TONIGHT’S SCHEDULE

1. Specific Plan Introduction

2. Plan Area Profile Findings

3. Small Group Activity/Report Back

4. Next Steps

5. Public Comment

Funded through the Metropolitan Transportation Commission’s Station Area Planning Program

• Grant Program focuses on encouraging development patterns that are more supportive of transit

Additional funding provided by the City of Walnut Creek

PROJECT FUNDING

WEST DOWNTOWNPLAN AREA

Regional Location

Plan Area

PROJECT TEAM

CITY OF WALNUT CREEKAndrew Smith, Senior Planner

THE PLANNING CENTER | DC&EWoodie Tescher, Principal-in-Charge

Bruce Brubaker, Project Manager

CITIZEN ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Bob Simmons

Gary Skrel

Cindy Darling

Michael Fotheringham

Luke Lucas

Jocelyn Jackson

Eileen D. Greene

Liz Hirschhorn

Marjorie McWee

Rev. Sylvia Vasquez

Charlie Abrams

Joseph Gorny

Glen Ceridono

Community-driven plan for a specified area

Greater level of detail than the General Plan

Content:

Vision and concepts

Standards and guidelines for new development and public improvements

Affordable Housing Strategy

Transportation and Infrastructure Recommendations

Implementation and Financing Plan

WHAT IS A SPECIFIC PLAN?

THE SPECIFIC PLAN PROCESSProject Milestones Community Workshops

Public Meetings 5 Workshops 6 CAC Meetings 6+ Public Hearings

Outreach Flyers and Postcards Website Posters Mailing List

HOW YOU CAN BE INVOLVED

Identify opportunities and constraints to inform next steps in planning process

Measure current services and infrastructure

Document baseline conditions for State-required environmental review

www.walnut-creek.org/westdowntown

PLAN AREA PROFILE

PLAN AREA PROFILE TOPICS

Regulatory Framework

Land Use

Urban Design

Air Quality

Biology

Geology and Soils

Greenhouse Gases and Climate Change

Hazards and Hazardous Materials

Hydrology and Water Quality

Noise

Public Services and Recreation

Utility Infrastructure

Transportation

Cultural Resources

Economics

Primary Regulatory and Policy Documents

General Plan 2025

2009-2014 Housing Element

Zoning Ordinance Densities/Intensities Parking Development Standards (Height, Setbacks,

etc.)

REGULATORY FRAMEWORK

LAND USEExisting Land Uses

STUDY TOPICS

PUBLIC SERVICES &

RECREATION

Over 400 acres of parks and special-use areas in the City

No parks within Plan Area

Ratio of 6.4 acres of parkland per 1,000 residents exceeds the minimum standard of 5 acres per 1,000 residents in General Plan 2025

Automobile Circulation

All intersections within Plan Area operate at “acceptable” level

Olympic Boulevard/I-680 Northbound Ramps intersection operates at LOS D during AM peak commute period and LOS F during PM peak commute period (outside Plan Area)

TRANSPORTATION

Sidewalks system in place, but has some gaps

Higher pedestrian volumes along North California Boulevard, lower along Mount Diablo Boulevard

Delays crossing North California Boulevard at Trinity Avenue

Pedestrian Circulation

TRANSPORTATION

Few bicycle facilities in Plan Area

Bike lanes along North California Boulevard and Oakland Boulevard provide north-south access to the BART Station

Connectivity limited mainly by Mount Diablo Boulevard

Highest bicycle volumes along California Boulevard

Bicycle Circulation

TRANSPORTATION

Transit

Bay Area Rapid Transit: Walnut Creek Station

Central Contra Costa Transit Authority (CCCTA)

Most heavily used bus stop is at the Walnut Creek BART Station, with stops along North California Boulevard also experiencing higher boardings and alightings

TRANSPORTATION

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church

Constructed in 1889

Only officially designated historic structure in Plan Area

Almond Court Addition

Dates back to 1913

Maintains original street structure and development pattern

CULTURAL RESOURCESPotential Historic Resources

ECONOMICS

Demographic Trends

Economic Trends

Real Estate Market Trends

Real Estate Market Demand

ECONOMICS

DEMOGRAPHIC and HOUSEHOLD TRENDS

51% of area residents were between 21 and 44 years old, 27% in Walnut Creek.

Average household size is 1.77 in area, 2.08 in Walnut Creek

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Non‐Family Households Renter‐Occupied Households Multi‐family Units

Area

City

County

Bay Area

ECONOMICS

REAL ESTATE MARKET TRENDS

Walnut Creek’s office market healthiest among I-680 locations

Downtown Walnut Creek is one of the most important regional-serving retail nodes in the Bay Area

Strong demand for residential uses

SMALL GROUP ACTIVITY

NEXT STEP

Community Workshop #2 (October-November 2012)Alternatives Development

PUBLIC COMMENT

FOR MORE INFORMATION

www.walnut-creek.org/westdowntown

Andrew Smith Senior Planner

City of Walnut Creekasmith@walnut-creek.org

925-943-5899 x2213