CASTRO PLANNER June 2008
Next Steps From Upper Market Plan
The final draft of the Upper Market Plan was released at a well
attended open house on May 12. The plan, a project of the
city’s Planning Department initiated by Supervisor Bevan
Dufty, has been called one of San Francisco’s most successful
public planning processes in many years, due largely to the
large number of engaged citizens that participated (including,
of course, many CAPA members).
Once the final version of the Plan is completed, it will head to the Planning Commission, for their endorsement, probably in June or July. Then the next steps for the Plan will focus on priority public projects and drafting implementation recommendations for to be included in the five year priority projects for Prop K funds. Additional planning efforts like the Castro Community Benefits District’s own streetscape planning process, which CAPA has supported, will aid in getting projects funded.
While the plan is predominantly a plan for physical improvements to the Market Street corridor from Castro to Octavia (see some of CAPA’s recommendations at right or at www.capasf.org), the implementation plan charges neighborhood organizations and individuals with the tasks of raising awareness and community support for the public realm improvements such as Harvey Milk Plaza and other streetscape improvements, as well as lobbying for public funding for such improvements. As the Castro’s community based volunteer planning organization this task is clearly in CAPA’s court. Neighborhood organizations like CAPA should also be engaged in monitoring how new development conforms to the plan’s goals for affordable housing and community institutions.
CAPA’s June meeting, on Thursday June 12, will focus on CAPA’s role in supporting the implementation of the Plan. CAPA has had success in the past with events such as lectures, walking tours etc. that have raised awareness of planning issues in the Castro, and planning charrettes that established a need for Harvey Milk Plaza. We have also had a vital role in working with other neighborhood groups in the Castro Coalition and the Upper Market Alliance. These successes could be a model for CAPA’s ongoing support of the Upper Market Planning process.
Greetings from the Gayborhood
On June 25, the LGBT Historical Society and the James C. Hormel Gay & Lesbian Center present author Don Reuter, with a slide show of photos from his colorful new book Greetings from the Gayborhood on the changes in gay neighborhoods. Greetings from the Gayborhood (available at A Different Light bookstore) includes photos of nostalgic artifacts and imagery, but is also an exploration of the urban dynamics of neighborhoods and Gay identity that while short-lived in many cases, have had a profound impact on American culture. Go to www.glbthistory.org for more info.
Greetings from the Gayborhood
Wednesday June 25, 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Main Library, Lower Level, Latino/Hispanic Meeting Room
100 Larkin Street (at Grove)
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE GENERAL MEETING
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Upper Market Draft Plan Review: The draft plan, which had been issued the previous week, was reviewed at the meeting. CAPA’s comments and recommendations were drafted for distribution at the Plan’s Open House and to members. Major recommendations include:
Engaging Sidewalks: The use of the sidewalk for cafes, natural features and art is a positive element of the plan. The plan should include limits and fees to ensure that enough space remains for walking, and set fees for maintenance.
Plaza at Market and Castro: CAPA supports the plan to create a new plaza at the Chevron station and 17th Street, but a comprehensive plan is needed for the entire intersection to guide incremental development of the plaza (to be known as Harvey Milk Plaza). A plaza at the Chevron site should be the predominant use on the site; a smaller building than the plan shows can spatially define the plaza and attract various uses.
Pedestrian / Transit Oriented Improvements: CAPA supports the plan’s redesign of major intersections with special paving at crosswalks, trees and landscaped bulb-outs, level connection from Muni platforms to sidewalks, and continuous bike lanes through intersections. CAPA also supports parking management strategies, conversion of some street spaces to multi-expanded sidewalk areas for outdoor use curb bulb-outs or for car-sharing parking. CAPA further recommends creating additional parking on residential streets using the Duboce Triangle model with angled parking.
Cultural Density Bonus: CAPA supports a “cultural density bonus” allowing extra density and/or height in projects that provide space for cultural institutions and organizations. Design of new developments should be a public process and appropriate cultural programs should be required. This strategy could be applied at other sites to create cultural nodes along Market Street.
Development Guidelines: CAPA endorses creation of new housing for a diverse range of households, including single people, families, seniors, and congregate living, and smaller units to foster affordability. Policies should be developed to ensure that such units are built. CAPA supports eliminating minimum off-street parking requirements and prohibiting garage access from Market Street. The size and number of large new stores should be limited to ensure that smaller, specialized businesses are accommodated.
AGENDA FOR THE GENERAL MEETING
Thursday, June 12, 2008, 7:30 p.m.
1. Call to Order/Introductions 7:30 p.m.
2. Upper Market Plan Implementation – potential CAPA action (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.