3B Public Hearing 2009 0720 - Laserfiche WebLink

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T rr �I M, �o f` �'� m, "ria �p ir- my @ W ., i GREENBELT ALLIANCE i; Thursday, December 4, 2008 Mayor Tony Santos, San Leandro City Councilmembers And Planning Commissioners 835 East 14th Street San Leandro, CA 94577 RE: San Leandro Crossings Project — SUPPORT Mayor Santos, Councilmembers, and Planning Commissioners: Greenbelt Alliance has worked for 50 years to protect the natural, iconic landscapes that define the Bay Area, and to promote vibrant urban communities around the region. We write to you to offer our strong support to the San Leandro Crossings development proposal. Our endorsement team evaluated this proposal using an established set of guidelines. We have determined the project to be well aligned with our criteria, which encourages infill development that uses land efficiently, is designed with cyclists and pedestrians in mind and provides homes we can all afford. We strongly urge support of this proposal because it has impressive environmental credentials, because the developers have worked well with members of the community, and because it is a mixed -income y project. e The Crossings project as currently proposed includes Crossings East, a community with 200 homes that will be rented at market rates, and Crossings West, a community with 100 homes that will be rented at below-market rates and oriented toward families. This proposed project is in accordance with the Downtown San Leandro TOD Strategy adopted last September. San Leandro accordance s enjoys an optimal location adjacent to the San Leandro BART station and to numerous Cross] Transit bus lines meaning that this project will help San Leandro grow in a way that allows more residents to rely on transit for their everyday trips and errands. The new buildings and infrastructure improvements will enhance the walkability of the area and establish better links between the BART station area and downtown, New bicycle storage and carshare facilities will ensure that residents and visitors alike have a variety of transportation options beyond cars. New trees and shops, widened sidewalks, paseos, and plazas will enliven the streets in the neighborhood. Good urban design and more pedestrians in the area will mean more "eyes on the street," improving public safety. Most parking is cleverly kept out of sight to preserve the pedestrian environment. The proposed development's Build it Green certification will ensure that the construction and operation of the building does not have an undue effect on the environment. The combination of these environmentally friendly features indicates that the City of San Leandro is doing its part to combat climate change, the greatest threat of our generation. Without significant and thoughtful changes in MAIN OFFICE. • 631 Howard Street, Suite 510, Son frontisro, CA 94105 g SOUTH BAY OFFICE . 1922 The Alameda, Suite 213, Son Jose, CA 95126 (415} 543 6771 « fox (415) 543-6781 EAST BAY OFFICE 1601 North Main 5lr56 eel, Suite 105 Walnut Creek, CA 94596 (40(92 3 932-7776 "oxfn 08) 8 -loot 0 SONOMA OFFICE 0 555 5th Street Suile 3008, Santa Rosa, CA 95401 • MARIN OFFICE - 30 North Sun Pedro Road, Suile 285, San Rafael, CA 94403 #70( 5) 491-1 Fax Fax (4 575-4275 501ANO-NAPA OFFICE • 1652 West Texas Street, Suite 163, Fairfield, CA 94533 (4i5) 491-4993 Fox 707) 27-9314 � _� , � � ��, x(707) 427-2306 � Fax (7D7) 427 2315