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Forums Will Focus on San Pablo Avenue Development
Two upcoming free forums will examine recent development trends and projects on San Pablo Avenue.
The first meeting will be a neighbor led discussion on Saturday May 16 from 3-5 pm in the community room of the West Berkeley Library at 1125 University Avenue.
Residents concerned about zoning in the R-1A (west of San Pablo Avenue to 6th Street) and CW (San Pablo Avenue, lower University, 4th Street) are invited to attend. Neighborhood activist Ed Herzog will lead the discussion about allowances in the residential zone R-1A, especially the size of second units, and mixed use developments on San Pablo Avenue, focusing on 1500 San Pablo.
The meeting is free of charge. It would be helpful if attendees would read the pertinent zoning chapters in the municipal code and zoning ordinance before coming to the meeting. R-1A is chapter 23D.20 and CW is chapter 23E.64.
Subjects to be discussed will include parking, traffic, sunlight and views, and open space considerations.
A second forum on San Pablo Avenue development and impacts on the neighborhoods, hosted by the Berkeley Neighborhoods Council, is scheduled for Tuesday May 19 at Finn Hall on 1819 Tenth Street between Delaware and Hearst between 6:30 and 9:15 pm. This meeting will focus on land use policies as well as specifics of zoning.
Speakers include Carol Johnson, Land Use Planning Manager from the City of Berkeley, who will discuss the Priority Development Areas as defined by ABAG (Association of Bay Area Governments) and how they are implemented. Patrick Sheahan, an architect, resident of West Berkeley, and former Planning Commissioner, will cover how affordable housing mitigations and the state density bonus affect the shape of a building.
Kate Stepanski will raise environmental concerns such as creeks, the water supply during our current and future droughts, traffic, and air quality. Ed Herzog will discuss neighborhood options in determining mitigations and will summarize the input from the community meeting on Saturday.
At least six large mixed use projects have been completed in the last ten years on San Pablo Avenue and several more on in the works including 1500, 2720, 2747, 2748 and 1200 Ashby.
Please note that the meeting will be held at Finn Hall on Tenth Street, NOT at the Chestnut Street hall of similar name. Attendees are asked to respect the peace and quiet of the surrounding residential neighborhood, in arrival and departure.
