Laserfiche WebLink
1 Introduction <br />This document is an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) that evaluates the potential environmental <br />effects associated with implementation of the Bay Fair Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Specific <br />Plan (“proposed Specific Plan” or “proposed project”). <br />This section discusses (1) an overview of the proposed Specific Plan; (2) the legal basis for preparing <br />a Program EIR pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines; (3) the scope <br />and content of the EIR; (4) the lead, responsible, and trustee agencies; (5) the intended uses of the <br />EIR; and (6) the environmental review process required under CEQA. The proposed project is <br />described in detail in Section 2, Project Description. <br />1.1 Specific Plan Background <br />The Bay Fair TOD Specific Plan Area (“Specific Plan Area”) is at the southeastern edge of the City of <br />San Leandro, adjacent to unincorporated Alameda County. It includes the Bay Fair BART Station, <br />Bayfair Center, and the East 14th Street and Hesperian Boulevard corridors. The proposed Specific <br />Plan includes policies and development standards to guide future development in the Specific Plan <br />Area. <br />The San Leandro 2035 General Plan (adopted September 2016) designates the Specific Plan Area as <br />“Bay Fair Transit Oriented Development.” According to the 2035 General Plan Land Use Element, <br />the intent of this designation is to “create a new vision for this area, including retail, office, higher <br />density housing, open space, and public land uses. A more urban development form is envisioned, <br />with pedestrian-scaled streets and an orientation toward BART access and transit use.” <br />Under Government Code Section 65450 et seq., a specific plan implements, and must be consistent <br />with, the governing general plan. However, a specific plan is a separate document from the general <br />plan and contains a greater degree of detail, including functions of zoning, land use regulations, <br />design standards, and capital improvement plans. The proposed Specific Plan would implement the <br />vision for the Specific Plan Area outlined in the San Leandro 2035 General Plan. <br />Development of the proposed Specific Plan that is the subject of this EIR entailed a process involving <br />the San Leandro City Council, key community stakeholders, City and consultant staff, and the public <br />at large. The public involvement process used to develop the Specific Plan included: <br /> Establishment of a Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) consisting of 21 community members <br />appointed by the City Council to guide the preparation of the Specific Plan and provide a broad <br />diversity of perspectives; <br /> Establishment of a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) consisting of professionals from local, <br />regional, and State agencies and technical partners to provide technical and feasibility review; <br /> A series of stakeholder interviews with local stakeholders and stakeholder groups such as <br />homeowners associations, youth, and seniors; <br /> Two community workshops with City and consultant staff, members of the public, and key <br />stakeholders to discuss a range of issues relevant to the Specific Plan; <br />90