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Board hears large public turnout, adopts initial approvals and continues redevelopment ordinances for Visitation Valley Schlage Lock site
Summary
The Board of Supervisors held a public hearing Wednesday on a long-planned redevelopment of the Schlage Lock site in Visitation Valley, hearing city staff and dozens of community speakers and continuing several implementing ordinances for technical amendments.
The Board of Supervisors held a lengthy public hearing on the Visitation Valley redevelopment plan for the former Schlage Lock site and surrounding commercial corridors.
What the board considered: Staff from the Redevelopment Agency and Planning Department presented a community-driven plan for roughly 46 acres at Bayshore and Leland that includes brownfield remediation, a transit-oriented mixed-use development with approximately 1,200 housing units (25% affordable), neighborhood-serving retail including a planned grocery anchor, green open space, and workforce hiring commitments. The plan couples a redevelopment plan with a form-based “design for development” document and zoning and general plan amendments.
Why it matters: Officials said the plan remediates hazardous contamination ordered by the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), reuses existing industrial structures where feasible, and seeks gold-level LEED neighborhood design certification. Redevelopment staff and the landowner reported a remediation/cleanup fund of approximately $25 million in escrow and said the cleanup is expected to take about three years.
Public response and community priorities: A large number of public speakers — community organizations, developers, business outreach groups and residents — urged the board to adopt the plan and emphasized workforce development, local hiring (including targeting 94134 zip code residents), training slots, and community design review. Visitation Valley Planning Alliance and the Visitation Valley CDC urged a rigorous design review process and job-training and barrier-removal programs so residents can access construction jobs. Brownfield Partners, the remediation contractor, described ongoing community outreach and CityBuild training collaborations.
Board action: The board held the public hearing on item 24 and took first-reading actions on related planning/ordinance items. Supervisors adopted minor amendments proposed by Supervisor Maxwell clarifying and strengthening findings, and the board continued four related ordinances (items 26–28 and related planning code amendments) for one week to finalize technical changes and findings.
Clarifications from staff: Planning and redevelopment staff said the Schlage Lock parcel has an active DTSC order, demolition permits have been issued, and the owner (Universal Paragon Corporation) has placed roughly $25 million in escrow to fund remediation. Staff explained the plan’s mixed-use approach, a strategy to protect retail on Leland Avenue, commitments to dedicate half of available tax increment financing to affordable housing, and local hiring preferences in project labor agreements.
Next steps: The board continued the implementing ordinances for one week to allow clerical and findings amendments; staff said they will move into remediation and design phases and are available to answer technical questions from board members as the redevelopment commission and planning commission proceed with approvals.
Attribution: Quotes and attributions are drawn from Redevelopment Agency staff, Planning Department staff and public commenters recorded in the meeting transcript for items 24–28.
