3B Public Hearing 2007 0904 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Downtown TOO Strategy 2 September 4, 2007 . June 5 to July 19, 2007. A Response to Comments document, which together with the DEIR constitutes the Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR), has been prepared and circulated. Zoning Code Text Amendments and Map Amendments to implement the TOO Strategy have been prepared. A legal notice was placed in the Daily Review and notices were sent to 983 property owners and to another 394 interested parties to inform them of the proposed Zoning Code and Zoning Map changes to implement the TOO Strategy. . The proposed Downtown San Leandro Transit-Oriented Development (TOO) Strategy Area is the Yz mile radius around the intersection of East 14th and Davis Streets, representing 502 acres. The Study Area is located in the northern portion of the city and encompasses the downtown core, the downtown BART station area, and portions of the Creekside and Best Manor neighborhoods. The TOO Strategy Area is roughly bounded by East 14th and Georgia Way to the north, Castro Street to the south, Bancroft A venue to the east, and Orchard A venue and Davis Street to the west. The proposed Zoning Code and Zoning Map Amendments are needed to provide a framework for implementing the proposed Downtown TOO Strategy. Implementation of the Downtown TOO Strategy creates opportunities for increased residential densities within an existing urbanized setting with established infrastructure. New opportunities for retail and office development within the Strategy Area could also occur. Implementation of the Strategy could create significant environmental impacts as development under the Strategy begins to occur. The Environmental Impact Report addresses those potential impacts. . The purpose of this project is to create a Transit-Oriented Development (TOO) Strategy in the downtown San Leandro area. Ultimately this project serves two main purposes. The first is to portray the downtown area as a vibrant and distinct destination which would be connected to the surrounding area by enhancing its transit and pedestrian orientation. This would be accomplished by modifying existing land use and parking requirements to encourage development in the transit rich environment of downtown San Leandro. This would include advocating higher density development within Yz mile of public transportation in a context sensitive manner. The second purpose is to increase transit ridership and thereby maximize the cost-effectiveness of current public modes of transportation. In short, the purpose of the project is to stimulate mixed-use and residential development in downtown San Leandro so more people would live and work in the vicinity of the proposed AC Transit enhanced bus service stops and the San Leandro BART Station, thus increasing the chances that these people would make use of public transportation, rather than personal automobiles. Increased residential densities would also attract new retailers to downtown San Leandro. . According to CEQA, lead agencies are required to consult with public agencies having jurisdiction over a proposed project, and to provide the general public and project applicant with an opportunity to comment on the Draft EIR. The Final EIR (FEIR) has been prepared to respond to those comments received on the Draft EIR and to clarify any errors, omissions or misinterpretations of discussions of findings in the Draft EIR. Completion of the FEIR allows the City Council to certify the EIR and adopt the TOO Strategy.