CASTRO PLANNER                                    May 2008

Draft of Upper Market Design Plan Released; Open House and Meeting Set for May 12
The Planning Department in conjunction with Supervisor Bevan Dufty and MIG Consultants, released the first public draft of the Upper Market Community Design Plan and has invited all members of the Castro community to an open house and community meeting to discuss the draft plan on Monday, May 12 at Harvey Milk School at 19th and Collingwood Streets, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.

The open house will be both a celebration of the Castro community's effort and commitment to the planning process, and an opportunity to review the draft plan and how participants’ ideas were incorporated into the plan, as well as to see the next steps needed for implementation of the plan.  

Copies of the draft plan document, as well as previous documents and presentation material from the three workshops held last fall, are available at http://uppermarket.sfplanning.org. Printed copies are available for purchase from the Planning Dept. Any questions you have concerning the event can be directed to Sarah Dennis (558-6314) or Abigail Kiefer (575-9065).  

In addition to design recommendations for new mixed use residential projects that are being considered on several sites in the Upper Market corridor between Dolores and Castro Street, the plan is expected to include recommendations for streetscape improvements including Harvey Milk Plaza; and ideas to support locating several LGBT community institutions in new developments.

CAPA has always supported new, dense development along the Market Street corridor that includes residential, commercial, and institutional uses as a way to increase the supply of housing in the Castro, (including housing affordable to all income levels), add active street level uses, connect the heart of the Castro with other important sites like the GLBT Center with improved pedestrian environment, and of course creating a great gathering space honoring Harvey Milk at Castro and Market. CAPA members are strongly encouraged to attend this important event.

The May CAPA meeting on May 8 will include a review of the draft plan. Please plan to attend both meetings.

Castro Transit Effectiveness Project Meeting May 10

CAPA members are also encouraged to attend the Transit Effectiveness Project Community Meeting, the Saturday, May 10, at the Harvey Milk School, 19th at Collingwood Streets, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., just two days before the Upper Market Plan meeting, The meeting will focus on proposals to implement the first significant citywide review and revision of transit service in the city since the 1970’s.

At the March CAPA meeting members reviewed the proposed revisions to Muni service in the Castro, especially the major reconfiguration of service through the intersection of Castro and 18th Streets. CAPA’s recommendations are included in the April Castro Planner at www.capasf.org. For all proposals, see www.sftep.org.


HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE GENERAL MEETING

Thursday, April 10, 2008

Walgreens Expansion: Todd Horton, District Manager of Walgreens Special Pharmacies presented plans for expansion of the “specialty pharmacy” at 4131 18th Street into the former Laundromat next door, to provide more services for complex disease states, counseling on the clinical aspects of pharmacy, plus vaccines and immunizations. There will be kiosks for general information, a community education room and a sit-down area with a full-time dietician/nutritionist; a residency site for UCSF students, and outreach with Project Inform and other local health organizations. The focus of the pharmacy will be on treatment of HIV/AIDS, and the intent is to provide services in a "warmer, more private way” to offer community healthcare education, but there is no intent to duplicate services with those of the main store.

The 3000 square foot expansion would be Walgreens’ third since 1997 at Castro and 18th St. (not including the store at Market and Church), occupying 13,210 square feet. Members expressed concern that the lease with a large national retailer with thousands stores made it much more difficult for non-china retailers to operate in the Castro, and that the predominance of one chain store near the center of the Castro diminished neighborhood character. Some members suggested that in-store counseling could be a conflict of interest, since patients would purchase the recommended medications in the store. The need to offer this service in a storefront, rather than an office setting was also questioned. Other members noted that the service provided is valuable to people with HAV/AIDS and that other chain pharmacies such as CVS provide similar services in the Castro.

A motion to support the expansion failed with 6 opposed, 2 in favor. A motion to oppose the expansion, passed with 6 in favor and 2 opposed. CAPA’s opposition to the expansion will be communicated to Michael Smith, the Planning Department staff person in charge of reviewing the project (although no application has been filed yet).

Streetscape Design Workshop Report: Joe Curtin reported that the Community Benefits District sponsored Streetscape design workshop on April 9 was well attended by CAPA members, and that a brochure detailing CAPA’s recommendations for streetscape design was distributed to participants. To review CAPA’s recommendations, go the CAPA’s website at www.capasf.org.

Meeting recorded by Gary Weiss

AGENDA FOR THE GENERAL MEETING

Thursday, May 8, 2008, 7:30 p.m.

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

2.    Upper Market Draft Plan Review (see article at left)

3.    CAPA Event Planning (general discussion of ideas for CAPA sponsored events, forums charrettes etc.)

4.    Adjournment               9:00 p.m.