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City News

City Council Briefs

Connection Staff
June 2008

A Summary of Recent Actions Taken

by the Emeryville City Council

Civic Green Building and

Bay-Friendly Landscaping

Requirements.

The Council adopted a resolution establishing Green Building and Bay Friendly Landscaping Requirements for most City projects by a vote of 4-0. (Nora Davis was absent from the Council Chambers when the vote was taken and did not vote on this item). The Council also approved looking at a proposed ordinance that would apply these standards to “public/private partnership projects,” and agreed to look at eventually applying these standards to all projects in the City. Councilmember Ruth Atkin added a provision regarding “Healthy Housing.” Two representatives of StopWaste.org made a presentation to the Council urging support for this resolution.

Council Hears Report, Options

on Parking Management in

N. Hollis Area.

In a special Study Session, the Council heard a detailed consultant’s report on various parking management options for the North Hollis part of the City. The report covered many areas including the possibility of parking meters, a permit parking program for residents, pay for parking machines, enforcement issues, issues regarding “unbundling” of parking in various developments and other issues.

Council Rails at ABAG

Housing Projections.

The Council continued to express frustration at the Association of Bay Area Governments’ (ABAG) housing quotas, which call for tiny Emeryville to build 1,137 units over the next few years. (As an example: Piedmont’s quota = 40 units; Orinda = 218; Moraga = 234; Albany = 276; Lafayette = 361; El Cerrito = 431; Danville = 583). Councilman Dick Kassis is especially upset over this, as Emeryville continues to aggressively add more housing to meet projections as a job production city.

Traffic Calming in

the Triangle Area.

The Council heard another report and ordered more traffic calming changes (speed bumps, stop signs, etc.) in the Triangle Neighborhood.

Consultant Contract for I-80

Bicycle-Pedestrian Bridge.

The Council heard proposals from two competing contractors for an implementation plan for this project, then ordered both consultants to prepare new presentations including bridges farther south of 65th Street, in the Christie/Powell Area to the Peninsula.

Oak Walk Restoration Standards.

At the request of John Fricke—who then had to recuse himself due to the 500-foot radius rule—the Council heard from Fricke about how Bay Rock Residential is not meeting the “historical house restoration standards” for the Oak Walk Project at 40th and San Pablo Avenue. After hearing from Mr. Fricke and one other member of the public, the Council dismissed any objections.