3A Public Hearing 2012 0521 - Laserfiche WebLink

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File Number: 12 -253 retail area, and Building B is a multi- tenant retail building with a total of 13,795 sq. ft. of building area which will initially include Peet's Coffee and Tea and Chipotle's. The total building floor area of both buildings is 27,644 sq. ft. The project site will have a total building coverage of 36.6% of the total project site area. On -site parking will consist of 84 parking spaces for a parking ratio of 3 parking spaces /1,000 sq. ft. of building area. New diagonal parking on Juana Avenue will provide an additional 24 parking spaces for a total of 108 parking spaces with a total ratio of 3.9 parking spaces /1,000 sq. ft. of building area. The project site is currently zoned Downtown Area 1 with an S overlay (DA -1(S)) and has a General Plan designation of Downtown Mixed Use. The S Overlay designation was added by the City with the adoption of the City's Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Strategy and serves as a way to implement certain specific policy areas in the TOD area. The project site will be rezoned to Planned District and the General Plan designation will remain the same. The project site was formerly used as a grocery store (Albertson's). The structure that previously existed on the project site was larger than what is proposed and the use remains the same as the previous use. The project is also on the AC Transit Rapid Transit line that runs along E. 14th Street. The project will have a bus stop at the corner of Dolores and E. 14th Streets that will be specially designed to reduce automobile traffic and accommodate bicycle and pedestrian access to the project site. Analysis Rezoning and Planned District The City's Zoning Map designates the project site as DA -1(S) and the Applicant has requested a rezone of the project site to Planned District (PD). A Planned District is a special zoning designation that allows tailored development standards for parcels that have unique attributes and need special attention. In this case, the project site is the largest available parcel in downtown San Leandro and represents an opportunity for development that will encourage more people to shop and eat downtown. The uniqueness of the project site is also related to the TOD Strategy approved by the City in 2007. The TOD Strategy is focused on making downtown San Leandro a pedestrian- oriented place, serviced by special bus and BART service. The City is presently working on enhancing the downtown BART station area and making bicycle and pedestrian connections between BART and downtown that are safe and pleasant. The project would be a part of this strategy since it would offer destination uses while also acting as a catalyst for new uses in the area and more people coming to the downtown. In this respect, the development and use standards of the project site are consistent with the Downtown Mixed Use General Plan while also creating some flexibility to allow "transit" uses as that term evolves over the coming years. The City Council may approve a rezoning from DA -1(S) to Planned District (PD) upon finding that the rezoning and plans are consistent with the adopted Land Use Element of the General Plan and other applicable policies of the General Plan, and is compatible with surrounding development. The project is consistent with the General Plan policies listed below, the Ordinance accompanying this staff report, and existing City policies and plans including the TOD Strategy. City of San Leandro Page 2 Printed on 511512012