The Colma BART station was part of the first phase of extending the BART system from Daly City to the San Francisco International Airport. The station includes a garage with 1,400 parking spaces, 24 bicycle locker, significant roadway improvements, and additional access ramp lanes. Most of the development around this station consists of four new multi-family housing projects

Measure	Pre project	Post project	Change	% Change
Personal Income Per Capita	18,453	22,742	4,289	0.23%
Economic Distress	0.45	0.83	0.38	0.84%
Number of Jobs	21,060	21,220	160	0.01%
Business Sales (in $M's)	0	0	0	N/A
Tax Revenue (in $M's)	0	0	0	N/A
Population	93,406	103,000	9,594	0.10%
Property Value (median house value)	404,957	606,512	201,555	0.50%
Density (ppl/sq mi)	9,874	10,888	1,014	0.10%

Measure	Pre project	Post project	Change	% Change
Personal Income Per Capita	52,623	80,617	27,994	0.53%
Economic Distress	0.68	0.83	0.15	0.22%
Number of Jobs	390,116	488,238	98,122	0.25%
Business Sales (in $M's)	0	0	0	N/A
Tax Revenue (in $M's)	0	0	0	N/A
Population	662,931	701,675	38,744	0.06%
Property Value (median house value)	0	0	0	N/A
Density (ppl/sq mi)	1,476.23	1,562.51	86.28	0.06%

Measure	Pre project	Post project	Change	% Change
Personal Income Per Capita	37,346	46,970	9,624	0.26%
Economic Distress	1.25	1.17	-0.08	-0.06%
Number of Jobs	16,509,600	21,245,500	4,735,900	0.29%
Business Sales (in $M's)	0	0	0	N/A
Tax Revenue (in $M's)	0	0	0	N/A
Population	30,974,700	36,377,500	5,402,800	0.17%
Property Value (median house value)	0	0	0	N/A
Density (ppl/sq mi)	198.61	233.25	34.64	0.17%

Measure	Direct	Indirect	Total
Jobs	20.00	12.00	32.00
Income (in $M's)	1.62	0.97	2.59
Output (in $M's)	4.10	2.44	6.54

Colma BART Station

1.0 Synopsis

The Bay Area Rapid Transit's (BART) Colma station opened in 1996 as the termini of the first phase of an extension of the system from Daly City to the San Francisco International Airport. The station includes a garage with 1,400 parking spaces and 24 bicycle lockers. Significant roadway improvements were made in conjunction with the station development, including additional access ramp lanes to Interstate 280/Junipero Serra Freeway. To date, most of the development around this station consists of four new multi-family housing projects totaling 376 units of which 254 are affordable units for lower income families. An additional 100 affordable units have been approved in two more projects. The development of affordable units near the station reflects regional and local planning goals to provide housing options for transit-dependent populations in close proximity to transit. There is 4,500 square feet of retail space in two of the housing developments and a 56-slot daycare center in a third project. These businesses employ a total of approximately 20 people. The 2010 property values for the four new housing developments around the station total $58 million, and $544,420 is collected on these projects in property and special district taxes. Property taxes are only paid on the market rate units. The affordable units, developed and owned by non-profits and public agencies, are exempt from property taxes. Office development planned for land owned by the County adjacent to the station has not materialized, primarily due to a soft office market in the region.

2.0 Background

2.1 Location & Transportation Connections

The Colma BART station is located in unincorporated San Mateo County within a mile of both Daly City and the Town of Colma, approximately 9 miles south of downtown San Francisco and 9 miles north of San Francisco International Airport. The station is served by heavy rail trains on both the Pittsburg/Bay Point and Richmond lines, which provide service into downtown San Francisco and the East Bay. Since 2003, the Pittsburg/Bay Point line also serves the San Francisco Airport. San Mateo County Transit Authority (SamTrans) provides local bus service to the station. There are 1,400 parking spaces and 24 bicycle lockers in a structured garage. The station also includes Kiss-and-ride and taxi drop-off areas.

The Colma BART station is located within 1/4 mile of Interstate 280/Junipero Serra Freeway to the west and within one mile of California Route 1 to the east. Both of these major highways provide access between San Francisco and points north, and San Jose and points south.

2.2 Community Character & Project Context

The Colma Bart station is located on the San Francisco peninsula in unincorporated San Mateo County. The station is within 1/4 mile of both Daly City and Colma, and is less than a block from El Camino Real, the main commercial street that extends for 40 miles along the Peninsula. Daly City had a population of 101,514 in 2008, while Colma's population was just 1,422. The population of Daly City increased by 10 percent (+9,199) and Colma by 30 percent (+331) between 1990 and 2008, compared to a 5.8% increase for San Mateo County (1992-2008) and a 28.7% increase for the state (1992-2008). Prior to its incorporation in 1924, the area of San Mateo County now known as Colma developed around the cemetery industry. San Francisco had prohibited the use of land within the city for cemeteries because of the high development value of land, and eventually even forced the relocation of pre-existing cemeteries to land outside the city. Because of Colma's proximity to San Francisco, many graveyards were relocated to the town, which incorporated in 1924 specifically to protect the 17 graveyards within its boundaries. Until the 1980s, most residents of the town were employed in the cemetery industry. In the 1980s, the town began to diversify, adding more retail and automobile showrooms to its commercial base.rnrnDaly City was a farming community before the turn of the 20th century. During the latter half of the 20th century, as San Francisco grew, Daly City also grew. The city became a residential area for people working in San Francisco, as well as a retail and commercial center. Daly City is the largest city in San Mateo County and is home to the Cow Palace (home to the NHL's Sharks and site of concerts, rodeos and conventions) and the Westlake Mall, a major regional shopping center. Both Daly City and Colma provide regional shopping opportunities.

3.0 Project Description & Motives

The Colma BART station was built in conjunction with a 1.6 mile extension of the BART system from the existing terminal at Daly City to Colma. The extension was undertaken to meet park-and-ride demand resulting from growth in employment and population on the San Francisco Peninsula and in downtown San Francisco. The Daly City station suffered from access constraints and lack of developable land, making it impossible to expand park-and-ride capacity at that station. The Colma site was located and designed so as to spread access routes to the station among several freeway ramps and provide sufficient parking to meet expected demand. The extension from Daly City to Colma also represented the first phase of expansion of BART service to the San Francisco International Airport to the south.rnrnIn 1985, San Mateo County voted to authorize SamTrans, the County's transit agency, to fund the construction of the BART station and to contract with BART to provide service. (San Mateo County elected not to become a member of BART, and retains control of the transit service in the county through SamtTrans.) The environmental review process began in 1987 and was completed in 1990. Construction began in 1993 and the station opened in 1996.

The project included an underground station, a 1,400 car parking garage connected to the station via pedestrian bridges, bicycle lockers, kiss-and-ride and taxi drop-off areas, and major roadway improvements. The original station development included an additional 838 surface parking spaces, which were eliminated after the extension to the airport was opened in 2003, and the station no longer served as the terminus of the line. As designed, the station did not provide good pedestrian access (e.g., sidewalks, landscaping, street lighting) to the surrounding neighborhood and commercial district along El Camino Real, the main commercial street running the length of the Peninsula.

Because the station was designed to accommodate substantial park-and-ride traffic, its development included significant improvements to highway ramps and the existing street system. These improvements included:

Additional lanes on on-ramps from I-280 at Washington Street/Junipero Serra/I-280 (northbound) and Sullivan/I-280 (southbound)
New turn lanes at several intersections
Signalization of several intersections
New intersection at El Camino Real and D Street

The total cost of the BART extension to Colma (including 1.6 miles of track, station, garage and roadway improvements) was $165.7 million ($1993). (Because this figure includes the cost of the tracks between the Daly City station and the Colma station, it exceeds the total cost of the station and station access roadway improvements.) The station and track work cost $36.8million ($1993) and the parking structure cost $34.6 million ($1993). The cost of the roadway improvements was $94.3 million ($1993.) FTA provided $100 million for the project. The remaining funds came from BART and SamTrans.

4.0 Project Impacts

4.1 Transportation Impacts

4.2 Demographic, Economic & Land Use Impacts

The Colma BART station has attracted several multi-family housing developments as a result of the improved access provided by the BART station. The development of multi-family housing supports a recommendation of the BART Station Area Specific Plan prepared for a 110-acre area around the station site. The plan called for multi-family housing in the vicinity of the station. Housing prices in the San Francisco Bay area are among the highest in the country. Many government housing agencies and non-profits seek to develop affordable units in the vicinity of transit stations so tenants do not have to own automobiles. The majority of new housing around the Colma Station has been built by non-profits and the City to serve lower income individuals and families.

Mid-Peninsula Housing Coalition, a regional non-profit housing developer, in partnership with the Housing Authority of San Mateo County, developed the 30-unit El Camino Village project on a .7 acre site adjacent to the BART station. This apartment development includes a cafe located in 1,500 square feet of retail space, and a walkway connecting to the BART station. It includes 1, 2, 3, and 4 bedroom units. Mid-Peninsula Housing Coalition also developed San Pedro Commons, a 74-unit senior affordable apartment complex, on 1.2 acres one-half mile from the BART station. This project opened in 2001.

La Terrazza was completed in 2005 just west of the BART station on land owned by SamTrans. The developer holds a 75 year land lease on the property. La Terrazza includes 153 1-3 bedroom apartments (20 percent affordable), and 3,000 square feet of retail. The developer created a pedestrian pathway that connects the BART station to the housing development and El Camino Real, the commercial street along the San Francisco Peninsula.

The Trestle Glen at El Camino Transit Village includes 119 affordable apartments built on the site of an obsolete RV park. The project, built by the non-profit Bridge Housing Corporation in partnership with San Mateo County, broke ground in 2008 and opened in the spring of 2010. The project includes a 56-slot childcare center. Immediately adjacent to Trestle Glen, Pan Cal Homes is developing 32 entry-level townhouses. Preference will be given to people with one or no cars. Over 1,500 applications have been received for this housing.

Less than 1/4 mile from the station in unincorporated San Mateo County, Habitat for Humanity has proposed a condominium development at 7555 Mission Street. Habitat for Humanity usually builds single family homes. However, because of the proximity of the project site to BART, the non-profit has proposed 36 condominiums for very low and low income people at a density of 52 dwelling units per acre. The units will also be built with less than two parking spaces per unit because of their proximity to the station.

SamTrans has been conducting market studies and working with the city of Daly City to prepare a plan for the development of an 8-acre parcel it owns that originally served as a surface park-and-ride lot for the Colma Station. This parcel was needed for parking during the seven years that the Colma station served as the terminus of BART service on the peninsula. However, since the addition of three stations south of Colma, the garage at the station provides sufficient parking for commuters. SamTrans now hopes to develop the site with housing or a mix of housing and retail uses. Plans have stalled because SamTrans and the city have different visions of how the land should be developed.

In total, 376 housing units have been built at projects within 1/4 mile of the Colma BART station, of which 254 are affordable units. Another 68 units are planned. While housing does not create direct jobs, indirect jobs will be created to serve the people living in the housing. A total of 4,500 square feet of commercial space and one day care center have been developed, employing approximately 20 people. The total value of this development is approximately $58 million. All of the affordable housing is exempt from property taxes, but is subject to some special assessment district taxes (e.g., police, fire, schools.) Total property and special district taxes collected on the new housing around the station is $544,420.

5.0 Non-Transportation Factors

California has a strong tradition of preparing plans for areas identified as potential development sites. In response to the plans to extend BART to Colma and build a station there, the County of San Mateo, the city of Daly City, and San Mateo County Transit District prepared the BART Station Area Specific Plan. The plan covered 110 acres in San Mateo County and Daly City. Adoption of a specific plan allows the municipality and county to adopt site-specific development controls to take advantage of proximity to BART. These may include requirements for mixed uses, increased densities, connections to the station, and reduced parking. Further, any developer who proposes development plans consistent with the Specific Plan is not required to do any additional environmental analysis to receive plan approval. The Specific Plan was developed to encourage housing and some mixed use development, although height limits hindered the density that can be built in the area. Daly City is currently undertaking a review of the Specific Plan to update it with an eye toward allowing higher densities and encouraging more mixed-use development.

The Trestle Glen development received a $993,789 grant from the California Department of Housing and Community Development's Transit-Oriented Development Program. This funding was essential to the financial viability of the project.

Market conditions on the Peninsula during the mid-2000's limited opportunities for office development. The current recession has further inhibited opportunities for retail and office development along El Camino Real and at other sites within walking distance of the station.

6.0 Resources

6.1 Citations

Calthorpe Associates, David E. Miller, Fehr &Peers, Bay area Economics and Zigterman Engineering, BART Station Specific Plan, prepared for County of San Mateo, City of Daly City, and San Mateo County Transit District, March 1993.
City/County Association of Governments of San Mateo County (C/CAG), Countywide Transportation Plan 2010, April 2001.
Fitzpatrick, Brian. “TOD Projects Results for Creative Approaches to Land Acquisition” in Transit California, January/February 2008. http://www.hansonbridgett.com/docs/press_room/hb_in_the_news/TC_TOD-Projects.pdf
Project for Public Spaces, The Peninsula Corridor Plan: Linking Transit to Community, prepared for San Mateo County Economic Development Association, San Mateo County Transit District, The County of San Mateo, and The City of Daly City, November 2003.
http://www.bart.gov/docs/BARThistory.pdf
www.bridgehousing.com/StateAwards
http://www.grandboulevard.net/
http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/traffops/saferesr/trafdata/2008all/r280405i.htm
http://www.bridgehousing.com/TrestleGB
http://www.midpen-housing.org/properties/profiles/spedro.pdf
http://www.midpen-housing.org/properties/profiles/El_Camino_Village_profile.pdf
www.City-Data.com/city/Daly-City-California.html
www.sanmateocountytaxcollector.org

6.2 Interviews

Organizations

Association of Bay Area Governments

Bay Area Rapid Transit District

Bridge Housing

California Department of Transportation District Four

Colma Planning Department

Daly City Planning Department

Mid-Peninsula Housing Coalition

San Mateo County Office of the Tax Assessor

San Mateo County Transit District

Footnotes

Case study developed by Susan Jones Moses and Associates

Project: Colma BART Station

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