicts with priority
development and transit areas and corresponding impacts to agricultural and open
space lands.
August 20, 2020 Regular Board Meeting Agenda Packet- Page 199 of 200
Page 3 of 3
Metropolitan Transportation Commission
Plan Bay Area 2050 Draft Blueprint
August 21, 2020
Page 2
In 1990, Contra Costa County voters approved a countywide Urban Limit Line (ULL) which
limits urban development to certain areas within the County and supports the preservation of
agricultural lands and open space. Thus, most future development will likely occur in cities
rather than in unincorporated areas. Plan Bay Area 2050 should acknowledge the ULL
and direct housing/growth near jobs, transit, and existing infrastructure. This will
lessen the impacts of sprawl, traffic, greenhouse gas emissions, and premature
conversion of agricultural and open space lands. Plan Bay Area 2050 should also
promote compact development and efficient delivery of municipal services.
LAFCOs encourage orderly growth and development and efficient municipal services
delivery. Currently, there are 21 unincorporated islands in Contra Costa County, several of
which, are located near transit hubs. LAFCO encourages cities to annex these
unincorporated islands to maximize municipal services, efficiencies, and land use under a
single jurisdiction. LAFCO encourages ABAG and MTC to consider strategies to support
annexation of these unincorporated islands which will further the goals of Plan Bay
Area 2050.
LAFCOs are required by law to prepare Municipal Services Reviews (MSRs) every five
years, as necessary. MSRs are used to support changes in SOls. The LAFCO MSRs provide
a wealth of information regarding local agencies and municipal services. MSRs evaluate
growth and population projections; present and planned capacity of public facilities,
adequacy of public services, and infrastructure needs or deficiencies; financial ability of
agencies to provide services; status of, and opportunities for, shared facilities; accountability
for community service needs, including governmental structure and operational efficiencies;
location and characteristics of DUCs; and other matters related to effective and efficient
services. Much of this information is useful in future planning efforts. We urge the Plan Bay
Area 2050 team to utilize LAFCO MSRs as a resource in preparing its future planning
studies.
Plan Bay Area 2050 has the potential to heighten the public's awareness of these critical issues.
Please incorporate our comments into your report as they will enhance its value and provide for
a more complete assessment of future growth and municipal services resulting in a more
accurate roadmap for the Bay Area's future.
On behalf of Central San, thank you for the opportunity to comment and for consideration of our
input. Please contact us if you have any questions or wish to discuss our comments. Central San
looks forward to reviewing all future Bay Area 2050 documents.
Sincerely,
Tad Pilecki
President Pro-Tem Central San
c: Each Commissioner, Contra Costa LAFCO
Each Executive Officer, Bay Area LAFCOs (Alameda, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San
Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, Sonoma)
August 20, 2020 Regular Board Meeting Agenda Packet- Page 200 of 200