South Berkeley Specific Plan by kaseyklimes

TEA M PU B L I C L I F E

SOU TH BERK E LE Y SP E C I F I C P L A N

Stella Kim / Kasey Klimes / Rennie Newton / Nicolas Romano / Sarah Saviskas / Allie Stein UC Berkeley College of Environmental Design, Spring 2015 CP208 Planning & Preparation Studio, Elizabeth Macdonald

V I SIO N AN D GOALS Vision: The Shattuck Adeline corridor will invite public life through development at a human-scale, infrastructure that serves multiple modes of transportation, and a cohesive network of public space that fosters community and supports quality of life. Goals: P L AC E

PEOPLE

CONNE C T I V I T Y

Improve the experience of residents and visitors

Foster community

Bridge the gaps in street, building, and ecological networks

Proximity. Enable walking to everything in 10 minutes

Housing. Increase stock via targeted, inclusive development

Movement. Bridge the gaps in the street and bicycle network

Quality. Enhance the streetscape aesthetics and functionality

Open Space for Gathering. Create cohesive network of open space

Infill. Fill in gaps along the corridor via infill development

Safety. Improve pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure for safety

Identity. Enhance existing community assets, such as the Flea Market, Lorin District, and Arts/Theater/Antiques Districts

Ecological Infrastructure Network. Incorporate green streets elements along the corridor

Scale. Rebalance streets for people and multi-modal travel

Logos Source: The Noun Project. Various Designers - Thomas Uebe, OCHA Visual Information Unit, Pete Fecteau, Adil Siddiqui, Michele Zamparo, Thomas Le Bas. Image Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/26/Portland_Farmers_Market.jpg

SOU TH BERK E LE Y SP E C I F I C P L A N

FRAMEWO RK S IN F I L L S I TE S

B UI LDI NG HEI GHT

OPEN S PAC E

ST RE E T RE B AL ANC E

LEGEND

LEGEND Standard Infill

LEGEND

Existing Open Space

7 Stories Allowed

Boulevard

3 Lanes

Vacant Lots

Areas of New Open Space

5 Stories Allowed

4 Stories Allowed

New Developable Blocks

4 Lanes

5 Lanes

New Pedestrian Streets

New Streets Green Street Framework

PEDESTRI ANS

T R AN S I T

LEGEND

BI CYCLE N E T WORK

LEGEND

Pedestrian Only Streets

PARK I NG B AYS

LEGEND

12 - Line

Pedestrian Only Streets

New Bike Boulevards

49 - Line

Enhanced Pedestrian Environment

Existing Bike Boulevard

Priority Crossings

New Cycle Tracks

LEGEND Removed Parking Bays

18 - Line

F - Line

Bus Stop

Enhanced Bicycle Streets Priority Crossings

SOU TH BERK E LE Y SP E C I F I C P L A N

SIT E PROP OSAL: B E FOR E A N D A F TER E XI ST I N G

PROPOSED

P ROP OS E D S I T E S 1

OREGON DISTRICT • 55,000 square feet of public medians are swapped to create two new city blocks of moderate density, mixed-use, and mixed-income development with active ground floor retail. • Road diet applied by reducing lane width and decreasing the number of lanes to slow traffic and improve pedestrian and bicycle safety.

• Two plazas and two pedestrian streets created to add public open space that enhances the pedestrian experience.

ASHBY DISTRICT • The BART surface parking lot is reclaimed for moderate density, transit oriented development characterized by mixed building typologies. • The MLK Park connects existing public right of way with a vacant lot to create an activated multipurpose public space with low impact design features.

• Roadways around the Ashby District have been reconfigured to enhance pedestrian safety and complete a disconnected bicycle boulevard. 3

LORIN DISTRICT • The excess of space dedicated to automobiles in the Lorin District will provide land for new city blocks of moderate density, mixed-use development.

3 3

LEGEND Exchanged public space

• The Lorin District is the gateway between Oakland and Berkeley. This is the beginning of a new cycle track and more multimodal roadway. • The Lorin Plaza and pedestrian streets create space for the community to gather and provide a permanent home to both the flea market and farmers market.

