Developer Again Attempting To Circumvent San Leandro Zoning Code


This message was posted on NextDoor.com by Lindsay White on August, 1, 2017:

The proposed 73-unit apartment complex is 5 stories tall, has parking for 146 vehicles and includes 64 car stackers. It seriously violates the existing zoning code. This message is from Lindsay White and Dave Ruedi on Joaquin Avenue and Debbie and Evan Adams on Estudillo Avenue. We are the homeowners next to the property located at 1388 Bancroft Avenue, which is across Estudillo from Bancroft Middle School.

In 2016, a developer proposed building a 50-foot (think 5 stories) apartment complex with 51 units on this site. The proposal was opposed by many in the community. This year, the same developer has submitted a new proposal for an even bigger, denser complex, featuring 73 units and car stackers for parking. The City’s zoning code only permits a maximum of 31 units at the site.

The proposed complex towers over Bancroft Middle School and would be, by far, the tallest building in San Leandro between Bancroft Avenue and 580, creating the precedent for the construction of additional 5-story and taller buildings immediately adjacent to, or within, our neighborhoods.

The proposed complex includes parking for 146 vehicles and, because of the building’s massive size, the plans call for the installation of 64 car stackers. These are at least 13-feet high, mechanical devices that allow one car to be hoisted above another. A significant number would be placed next to our properties.

The morning traffic generated by 146 vehicles, combined with the existing middle-school traffic, will make an already bad traffic situation intolerable.

We support additional housing in San Leandro, including at 1388 Bancroft, but built in conformity with the City's current zoning code. As a result, we have a formed a community outreach group and created a website, https://sites.google.com/view/1388bancroft , for the purpose of advocating to the Mayor, City Council and City Manager that development of 1388 Bancroft Avenue follow the City’s current zoning code.

What can you do? If you believe, as we do, that 1388 Bancroft should be developed in compliance with the zoning code (a maximum of 31 units), please join us by emailing 1388Bancroft@googlegroups.com and provide your:

name
address
phone number

We will keep your contact information private and use it for the sole purpose of providing you news and updates on the project, including any public meetings or hearings.

Lindsay White and Dave Ruedi
Debbie and Evan AdamsBanc

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Comment by me: I and many others welcome the development of the site into new housing but in conformity with the zoning code. Just last year the zoning code was revised after considerable public input as part of the City's general plan update (which happens every 15 years). The site at issue was rezoned to permit housing.
If the City leadership insists upon compliance with the zoning code the developer can still build apartments. The complex however would be at a density that fits the neighborhood. If the developer is allowed to proceed with his plans as is, it would rip the zoning code apart for the neighboring homeowners and create a horrible precedent citywide. One further issue for me is that the City has no policy requiring developers of multi unit rental housing to set aside a certain number of units for working families and seniors on fixed incomes. To address the Bay Area housing crisis we need both new market rate and affordable housing.

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