On Tuesday, July 18, the City Council and Planning Commission met together to discuss the future of the 15-acre vacant property near City Hall.

Following extensive public testimony, the Planning Commission and City Council deliberated together about the best use of the property. Following these discussions, the City Council provided direction to staff regarding the types of uses that should be solicited for the site. Their consensus included a mixed use development concept as follows:

1. Senior housing (including for-sale units, rental units, and life care/assisted care facilities);
2. A public charter high school (reserving a portion of the land for a limited time to see if a public charter high school can be established on the site); and
3. Other uses, which could include a public gathering area or “village square,” retail establishments (such as coffee shops, restaurants, book stores), and cultural attractions.

The City Council also provided direction to City staff on several important financial considerations as follows:

1. A strong preference for leasing the land to potential users was stated, but selling a portion of the land may be considered if doing so results in significant benefits to the community;
2. “Fair market” sale and/or lease rent values shall be paid for acquisition or use of the site. Less than “fair market” sale or lease rent values may be negotiated in exchange for significant benefits to the community;
3. All costs for facility construction and infrastructure improvements related to the development of the property shall be paid by the developer(s)/ users of the property. The City expects to be reimbursed by the purchasers/lessees/users for all costs associated with the improvements borne to date by the City; and
4. All on-going maintenance, operations and replacement costs for facilities and improvements not owned by the City shall be paid for by developers, lessees, and users of the property.

At its August 7, 2006, meeting, the City Council will confirm and clarify its direction from the July 18, 2006, meeting. The City Council will also review and approve the next steps for City staff to take in this matter, which will include the following:

• Prepare a staff report that addresses the conditions under which a portion of the land will be reserved for a public charter high school, such as: the length of time it will be reserved; milestone achievements or objectives to be met by high school organizers during this time; reporting requirements for monitoring progress; the City’s role (if any); and what happens if the efforts to establish a high school on the reserved land are unsuccessful during the specified time.
• Develop a Request for Proposal/Request for Qualification (RFP/RFQ) for City Council review that would be distributed to interested organizations, businesses, and land development firms who operate and/or construct the desired land uses.
• Initiate meetings between City staff and interested organizations, businesses and land development firms to explain the City’s goals and expectations, to answer questions and to coordinate responses to the City’s RFP/RFQ.

The August 7, 2006, City Council meeting starts at 7:30 PM and will be held in the City Council Chambers, 620 Foster City Boulevard. For more information, contact Richard B. Marks, Community Development Director at (650) 286-3234 or rmarks@fostercity.org.