New blocks

SOU TH BERK E LE Y SP E C I F I C P L A N

ST R EET REDE SIGN E XI ST I NG P ROB L E MS • To o much space fo r auto mo bi l es • Speedi ng traffi c • Lo ng pedestri an cro ssi ngs wi th l ack o f refuge • G aps i n bi cycl e l ane netwo rk • Excess parki ng capaci ty • Low vi si bi l i ty o f bi cycl i sts cro ssi ng Adel i ne Street

P ROP OS E D S OLU T I ONS

1 2

4 Sketch based on NACTO drawing

VE HIC L E S

BI CYCLES

PARKING BAYS

CYCLE TRACK

Existing parking bays allot too much space to vehicles. We propose converting all parking bays to parallel parking to enable reallocating that space to pedestrians and bicyclists.

Image Source: atlantaintownpaper.com

Image Source: NACTO

BUSES

We propose 11 foot bus lanes, which offer ample space for buses while still narrowing lane width. Placing bus stops in the medians and on bus islands will reduce conflicts between various modes of travel.

SAFER CROSSINGS

Image Source: NACTO

SOU TH BERK E LE Y SP E C I F I C P L A N

A physically separated cycle track along the entire stretch of the corridor will take Berkeley’s bicycle network to the next level. This 8 to 9 foot separation will encourage riders of all ages to feel safe bicycling in the corridor.

Adding bike signals, timed lights, colored pavement, and additional traffic lights will help increase visibility of bicyclists and put this vulnerable transportation mode front and center. Image Source: NACTO

P E DE ST RI ANS MEDIAN

Image Source: NACTO

We propose green pedestrian islands throughout the corridor to reduce crossing distances, increase pedestrian safety, create a sense of enclosure, and encourage east to west pedestrian crossings to activate the corridor. SAFER CROSSINGS

We propose reducing crossing distances, removing the slip lanes, and adding high visability striping, flashing beacons, and additional traffic signals to increase visibility of pedestrians. Image Source: FHWA

ST R EET REDE SIGN EXISTING CONDITIONS - PARKING BAYS

ST R EE T R E B A L A N C E

P ROP OS E D C H ANGE S • Convert existing parking bays

166ft

32’

5’

11’

16’

11’

5’

to parallel parking

32’

134’

• Place all through traffic in the

PROPOSED - BOU L E VARD

center of the roadway • Install local access boulevards

8’

12’

11’

10’

6’

10’

11’

12’

8’

on the side for slower traffic

8’

130’

180ft EXI STI NG CONDI TI ON S - ME DI ANS

P ROP OS E D C H ANGE S • Reallocate large medians to

8’

13’

60’

13’

8’

100’

additional infill development

PROPOSED - 3 L ANE S

• Reduce overall street width

• Maintain separated cycle track 9’

8’

11’

10’

116ft

6’

11’

8’

9’

72’

LEGEND EXI STI NG CONDI TI ONS - 5 L ANE S

Boulevard 3 Lanes

5 Lanes

New Streets

P ROP OS E D C H ANGE S • Reduce pedestrian crossing

4 Lanes

10’

6’

13’

16’

13’

6’

distances at large intersections

10’

100’

• Continue cycle track to Oakland

PROPOSED - 5 L ANE S

border for a more complete

Pedestrian Only Streets

290ft

the pedestrian realm, faciliting

bicycle network

Existing Right of Way 9’

8’

11’

10’

10’ 92’

SOU TH BERK E LE Y SP E C I F I C P L A N

6’

10’

11’

8’

9’

Scale 1” = 10’

O P EN S PACE D E SIGN GU I D EL I N ES F R A M EWO R K

DESI GN GU I DE L I NE S

H DWIG

LEGEND

K SHATTUC

Existing Open Space New Open Space Pedestrian Streets

Green Street F ramework

ON T E L R A

DERBY

WARD

THER KING

MARTIN LU

OREG

A1 LL RUSSE

B1 SHATTUC K

A2 C1

ADE

LINE

ASHBY

OLSEY

A N IN V IT IN G P UB L IC R EA L M A1

AZ R T A C AL

ADDITIONAL GREENERY Create a more balanced urban landscape with additional planters and street trees.

