Dear Planning Commission,
According to the Rail Corridor
Plan, new development adjacent to Hayward Park Station must consist of Transit
Oriented Development, or TOD. However, a development does not fulfill TOD standards
merely by being located next to a transit station. To achieve TOD, a
development requires a design encouraging physical engagement between
residents, commuters, retailers and the general public living in and passing
through a train/bus station. On this account, the proposed Station Park Green is
deficient.
Take, for example, a basic commuter task – purchasing a cup of coffee. Now consider several TOD commuters accomplishing this activity at the proposed development.
First, take commuters walking to Caltrain or bus from the outside neighborhood. Regardless of the direction they arrive from, they must enter the boundaries of Station Park Green’s complex. Such access is convenient only for commuters walking from the East, or possibly the South, depending on the ultimate location of any potential coffee shops. Those walking from the North and West must backtrack a several minute walk from their destination in order to access the retail block.
Second, take a Caltrain or bus commuting resident of Station Park Green. Only residents living in the northeastern building would find it convenient to purchase coffee before taking the train.
Third, any commuter parking at Hayward Park Station will find it at least a ten minute round trip walk to get coffee. More likely, if they wanted to use the new retail center for this purpose, they would make an additional car stop on the way, increasing local congestion.
Finally, if you consider a bicyclist heading towards the train, the proposed plan presents distinct challenges to procuring a beverage before boarding, particularly from the Northwest, unless traffic laws are broken.
This is only one practical example why the proposed design lacks TOD principles. All the above commuters are better served by locating retail in an open plan along the Southwest corner of the property. Retail at a train station is important because it provides a point for commuters to convene and shop for basics requirements while increasing local surveillance and public engagement in the area. In addition, relocating the open space from the road designated ‘Green Way’ towards Hayward Park Station would increase the station’s civic identity and create a more accessible and useful community amenity.
TOD very simply means this - a development oriented towards transit, with transit defined as a hub for mass transportation. As proposed, Station Park Green does not integrate with Hayward Park Station, the area’s key transit asset.
There is little point criticizing details of a project which fails to conform to the overall TOD vision outlined by the Rail Corridor Plan. San Mateo needs a better plan for Hayward Park Station. While there many ways of improving the proposed development along the lines of TOD, moving retail and open space to the southwest corner in a design promoting engagement between train riders, community members, new residents and retailers is the most important.
Sincerely,
Kara Cox
