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profit developer and explained that the City will work with EAH to ensure that the <br />property price is comparable to other similar properties. He continued that the land price <br />appears lower than the price paid per square foot for Eden's affordable housing project on <br />East 14th Street. City Manager Jermanis explained that the City will be asked to be a <br />money partner and housing set-aside funds can be used to support the development. He <br />concluded that it is his belief that this is an opportunity for a quality affordable family <br />housing development. <br />The Committee discussed the former proposal and requested a realistic timeline be <br />developed. Additionally, they recommended EAH work with the community. Although <br />they believe the community is better educated about affordable housing as a result of the <br />former application process, the community was excited about the Riding Group proposal <br />and may need to be informed that EAH is planning to develop the site for affordable and <br />denser housing. <br />C. Proposed Negotiations for BART Area Development. Community Development Director <br />Sims reported that Westlake, the owner of the large vacant parcel west of the Downtown <br />BART station, engaged an architect who is exploring schemes and concepts for <br />development. Westlake is interested in working with BART to develop the BART owned <br />surface parking lot on the east side of San Leandro Boulevard in exchange for <br />replacement parking. BART and Westlake are interested in entering into an Exclusive <br />Negotiating Rights (ENR) Agreement which both the City and the Redevelopment <br />Agency would be party to. The City owns the Martinez and Estudillo Street rights-of- <br />way which will need to be vacated for development. Director Sims further reported that <br />BART has used this tri -party agreement strategy successfully in other cities. A draft <br />ENR Agreement is scheduled to be brought to the Redevelopment Agency and City <br />Council for consideration in December 2007. <br />Councilmember Grant expressed her interest in having an individual from the Unity <br />Council speak to the City Council and share their Fruitvale housing experiences of what <br />did and didn't work. City Manager Jermanis responded that this could be incorporated <br />into an upcoming work session on housing. <br />5. Public Comments <br />Chamber of Commerce CEO Diana Gentry shared that she is pleased to see the direction the <br />City is going in regards to the downtown. She supports the return of a Farmers Market as <br />well as the development of Storefront and Signage Guidelines. <br />Charles Gilcrest shared that the EAH affordable housing project had widespread support <br />from home owners associations and the Joint Redevelopment Advisory Committee. He <br />believes that residents do not know that the Riding Group does not plan to move forward <br />with the proposed townhome development project. He also shared that EAH's proposal <br />included a new and expanded South Branch Library in the project. <br />6. Committee Member Comments — None. <br />7. Adjourn — The meeting adjourned at 5:30 p.m. <br />0 <br />