Unprecedented Win in San Leandro

Developers Required to Meet with Community First

For the first time, a City Council is requiring Developers to hold public meetings that are open to community members, labor representatives, business leaders and other stakeholders before beginning the development process. This will give the public the opportunity to have a say in what the final project will look like.

Thanks to the hard work of Urban Habitat and coalition partners Congregations Organizing for Renewal and the Building Trades of Alameda County, San Leandro’s City Council unanimously voted in favor of adding an amendment to the Exclusive Negotiating Agreement between the City’s Redevelopment Agency, BART and developer/landowner Westlake Development Partners LLC. Westlake is the Master Developer for the first major development in the downtown TOD area, called The Crossings.

The ENA establishes a clear public involvement process during the 18 month ENA timeframe and before an application is brought by Westlake (as the Master Developer) for this key opportunity site. This amendment to the ENA- the first of its kind- is a huge win after nearly 6 months of work by our coalition.

This process not only will give residents and members of our coalition an opportunity to influence The Crossings development in its early stages, it will also set a precedent for future developments in San Leandro- and hopefully in other cities as well. The two City Council members, Diana Souza and Surlene Grant, who had the greatest influence over the final language, agreed that they were interested in establishing a standard for all development in the City, not just this single development.

We hope that other municipalities will take note of the leadership of San Leandro's City Council and use this ENA as a model for future development.

The language adopted states:

“Civic Engagement: In keeping with the City of San Leandro public process the Developers will participate in at least four meetings that will afford Community Groups, Labor Organizations, and Various Stakeholders the opportunity to discuss issues. The public input meetings will include community or town hall meetings. Work sessions at the City Council and/or Planning Commission would be additional opportunities for public involvement.”