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Residents and merchants in the neighborhood near 1719 University Avenue (the former Kelley Moore Paint store) are seeking a cure for the latest in an unprecedented wave of high-density housing projects. 

Already the most densely populated city in the East Bay, Berkeley is threatened by growing numbers of subsidized projects. The latest battle is over the Affordable Housing Associates proposed “Flamingo Homes,” which many believe would result in severe detriment to local neighbors and businesses. Aside from the obvious concerns about the effects of such a project on neighborhood density, parking, traffic, crime, and quality of life, there are other unanswered questions about the developer’s business practices. Although the executive director of Affordable Housing Associates writes in his application for Housing Trust Funds “we have tried to closely incorporate the wishes and concerns of the neighbors” many neighbors do not agree. This same executive director said to the Housing Advisory Commission “we have the support of the merchants on University Avenue” – less than candid. Although the neighboring American Automobile Association business was assured initially that they will continue to be able to lease affordable parking from the proposed site, now they are told there will not be parking for nearby businesses. Although neighbors were assured at one meeting that the project would be two stories high with one story residential, now they are being told it may be three or even more stories, the exact plans seem to change from moment to moment. 

Neighbors concerned about parking are reassured by various platitudes from the developer that people with special needs will not need much parking, never mind omission of any plans for larger parking stalls for wheelchair accommodating vans and paratransit vehicles which will need space to load, unload, turn around, and enter traffic on busy University Avenue. The list of problems with the proposed project goes on, but the reader must get the idea. 

If you are concerned that developments like this are getting too large, too dense, too detrimental, too numerous, and that the developers cannot be trusted to keep their promises, please get involved. After taking appropriate anti-emetic medications, attend the meeting of the City Council Tuesday, May 9, to voice opposition to the AHA “Flamingo Homes.” Sign petitions, write to the City Clerk describing your concerns and ask that a copy of your letter go the Mayor, the Council, the City Manager, the Zoning Adjustments Board, the Zoning Department, the Planning Commission, the Housing Advisory Commission, and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Let them hear from the residents of Berkeley. 

Walter Wood is a Berkeley Way resident.