Transit: Pittsburg approves environmental plan for transit-oriented development near eBART
Though measures will be required to reduce its environmental impact, transit-oriented development around a planned Pittsburg BART station is one step closer to reality.
This week, Pittsburg leaders approved environmental documents for the Railroad Avenue Specific Plan, a tool to make the area around Railroad Avenue and Highway 4 more efficient with high-density housing, shops, parks and public space.
The area, currently used for light-industrial business, would also have better links between eBART and pedestrian, bus, bicycle and other transportation modes, said Leigha Schmidt, a city planner.
The Metropolitan Transportation Commission requires 2,200 housing units be built within a half-mile of the eBART station, where diesel-powered trains will connect riders to the Pittsburg-Bay Point BART station. Draft plan guidelines exceed that amount. Currently, there are about 1,600 units in the area.
The eBART project is expected to be complete by 2015.
The environmental report had to be certified before the council could move forward with the plan, Schmidt said. Development standards would only change by the transit village area near Bliss Avenue, around the Civic Center and for some areas near the high school.
Future developers in those areas would have to reduce construction-related emissions and noise, utilize design that reduces the effect on air quality for properties located within 500 feet of Highway 4 and limit noise around residential development. A traffic light will be added at Harbor Street and Garcia Avenue.
Studies also may be required for effects on historical resources, local ecology, unexpected paleontological finds or whether a site had a prior industrial use.
The council was also presented alternatives to reduce planned residential density by 25 percent; create a buffer keeping housing 500 feet away from the highway and City Hall; or not implement the project at all. No discussion on these options was held before the council vote.
All individual developments would be subject to environmental scrutiny, Schmidt said after being asked that question by Councilman Michael Kee.
Most concerns raised by the public Monday related to the plan itself, including station location, bicycle amenities outside a half-mile radius, and build out of the Civic Center. Several regional transportation groups spoke in favor of the project.
Some council members and members of the public expressed concerns about pedestrian safety along the sidewalk on Railroad Avenue to the station platform. Vice Mayor Sal Evola asked about a possible land bridge to the BART platform, but assistant city manager Joe Sbranti said the required clearance would put such a bridge too far east.
Pittsburg has held several public meetings on the plan since 2006. Concerns have included traffic flow during commute hours, parking and relocation of some existing businesses.
By Paul Burgarino for East County Times
