City Wants Comments on Transit-Oriented Project

City officials are considering and responding to comments on the environmental impact report for a transit-oriented development planned for 200 acres in west Newark.

The report, released in May, addresses a number of issues, including traffic, potential flooding and loss of native plant habitat, that would stem from development of the land.

The Dumbarton Transit-Oriented Development calls for the establishment of a "walkable neighborhood" on 206.7 acres of land.  The project would include residential units, retail stores, commercial buildings and parks and open space.

According to the report, the project could impact:

• Air Quality: An increase of short-term emission of air pollutants could exceed established air quality standards.
• Biological Resources: The possibility of a loss of habitat or disturbance to special status plant and animal species, death of individual adult and young special status animal species. The removal of protected trees and the contribution of cumulative loss of plant communities and wildlife habitats, common and special plant and animal species and protected trees.
• Cultural Resources: Potential damage and destruction of significant unknown cultural resources such as historic, archaeological, or paleontological resources, or human remains
• Geology and Soils: Potential structural damage from seismic-related ground shaking or liquefaction or landslides could threaten the safety of people present within the area at the time. Potential to increase soil erosion.
• Greenhouse Gas Emissions: A possibility of generating a significant amount of greenhouse gas emissions.
• Hazards and Hazardous Materials: The risk of accidental exposure to hazardous materials during construction and operation of future development.
• Hydrology, Drainage and Water Quality: The possibility of offsite erosion and inadequate conditions for stormwater runoff that could result in offsite flooding. Also, a lack of sufficient amount of room for storm drainage lines to cross over the Hetch Hetchy Aqueduct.
• Noise: An increase in noise during and after construction and the possibility of structure damage due to construction-related vibration.
• Public Services and Utilities: Existing sewer pipelines may not be able to accommodate the development and the construction may require structural upgrades.
• Recreation: Construction of the proposed recreation facilities could cause temporary increases in air emissions, dust, noise and erosion.
• Traffic: The establishment of the development would move the Level of Service to unacceptable at the following intersections: Willow Street at Thornton Avenue; Cedar Boulevard at Thornton Avenue; Willow Street at Enterprise Drive; and Cherry Street at Mowry Avenue. 

Released in April, the Draft Specific Plan calls for the development of residential units on about 150 acres of land; retail stores on 5 acres;commercial buildings on 7.2 acres; a transit station on 6.1 acres; and parks and open space on 16.3 acres. An additional 23.1 acres are designated for miscellaneous use.

Community Development Director Terrence Grindall has said that the the land’s private property owners would pay the costs of development.

The city council last heard about the project at . Council members said they were pleased with the report but wished to see more land designated for open space and wanted to see the project followed through.

The environmental report was prepared by RBF Consulting in Walnut Creek in association with Monk & Associates and Fehr & Peers.

Comments about the environmental impact report are being accepted through July 1. To download a copy of the impact report, click here. To see the Draft Specific Plan for the project, click here.

Comments must be submitted in writing to Grindall and may be emailed to terrence.grindall@newark.org or mailed to Terrence Grindall, Community Development Director, Community Development Department, City of Newark, 37101 Newark Blvd., Newark, CA 94560.

Once public comments are received, a final environmental impact report will be drafted. That report will become available before public hearings on the project.