III. Design Principles The design of Bay Meadows Phase II has been guided by a series of Urban Design Principles. These principles, informed by consultant site analysis, City staff recommendations, and most importantly, from extensive Citizen s Advisory Committee (CAC) input, evaluate the Phase II Specific Plan Area s role in the region, the City, and the neighborhood. They are derived from the unique characteristics of the site, and are intended to assist subsequent design decisions by explaining the intent of the original Plan. They are: 1. Recognize Regional Opportunities 2. Strengthen an Emerging Center 3. Invent a District 4. Build a Station 5. Make Connections 6. Create Neighborhoods 7. Shape Special Places 8. Develop a Mixed Use Plan These Principles, described in the following pages of this chapter, are together indicative of a further overarching principle of the redevelopment of Bay Meadows, that of Sustainability. 9. Incorporate Sustainable Development Practices Discussion of this fundamentally important principle concludes this chapter.
1. Recognize Regional Opportunities Take advantage of the site's untapped potential as a major crossroads location and gateway to the Peninsula, San Francisco, San Jose, East Bay, and the coast. Balance regional transportation and growth needs and trends with city and local neighborhood needs. Enhance connectivity and mobility of existing residents by completing street networks. Make a "place" on the US 101 / El Camino Real / CalTrain corridor while reinforcing special qualities of San Mateo. To San Francisco to Coast El Camino Real Caltrain Corridor Highway 101 Highway 92 to East Bay Bay Meadows Phase I and II Figure III-1 Regional Opportunities To San Jose 2. Strengthen an Emerging Center Complement, not compete with downtown San Mateo, Hillsdale Shopping Center and the 25th Avenue retail district in terms of citywide retail, civic and other uses. Include mixed use including commercial, shopping and residential. Focus on the train station. Utilize compact and pedestrian-oriented development principles. Make Phase II identifiable as a new neighborhood. Create a neighborhood of the same scale as existing areas of San Mateo. Figure III-2 Second Center
3. Invent a District Integrate the east and west sides of El Camino Real. Mediate the needs of small, intermediate, and large users. Use El Camino Real, Delaware Avenue and the train station as the focal points for the district. Integrate Phase 1 and Phase 2 development. Figure III-3 Inventing a District 4. Build a Station Work with Caltrain's multi-modal station proposal that includes four tracks, centerplatform, for baby-bullet commuter service. Transit as a design priority. Pedestrian and bicycle-friendly environment. Higher density around the station. Neighborhood-scaled retail and services near the station. Prominent station identity as a community focal point. Figure III-4 Building a Station
5. Make Connections Optimize grade-separated east-west connections, where feasible. Connect existing and new street networks. Connect to existing pedestrian and countywide bike paths including trails. Connect to existing uses, programs, and facilities. Figure III-5 Making Connections 6. Create Neighborhoods Develop a neighborhood character for Phase II by incorporating the following elements: A mix of uses and building types to accommodate a mix of incomes, lifestyles, and work place environments. Compact and inviting pedestrian environment. Safe and pleasant streets to walk. A variety of parks and open spaces, with a large public park feature. An interconnected grid of streets and walk/bikeways. Transit Station as focal point. (See Build a Station) Connections to adjacent neighborhoods. Goods and services to meet the needs of local residents. Figure III-6 Bayside Housing, San Francisco, CA Figure III-7 Forest Hills Gardens, Queens, NY
7. Shape Special Places and Addresses A variety of open spaces for residential, workplace, civic or recreational settings framed by public streets and buildings. Station as community focus. Parks as neighborhood amenities. 8. Develop a Mixed Use Plan By neighborhood: residential, commercial, retail, recreational and community uses. By block: multiple buildings by size, by type, and use. By building: ground floor vs. upper floors. Figure III-8 Mizner Park, Boca Raton, FL Figure III-9 Abacoa, Jupiter, FL 9. Incorporate Sustainable Development Practices Create a strong community that provides a safe, healthy, comfortable and attractive place for people of all ages and incomes to live and work, while contributing to the positive well-being of the environment and natural surroundings. Recognize environmental stewardship: Bay Meadows Phase II will strive to be as responsive to the environment and natural surroundings, and to be as resource efficient as possible. By its very nature the project incorporates the most fundamental principle of sustainable community design: infill development. By building within existing developed areas and both utilizing and adding to existing urban infrastructure, growth is diverted away from regional edges, thus protecting remaining open spaces, discouraging sprawl, and reducing the need for new transportation and social infrastructure. The principle of stewardship extends to the design of the site and buildings to capitalize on natural resources, such as the sun, wind, rain, and plants and trees, and to reduce use of energy, water, and materials. Minimize reliance on automobiles: The single greatest contributor to the creation of dangerous greenhouse gases is the automobile. A new CalTrain station will be relocated alongside the development giving
residents and workers close, convenient access to public transit. A series of special lanes within the street network will be created to provide safe access for bicyclists and a viable alternative to the automobile. Neighborhoods and streets will be laid out and connected with pedestrians in mind, and to ensure that walking is a viable and attractive alternative to automobile use. The development will also feature commercial and retail shops, which will enable residents to work and shop near their homes, further reducing the need for automobile use. Provide immediate recreational facilities and open space: A significant amount of green space and public parks will be incorporated into the site plan, above and beyond what is required by City requirements. Community connectivity will also be enhanced by the creation of a town square, neighborhood parks and city parks to bring families together and create a greater sense of pride and closeness among neighborhood residents - all within walking and cycling distance of the new and existing neighborhoods. Support local socio-economic cohesion: The development will provide access to housing for families and residents with different income levels and different lifestyles. Commercial space will bring employment and housing together and attract a strong and diverse work force. The mix of housing products from single family to multi-unit residential properties will attract the broad range of ages, backgrounds, and outlooks that shape vibrant communities.