SOU TH BERK E LE Y SP E C I F I C P L A N

VARIETY OF ACTIVE & PASSIVE USE SPACES

SA FE ST RE E TS A N D SPACE S C1

FLEXIBLE COMMUNITY SPACES

AM/PM FUNCTIONS Host night time programming and events for public spaces to be active and feel safe in PM hours.

Include elements, such as fountain and swings, to provide opportunities to play.

Provide choices of seating and ways to interact with public space.

HARM

63RD

VARIETY OF SEATING AND STREETSCAPE FURNITURE

SUP P O RTS DI VE RSE U SE S

Allow public spaces to serve as fl exible spaces for markets and community events.

GOOD LIGHTING Provide ample pedestrian scale lighting, as well as special light fi xtures to create a safe and special night time experience.

LOW IMPAC T DE SIGN E XI ST I N G ISSUE S

LOW I MPACT DESI GN S OLU T I ONS AT ML K PARK 4

1 1

BIORETENTION (RAIN GARDENS)

PERMEABLE PAVING

• Planted depressions designed to slow the movement of stormwater and to allow the water to infiltrate into ground soil • Wide range of scales and site applicability • Reduces runoff volume and attenuates peak flows

• Street and sidewalk paving materials that allow for stormwater detention and/or groundwater recharge into the soil • Best suited for sidewalks, driveways, park spaces and plazas, pedestrian and bike paths, parking areas and low traffic streets.

SWALES

LIVING/GREEN ALLEYS

2 6

5 2

Scale: 1” = 60”

Historic Creeks

Stormwater Pipelines

Current Creeks

Overburdened Catch Basins

Creek Culverts

Areas Prone to Flooding

Low impact design features can integrate water quality protection with improvements to the public realm. LID best management practices have the ability to enhance the aesthetics of the built environment, increase pedestrian safety, provide traffic calming effects, make streets and open spaces greener, as well as strengthen the identity an character of the City’s streets and public spaces.

SOU TH BER K E LE Y SP E C I F I C PL A N

LOW IMPACT DESIGN (LID) techniques promote the use of ecological systems to manage stormwater runoff by attempting to recreate the natural drainage patterns and hydrological processes. LID features aim to address stormwater management issues through the retention, detention, infiltration, and treatment of stormwater before it enters the sewer system.

LEGEND

• A broad, vegetated channel designed to provide filtration, remove solids, and reduce stormwater flow • Effective at treating runoff from roadways due to their linear nature • Can be paired with other LID techniques, such as rain gardens and infiltration basins

CHANNELS & RUNNELS

• Small, sunken pathways used to carry rainwater runoff • Reduces burden on existing stormwater system by directing surface water away from sewers and to other LID features such as rain gardens, swales and permeable paving

• Shared spaces that prioritize pedestrians and open space and create enhanced and active places for landscaping and seating where there might traditionally be none • Improve stormwater infiltration and drainage by reducing amount of impervious surface

GREEN ROOFS • Planted rooftops that allow for stormwater detention • Plantings help mitigate the amount of runoff through absorption • Reduces the rate of runoff flow and decreases stress on sewer systems during large-scale rain events

Sources: City and County of San Francisco; San Francisco Stormwater Design Guidelines, SFBetterStreets

SIT E PROP OSAL: ORE GO N D I STR I C T E X ISTIN G

P ROP OS E D CHALLENGES

S L T OREGON PLAZA

• The site is currently dominated by two large retailers algreens and Berkeley Bowl.

• Create new developable parcels by reallocating the median to build new blocks and increase pedestrian right of way.

• Each of these retailers has large surface parking lots with spots for over 00 cars.

• Develop medium density mixeduse and mixed-income buildings that create valuable housing

• This section of the area lacks housing and public open space.

WALGREENS

• The pedestrian experience is characterized by blank facades and little ground oor retail.

and increase density along the corridor. • Enhance the pedestrian experience by encouraging

PEDESTRIAN STREET

WALGREENS

BERKELEY BOWL

new development to include high facade transparancy and activated ground oor space.

