3B Public Hearing 2009 0720 - Laserfiche WebLink

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f urban Habitat BOARD MEMBERS June 22, 2009 JULIET ELLIS President Chair Thomas Dlugosh and the entire Planning Commission JOE BROOKS City of San Leandro Char Civic Center ROMEL PASCUAL 835 East 14th Street Vice -Chair San Leandro, CA 94577-3784 TAMARDORFMAN Treasurer Next Critical Step Toward a Vibrant Downtown: Support The Crossings CARLANTHONY Dear Chair Dlugosh and Members of the San Leandro Planning Commission, FELICIA MARCUS ARNOLD PERKINS We write to thank you for the leadership you have demonstrated in your commitment to creating a transit -oriented downtown that is mixed income and that supports local economic development. We are very excited about the many social, environmental and economic benefits that transit -oriented development will bring the residents of San Leandro and are writing to express our gratitude for your support of Downtown TOD Strategy and more recently, the first component of the Crossings - The Alameda. The next step to making the TOD Strategy a reality is to recommend approval of the remaining component of Phase I of The Crossings (200 market rate units and the BART parking garage). As you are aware, Urban Habitat is a regional Environmental Justice organization, dedicated to equitable land -use, transportation and housing planning in the Bay Area. We have been engaged in efforts to improve housing, transportation, amenities and the environment for low-income communities and communities of color since 1989. We are currently working in partnership with community and labor groups within San Leandro, such as Congregations Organizing for Renewal and the Alameda County Building Trades, as well as regional and national groups, such as TransFonn (formerly the Transportation and Land Use Coalition), Greenbelt Alliance, Reconnecting America/Center for TOD and Non-profit Housing of Northern California to promote the creation of great communities near transit hubs that meet the housing, transportation, environmental and economic needs of all residents and particularly the region's most vulnerable residents. We believe that equitable, people -centered transit -oriented development has the potential to transform San Leandro. It will not only have tremendous environmental benefits, it will also have major economic and social benefits. Chief among these benefits include affordable housing, accessible transit and amenities, an expanded consumer base, and the potential for good paying jobs. The Alameda and The Crossings promise all of these benefits. 436 24"' Street. Suite 2205, Oakland, CA 94622 (S2o) 839-9S20 • Fax: (52o) 839-962o www.urbanhabitat.org