PREPARED BY: LAURA SANTILLAN DATE OF MEETING: 04/28/2026
SUBJECT:
TITLE
CONSIDERATION OF A FINDING OF GENERAL PLAN CONFORMITY FOR THE CITY OF SAN PABLO FISCAL YEARS 2027-2028 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (CIP), AS REQUIRED UNDER GOVERNMENT CODE SECTIONS 65401 AND 65103. THIS IS A CITY-INITIATED PROJECT AND THE PROGRAM IS CITYWIDE. THE PROJECT IS EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT PER GUIDELINE 15061(b)(3), WITH NO POTENTIAL FOR CAUSING A SIGNIFICANT EFFECT ON THE ENVIRONMENT
Label
Location: Citywide
Plan No. PLAN2610-0010
Zoning: Citywide
Applicant: City of San Pablo
Staff Contact: Laura Santillan, Planning Aide
Recommendation
Conduct public hearing; adopt Resolution
Body
REQUESTED ACTION
This is a City-initiated request involving proposed adoption of a three-year Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for Fiscal Years 2027-2028 (i.e., FY2026-2027 & FY2027-2028). Staff is requesting that the Planning Commission adopt Resolution PC26-08 (Attachment A) and find the CIP for Fiscal Years 2027-2028 to be in conformance with the General Plan and recommend the 2027-2028 CIP for consideration by the San Pablo City Council.
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION
Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the proposed project has been determined to be exempt from the provisions of CEQA, in accordance with CEQA Guidelines 15378 and 15061(b)(3) because it is an administrative activity and is not a project resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment, and because it can be seen with certainty that it has no potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. In addition, after each project has been defined through the selection of an appropriate design, staff will prepare the environmental document(s) required under CEQA and will bring the project to the City Council for a determination as to whether to go forward with construction.
PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE
A Public Hearing Notice was published in the West County Times newspaper (West Contra Costa edition of the East Bay Times) on Saturday, April 18, 2026.
BACKGROUND
In accordance with California State Government Code Section 65401, the City’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP) shall be reviewed by the Planning Commission to determine conformance with the General Plan prior to adoption by the City Council. This review is for the proposed two-year CIP for Fiscal Years 2027-2028.
The purpose of the CIP is to translate capital improvement policies of the City Council into specific projects. After review by the Planning Commission for General Plan conformity, the City Council will review the range of capital projects submitted for consideration in the 2027-2028 CIP budget. Staff will then present the FY 2027-2028 CIP budget to the City Council for review and approval in June, 2026.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
There are ten (10) categories in the proposed FY 2027-2028 CIP. The current/continuing and proposed projects and their respective categories and budget years are provided below:
CURRENT/CONTINUING PROJECTS
1. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Improvements
a. No new Projects
2. Buildings
a. PD Fiber Upgrades (Current, 2026-28)
b. Senior Center HVAC Repair (Current, 2026-28)
c. Annex Conversion (Current, 2026-28)
d. Adobe Utility Connections (Current, 2026-28)
3. Creeks and Bridges
a. San Pablo Avenue Bridge Parapet Wall Repair (Current, 2026-28)
b. Giant Road Bridge Repair (Current, 2026-28)
c. San Pablo Ave Bridge Replacement (Current, 2026-28)
4. Drainage
a. Leroy Heights Storm Drain Repair (Current, 2026-28)
5. Geotechnical Projects
a. Princeton Plaza Stabilization (Current, 2026-28)
6. Lighting/Landscape/Beautification
a. McNeil Park Project (Current, 2026-28)
b. Rumrill Sports Park Turf Replacement (Current, 2026-28)
c. Citywide Beautification Plan (Current, 2026-28)
7. Streets
a. Giant Road Pavement Rehabilitation (Current, 2026-28)
b. San Pablo Dam Road I-80 Gateway (Current, 2026-28)
c. Broadway El Portal Safe Routes (Current, 2026-28)
d. Lovegrove Pavement Project (Current, 2026-28)
8. Transportation Improvements
a. CCC Mobility Hub (Current, 2026-28)
9. Plans and Studies
a. No new projects
10. Miscellaneous
a. No new Projects
GENERAL PLAN CONFORMANCE
The Capital Improvement Program forms the basis for the annual CIP budget. It is updated periodically to address changing needs and priorities of the City. The proposed CIP is reviewed by the Planning Commission to determine General Plan conformance prior to formal adoption by the City Council. A proposed two-year CIP for fiscal years 2027-2028 has been developed by the Public Works Department (see Attachment B).
