Creating a Great Community along San Pablo Ave

TheCity of El Cerrito and City of Richmond are currently developing a Specific Plan along the San Pablo Avenue (SPA) Corridor shared byboth cities. The plan area serves as a major commercial corridorand transportation hub including the El Cerrito and Del Norte BARTstations and its connecting bus lines, the San Pablo Rapid Bus line,and I-80. The SPA Planning process represents a major opportunityto create a more pedestrian and bike-friendly “grand boulevard” that:

• Is served by a variety of transit options
• Contains vibrant mixed-use commercial development
• Offers residents adequate parks and green space for recreation
• Provides housing choices that meet the needs of all residents

Planning Process

The SPA Specific Plan is collaborative effort between the cities ofRichmond and El Cerrito and includes representatives from BART and ACTransit. In addition to staff from the respective Planning Departmentsthe planning process is being guided by the San Pablo Avenue AdvisoryCommittee (SPAAC). The SPAAC, which includes elected officials,business owners and residents, meets approximately every four months todiscuss the status of the planning process and these meetings are opento the public.

In addition, the city of Richmond is also updating its General Plan. For more information on this planning process please visit the city’s website.

The consulting firm MIGhas been contracted to assist Richmond and El Cerrito in conductingoutreach to the community as well as planning and conducting AdvisoryCommittee meetings and Community Workshops.

Community Participation 

UrbanHabitat is working with a range of community based organizations –including faith-based and environmental groups, neighborhood councilsand other partners in the plan area to increase community engagement

inthe development of the SPA Specific Plan.

In order ensure thatlocal residents from Richmond and El Cerrito are organized, informedand can meaningfully participate in the San Pablo Avenue Planningprocess Urban Habitat is partnering with the Greater Richmond Interfaith Program (GRIP) to increase community engagement through a series of workshops and by participating in city community outreach activities.

Getting involved

• Attend an El Cerrito or Richmond Public Hearing. (See chart below)
• Visit the Richmond and El Cerrito city websites to learn more about the Specific Plan process and contact their Planning Departments and ask to be put on their mailing lists so you receive important information about the Specific Plan process.
• Participate in GRIP’s Community Advocacy Committee. Activities include Leadership Institutes in which you’ll learn more about Transit Oriented Development (TOD) and how the community can create a plan that is equitable and includes housing for all residents, better transportation choices, more green space and is more walkable and pedestrian friendly. Contact Art Hatchett, Executive Director of GRIP at (510) 233-2141 x302 or by e-mail
• Sign Up to receive updates and action alerts by contacting Urban Habitat’s Land Use Program Coordinator, Vu-Bang Nguyen at (510) 839-9510 x318.
• Write a letter to Richmond and El Cerrito Community Development Departments agreeing with the points made by Urban Habitat's Response to the Draft Specific Plan. You can find the letter here. 

Urban Habitat
Vu-Bang Nguyen (510) 839 -9510 x318
vubang (at) urbanhabitat.org

Greater Richmond Interfaith Program (GRIP)
Art Hatchett, Executive Director (510) 233-2141 x302
ajhatchett (at) gripcommunity.org

City of El Cerrito
Planning Department (510) 215-4330

City of Richmond Planning Department
Planning Department (510) 620-6706