CITY OF HERCULES WATERFRONT BLOCKS ABCD COMMUNITY OUTREACH: IN-PERSON WORKSHOP SUMMARY| 1
City of Hercules Waterfront Blocks ABCD Community Outreach
COMMUNITY WORKSHOP SUMMARY
Workshop #2: In‐Person Community Workshop
Date/Time of Meeting: Wednesday, June 15, 2022, 6:30‐8:00 pm Location: The Grand (1st Floor Residential Lounge) at Bayfront Apartments (2200 John Muir Parkway Hercules, CA 94547)
MEETING PURPOSE
The City of Hercules is seeking community input on the future development of Blocks ABCD of the Waterfront District Master Plan (WDMP). A developer, Ledcor Group, has submitted an initial development proposal for Blocks ABCD of the WDMP area that does not align with the design and development regulations from the form‐based code of the WDMP . Feedback from this virtual workshop, an in‐person workshop, and an online survey will help inform decision‐making of City officials for development of Blocks ABCD.
OVERVIEW
The first community workshop for the City of Hercules Waterfront Blocks ABCD Community Outreach was attended by 69 community members. 86 people registered for the meeting on Eventbrite. Project team members from the City, PlaceWorks, Ledcor Group, and WHA were also present.
The meeting began with a welcome greeting from
Dante Hall, the City of Hercules’ City Manager . Tim
Rood and Bruce Brubaker, Principal of PlaceWorks, gave
a presentation on the Waterfront District Master Plan
(WDMP). Tim Rood provided information on the
background and previous planning efforts about the
WDMP and the vision of the WDMP . Bruce Brubaker
presented on the various standards required by the
WDMP’s form‐based code, including block
configuration and regulating zones, building heights,
circulation, street design, civic spaces, public view corridors, and development potential.
The Development Director of Ledcor, Marni‐Lyn Fox, then presented an overview of the Ledcor proposal for Blocks ABCD that included an overview of the site plan and constraints with construction. Denise Ashton from WHA presented more detail on the Ledcor Proposal, showing images of renderings of the potential project at different viewpoints and providing a comparison of views from existing townhomes.
A time for Q&A followed the presentation. Questions and comments received included inquiries about the future Intermodal Transit Center and how it affects Blocks ABCD, open space, parking, proximity to the Bay Trail, possibility of leaving the site as open space, retail feasibility, and project funding. After the Q&A, PlaceWorks described the project’s next steps and encouraged everyone to take the online survey to give further input. The link to the online survey at https://arcg.is/1bjT4n was shared on the screen for people
CITY OF HERCULES WATERFRONT BLOCKS ABCD COMMUNITY OUTREACH: IN-PERSON WORKSHOP SUMMARY| 2
to access during the following report back (the survey will remain open until 6/29/22). Contact information for Hercules’ Community Development Director, Timothy Rood, was also provided at [email protected] or (510) 799‐8251.
Next, participants had an opportunity to preview boards describing and comparing the WDMP and Ledcor Proposals in an open house format. There were a total of four City/PlaceWorks‐led station comparing different topics, including Vision, Development Potential, Block Configuration and Regulating Zones, Building Heights, Circulation, Street Design, Civic Spaces, and Public View Corridors. Each station was
CITY OF HERCULES WATERFRONT BLOCKS ABCD COMMUNITY OUTREACH: IN-PERSON WORKSHOP SUMMARY| 3
facilitated by PlaceWorks staff. Comments received during discussions were recorded and posted on the boards on sticky notes.
OPEN HOUSE STATIONS – KEY TAKEAWAYS
This section summarizes the key themes and commonly stated comments from the open house discussions. The photos of the boards are attached at the end of this summary.
Vision
In either scheme, there will be an increase in population and more people driving and parking, impacting walkability for others.
The WDMP provides amenities, restaurants, and job opportunities that are needed in Hercules. The Ledcor Proposal will not bring in these items and is not walkable.
Circulation
Adequate parking needs to be provided.
Civic Spaces
The Club House should be available for use by residents and not for private use or as a leasing office.
CITY OF HERCULES WATERFRONT BLOCKS ABCD COMMUNITY OUTREACH: IN-PERSON WORKSHOP SUMMARY| 4
Public View Corridors
Views from residents on Railroad Avenue should be considered.
Development Potential
Several people are in support of Ledcor’s Proposal because it proposes building less residential uses than the WDMP .
Some people feel that more housing is needed in Hercules, while others would like to see more options for shopping and dining instead.
Some people feel that Hercules should remain a bedroom community and not bring in more retail.
Existing retail is not doing well already.
Developer should contribute to build new City infrastructure. Developer and/or City should provide support for retail businesses to locate in Blocks ABCD.