3A Public Hearing 2008 0707 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Please note that the first block of Williams Street nor 78 Williams St. is not mentioned. IV. Note these comments from the General Plan describing the Central neighborhood in 3.2 RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS, B. SAN I_-E_ANnRO'S NEIGHBORHOODS Central "Unfortunately much of the development that took place during the 1950s, 60s, and '70s was not sympathetic to the area's historic context." Pg 3-21 At the last mtg. it was stated that the damage had already been done when the 4-story apartment was built. That reminds me of the question "What do you do when you're digging a hole and it's too deep." Of course the answer is to stop digging. The damage-already-done argument would have us keep digging. V. At the last mtg. it was pointed out that this block of Williams St. is surrounded by multi-family residences. 4-plexes on this block or on Thompson and Castro should not be used to allow this plan to be approved. If it is then many streets could be transformed as there are 4-plexes on the same street or 1 street over in many parts of San Leandro. The same could be applied to the area bound by Carpenter to Hayes and Parrott to Castro, which the General Plan describes as Residential Neighborhood. VL "As San Leandro's most "urban" neighborhood, opportunities to enhance the streetscape, encourage pedestrian traffic, and create a variety of housing types should be pursued. At the same time, opportunities to enhance the area's historic ambiance and conserve its older housing stock should be encouraged. Infill housinE should create an urban living environment while respecting and preservinghistoric resowces." Pg. 3-21/22 Please remember the General Plan, the Housing Plan and the D o w n t o w n S a n L e a n d r o Transit -Oriented Development Strategy are referring to specific identified parcels where multi- use and infill housing should be built. 78 Williams St. is not noted in Appendix A: Inventory of Housing Sites of the San Leandro Housing Element VII. Under Neighborhood Character in Section C. PLANNING ISSUES "Building more cohesive neighborhoods also means ensuring that infill development is compatible with its surroundings. The first step toward achieving this objective is to have a General Plan Land Use Map (and a Zoning Map) which maintains the density and land use pattern in established residential areas. Although this General Plan encourages higher densities in some parts of the City, higher density housing should not be sited within tnedominantly single family neighborhoods." Pg. 3-27 Granting a conditional use permit for 78 Williams St. sets a precedent for substandard lots on this block. Granting more conditional use permits ends up changing the character of the neighborhood. This would go against the spirit and letter of the General Plan. It would mean the city was facilitating "abandonment of original design" for this neighborhood/block is primarily single family houses with landscaped backyards.