3B Public Hearing 2007 0904 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Downtown TOD Strategy 5 September 4,2007 . All of these motions included the caveat that the recommendation excluded anything that related to the Special Policy Area I, also known in the TOO Strategy as the Downtown South Gateway site or the "Downtown Albertsons" site. The Planning Commission was unable to come to a conclusion on the inclusion of that site in a Special Policy Overlay District and was also unsure about the inclusion of language for that site in the S-Overlay Criteria. They expressed concerns about requiring residential development on a site that is currently only retail and thought that could represent a hardship for the current property owner in the short term given current market conditions. At the same time, they recognized the importance of that property having a high quality development and wanted to eventually see mixed-use development at the site. It was noted during their deliberations that implementation of that site with mixed-use development was the first priority of the Citizen Advisory Committee. This discussion was in response to public comments made by Eric Nelson, the property owner representative of the site. He noted the financial hardship that development of this site would entail if required to build a mixed-use residential project in the current real estate market. The Planning Commission expressed concern that they were unable to spend the time to thoroughly discuss all of the issues related to establishment of Special Review Overlay Criteria for the site. Rather than continue the item, staff suggested that the Planning Commission forward recommendation on the other TOO related items and let the Planning Commission comments on the Albertsons site be reflected by the minutes (see attached minutes of August 23,2007 Planning Commission meeting). . Although not mentioned at the Planning Commission meeting, Business Development and Planning Services staff have received many inquiries from developers who are interested in developing mixed-use development at the Downtown Gateway site. . Three comment letters were received after the close of the comment period and prior to the Planning Commission meeting of August 23, 2007. These letters were reviewed by staff and the environmental consultant and it was determined that the topics were generally addressed by the FEIR and no new issues came up. Project Description . The proposed Downtown San Leandro Transit-Oriented Development Strategy (TOD Strategy) establishes a land use framework, a comprehensive circulation system, design and development guidelines, and a series of implementation actions that will guide new development in the TOO Strategy Area of San Leandro for the next 25 years. The Strategy establishes the policies that developers and Community Development staff will follow for new projects in the TOD Strategy area, informing them of required or allowable uses, building heights and various elements of building design. Therefore, the TOD Strategy does not represent an actual project involving physical development or improvements. Rather, it proposes regulatory changes to encourage future development within the Strategy Area. The Strategy will introduce new land use regulations and design guidelines that will affect new development in the Downtown Area and will introduce Special Review Overlay Criteria for the development of certain properties within a Yz mile radius of the intersection of East 14th and Davis Streets.