There are Active, or funded, and Proposed, or unfunded, capital improvement projects that are included in the CIP for funding consideration through the fiscal years.
The appropriate scope of Planning Commission review is to determine and comment to the City Council on the consistency between the proposed CIP listed projects and the adopted General Plan. The proposed projects have been reviewed by staff to evaluate the consistency with the goals, objectives and policies of the General Plan and its various functional elements of Economic Development, Land Use & Physical Design, Growth Management, Circulation, Parks, Schools, Community Facilities & Utilities, Open Space & Conservation, Community Health & Environmental Justice, and Safety & Noise.
GENERAL PLAN FINDINGS FOR CONFORMANCE
Although each individual project contained in the CIP has been reviewed for conformity, for discussion purposes, the projects proposed have been separated into categories. Applicable General Plan Goals, Objectives and Policies for each category are then presented. Policies labelled with a “G” are Guiding Policies, and those labelled with an “I” are Implementing Policies. Finally, a brief explanation of General Plan conformity is provided for each category.
The following General Plan Growth Management Element implementing policy addresses the need to assess CIP projects against the General Plan policies:
GME-I-6 Prepare and adopt a five-year Capital Improvement Program that describes City- sponsored capital projects. The CIP shall include funding sources covering the complete cost of the project as well as intended phasing, and be reviewed every five years so that it accurate reflects the City’s priorities and community needs.
1. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Improvements
• No new Projects
2. Buildings, Vehicles, Equipment
• PD Fiber Upgrades (Current, 2026-28)
• Senior Center HVAC Repair (Current, 2026-28)
• Annex Conversion (Current, 2026-28)
• Adobe Utility Connections (Current, 2026-28)
The above listed projects are in conformance with the identified General Plan Land Use and Physical Design, Growth Management, Parks, Schools, Community Facilities & Utilities, and Open Space & Conservation Element guiding and implementing policies that follow. These projects will generally improve the City’s public facilities to ensure that the City provides adequate infrastructure and facilities to meet City demands and promotes sustainable design practices in community-serving facilities.
LU-G-11 Provide for the development of civic and institutional land uses to meet the educational, medical, social, economic, cultural, and religious needs of the community.
LU-I-65 Designate land for civic and institutional land uses, including parks and open spaces, health and medical facilities, emergency services, educational institutions, and other public services.
GME-G-2 Provide adequate infrastructure and facilities to meet the demands of new development and population growth.
PSCU-G-2 Facilitate the provision of a broad range of community serving facilities to meet local needs, including, but not limited to, schools, community centers, and libraries.
PSCU-G-4 Promote equitable distribution of and access to community-serving facilities throughout San Pablo.
PSCU-I-17 Promote sustainable practices in the design, construction and renovation of both public and private community-serving facilities.
PSCU-I-21 Prioritize the development of new, upgraded, or revitalized community facilities and infrastructure in neighborhoods that are currently underserved or where they can be put to maximum use.
3. Creeks and Bridges
• Pablo Avenue Bridge Parapet Wall Repair (Current, 2026-28)
• Giant Road Bridge Repair (Current, 2026-28)
• San Pablo Ave Bridge Replacement (Current, 2026-28)
4. Drainage
• Leroy Heights Storm Drain Repair (Current, 2026-28)
The above-listed projects are in conformance with the identified General Plan Parks, Schools, Community Facilities & Utilities, and Open Space & Conservation Element guiding and implementing policies that follow. These projects will generally upgrade the City’s identified bridges, creek areas, storm drain system, and bicycle/pedestrian safety and connectivity.
PSCU-G-5 Continue to ensure the successful provision, maintenance, and operation of City-owned public infrastructure and utilities.
PSCU-G-7 Maintain a comprehensive storm drainage system to protect life and property.
OSC-G-4 Protect and enhance wetlands, creek systems, and rare and endangered species and their habitats.
