Union City, California

General Plan Update

Business Community

July 27, 1999 Workshop

On July 27, 1999 over twenty members of the business community met to discuss Union City's economic strengths, challenges and objectives. The following summarizes their discussion.

 

 

Discussion/Comments:

• Business times/S.F. market
• Increase city marketing/publication
• More Class A office buildings
• Accelerate manufacturing uses
• Availability of undeveloped land sites are too small for office spaces/uses
  

Union City's Competitive Advantages:

• LOCATION
• Land is fairly inexpensive
• Lots of support services for industrial businesses
• Proximity to high-tech venture capitals
• Development bonds
• Fast-track permitting
  

Economic Challenges:

• Dumbarton Bridge serves as a psychological barrier between Menlo Park area and Union City area
• Distance from international airports (San Francisco & San Jose)
• Lack of land availability for development
• Silicon Valley spill over vs. housing/quality of life
• Struggle between developer and the city's ideal business
• DIPSA too far from the freeway-accessibility and location a major issue
• Industrial areas are too close to residential developments
  

Preliminary Objectives:

• More flexibility on city standards and requirements
• Buffer zones between industrial and residential developments
• More job-intensive businesses
• Larger sites for business clusters
  

Agenda for Next Business Community Meeting:

• Have it take place during the week rather than the weekend
• Have topics for them to think about before the next meeting (i.e. list of questions)
  

Schedule | Policy Issues | Concepts and Strategies Return to General Plan Home Page