Planning Association for the Richmond, SF

NEN Clean & Green Summit 2010 Saturday, May 8

Join the Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Services (MONS) at the NEN Clean & Green Summit 2010. Healthy, clean and green communities start with leadership at the neighborhood level.

The NEN Clean & Green Summit 2010 is an excellent opportunity to address questions and learn additional information regarding environmental programs in San Francisco -- pavement to parks, urban agriculture, rainwater harvesting, and much more. The mission of the summit on Saturday, May 8th is to empower residents of San Francisco to learn new and effective ways to organize their community, secure funding for projects on their block or in their home, and to see first hand creative and beautiful ways to improve one's neighborhood's sustainability. Register here today!

Ocean Beach Vision Council Meeting May 6 at 6:30pm

The Ocean Beach Vision Council will host a community meeting May 6th from 6:30 to 8:00 pm at the Janet Pomeroy Center, 207 Skyline Drive, San Francisco 94132. The Center is behind the zoo – enter from Herbst Road.

There will be an update from DPW regarding the bluff erosion and on the status of the Ocean Beach Vision Council as well as discussion of public participation, environmental considerations, and longer term planning in the area.

For more information about the Great Highway and Lake Merced Waste Water Tunnel Project, go to www.sfdpw.org

Lara Graham Truppelli
Chair-Ocean Beach Vision Council

oceanbeach@beachchalet.com

Geary BRT: Openings on Citizens Advisory Committee

From Zabe Bent, San Francisco County Transportation Authority...

Join the Geary BRT Citizens Advisory Committee

Applications due Wednesday, May 26

Role of the Citizens Advisory Committee

The Geary Citizens Advisory Committee (GCAC) meets on a quarterly basis to advise the project team throughout the environmental study.  The GCAC provides input in refining Geary BRT alternatives; reviewing project benefits and impacts; identifying mitigation strategies; and selecting a preferred alternative.  There are currently 2 vacancies on the GCAC.  All interested persons are invited to submit an application; applicants representing the Richmond, Tenderloin and Downtown neighborhoods are particularly encouraged to apply.

How to Apply

Visit www.GearyBRT.org to download an application or call 415.522.4800 for mailing options.  Applications are due Wednesday, May 26!

Bus Rapid Transit on Geary

In November 2003, 75% of San Francisco voters approved the Prop K Expenditure Plan, which calls for an expanded network of fast, reliable transit including BRT in San Francisco.   Geary Boulevard is the key east-west transit corridor identified for BRT improvements.  BRT is a package of improvements that provide fast, reliable service quickly and cost-effectively, including: a dedicated transit lane, transit signal priority, high-quality vehicles and stations, pedestrian enhancements and streetscape amenities.

Environmental Study Underway

In May 2007, the Transportation Authority Board approved the Geary Corridor BRT Study and called for environmental study and engineering.  The environmental study, launched in 2008, is working to identify the impacts and benefits of BRT alternatives; recommend a preferred BRT alternative for Geary; and develop strategies to mitigate impacts if BRT is implemented.  

Elizabeth M Bent, Principal Transportation Planner

San Francisco County Transportation Authority

100 Van Ness Avenue, 26th Floor

San Francisco, CA  94102-5244

v/  415.522.4819    |    f/  415.522.4829

elizabeth.bent@sfcta.org

See the Stars this Saturday, April 24 at Lands End

This Saturday, April 24 is the monthly public city star party at Lands End put on by the San Francisco Amateur Astronomers. Everyone is welcome to this unique chance to see the stars! Come out at dusk.

This is a great opportunity to see various cosmic items including the moon and some planets, as well as star clusters, nebulas, and even a few galaxies. Telescopes large and small will be set up to show you all this.

The weather forecast for that night is currently clear (wow!), but it can also be cold and windy so dress warmly.

Environmental Assessment, Parking Garage at VAMC, Clement Street and 42nd Avenue

The SF VAMC has recently made available the Environmental Assessment for the parking garage expansion on Clement Street and 42nd Avenue.  Public comments are due by May 20, 2010.

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
for
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
MENTAL HEALTH PATIENT PARKING ADDITION
SAN FRANCISCO VA MEDICAL CENTER (SFVAMC)

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announces the preparation and availability of an Environmental Assessment (EA) for the proposed construction associated with the Mental Health Patient Parking Addition. The SFVAMC is located at 4150 Clement Street on a 29-acre site in northwest San Francisco and is a major tertiary care facility that serves as a VA regional referral center for specialized medical and surgical programs.

The proposed action involves construction of a new two level 53,600 gross square foot parking garage (27,300 square foot first level and 26,300 square foot second level). This new parking structure would be constructed on the south east of campus on the existing Parking Lot A, and once constructed, would provide an additional 72 parking and 20 motorcycle spaces. This structure will provide additional parking spaces for patients and visitors seeking Mental Health Services at the SFAMC.

Topics addressed in the EA include aesthetics, air quality, community services and utilities, cultural resources, floodplains, wetlands, watersheds, rivers, lakes, coastal zone; geology and soils, hydrology and water quality, land use, noise, socioeconomics, solid/hazardous waste, transportation and parking, and vegetation and wildlife.

Copies of the EA are available for review between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday thru Friday at the SFVAMC, Bldg. 3, Engineering Office, Room 19.  The EA can also accessed on line at http://www.sanfrancisco.va.gov/visitors/EA_parking.asp

All inquiries should be directed to:

John Pechman, Facility Planner
San Francisco VA Medical Center
4150 Clement Street
San Francisco, CA 94121
Phone: (415) 221-4810 x4600
john.pechman@va.gov.

The VA will consider public comments submitted during the 30-day review period. The public is invited to submit comments on the EA. Comments may be submitted by mail to the above address and must be postmarked no later than May 20, 2010.