BERKELEY BOWL PLAZA

BERKELEY BOWL

• Encourage use of the public right of way and increase public open space by creating two pedestrian streets and a plaza in front of the Berkeley Bowl. • mprove public life by creating the regon Plaza with outdoor seating and planters which will activate an underutilized parcel.

SOU TH BERK E LE Y SP E C I F I C P L A N

SIT E PROP OSAL: ORE GO N D I STR I C T DE VE LO P MENT

OP E N S PAC E BERKELEY BOWL PLAZA

470 New Housing Units • 132,000 sq ft new ground floor flexible commercial/retail/ residential space

• The Berkeley Bowl plaza provides ample outdoor seating for both Berkeley Bowl patrons and pedestrians.

• 150 units reserved for 30% AMI

• Transparent ground floor facades facing pedestrian streets blur the line between public and private spaces, creating a vibrant pedestrian experience.

OREGON PLAZA

• The Oregon Plaza adds community gathering space and creates a network of green space throughout the corridor.

ST RE E TS Carleton St Ward St

Shattuck Ave

PHASING This plan depends on the sale or redevelopment of privately owned parcels to implement new zoning regulation and the exchange between private and publicly owned land. Upzoning these parcels will increase property value, thereby incentivizing sale or redevelopment of the parcels. In order to reduce the risk of speculation, we recommend that the City of Berkeley adopt a property tax configuration that taxes the value of land at a higher rate than the value of improvements, thereby increasing the cost of holding underutilized property.

SOU TH BERK E LE Y SP E C I F I C P L A N

Scale: 1” = 30’

Fire Station

Derby St

SHATTUCK REROUTE

Scale: 1” = 30’

• Transition between Boulevard and 3-Lane street on Adeline Street at Ward Street • Connect Shattuck and Adeline via Ward Street • Improve crossings for pedestrians

PROJECT TITLE

Company Name :: Street Name, Suite Number :: City, State Zip Code :: MONTH DD, YYYY ::

SIT E PROP OSAL: ASHBY D I STR I C T E X ISTIN G

FLEA MARKET

P ROP OS E D CH ALLE NG E S

SOLUTI ONS

• Surface parking lot at a major transit hub that fails to capture its full development potential

• Prioritize moderate density development that respects the surrounding neighborhood character

PLAZA

• Woolsey Street bicycle boulevard abruptly stops, and there is no safe route across Adeline Street

• Connect Woolsey Street bicycle boulevard across Adeline Street

• Flea market deserves a high quality public space

BART ENTRANCES

• Public open space is lacking in this district

• Relocate flea market in the Lorin District to provide a permanent, high-quality space

PEDESTRIAN STREET NETWORK

• Create new public open space and green space

BART ENTRANCES

• Pedestrians must cross wide streets without refuge, creating a dangerous environment

• Reduce street width for pedestrian safety • Activate the district through development and open space

• Lack of activity results in real and perceived crime

MLK PARK

SOU TH BERK E LE Y SP E C I F I C P L A N

SIT E PROP OSAL: ASHBY STR EE TS

D E VE LOPME N T ASHBY BART SITE PLAN

SITE HIGHLIGHTS • Shift priority from vehicle capacity to bicycle and pedestrian safety at Ashby ML and oolsey • Transition from a 3-lane to 5-lane street at Ashby • Remove slip lanes add pedestrian islands and widen sidewalks at Ashby to reduce crossing distances

• 250 new housing units • ver 83,000 square feet of flexible ground floor space for commercial and retail uses

MLK WAY REROUTE TO ADELINE MLK Way

ASHBY ADELINE REDESIGN

The transformation of the BART parking lot to context sensitive, moderate density, transit oriented development will provide housing ob access and a liveable neighborhood to the residents of South Berkeley.

• Redesign MLK and Adeline intersection to slow traffic and create open space • Add new pavement markings to increase bicycle and pedestrian visibility at intersections • Connect existing bicycle boulevard on oolsey across Adeline with separately timed bike signals

• A fine grain pedestrian street network that creates connectivity between Anti ue Row and the Lorin District • semi-private inner courtyards • interior public plaza

Woolsey St

N Ashby Ave

The scale of townhouse development along ML Blvd re ects the character of the existing single family homes opposite the proposed development while development closer to Adeline Street rises to four stories in response to the larger scale of the street.

