CASTRO

Sup. Dufty to Meet with CAPA at August 11 Meeting

CAPA is pleased to welcome the Castro’s representative on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, Supervisor Bevan Dufty to the August meeting on August 11. Supervisor Dufty will talk about a new program to replace existing individual freestanding newsracks that currently are rather haphazardly located on busy sidewalks. Under the program, the individual racks will be replaced with permanent pedestal mounted units with multiple boxes for all newspapers, to be located at major corners in the Castro. This should improve the pedestrian environment by reducing the amount of space needed to dispense papers.

Supervisor Dufty has also been active on a variety of other issues of interest to CAPA members. In the past month he has introduced a measure in the Board of Supervisors supporting incentives to build housing over retail, especially large retail site such as supermarkets. He has also been also been active in mediating the Trader Joe’s issue which has been on CAPA’s agenda for some time.

Please plan on attending the August 11 meeting for this chance to meet with Supervisor Dufty and discuss his efforts on behalf of the Castro.

CAPA leads SPUR tour of Castro

In September, CAPA will host a walking tour of the Castro for members of San Francisco Planning and Urban Research (SPUR). SPUR is an influential planning think tank of sorts that supports sound and sustainable planning for growth in San Francisco. CAPA has presented several lunch-time forums for SPUR at their Sutter Street office, and SPUR was one of the sponsors of the 2000 San Francisco Prize design competition for Harvey Milk Plaza.

The tour will be an excellent way to inform people in the Castro and from all over the city about the various planning issues in the Castro, especially about CAPA’s work. The tour will be held on Saturday, September 24. More details will follow in the September newsletter. You can also visit SPUR’s website at www.spur.org.

CAPA to Host Laguna Hill Forum

The development of the former campus of the UC Berkeley Extension program on the edge of the Castro district at Laguna and Market could have a significant impact on the Castro and Upper Market area. UC’s developer proposes building over 400 units of housing with some retail and public uses. A series of workshops hosted by the Hayes Valley Neighborhood Assoc resulted in a preference for a variety of new uses on the site including more public and community facilities along with some housing. And a third party, the New College of San Francisco has proposed locating part of its campus in the site’s historic buildings, with new student housing and open space. All three parties are invited to present their plans to CAPA at the September 8 meeting. Look for more details in the September newsletter.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE GENERAL MEETING

Thursday, July 14, 2005

1. Response to Trader Joe’s Proposal

Following up on the ongoing issue of a proposal for a Trader Joe’s store and parking garage in the Market Street corridor, discussion addressed CAPA’s response. In light of the many problematic aspects of the proposal (additional formula retail, parking supplanting potential housing, and traffic congestion, a previously discussed effort to enact restrictions on formula retail was not considered. Steve Hall made the point that many residents would welcome a Trader Joe’s store that they could walk to, but would not support excessive parking or congestion.

Michael Mullin moved that CAPA’s position be that the proposal is wrong for the Sanchez St. site, due to reasons cited above. Steve Hall seconded and the motion passed.

2. Proposal for Laguna Hill/UC Berkeley Extension Site

The series of meetings regarding the proposal to develop the former campus of the UC Berkeley Extension program concluded on July 7. The sponsors of the series, Hayes Valley Neighborhood Assoc. have issued a report and recommendations for alternates to the plan for housing presented by UC Berkeley’s developer, A.F. Evans. The New College of California has also prepared a proposal for the site. A motion passed inviting all three parties to present their plans at the CAPA meeting in September (September 8).

3. CAPA Business:

· Lion Barnett has informed CAPA that the Castro Meeting Room will no longer be available for meetings starting in January 2006. Returning the meetings to the Eureka Valley Rec. Center will be investigated

· Steve Hall volunteered to assist in the management and updating of the CAPA website.

· Michael Mullin suggested that CAPA plan to increase CAPA’s public profile and attract new members. Some ideas to host a “civics class” to help people understand planning principles zoning and building regulation etc., and presentations on history of the neighborhood, etc. HE also suggested using on-line surveys, and mailings to gauge the interests of the neighborhood on various issues.

AGENDA FOR THE GENERAL MEETING

Thursday, August 11, 2005, 7:30 p.m.

1. Call to Order/Introductions 7:30 p.m.

2. Approval of Agenda and previous meeting’s Minutes

3. Newsrack Program Supervisor Bevan Dufty

4. CAPA/SPUR Walking Tour Planning Joe Curtin

5. Laguna Hill Forum Planning Michael Mullin

6. Finance Report and Membership Update

7. New Business

8. Adjournment 9:00 p.m.