CASTRO PLANNER                                    November, 2007

CAPA Members Organize Commonwealth Club Forum on the Castro – November 8

On Thursday Nov. 8, the prestigious Commonwealth Club hosts a ground-breaking forum titled "’De-Gaying’ of the Castro: Are Queer 'Hoods Worth Saving?” organized by CAPA members Tito Vandermeyden and Demian Quesnel. With gay neighborhoods disappearing across the United States, the longevity of the Castro district as a predominantly LGBT neighborhood is uncertain. The panel, which includes members Demian Quesnel and Alan Martinez, author Don Reuter, city planner AnMarie Rodgers, and GLBT Historical Society Board Co-chair Don Romesburg, will discuss ways that a community can maintain its identity, and will make the case for an LGBT element in the city’s general plan.

The forum begins with a reception at 5:30 pm, with the program starting at 6:00 pm at the Commonwealth Club Office at 595 Market Street, 2nd Floor in San Francisco. Reserve a ticket at www.commonwealthclub.org/reservations

Planning and Transit Props Make Election Interesting

Several initiatives that will greatly affect the future direction of the city are on the ballot in this Tuesday’s election. Please review the full text of the initiatives and vote on Tuesday!

Prop A gives the Municipal Transportation Authority more authority for operating Muni, as well as additional funding. Prop D renews the Library Preservation Fund to construct and improve libraries. Prop H could increase the number of parking spaces but also the number of cars in the city by requiring at least one off-street parking space for each new home in all areas outside of downtown (contrary to neighborhood plans such as the Market Octavia Plan), and makes it much easier to construct new private garages in existing buildings regardless of impacts on Muni operation, bike lanes, street trees, etc.

Upper Market Concepts Emerge at Workshop

The second workshop in the Upper Market Planning Workshop series on Oct. 27 was well attended and gave the community an opportunity to consider how the public realm (sidewalks, plazas, and parks) should be designed, and how private and commercial spaces could interact with the street.

Potential building heights were also discussed, including allowing buildings up to eight stories at Castro and Market if space for community institutions is included with private development. Currently the building height allows six stories. While taller than any other building around, such a building if properly designed could become a landmark for the Castro and help define an expanded Harvey Milk Plaza.

The next workshop will be held on Monday, Dec. 10 from 6:00 to 9:00 pm, at the Harvey Milk Academy at 19th St. and Collingwood in the Castro. Learn more about the Upper Market Workshops, review notes from the Sept. 11 and Oct. 27 workshop, and submit your thoughts and ideas at http://uppermarket.sfplanning.org.


HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE GENERAL MEETING

Thursday, October 11, 2007

Community Benefits District Plans: Andrea Aiello was introduced as the new executive director of the Castro/Upper Market Community Benefits District (CBD). The CBD has engaged the services of Urban Ecology for planning streetscape improvements on Castro and Market Street, which could tie into CAPA’s goals for Harvey Milk Plaza and Castro Street. The CBD’s goal is to promote walking, shopping and safety, and they are considering measures such as widening sidewalks and adding curb bulbs, street furniture, trees, and art. A similar plan was completed recently for the Noe Valley CBD. The CBD plans to engage the community a series of public meetings, probably starting in January when the Upper Market Workshops are completed at the end of the year.

CAPA members supported working closely with the CBD to ensure that plans for Harvey Milk Plaza and Memorial are considered in the process. Jeff Tumlin recommended contacting the several agencies that have jurisdiction over streets and could be sources of funding: the Planning Dept. provides the “big vision”, but does not fund capital projects; the Municipal Transportation Authority (MTA) manages the “living streets” and pedestrian safety programs; the Dept. of Public Works (DPW) is responsible for implementation of street improvement projects; and the SF County Transportation Authority also does community planning. Joe Curtin recommended contacting Jose Luis Moscovitch at SFCTA to determine what funding is possible. Andrea noted that Urban Ecology will develop an implementation plan for the work. It was also recommended that MIG, the planning consultant for the Upper Market Workshops, coordinate with Urban Ecology on workshops so that there is a “handoff” at the end of the Upper Market process.

CAPA should also prepare to advocate for some of the more ambitious or our proposals – including converting the Chevron site and parts of 17th Street to a plaza, closing the Muni tunnel portals west of Castro, new entries to the Metro station, and a significant memorial structure for the Plaza.

AGENDA FOR THE GENERAL MEETING

Thursday, November 8, 2007, 7:30 p.m.

Note: Because many members are expected to attend the Commonwealth Club Forum earlier on Thursday evening, the CAPA meeting may start as late as 8:00 pm, but the meeting room will be open at 7:30 pm.

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

2.    Upper Market St. Workshop Update

3.    NCD Zoning Review – Recommendations for changes to commercial zoning codes in Castro and Upper Market, which could including allowing more restaurants and bars, second floor offices, etc.

4.    New Business

5.    Adjournment               9:00 p.m.