Page One

Tonight a packed City Council agenda includes the appeal of the proposed Library Gardens development and at least one councilmember is saying there’s a good chance the project will soon top its last hurdle towards breaking ground. 

The five-story, 176-unit downtown residential development has been proposed by TransAction Companies.  

The road thus far has been paved with obstacles for the project.  

It had to clear the Landmarks Preservation Commission and Design Review Committee before going to the Zoning Adjustments Board. It also faced some formidable citizen opposition. In addition, this process has been criticized by at least one councilmember. TransAction Senior Vice President John DeClercq, who originally proposed a mix of 196 one- and two-bedroom units of undisclosed rents last June, was originally turned down. Later, he was told by a councilmember, according to Worthington of a decision that was made behind closed doors. 

Six months later, 20-units shy of the original proposal and time for public comment on the proposal, it appears that the city and the developer have come up with something both parties can agree upon. 

“This appears like it is going to be the last hurdle for this project,” said Councilmember Dona Spring. “I think we might be able to finally move forward on this and that will mean 176-units downtown. 

Councilmember Kriss Worthington said that DeClercq would also include a public plaza, an outdoor children’s’ play area, ground-level retail space and expanded parking underground. 

With its 176 units, the complex would contain nearly twice as many apartments as the recently-approved Gaia Building, which Patrick Kennedy’s Panoramic Interests is building almost directly across Shattuck Avenue. 

In fact, it will be one of the largest housing developments ever built in Berkeley. Twenty percent of the project will be affordable to low and moderate income people.