HomeMy WebLinkAbout101-CUP Incentive Program Extension Report.pdfPage 1 of 2
SARATOGA CITY COUNCIL
MEETING DATE: September 1, 2010 AGENDA ITEM:
DEPARTMENT: Community Development CITY MANAGER: Dave Anderson
PREPARED BY: Rina Shah, Planning Technician DIRECTOR: John F. Livingstone, AICP
SUBJECT: Extension of the Conditional Use Permit (CUP) reimbursement incentive
program up to June 30, 2011
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Direct staff on one of the following:
1) End the CUP reimbursement incentive program and allow the two approved businesses to
be reimbursed if open by June 30, 2011.
2) Extend the CUP reimbursement incentive program to accommodate a fifth business, if
open by June 30, 2011.
3) Extend the CUP reimbursement incentive program to allow conditional use permit fees to
be refunded for an additional sixth business if open by June 30, 2011 (This is possible
due to the cost savings of the newly created Administrative CUP process).
REPORT SUMMARY:
On April 1, 2009, the City Council recommended that incentives be made available for the next
18 months to the first five businesses that receive CUP approval from the specific use list in the
table below:
No. Specific Use Name of Business with a
CUP Project Status Reimbursed
1. Family Style
Restaurant
_
_
_
2. Bakery Belltower Bistro Under
Construction _
3. Grocery Store _
_
_
4. Wine Tasting
Big Basin Vineyards
Open
Yes
St. Stan’s Brewery Under
Construction _
5. Ice Cream or Yogurt
store Yolatea Open Yes
6. Art and Crafts
Instruction _ _ _
7. Undesignated _ _ _
The CUP reimbursement incentive program will expire on October 1, 2010.
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DISCUSSION:
On March 3, 2009, the City Council reviewed the fees associated with conditional use permits
and expressed an interest in reducing the cost, time, and uncertainty of obtaining a CUP. On
March 18, 2009, the City Council discussed the incentives for new businesses to encourage
business growth and economic development in the City of Saratoga.
On July 1, 2009, the City Council approved an expedited Conditional Use Permit zoning
ordinance amendment for certain businesses to be processed administratively. The cost of the
Administrative CUP process was lowered from $4,400 to $3,400. Since then, two businesses
have been reimbursed for CUP processing costs and two other approved businesses are under
various stages of construction.
In the fiscal year 2009-2010, two approved CUP projects, Yolatea and Big Basin Vineyards, have
opened for business and received CUP cost reimbursements. Currently, there are two more
businesses with approved CUPs which will be eligible to receive reimbursements after they open.
This will leave funds available for a fifth business, if the program is extended.
FISCAL IMPACTS:
The CUP reimbursement incentive program has refunded two businesses. Two approved CUP
projects are currently under construction. The funds in the CUP reimbursement incentive
program have been carried over from the last fiscal year to accommodate reimbursements for
CUP approved projects. If the program is extended, a fifth business could be accommodated. Due
to the reduced costs associated with the newly created Administrative CUP, a sixth business
could be supported, if approved by the City Council.
CONSEQUENCES OF NOT FOLLOWING RECOMMENDED ACTION:
N/A
ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS:
The Council could extend the program and increase the limit to more than six businesses.
FOLLOW UP ACTION:
As directed.
ADVERTISING, NOTICING AND PUBLIC CONTACT:
This item was posted as a City Council agenda item and was included in the packet made
available on the City’s website in advance of the meeting. A copy of the agenda packet is also
made available at the Saratoga Branch Library each Monday in advance of the Council meeting
and residents may subscribe to the agenda on-line by opting in at www.saratoga.ca.us. Notice of
this meeting was properly posted at City Hall.
ATTACHMENTS:
CC Staff report from April 1, 2010