Letter from EVNA - Alan Beach-Nelson

I am humbled to be elected President of the Castro/Eureka Valley Neighborhood Association (EVNA), the oldest continually operating neighborhood association in the City. Formed in 1881 [formerly known as the Eureka Valley Promotion Association (EVPA)], EVNA provides a public forum for the people who live, work, and play in the greater Eureka Valley to discuss common issues and concerns to improve the neighborhood.

At our January membership meeting, EVNA established two priorities for 2010: Quality of Life and Planning/Land Use. We invite you to join us as we work with stakeholders on these two important neighborhood topics.

“Quality of Life”: Eureka Valley is comprised of many neighborhoods, Duboce Triangle, Corbett Heights and Dolores Heights to name a few. In the heart of Eureka Valley lies the Castro – the “Gay Capital” of the world and Eureka Valley’s central business district. It is teeming with essential neighborhood services, shops, boutiques, restaurants and a vibrant nightlife.

To many, the nightlife forms the core of “the Castro” boasting more than 12 Bars/Clubs in four blocks. Also, it is a residential neighborhood. How do we balance the success of these businesses, while also protecting the right of residents to “the peaceful enjoyment of their homes?”

This very topic sparked my involvement in the neighborhood and EVNA. I worked with neighbors and bar management to resolve nuisance issues with the Café in 2007. Eventually, with some trials and tribulations, a bond of trust was established and a collaborative resolution was achieved. The result has greatly reduced noise and unruly patron behavior along 17th and Hartford Streets, while also enabling the Café to thrive as a neighborhood business.

This collaboration serves as a model for late night entertainment establishments and residents working together. Already, bar owners have formed Castro After Dark, a program to provide a roving security presence in the central Castro, designed to minimize late night neighborhood disruption. We also hope it will provide a single forum for residents to address issues related to late night entertainment.

EVNA is a big supporter of this program and applauds the bar and club owners for this initiative. Accordingly, EVNA has appointed a committee to begin working as a liaison to the Castro After Dark leadership and is recruiting volunteers from the neighborhood to join the committee. If you want to ensure that the Castro remains a vibrant, thriving destination that also respects the rights of residents, we encourage you to join the committee by emailing me, Alan.Beach@evna.org.

Castro After Dark is scheduled to present their plans at the next EVNA General Meeting, March 24th, 7:00 p.m. @ the Chase Bank Community Room (Market at Sanchez). Please join us.
“Planning/Land Use”: Are you aware that four major developments are proposed for Castro/Eureka Valley? Two major building developments are in the works for the intersections at 16th, Noe and Market Streets and a third one at Castro and Market. In addition, Trader Joe’s is moving ahead with plans to occupy the space at 2288 Market Street. These projects as proposed will dramatically change the appearance of Market Street, alter the pedestrian experience, and potentially increase traffic congestion.

More importantly, some of these projects are seeking “Spot Zoning” in order to get approval to construct buildings far larger than current codes allow. For example, there is a preliminary proposal to build an 8 story 85-foot tower at Market and Castro on the RC gas station lot, 20’ taller than is currently allowed. While no plans have been submitted, we have concerns about the potential for this precedent setting “Spot Zoning,” and the impact it will have on the character of the Castro, especially at such a prominent intersection. If this concerns you, please join EVNA and attend our May 19 meeting when these projects will be discussed in depth. You may also communicate your views on these projects at any time by e-mail to Judy.Hoyem@evna.org.

A neighborhood association is only as strong as its membership. If there is a topic that you would like EVNA to address, please let us hear your voice by attending our bi-monthly meetings and joining EVNA at evna.org/join.

Alan Beach-Nelson is the president of the EVNA.

Copyright 2010 Castro Courier