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per the General Plan policies, it is appropriate to locate retail uses in or near the <br />downtown area. The environmental review that was conducted noted that this use is <br />compatible with the adjacent residential uses (north and east) and commercial uses (south <br />and west). <br />There are a number of goals and policies in the General Plan related to commercial land <br />use that support the development of the site for a retail sales use such as a neighborhood <br />shopping center: <br />• New investment in existing commercial districts which will increase their <br />attractiveness and improve their service to the community shall be encouraged. <br />• The concentration of office and retail uses in and near the downtown area shall be <br />encouraged. <br />Furthermore, there are general plan policies related to aesthetic, cultural, recreation, and <br />social resources that support the type of shopping center development proposed which <br />incorporates extensive public open space and very high quality site design and building <br />materials: <br />• Maintain, upgrade and redevelop property as necessary to keep San Leandro a <br />contemporary and economically competitive City. <br />Provide park and recreation facilities and services for a wide range of citizens by age, <br />education and skill level, and interest. <br />• Encourage, and where possible, require high quality building and site design. <br />It is recommended, based on the above policies and the market realities described above, <br />that the Plan Amendment adding retail sales as an allowed use at the property at 960 San <br />Leandro Boulevard be approved. <br />DISCUSSION OF REQUIRED ELEMENTS <br />1 Description and Reasons for Selection of the Project Area <br />The proposed plan amendments do not involve a change in the already established Plaza <br />2 Redevelopment Area boundaries. The Redevelopment Agency of the City of San <br />Leandro adopted the Plaza 2 Redevelopment Plan to address vacant, blighted, and <br />underutilized properties in specific areas of the City. The property proposed for the land <br />use change (960 San Leandro Boulevard) is part of Area 2, Area 3 and Area 5 Expansion <br />Area A of the Plaza 2 Redevelopment Plan, and has been vacant for ten years. This <br />vacant property has discouraged revitalization and private investment in the rest of the <br />Davis Street and San Leandro Boulevard corridors <br />-2- <br />