Current Newsletter

Plans for New Building at Harvey Milk Plaza

CAPA has recently received notice that the Arco gas station site on the northwest corner of Castro and Market has been purchased. The new owner plans to build a five story, 24 unit residential building (with one parking space per unit) plus ground floor retail (2,880 s.f.). No design drawings have been issued, and the project is currently under environmental review, the first of many stages of the approvals process.

CAPA has always favored developing at least some of the five gas station sites on Upper Market Street for better and more intense uses that activate the street with pedestrians and add housing. This project is at the heart of the Castro, facing Harvey Milk Plaza, so it will have significant impacts on the Castro, and the proposed uses and design must be carefully considered to ensure that a new building really improves the area, rather than just changing it.

The proposal raises many issues that need to be addressed early in the planning process.

·    Are there other uses that are appropriate for the site, and what kind of retail tenant is anticipated?

·    Given its location within a five minute walk to seven transit lines and a full service commercial district, parks, etc. is one parking space per unit too much?

·    Architectural design is very important; a mere box of condos with standard issue bay windows and a crown molding are not sufficient. The building must help to define the entire space, given that it will be the tallest building on the corner.

·    How will the development affect any future plans for a larger Harvey Milk Plaza? Without the gas station’s many curb cuts, there are opportunities to redesign the sidewalks and street on that corner.

The Planning Department reports that in addition to the environmental report, the project sponsor will require conditional use permits. This process involves public hearing but is several months away.

CAPA has been in contact with the developer’s representative and they have been invited to attend a CAPA meeting discuss the project. We expect that their approvals process will be open and that they will be receptive to community input.

CAPA In 2006

CAPA’s January meeting will include open discussion about activities for the next year. WE can build on some of the successes we had last year in connecting with other Castro organizations through he Castro Walking Tour in November, and the opportunities presented to us with the proposals for a Castro and Market development, an LGBT History Center, and others. Come to the meeting and share your ideas.

CAPA’s Meeting Space

January’ meeting will be CAPA’s final meeting at the Castro Meeting Room. The Eureka Valley Rec Center may reopen in February, so CAPA will investigate reserving space there.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE GENERAL MEETING

Thursday, December 8, 2005

Castro Historic Resources Survey

Representatives of the Friends of 1800 Market reported on the progress of their effort to conduct a Castro Historic Resources Survey. Currently they are focusing their efforts on a similar project for the Market and Octavia area in light of the Better Neighborhoods Plan. While they are not currently seeking city funds for a Castro-specific survey (due to limited city funds) there is a strong possibility that one could get funding in the near future.

The Friends have developed a LGBT “context statement” that will assist in evaluating historic sites for the significance to LGBT history in San Francisco, although this covers the entire city and is not specific to the Castro covers the historic aspects of LGBT.

The survey would evaluate every building (whether significant, contributing or of no significance) in a survey area, which means it can be costly and time consuming. But it would be a complete accounting of the quality of the entire survey area which can help determine the actual impacts of future development.

The Friends are currently building support for the Castro survey, and asked CAPA to formally endorse the process. If you are interested in the preservation work of the Friends of 1800 go to their website at www.friendsof1800.org for more information.

Castro/Market Development Proposal

CAPA was notified shortly before the meeting that a developer has purchased the Arco Station at Castro and Market and has plans to build a five story mixed use building with 24 units of housing atop a parking garage and retail. (See news at left). CAPA has the opportunity to comment on the potential environmental impacts, and should engage the project sponsors and the Planning Department to ensure that the project has positive impacts for the neighborhood.

Several members present suggested that CAPA needs to take a strong position that the project should provide much less parking, in light of its proximity to transit and shopping, and to minimize the impact of parking on the ground floor uses. The project should also seek the endorsement of the Housing Action Coalition. Ed Bedard said that his experience in Hayes Valley is that in the early stages neighborhood groups can be influential in the choice of architect.

AGENDA FOR THE GENERAL MEETING

Thursday, January 12, 2006, 7:30 p.m.

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

2.      Planning organization activities for 2006

3.      Finance Report and Membership Update

4.      New Business

5.      Adjournment               9:00 p.m.

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