By Paul Burgarino
Contra Costa Times

Article Launched: 04/17/2008 05:56:51 PM PDT

PITTSBURG — City officials are seeking public comment on two plans for developing the area around a proposed eBART station off Railroad Avenue.

Pittsburg officials, along with MIG Consultants, started crafting the Railroad Avenue Specific Plan and Civic Center Master Plan in 2005. Three community workshops and two additional meetings for owners in affected areas were held in the past three years.

The idea is to increase the amount of high-density housing around the eBART station, while improving pedestrian, bus, bicycle and other linkages between the station and the surrounding community, said Leigha Schmidt, a city planner.

Simulated photos in the city's draft plan show industrial areas such as Bliss Avenue transformed into tree-lined promenades with open storefronts. Plans identify three locations for surface parking, though if land value increases, the space could be converted to parking garages with ground-floor retail.

To get a sense of how a transit village could work in Pittsburg, the city held a public tour of similar developments in the Bay Area. The trips to Hayward, Dublin/Pleasanton and Pleasant Hill BART stations were helpful because those areas are "akin to East County," Schmidt said.

During the workshop process, some industrial property owners on the east side of Harbor Avenue raised concerns about job loss. Schmidt said the draft plan retains that area as a mix of industrial, retail and other uses, while the area on Garcia Avenue would remain an industrial park, thus ensuring a "balance of jobs and housing." Concerns were also raised about the long-term future of businesses along Railroad Avenue.

Pittsburg's plans are on a parallel track with BART's, Schmidt said. BART officials hope to have passengers using eBART by 2015, depending on how the widening of Highway 4 proceeds, said BART board member Joel Keller.

City officials have told BART they would use their own redevelopment money, if necessary, to build the station.

To see Pittsburg's proposed plans, visit the city's Web site at www.ci.pittsburg.ca.us and click on the "Railroad Avenue BART Specific Plans" link. Comments on the documents will be accepted through May 16, and should be sent to Leigha Schmidt at lschmidt@ci.pittsburg.ca.us or by calling her at 925-252-4015.

A community meeting is tentatively scheduled for 7 p.m. May 8 at Pittsburg City Hall, 65 Civic Ave.