Reso 2007-114 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

. Residential market around BART is strong, and the City desires to focus commercial uses in their downtown area; and . Triangular and irregular-shaped parcels on the BART sites are difficult to assemble, and also present additional challenges for similar parcels along the Hesperian Boulevard and East 14th Street corridors. The Plan also considered input received at stakeholder interviews, community presentations and meetings with neighborhood groups, local residents and BART patrons. Three Community meetings were held in 2006 and 2007. Stakeholder interviews were conducted with representatives from six Homeowner Associations in the immediate vicinity. Their collective most pressing concerns are summarized below: . Safety and security. This is the most critical issue for residents and BART patrons particularly around the BART parking lots, pedestrian underpass and the area near the theaters with reports of care break-ins, vandalism and physical attacks. . Lack of direct, safe and ADA-accessible connections for patrons and residents. Frequently mentioned examples are the BART pedestrian underpass, pedestrian bridge to the back side of Target and lack of a direct connection to Bayfair Center. . Additional BART parking. Parking is fully occupied in the morning due to free daily parking and the fact that this station is served by two BART lines. Adjacent neighborhoods and Bayfair Center have complained about spillover parking. . Strong concerns about impacts of TaD. Many worried that higher-density affordable and rental housing would adversely impact their neighborhoods and were concerned about traffic, parking and visual impacts. . Eminent domain. Many expressed concern that eminent domain would be used and were assured by staff and elected official that their neighborhoods would be preserved. The Plan identified recommendations related to Urban Design, Access, Design Guidelines for development for transition to existing neighborhoods, and Design Guidelines for higher density projects to address stakeholder concerns. Three Development Options were identified in the Bay Fair BART TaD and Access Plan: Option 1 assumes minimal changes with access improvements and a mixed-use development for Bayfair Center. Option 2 assumes a range of development on BART property with shared parking at Bayfair Center. Option 3 is a longer term look at Option 2 with access improvements in nearby streets and various station improvements as well as mixed use development on Bayfair Center property. The Findings and Recommendations of the Bay Fair BART TaD and Access Plan found that the existing access and circulation network between the BART site, Bayfair Center, and their surrounding areas lacks direct, safe and comfortable connections. Implementation Strategies were identified, including application for MTC Safe Routes to Transit Grant, work with BART and Bayfair Center property owner to enter into an Exclusive Negotiation Agreement and Memorandum of Understanding related to future development of the site, work with BART to improve station access, and further analyze the 3 options identified in the report.