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Home My WebLink AboutCity Council Resolution 15-009 - Affirming and Amending Village Façade Improvement Plan RESOLUTION NO. 15-009 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SARATOGA AFFIRMING THE VILLAGE FACADE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM WHEREAS, in April 2004 the City Council established the Village Fagade Improvement Program to help encourage private investment in the Village Commercial District; and WHEREAS, the Village Fagade Improvement Program can reimburse 50%, up to a maximum of $5,000, of a property or business owners cost of upgrading the fagade of their building as long as these improvements are visible from Big Basin Way; and WHEREAS, since the establishment of the Village Fagade Improvement Program a total of 26 property or business owners have received reimbursement grants for costs related to exterior improvements for items such as new paint, landscaping, signage, and awnings; and WHEREAS, the City Council Village Ad Hoc Committee previously reviewed and approved applications for Village Fagade Improvement Grants; and WHEREAS, in December 2014 the City Council eliminated all Council Ad Hoc assignments which included the Village Ad Hoc Committee; and WHEREAS, the City Council has determined that the Village Fagade Improvement Program should continue as it has resulted in the exterior enhancement of many buildings in the Village; and WHEREAS, the modifications to the Village Fagade Improvement Program include review and approval by the City Council Finance Committee; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Saratoga does hereby affirm the Village Fagade Improvement Program and authorize the City Council Finance Committee to approve applications for Village Fagade Improvement Grants. AYES: Mayor Howard A. Miller, Vice Mayor Manny Cappello, Council Member Emily Lo, Mary-Lynne Bernald, Rishi Kumar NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None i Howard A. Miller, Mayor TEST: DATE: 70 Crysial Bothelio, City Clerk Page 1 of I Y°t SARA ��4 QCT City of Saratoga Village Faigade Improvement Program 1956 Program Description: In 2004, the City of Saratoga began the Village Fagade Improvement Program to revitalize the downtown area and encourage private investment in the Village Commercial District along Big Basin Way. Property owners or business owners (with property owner consent) can receive up to a 50% reimbursement of total project costs for fagade improvements. The maximum award for an approved fagade improvement to a storefront visible from Big Basin Way is $5,000. For example, a program participant would receive $3,000 for a project that totaled $6,000. However, $5,000 is the most a program participant can be reimbursed for a project that costs $10,000 or more. Exterior improvements to storefronts in the Village Commercial District that are visible from Big Basin Way are eligible for the program. Projects range from new paint, installation of an awning, to landscaping. To receive grant money, participants must submit an application and project proposal to the City. If the project meets necessary requirements and funding is available, then the project will be approved by the City Council Village d u^^ Finance Committee and staff will notify the applicant if any permits or approvals need to be obtained. Fagade improvements must be completed within 1 year of project approval and original receipts for all project expenses (labor, materials, etc.) are required for reimbursement. Village Fagade Improvement Program funds are distributed on a first-come-first- serve basis. Program Criteria: - Exterior improvements, visible from Big Basin Way, will bring improved area into compliance with City building codes, ordinances, statutes, or requirements, or those of any other entities that may have jurisdiction over the property (i.e. fire safety codes) - Painting, signage, lighting, and exterior repair projects that follow Village Design Guidelines - Addition of shade feature to storefronts, particularly awnings - Landscaping that beautifies Big Basin Way streetscape - Fagade improvements that enhance design elements and architectural features, such as inlaid tile, brick, decorative cornices, enhanced doors or window treatments Examples of Approved Projects: - New exterior paint - Installation or replacement of canvas awning - Improvements to sidewalk seating areas, including landscaping - New signage or improvements to existing signage - Enhancements to doors and windows, including new trim - Installation of exterior planter boxes Proposals for the following are not eligible: - Improvements that are outside of the Village Commercial District or not visible from Big Basin Way - Upgrades to electrical, gas, heating, or telecommunications - Interior improvements, including carpet, tile, and partition walls 1 Program Requirements: - Submission of a completed Fagade Improvement Application, including estimates, timeline, photographs, and property owner permission, to the City of Saratoga Fagade Improvement Program - Applicants other than the property owner (i.e. current business owner) must provide property owner consent - Up to 50% of project costs can be reimbursed through the Village Fagade Improvement Program - Grants are not awarded in amounts greater than $5,000 - Project must be completed within 1 year of project approval - After application approval, program participants may still be required to obtain approvals or permits from City of Saratoga - To receive reimbursements after project completion, program participant must submit original receipts for all project expenses (labor, materials, etc.), photos of finished project, and review of project goals listed in application How to Apply: - Submit one (1) original and two (2) copies of the completed application, along with photos of the proposed project location and property owner consent (if necessary) - If grant money is available, the application will be reviewed to determine if the project is eligible for the Village Fagade Improvement Program - Once eligibility is established, projects will be considered and approved by the City Council Village Ad u^^ Finance Committee - Upon approval, staff will inform the applicant if permits, site plan, or any other documents are required and a Fagade Improvement Program Agreement will be executed between the City of Saratoga, business owner, and property owner—if applicant is separate from the property owner - Project must receive all appropriate and necessary permits or permissions - To receive grant money, the project must be completed within 1 year of project approval as stated in the Program Agreement - Funds are available on a first-come-first serve basis o First priority will be given to proposed projects that bring building into compliance with City codes o Second priority will be given to projects with an emphasis on enhancing the Big Basin streetscape No single parcel with multiple tenants may take up more than 33% of the total available Fagade Improvement Funds for any given fiscal year. Individual property owners and/or business owners may apply for the Fagade Improvement Program for consecutive years, as long as program requirements are met. For more information, please contact: Christopher Riordan City of Saratoga Community Development Department 13777 Fruitvale Avenue Saratoga, CA 95070 Phone: (408) 868-1235 Email: criordan@saratoga.ca.us 2