April 2, 2018rhaugh2154

City Council Preview — Former City Manager Batra Wants a Retirement Benefit Bump — No Kidding

By Robert Haugh

Tomorrow’s City Council meeting features a couple development proposals and the “return” of former Interim City Manager Rajeev Batra.

Rajeev Batra Benefits Issue

Retired Interim City Manager Rajeev Batra  must have been watching how the City Council on a 4-3 vote gave Police Chief Mike Sellers a retroactive pay bump which some people think is pension spiking.

Batra retired last year, but he’s submitted a written petition asking that his benefits be discussed at a public meeting. Is there such a thing as pension spiking after you retire?  This is not an April Fools’ joke.

Rajeev Batra
Retired interim City manager Rajeev Batra has asked that the City Council review his benefits package.

 

BAREC

Council will consider extending the Exclusive Negotiations Agreement with Core Affordable Housing, LLC for the BAREC site at 1834 Worthington Circle.

Council approved an agreement with Project for Public Spaces (PPS) to provide services on planning and place making activities citywide with a particular focus on visioning for this particular site. PPS’ findings were presented to the City Council in June 2017, which included recommended changes to the developer’s site plan to create better public gathering spaces and more place making opportunity.

The Developer made modifications to the site plan to respond to the PPS report. Core’s request includes an amendment to the existing Planned Development zoning to allowing for the development of 160 mixed income apartments; 165 affordable senior apartments; 36 townhomes and approximately 1.5 acres of agricultural open space.

The recommended amendment extends the term of the ENA to October 20, 2018 with one six-month extension to April 20, 2019, at the discretion of the City Manager.

Lawson Lane

The Council will consider approving an amendment to the development agreement with SI 55, LLC (Sobrato) for the property located at 2200 Lawson Lane (San Tomas near Scott) which would extend the timeline for the phased development.

The Planning Commission unanimously recommended that the City Council approve the request with the following terms added:

  • Increase the regional traffic impact fee from $2.50 to $3.25 per square foot.
  • Make a $500,000 contribution to the City’s Affordable Housing Fund. Utilize additional green building techniques to achieve LEED Gold equivalency. Install electric vehicle charging stations at six percent of the parking spaces and pre-wire an additional nine percent of the parking spaces for future installation of charging stations.
  • Implement and manage a more comprehensive Transportation Demand Management (TDM) program.

Serena Way Daycare Facility

The Council will consider City staff’s recommendation to approve an appeal for rezoning from single-family to general office and overturn the Planning Commission’s denial of the Use Permit to allow for outdoor play area at 281 Serena Way.

The applicant wants to rezone an 8,712 square-foot single-family site to General Office Zoning, with a proposed 1,078 square-foot outdoor play area associated with a proposed daycare facility that would accommodate up to 28 children.

The project has received a mixed reaction from nearby residents.

Playground Agreement

The Council will review entering a Partnership Agreement with Magical Bridge Foundation to fundraise, plan and construct a new all-inclusive playground facility at Central Park.  Magical Bridge Foundation has committed to fund raise or pursue grants of $2.6 million.

 

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