5A Public Hearings 2018 0319 - Laserfiche WebLink

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File Number: 18-126 Associated with the adoption of the TOD Strategy specific plan was the new Downtown Area (DA) Zoning District, containing zoning standards which implement the TOD Strategy specific plan. These new standards include increased building height limits, higher residential densities and reduced parking standards. These TOD standards were adopted so that property owners would know exactly how to design new developments or redevelop existing sites, while minimizing the uncertainty of the discretionary review process. Site Plan Review Details regarding the proposed Project are contained within the attached January 4, 2018 BZA regular meeting Staff Report. Analysis The proposed Project meets the expectations of the vision and policies established by the Downtown TOD Strategy and the codified zoning requirements for the BART and downtown area. The high-density residential building complies and appropriately fits on the corner site without any need for exceptions or variances. The Project is appropriately designed to enhance the San Leandro Boulevard corridor. It complements the City’s public investments in the public right-of-way and other recent private investments in the immediate area (i.e., Westlake’s San Leandro Tech Campus, BRIDGE Housing’s Marea Alta, Creekside Plaza, etc.). The proposed Project, along with the other nearby developments, cumulatively carry out the vision for transit oriented development and affordable housing in the downtown area. The Project provides an increase in much needed affordable residential housing units that benefit from access to the downtown area and public transportation. The applicant designed the building so that the bulk of the structure was moved towards the street corner and away from adjacent properties to the east and the south, reducing the impact of massing on adjacent properties as much as feasible. The proposed building setback from the Parrott Street right-of-way line maintains the prevailing condition along the Parrott Street residential frontages. The Parrott Street side street setback could have been reduced to a zero setback (Z.C. Section 2-680), but the approved design lessens the shadow effect of the building. As discussed further in this staff report, the applicant’s shadow study demonstrates that a redesign of the building would not markedly improve the circumstances being appealed. Following the BZA’s decision and prior to filing the appeal, the appellant, Mr. Blaine, met with staff from Eden Housing who offered to provide additional landscaping to buffer or soften the side of the building facing the appellant’s residence. The appellant did not accept their offers and filed an appeal. Shadow Studies Following notification of the appeal, the applicant prepared shadow studies of the Parrott Street Apartments building to demonstrate how the Project’s location and angle of the sun will affect the shadows cast by the development (see attached Shadow/Solar Study). The study looks at the Page 3 City of San Leandro Printed on 3/13/2018 9