Overarching Goals

The overarching goals for the Concord Community Reuse Project, all of equal priority, are as follows:

World Class Project

Adopt an innovative, long-term view that benefits future generations, encourages a sense of community pride, and that shall be recognized internationally.

Balanced Approach

Balance a broad range of community needs, regional and local requirements, and the need for parks & open space, with the need for jobs, housing and community facilities.

Economically Viable & Sustainable

Maintain long-term economic viability of the project by ensuring that capital costs, future operations and maintenance costs are satisfied on a self-sustaining basis.

Quality of Life

Build on community assets and opportunities, address critical needs, create net positive benefits, and provide new opportunities to live, work and play.

Community-Defined Goals & Guiding Principles

In August 2006, the City Council adopted Reuse Plan goals and guiding principles, shown below. These goals and guiding principles were developed by the community through a series of community workshops. They address planning considerations: community development; parks, recreation and open space; economic development; and transportation.

Planning Considerations

Goals

• Inclusive, Transparent and Collaborative Planning Process. The planning process will be open and collaborative, resulting in a comprehensive Reuse Plan that reflects the input of residents, businesses, organizations, neighboring cities and public agencies.
• Offering Choices. The Plan will include housing, jobs, and cultural and recreational uses that reflect community values and serve residents and the region.

Guiding Principles

• Ensure environmental remediation
• Phase development, provide buffer zones, access to open space and trails
• Avoid sprawl
• Emphasize high quality development that enhances the identity of Concord
• Include emergency preparedness programs
• Learn from other communities
• Identify regional partnerships and goals
• Address long-term air quality, water quality and traffic impacts

Community Development

Goals

• Community Benefits. The existing community will receive positive benefits from the project.
• Community Character. New developments will be compatible with the character of existing neighborhoods.
• Multi-Generational and Inclusive Community. New development will be responsive to the needs of people of different ages, ethnicities, social and cultural backgrounds, income groups, and people with disabilities.
• Environmentally Sustainable Development. Uses will minimize depletion of natural resources, promote environmental stewardship and economic development, and contribute to the well-being of current and future generations.

Guiding Principles

• Ensure that new development is a logical extension of the existing community
• Provide a mix of uses and housing types, with an appropriate balance of housing and jobs
• Include new arts centers, museums and schools
• Ensure new infrastructure is paid for
• Integrate parks, sports fields and open space elements and minimize parking and traffic impacts
• Incorporate green design and construction

Parks, Recreation & Open Space

Goals

• Resource Conservation. Natural, cultural and historic resources will be preserved for the long-term benefit of the ecosystem. The Plan will value the natural environment and promote conservation and education.
• Land Stewardship. The City will take a leadership role in sustainable land management.
• Community Parks and Recreation. The Plan will meet the long-term park and recreation needs of the community.

Guiding Principles

• Ensure large, contiguous and usable open space elements
• Protect significant views and viewsheds
• Use a watershed approach to preserve and enhance natural resources
• Address water quality, wildlife corridors, habitats, and flood control
• Explore connections with other regional and local parks and trails
• Integrate habitats with other uses
• Provide a variety of parks and trails
• Include sports facilities and community centers
• Ensure facilities meets needs of people of all abilities

Economic Development

Goals

• Vibrant and Diverse Economy. The Plan will stimulate the local and regional economy by creating quality jobs, products, services and revenues.

Guiding Principles

• Create quality jobs
• Complement existing business and retail areas
• Generate new opportunities for existing businesses
• Provide neighborhood- serving retail
• Encourage uses that provide ongoing revenue to pay for community services
• Promote "hire-local-first" policies
• Hold aside land for future opportunities
• Consider a research or university campus
• Develop collaborations between business and education
• Do not fiscally burden the City and residents

Transportation

Goals

• Effective Transportation System. The Plan will include comprehensive, efficient transportation solutions including regional connectivity and multiple modes of travel.

Guiding Principles

• Locate higher intensity uses around transit stations
• Utilize the existing public investment in infrastructure, such as BART
• Develop a range of transportation alternatives
• Address the needs of seniors, low income households and people with disabilities
• Explore innovative solutions to relieving traffic
• Integrate new development with the existing community while minimizing transportation impacts