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<br /> <br />Dear Mayor Cutter, City Council Members, Ms. Battenberg, Mr. Liao, and Mr. Breslin, <br /> <br /> <br />My name is Jane Abelee. I have lived in San Leandro for 35 years, have raised my <br />children here and have worked as a teacher and administrator in our schools. I am <br />writing today with my concerns with regards to the proposed zoning changes property <br />at 1300 and 1380 Bancroft Avenue. I attended a meeting of the EENA last week, <br />where many of us expressed our concerns with this proposal. <br /> <br />It is my understanding that the current owner of the property is planning a 5 story <br />building, with approximately 50 apartments. A building like this would create <br />additional traffic and parking concerns to an already congested area. A building this <br />size, and density, is far more appropriate close to BART or downtown, not in a primarily <br />single family, residential area. It is also my understanding that the owner is planning <br />to construct 2 bedroom units and wants to price the apartments at an unrealistic peak <br />rate of $4000/month in rent. What would be the plan for this property if the units do <br />not rent at that rate? <br /> <br />Another question: What was the process for the property owner to build this structure? <br />According to my neighbors in the area, there was little if any notification or request for <br />input from the community. When a project of this size, with the possible impact of <br />changing a neighborhood is proposed, would it not be appropriate and expected to get <br />community input? <br /> <br />I strongly agree with Stephen Cassidy's suggestions that "If City staff's proposal for the <br />re-zoning of 1300 and 1380 Bancroft Avenue (the now Silva property) was not <br />approved, Silva could still seek to change the zoning for the property. He would have to <br />(a) present an actual development plan (something he has not done - all we have are, <br />in staff's words, "preliminary concepts"), (b) which would be reviewed by staff, then (c) <br />presented to the Board of Zoning Adjustments (which consists of 7 San Leandrans <br />appointed by the Mayor and City Council), (d) extensive notice to the community would <br />be provided, (e) a public hearing on the matter would occur, and (f) if either party - <br />Silva or the community - disagreed with the decision of the Board of Zoning <br />Adjustments then they could take an appeal to the City Council, which (g) would review <br />the appeal at a public meeting after taking public comments. " <br /> <br />I am not opposed to all rezoning but I am opposed to changing this particular <br />commercial property to one that allows for multiple units zoning. A smaller number of <br />apartments (5-20), condos , single family homes or high end retail/ restaurant would <br />positively add to the neighborhood. <br /> <br />Hopefully, you read our Nextdoor Forum where many in the neighborhood have <br />expressed the need for more restaurants in our city. Perhaps that is what the rezoning <br />should be.