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DGS.gov
State issues RFQ for affordable housing near San Quentin
While the Covid-19 pandemic was grabbing all of our attention in 2020, the State of California Department of General Services issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to affordable housing developers to build affordable housing on the government-owned, 5 to 6-acre parcel of land, along Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, just east of Drake’s Cove in Larkspur.
This is a project of interest to all Southern Marin residents and those who frequently drive through the Larkspur Landing area on Sir Francis Drake Boulevard.
Per the DGS.gov website, this action has been taken under Affordable Housing Development under Executive Order N-06-19,
“To address the shortage of housing for Californians, Governor Newsom ordered the Department of General Services (DGS) and the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) to identify and prioritize excess state-owned property and aggressively pursue sustainable, innovative, cost-effective housing projects.”
This highly visible site is accessed from Sir Francis Drake Boulevard and will have significant impacts. However, under the development proposal, the land will be leased to the housing developer for a period of 99 years, so ownership will remain with the state. Local zoning and planning regulations will not apply, and it remains questionable which agency, the City of Larkspur or the County of Marin, actually will have any jurisdiction, if any is available. However, at this time, it appears to be within the “sphere of influence” of the City of Larkspur.
Parcel numbers: 018-152-12 (a portion of); Acres: Approximately four to five acres of a larger 16-acre parcel
The proposed site is on the westerly most boundary of the San Quentin Prison buffer zone and is comprised of about 4 to 5 acres of a larger parcel owned by the state.
The following is copied here, as it is presented on the DGS.gov website:
Executive Order N-06-19 (EO) (see Exhibit A) was signed by Governor Gavin Newsom on January 15, 2019, to address the housing affordability crisis that is facing the State of California.
Governor Newsom ordered the Department of General Services (DGS) and the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), (the “State”), to identify and prioritize excess state-owned property and aggressively pursue the goals of affordable, sustainable, innovative, feasible, and cost-effective housing projects.
The State is pleased to issue this multi-site Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for respondents capable of developing affordable housing on excess state-owned properties located in multiple locations throughout California that will be consistent with and help fulfill state, regional, and local goals, including affordability and feasibility.
Projects must include a minimum of 50 percent restricted affordable housing units, consistent with Government Code section 14671.2.
In their response to this RFQ, respondents may respond to all six excess sites or pick and choose those they are interested in pursuing for affordable housing development. While the structure of the process may be similar, each site has its own unique constraints and opportunities.
This RFQ is a multi-agency effort to address housing affordability throughout California. The State is collaborating with each of the seven localities in its selection of a development team and creation of a development program.
The State expects to evaluate the responding Statements of Qualifications (SOQ) and then issue a Request for Proposals (RFP). Selected respondents of this RFQ will be invited to respond to the RFP. At the conclusion of the RFP process, the State intends to enter into a Letter of Intent (LOI) with the Respondent whose qualifications and development proposal the State deems best suited to achieve the objectives described in the RFQ and RFP.
Successful completion of negotiations will lead to the execution of a low-cost, long-term ground lease and regulatory agreement with a maximum term of 99 years.
DEVELOPMENT PRINCIPLES AND PARAMETERS
The lack of affordable housing across California is a matter of vital statewide importance and the State is working to expand housing opportunities through a new level of innovation and cooperation between the public and private sectors. To help solve the affordable housing crisis, the State is seeking knowledgeable, financially sound, and experienced providers of affordable housing.
The State is seeking SOQs from Respondents who can support meeting the goals of the EO, including the provision of housing affordable to lower-income households, and will creatively adhere to the following principles. These are not requirements but are intended to make the State’s desired expectations clear and guide the project from solicitation through construction.
Affordability: Maximize the affordability on-site, including depth of affordability as well as percentage of units that are affordable (accounting for size differences between units with different bedroom counts);
Innovative Housing and Construction Types: Catalyze and incubate innovative models for construction (such as modular or prefabrication), financing, and workforce development recognizing that design and construction quality should not be comprised. Innovative Housing and Construction is desirable, but not a strict requirement;
Efficiency: Identify a strategy for delivering on the timing goals for the EO (i.e., feasibility of breaking ground within two years of entering the lease and regulatory agreement and completing units within three years) and employing several time saving measures. Efficiency of delivery also recognizes that deeper affordability may need multiple funding sources which are available through different and competitive funding cycles and Notices of Funding Availability (NOFAs);
Accessibility: As part of providing for accessible housing for all Californians. Respondents are encouraged to incorporate cost-effective design approaches consistent with universal design principles and/or related local ordinances;
Sustainability: Reflect the state's emphasis on sustainable construction, including the use of recycled products, commitments to low energy use, building electrification, and/or the use of renewable construction materials, such as mass timber as recognized through approved guidelines by the California Building Officials (CALBO) and the California Building Standards Commission;
Development Costs: Pursue cost reducing measures such as impact fee program waivers or reductions, innovative housing types (e.g., modular), and other measures while maintaining a high-quality design that complements the neighborhood;
Outreach: Facilitate meaningful public participation consistent with the Ralph Brown Act, if applicable, and other strategies to engage the community throughout the development process;
Partnership and Collaboration: Seek creative partnerships with the City and stakeholders, including special consideration of the City’s housing and community and economic development goals and existing resources and opportunities such as the availability of services, transportation, and amenities and planned city-sponsored improvements; and
State Planning Priorities: Maximize land resources and efficient land use patterns by developing as densely as feasible.
STATE CONTACT
Josh Palmer
Department of General Services Asset Management Branch
707 3rd Street, 5th Floor
West Sacramento, CA 95605 joshua.palmer@dgs.ca.gov
PROJECT WEBSITE
Page: Executive Order N-06-19 Affordable Housing
URL: