Agenda - Planning Commission - 11/03/2011

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To create effective 2o-minute neighbor- hoods, the CEAP cites the need for necessary retail destinations such as a grocery store, park, bank, and library so that residents can easily access goods and services by foot or bicycle. High street connectivity, safe pedes- trian conditions, and access to public transit are also important factors in the success of a 2o-minute neighborhood. However, the HIA noted that higher density areas may increase the urban heat island effect, which could have negative health outcomes on vulner- able populations like the elderly. Overall, it was determined that most of the objectives in CEAP have positive effects on both the environment and public health; however, the HIA did recommend that the few negative health impacts of CEAP (like increased urban density) be mitigated with improved urban design features and land -use planning. Jack London Gateway HIA The Jack London Gateway (JLG) project was a proposal by the East Bay Asian Local De- velopment Corporation (EBALDC) to build a 55-unit low-income housing development for seniors with additional retail space to be completed in the underutilized parking lot of the existing Jack London Gateway Shopping Plaza located in West Oakland, California. The location for the proposed project was less than 400 feet from Interstate 98o and within 1,ioo feet of both Interstate 88o and the Port of Oakland. Health Impact Partners (HIP) expressed interest in providing technical assistance to several local organizations to perform an analysis of the development project. During the assessment phase, HIP, in conjunction with other key stakeholders, isolated and prioritized four specific health determinants with recommendations for potential miti- gation of negative health consequences. These four health determinants focused on air quality, noise, safety, and retail plan- ning. For example, the community concern surrounding air quality at the JLG site —given the close proximity to the major highways and the Port of Oakland —focused on the relatively high levels of ambient particulate matter and other vehicle -related pollutants, which could cause individuals living in the senior housing to experience "relatively higher rates of chronic and acute respiratory illnesses and higher rates of morbidity due to asthma compared to people living further from these pollution centers." This was significant since the HIA revealed that no central ventilation system was originally planned for the individual residences in the housing unit. Accordingly, Neighborhood parks provide space for exercise and positive social interaction. HIAs. can draw attention to the effects of development proposals or policies on the availability and quality of parks and active recreation areas www.pedbikeimages.org/Laura Sandt the HIA participants recommended measur- ing and modeling wind and air patterns in order to define the extent of the potential problem objectively and to aid in planning appropriate solutions, such as the inclusion of mechanical ventilation systems with mod- est filtration to reduce pollution indoors. Although EBALDC would not commit to including a ventilation system with air filters for the private residences, it did undertake several steps as a result of the HIA process, including changing proposed balconies fac- ing the freeway into bay windows, design- ing the ventilation system for the common spaces with air filters, modifying the plans to include a main rear entrance through the garden area for increased safety and con- nection with the existing community, and further engaging the community around security issues. This HIA is notable because the working group was able to engage with the developer to discuss how the proposal might affect heath determinants and out- comes and to work together to identify pos- sible solutions. CONCLUSION The growing use of HIA to inform land - use decisions in the U.S. highlights the potential this tool has to promote positive health outcomes. The growing experience with HIA, through collaboration with the public health community, is yielding results that produce healthier and more sustain- able communities. Today, there are many resources and opportunities for planners to incorporate some aspects of HIA into research on specific land -use issues. Plan- ners should familiarize themselves with the HIA tools available and evaluate the poten- tial benefits of the use of HIA in land -use decision making. Cover photo 0 IStockphoto comfl<amaga design concept by Lisa Barton; VOL. 28, NO. so Zoning Practice is a monthly publication of the American Planning Association. Subscriptions are available for $90 (U.S.) and $115 (foreign). W. Paul Farmer, FAICP, Chief Executive Officer; William R. Klein, AICP, Director of Research Zoning Practice (ISSN 1548-0135) is produced at APA. Jim Schwab, AICP, and David Morley, AICP, Editors; Julie Von Bergen, Assistant Editor; Lisa Barton, Design and Production. 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