CASTRO PLANNER                                    December, 2007

Thanks for a Successful 2007

At this time of year CAPA looks back on the events that will shape the Castro in years to come. This year, many individuals have made a difference, so please join me in expressing thanks for their commitment to the Castro.

Supervisor Bevan Dufty: Supervisor Dufty has been the main force in moving important planning efforts forward in the Castro by securing funding for the wildly successful Upper Market Workshops. He has provided support for the Business Attraction Plan, a program of the LGBT Center, and deserves thanks for his central role in starting the long process of reinventing Halloween in the Castro as a safe, unique event for the community.

Heidi Sokolowsky, David Alumbaugh, Tom Radulovich, and Jeff Tumlin: This core group of planning experts has helped CAPA to jump-start our plan for Harvey Milk Plaza this year, and provided invaluable assistance and vision.

Don Romesburg, Alan Martinez, Tito Vandermeyden, and Demian Quesnel: Don, with the LGBT Historical Society, and CAPA members Alan, Tito and Demian, organized several popular events that focused attention on the importance of LGBT neighborhoods in general and the Castro in particular, catching the attention of national media including the Associated Press and the New York Times.

Dennis Richards, Judith Hoyem, Adam Light, Steve Adams, Gary Weiss, Dominic Campodonico and Richard Magary of the Upper Market Alliance: Representing the diverse interests of neighborhood and business groups in the Upper Market area these individuals came together like never before to represent Upper Market for a better neighborhood.

Finally, thanks to the many CAPA members, including Steve Hall, Larry Maxwell, and others listed above, for their commitment to CAPA and their work to make the organization function.

Final Upper Market Planning Workshop this Week

The third and final workshop in the Upper Market Planning Workshop series will be held this Monday, Dec. 10 from 6:00 to 9:00 pm, at the Harvey Milk Academy at 19th St. and Collingwood in the Castro. The first two workshop events were quite successful and well attended. A unique and powerful vision for the Castro is being created at the workshops, thanks to the input of many CAPA members.

The final meeting will be an opportunity for the community to affirm the design framework that was created in the first two community meetings, and to address how the public space recommendations and new development guidelines of the design strategy should be applied to the Upper Market Street Corridor.

Please plan on attending the last of these events on Monday, and adding your voice to the plan. To learn more about the Upper Market Workshops, review notes from the previous workshops, and submit your thoughts and ideas, go to http://uppermarket.sfplanning.org.


HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE GENERAL MEETING

Thursday, November 8, 2007

Neighborhood Commercial District Zoning Changes

The Planning Department is seeking input from neighborhoods on possible revisions to the zoning regulations for neighborhood commercial districts (NCD) in the city, including for the Castro Street NCD and the Upper Market Street NCD. The Upper Market Alliance (UMA), which CAPA is a member organization of, will attempt to reach a consensus on specific changes to the regulations, and has asked all members to submit recommendations.

Members reviewed the recommendations on zoning changes that the Eureka Valley Promotion Association (EVPA) and the Castro Coalition had made prior to the meeting.

The bulk of the meeting was devoted to reviewing the current zoning regulations for both Castro and Upper Market NCDs, and discussion of what the goals and vision for the neighborhood are. Members were generally in favor of policies that support a vibrant neighborhood and encourage new businesses to fill vacancies, businesses that serve the needs of residents, and maintain the unique character of the neighborhood.

Members reviewed the recommendations on zoning changes that the Eureka Valley Promotion Association (EVPA) and the Castro Coalition had made prior to the meeting, and made their own. The focus was on the Castro NCD, where members favored a ban on new formula retail (although no formula retail ban in the Upper Market NCD), and allowing up to three new bars, restaurants, and cafes, where none are allowed now (but no fast food). Increased density of housing in the Castro commercial core was also supported, with off-street parking requirement.

For Upper Market NCD, the main recommendation was to regulate new parking garages by requiring active ground floor uses at sidewalks, and on upper floors.

 

AGENDA FOR THE GENERAL MEETING

Thursday, December 13, 2007, 7:30 p.m.

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

2.    Upper Market St. Workshop Update

3.    Harvey Milk Plaza Planning Update

4.    NCD Zoning Review – Review and approve recommended changes to commercial zoning codes in Castro and Upper Market, (see above)

5.    Organizational Planning for 2007

6.    Officers for 2007 – nominations for president, vice president, secretary, and board members, as well as representatives to both the Castro Coalition and the Upper Market Alliance

7.    Finance Report and Membership Update

8.    New Business

9.    Adjournment               9:00 p.m.