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• CITY OF SAN LEANDRO • CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE April 13, 2006 4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. San Leandro City Hall 835 East 14t~ Street San Leandro, California Sister Cities Gallery Room HIGHLIGHTS Committee Members: Mayor Young, Vice-Mayor Badger, Councilmember Stephens City staff present: John Jermanis, Steve Hollister, Hanson Hom, Thomas Liao, Luke Sims, Sally Barros, Kelly Hamer, Elmer Peneranda, Kathleen Livermore, Ryan Evans Public present: Heidi Finberg, Tim Holmes, Eric Yip The meeting was called to order at 4:10 p.m. 1. Update on Downtown TOD Strategy Kathleen Livermore provided a brief summary of the progress being made to prepare a market assessment of the Downtown/TOD Study Area. The assessment is scheduled for the TOD Community Advisory Committee meeting of April 25, 2006. She noted some of the early findings of the assessment which include: (1) that there appears to be a relatively healthy and growing market for residential, office and retail development; (2) that there are as many as approximately 35 development opportunity sites mostly consisting of currently underutilized and vacant properties near transit services; (3) that additional housing can enhance the market for new and stronger retail stores; (4) that seniors, "empty-nesters", and young professionals are a large part of the future demand for housing in the TOD area; (5) that San Leandro has established a niche market for office users; and (6) that some impediments exist including parking requirements, property owner expectations, and competition from other areas. Kathleen Livermore further explained that more detailed analysis is forthcoming and that the findings will be summarized for the City Council at the first meeting in May. She also noted that staff is developing a list of prospective developers with which to share the findings and gain feedback on their view of the residential, office, and retail markets in San Leandro in general and the TOD area in particular. The City Manager emphasized the need to include the development community and stressed the importance of "fitting" the various land use components into a cohesive mix that can strengthen the Downtown.