While everyone has had their attention on the presidential campaign, CAPA’s October meeting will feature updates on several projects that we have not heard much about while we had our attention turned to the Trader Joe’s proposal, traffic calming and chain stores. Please join us on Thursday night. Here are some of the issues that will be discussed.
Planning the City’s Future
Last year, SPUR (San Francisco Planning and Urban Research)and AIASF (San Francisco chapter of the American Institute of Architects) prepared a report titled “Planning the City’s Future” which was intended partly as a critique and partly to begin creating a vision for both city’s Planning Department and the Department of Building Inspection. One year later some things have changed, but much is still the same. Alan Martinez, active with AIASF, CAPA and the Friends of 1800 Market will update us at Thursday’s meeting on the status of the report and how it impacts the Castro and neighborhoods in general.
UC Extension Site Plans scrutinized
Alan Martinez will also give an update on plans for the UC Berkeley Extension site at Laguna and Market. The current plan includes among many uses 500 units of affordable and market rate housing, involving demolition of many of the site’s buildings. While outside of CAPA’s boundaries, the proposed development could have impacts on all of the Upper Market, and it will be a test of how well the Better Neighborhoods plan can be implemented.
CPMC Davies Hospital Site Plans Presented
To comply with a law imposing higher seismic safety standards on hospitals, California Pacific Medical Centers is planning major changes to the “campus” at Davies Hospital at Castro and Duboce. Plans include new uses in some new buildings, and renovation of the existing hospital building, and keeping the Emergency Room open. A hospital representative will discuss the plans at our October meeting.
Vote “Yes” on Prop A, and help with the campaign
CAPA strongly endorsed Proposition A, the $200 million affordable housing bond on the November ballot. This bond will directly benefit our communities by building more affordable housing and talking the next step to radically reduce homelessness in the city.
CAPA members are asked to help get the word out by distributing flyers door-to-door and in high visibility areas in the Castro Volunteers will meet at St. Francis Church at 152 Church Street at 10 am on Saturday, October 9 and October 16. To volunteer contact Jodie Medeiros at the Housing Action Coalition, 415-865-0553 or Jodie@sfhac.org.
It’s Election Time – Please Vote November 2!
This year’s Presidential election has been called the most important election in decades, but there are lots of local issues and campaigns on the ballot too. The deadline for registering to vote is October 18 – contact the City Election Department at 554-4375 or go to www.sfgov.org.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE GENERAL MEETING
Thursday, August 12, 2004
Housing Bond-Proposition ‘A’. Motion: CAPA endorses the Affordable Housing General Obligation Bond (Proposition ‘A’). Passed 8-0-0.
Formula Retail (Chain Stores). CAPA considered these possible actions for dealing with new chain stores: 1) rely on Rule 312, which requires neighborhood notification of a change of use and for a store of a certain size; 2) require a conditional use permit; or 3) ban formula retail stores, as has been done on Hayes St. Arguments for more restriction: Rule 312 process is being revised, it will be slower, and fewer retail changes will require it. The Castro is unique, and to preserve its character requires preserving small, locally owned stores. Chains drive out less well funded local businesses; chains take their profits out of the area. Arguments for less restriction: Stores like Walgreen's provide useful services to Castro residents, Motion: CAPA proposes that the conditional use process for formula retail be applied to the Castro and Upper Market Neighborhood Commercial Districts. Passed 7-0-2.
Trader Joe's. Joe Curtin reported information that the Planning Commission may not be favorable to a Trader Joe's proposal that is incompatible with the Better Neighborhoods Plan for the Octavia Blvd. area. CAPA will contact the property owner to encourage a more pedestrian-oriented mixed use development with housing and/or non-profit offices above the store.
Safeway Perimeter Stewardship Project. An August 9 meeting reviewed progress on short-term steps toward mitigating problems around the recycling center, especially those connected with the Tuesday evening needle exchange and food providers. Actions underway include police coordination, moving a MUNI fence, and landscaping. DPW will be contacted for better trash cleanup. Sup. Dufty is proposing Community Benefit Districts that would be funded by property owners, and could include the recycling center.
Sue Mills Property, 1850 Market, next to the LGBT Center, has been vacant for a few years, is now being sold. The buyer has tentative plans for over 100 units of housing above retail.
Reported by Larry
Maxwell
AGENDA FOR THE GENERAL MEETING
Thursday,
October 14, 2004, 7:30 p.m.
1. Call to Order/Introductions 7:30 p.m.
2. Approval of Agenda and previous meeting’s Minutes
3. CPMC Davies Hospital Plans Marchese Co.
4. Planning Dept Reform: Alan Martinez
5. UC Berkeley Extension Site Plans: Alan Martinez
6. Prop A Housing Bond-Campaign
7. Other Updates
8. Safeway Perimeter Planning: Larry Maxwell
9. Trader Joe’s Proposal Update: Joe Curtin
10. Finance Report and Membership Update
11. New Business
12. Adjournment
9:00 p.m.
584 Castro Street,
PMB 169
San Francisco, CA
94114-2588
Get updates
online! Send your email address to:
curtin_joe@hotmail.com
CAPA GENERAL MEETING
Thurs.,
October 14 , 7:30 – 9:00 p.m.
Castro Meeting
Room, 501 Castro Street at 18th.
Second Floor,
above the Bank of America
See the full
agenda inside
