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<br />Attachment 2 <br /> <br />88 <br />Page 9 <br /> <br />However, the goals, priorities and recommended implementation actions in <br />the Books I and III of the DPP not related to the regulations and zoning reflect <br />programs and activities tied to the blight elimination mandate of the Agency. <br />Staff was able to move forward on many of these actions as described <br />below. In addition to the active participation in the regional efforts to <br />transform ECR into a "grand boulevard", activities included: <br />a. Ongoing dialogue with SamTrans staff related to train station area <br />planning, high speed rail, grade crossings and the integration of the <br />train station and tracks into the middle of downtown to create a <br />seamless connection between Broadway and Sequoia Station/ECR. <br />b. Expanding parking options through shared parking agreements with <br />new tenants and remodels. <br />c. Improved pedestrian and vehicular linkages in, to, and around <br />downtown resulting from the Hoover Mobility Study, the pedestrian <br />improvements for Winslow and Middlefield, and the Pedestrian Safety <br />Assessment. <br />d. The securing of the grants for ECR by virtue of being in a lIstate of <br />readiness" with the equivalent of "matching funds" already budgeted.. <br />e. Ground work related to affordability requirements i.n the Downtown, <br />including. the Draft Housing Element, and work on possible inclusionary <br />housing policies in conjunction with the Housing and Human Concerns <br />Committee (HHCC). <br />1. Consideration of the elimination of the Level of Service (LOS) D <br />threshold as part of the General Plan Update, in order to slow down <br />traffic in the downtown and make the it safer for pedestrians. LOS is a <br />measure used by traffic engineers to rate the flow of traffic through <br />intersections. It is based on a grading system of A to F, with F being <br />most congested. Allowing Downtown to operate at a standard of LOS <br />D would be counter to the typical City goals and policies for Downtown. <br />g. Establishing more of a bicycle-user emphasis downtown with new bike <br />racks and the pedestrian safety improvements mentioned, and the <br />work of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Work Group. <br />h. Further investigation of ways to improve the connection between the <br />Downtown Area and the Bayfront as part of the new General Plan <br />Update process. <br />i. The recognition of "art" as an economic development tool for <br />Downtown, including the Art Walks, the Phantom .Gallery, the Diamond <br />Award for government support of the arts Downtown. <br />j. Establishment of a program to continually monitor and publish the <br />am.ount of approved development in the DPP area has been <br />established to ensure that the maximum allowable development cap <br />for all the various types of land uses in the Downtown as identified in <br />the DPP will not be exceeded. <br />k. Focus on the development of high quality residential projects was <br />accomplished through the design review process for applications for <br /> <br />6 <br />