OSC-G-5 Ensure both access and ecological functionality of the creek system in San Pablo.
OSC-I-11 Maintain, protect, and enhance San Pablo’s creeks, including Rheem, San Pablo, and Wildcat Creeks, as local environmental and aesthetic resources, with approaches including: Establish a Creek Improvement Program to widen, day-light, and improve San Pablo and Wildcat creeks for the enjoyment of residents; and Strengthening stormwater management requirements for properties adjacent to the creek areas by applying techniques that maintain or restore nature character.
5. Geotechnical Projects
• Princeton Plaza Stabilization (Current, 2026-28)
The above listed projects are in conformance with the identified General Plan Safety and Noise Element guiding and implementing policies that follow. These projects are for increased hillside stability to minimize risks of property damage and personal injury posed by geologic and seismic hazards, and will re-vegetate the hillsides.
SN-G-1 Minimize risks of property damage and personal injury posed by geologic and seismic hazards.
SN-I-6 Require erosion prevention of hillside areas by re-vegetation or other acceptable methods.
6. Lighting/Landscape/Beautification
• McNeil Park Project (Current, 2026-28)
• Rumrill Sports Park Turf Replacement (Current, 2026-28)
• Citywide Beautification Plan (Current, 2026-28)
The above listed projects are in conformance with the identified General Plan Parks, Schools, Community Facilities & Utilities, Open Space & Conservation, and Community Health & Environmental Justice Element guiding and implementing policies that follow. These projects involve improvements to public infrastructure, utilities, and open space for residents, which will help prevent property damage, include re-vegetation, and provide more opportunities for recreation.
PSCU-G-1 Provide an expanded, high quality, and diversified park system which allows varied recreational opportunities for the entire community.
PSCU-G-5 Continue to ensure the successful provision, maintenance, and operation of City-owned public infrastructure and utilities.
PSCU-I-1 Seek to achieve a standard of 3.0 acres of parkland per 1,000 residents.
PSCU-I-3 Develop new park and recreation facilities and continue to upgrade existing ones with universal accessibility, durability, and low maintenance in mind.
PSCU-I-21 Prioritize the development of new, upgraded, or revitalized community facilities and infrastructure in neighborhoods that are currently underserved or where they can be put to maximum use.
OSC-G-5 Ensure both access and ecological functionality of the creek system in San Pablo.
CHEJ-I-35 Leverage available grant funding and target investments in public infrastructure, recreational facilities and programing, and air pollution control so as to benefit disadvantaged communities in San Pablo.
7. Streets
• El Giant Road Pavement Rehabilitation (Current, 2026-28)
• San Pablo Dam Road I-80 Gateway (Current, 2026-28)
• Broadway El Portal Safe Routes (Current, 2026-28)
• Lovegrove Pavement Project (Current, 2026-28)
8. Transportation Improvements
• CCC Mobility Hub (Current, 2026-28)
The above listed projects are in conformance with the identified General Plan Circulation Element guiding and implementing policies that follow. These projects enable staff to plan for and to effectively operate and provide transportation safety and upgrades to City systems and services.
C-G-2 Protect the character of local residential streets.
C-I-3 Ensure that public right-of-way improvement designs are consistent with the character of each neighborhood.
C-I-5 Develop Neighborhood Traffic Calming Guidelines (including traffic calming devices such as signage, curb extension, chicanes, neighborhood traffic circles, etc.) and implement these improvements as needed and appropriate in existing neighborhoods.
C-I-8 Circulation Schedule public transportation improvements projects in the Capital Improvement Program.
9. Plans and Studies
• No new projects
10. Miscellaneous
• No new projects
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Planning Commission review the Staff Report and attachments, hold a public hearing to receive public comment on these documents; provide feedback to staff; and adopt Resolution PC26-08 for PLAN2604-0010, to make a finding of General Plan consistency for the FY 2027-28 Capital Improvement Program and forward this recommendation to the City Council of the City of San Pablo.
ATTACHMENTS
Att. A Resolution PC26-08 General Plan Conformity CIP Projects
Att. B FY 2027-2028 CIP Project Description Sheets
Att. C Proof of Publication