Figure 5-3 Downtown Percise Plan Sites

FIGURE 5-3 – DOWNTOWN PRECISE PLAN SITES

5.7.3 Opportunity Sites

The City has identified several opportunity sites that could add to the city’s housing capacity (refer to Table 5-5). The City looked at available church sites with underdeveloped land, school sites with excess land, and Government (Caltrans) sites. As a part of the Housing Element update the city considered which sites provided the most certainty for development. Table 5-5 shows all sites considered including sites that are not being assumed as a part of this analysis. The sites not included in the analysis are shaded in grey.

Of the full list of opportunity sites, the City identified four possible existing churches with large surface parking lots presenting as underdeveloped land. Development of these sites assumes using the excess parking lots and possible vacant portions of the lot. Development does not assume removing the current church use but rather integrating housing. The intent is to rezone only a portion of the church property and the approximate percentage of the site assumed is listed in Table 5-5.

Figure 5-4 provides a map of all of the opportunity sites that are being analyzed as a part of the Environmental Impact Report (EIR). Figure 5-4 also denotes which sites are being considered under the EIR, and which are assumed in this sites analysis. Figure 5-5 identifies the sites the City proposes to be rezoned to accommodate the lower income RHNA and provides a closer look at the portion of the site that will be rezoned. As shown on Figure 5-4, the City is planning to use the new RH-25 or RH-40 zoning districts to increase the allowable density on the vacant/underutilized portion of each site.

The City has spoken with St Stephen’s Church and St John’s Orthodox Church and all churches participated in a survey early on in the process (2021) asking whether or not they would be interested in permitting housing on a portion of the church property. The City has a history of redeveloping church property. The Vista Verde Senior project, pending approval, proposes utilizing available Orinda Community Churchowned property to create new affordable housing opportunities in Orinda.

The City also looked at the Miramonte High School site, which has a large undeveloped portion of the southern side of the Miramonte High School property owned by Acalanes Union High School District (AUHSD). The City had conversations with the school district regarding housing development but no decisions have been made.

Additionally, the City was awarded a $75,000 grant through the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) to work with government and nonprofit organizations to perform feasibility analysis for groups interested in developing housing on their property. A stakeholder meeting was held in September 2021 where a presentation regarding real estate development basics, affordable housing, and partnership options was given. To date, staff has been coordinating with four groups that have indicated a possible interest in housing:

● Orinda Union School District (OUSD)

● Acalanes Union High School District (AUHSD)

● St. Stephen’s Church

● St. John’s Church

These groups have met with staff and are still considering their options in regard to housing. These discussions have been very preliminary, with City staff explaining the RHNA process and EPS, the City’s economic consultant, explaining, in general terms, the economics of housing production.

Lastly, the City has identified the Caltrans right-of-way adjacent to the Highway 24 Wilder Road off-ramp (Gateway, Site G-4). It was determined that this site would need infrastructure support but is a prime candidate for development beyond that constraint. In conversation with City staff, Caltrans has discussed the possibility of decertification of this site. The City has included Action 4.D to assist with the need for infrastructure in the way of grants and coordination with East Bay MUD and Action 1.B to assist in the decertification process and assist any interested developers with mitigation of the site and/or decertification requirements.

The opportunity sites identified to meet a portion of the City’s lower income RHNA will provide capacity for at least 227 units (50 percent of the identified shortfall). These sites will be rezoned to RH-25 or RH40 district. The land use designation would also be amended to the Residential- Multi-Family (Action 1.B).