OPE N SPACE MARTIN LUTHER KING JR PARK Scale 1” = 30’

ASHBY PLAZA

Scale 1” = 30’

ASHBY CROSSING

SOU TH BERK E LE Y SP E C I F I C P L A N

The creation of two new large public open spaces in the Ashby District add much needed public open and green space on currently underutilized and vacant land. Flexible pedestrian plazas unprogrammed recreation areas and a new community center enliven the public realm while green infrastructure measures help to aleviate stormwater management issues.

SIT E PROP OSAL: LOR IN D I STR I C T E X ISTIN G

P ROP OS E D CH ALLE NG E S

SOLUTI ONS

• The street is far too wide to achieve a human scale

• Reconfigure the street grid to allow for entirely new city blocks and recreate a human scale environment

LORIN PLAZA

• The Lorin District is amidst a housing shortage and affordability crisis.

• Provide approximately 290 new housing units and 40 retail spaces in space formerly inhabited by cars

• The corridor has high transportation demands

• Maintain 2 of 3 lanes in each direction by using the existing side street and underutilized public parking lot east of BART for north-bound traffic lanes

• Adeline Street is unsafe for pedestrians and cyclists • The Farmers Market and Flea Market deserve a dedicated high quality public space

• Revenue from land sale and property tax replaces infrastructure burden

PEDESTRIAN STREET

PARK

ING

PARKING

• Excess infrastructure is a financial burden to the city

NEW STREET

NEW BLOCKS

• Create pedestrian street and protected cycle tracks on Adeline • The new Lorin Plaza provides a proper home for the Thursday Farmers Market and weekend Flea Market

BART

SECTION

SOU TH BERK E LE Y SP E C I F I C P L A N

SIT E PROP OSAL: LOR IN D I STR I C T O P E N SPACE NEW PUBLIC SPACES FOR COMMUNITY GATHERING & USE

e e r t S n o m Har

Pedestrian Street Lorin Plaza

[

e u n e v A z a Alcatr

• 290 new two-bedroom housing units • 100,000 sq ft of flexible ground floor space for commercial and retail uses • A human scale public realm with an inviting sense of enclosure • 4 new semi-private inner courtyards Street facing facade heights will mirror adjacent buildings at 2 stories tall, at which point a setback will allow for taller development without compromising the scale of the existing physical environment. A maximum allowable height of four stories will be mandated for the Lorin District.

CROSS STREET OF LORIN PLAZA

50’ 10’ LORIN PLAZA SIDEWALK

Event Day

PM SAFETY: • Ample pedestrian scale lighting, strung lights, and built in seating will make public space and streets used and feel safer after dark. • PM community events, such as movie screenings, could bring residents out and gather. Night Time

ST RE E TS SOUTH LORIN REDESIGN

63rd Street

• Reconfigure streets around new

BART

development and open space

rd A ve

Scale 1” = 55’

OTHER EVENT USES: • Space can be reserved for other community events as well, such as craft exhibits, food festivals, nonprofit event space, etc.

• Capture BART median for automobiles

nfo

et e r t S d r 3 6

Typical Day

Lorin Plaza and the two surrounding pedestrian street will serve as key public spaces for the Lorin District. It will provide dedicated space for the current regular community events and new ones as well. Lorin Plaza could serve as a center of community public life for this neighborhood. FARMERS MARKET & FLEA MARKET CONFIGURATION: • Capacity: 80 vendor stalls • Reclaim Alcatraz Ave. for extra space on Flea Market days, for stalls and performance area

Pedestrian Street

30’ PEDESTRIAN STREET

The conversion of excessive automobile infrastructure (a financial burden to the city) to entirely new city blocks (a new source of property tax) will also provide the opportunity for:

Sta

Flea Market Stalls

DE V E LOP ME NT

• Connect streets plan with North Oakland • Introduce cycle track to corridor 62nd Street

6’

5’

Scale 1” = 55’

8’

11’

10’

65’

PROPOSED CROSS SECTION

10’

11’

8’

9’

143’

SOU TH BERK E LE Y SP E C I F I C P L A N