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The Goldman School of Public Policy Expansion Draft Environmental Impact Report, released last week by the UC Berkeley’s Physical and Environmental Planning Office, says there are no significant and unavoidable long term impacts associated with this project. 

According to the California Environmental Quality Act of 1970, a significant impact is “…a substantial, or potentially substantial, adverse change in any of the physical conditions within the area affected by the project.” 

The siting of the proposed building, on the corner of Le Roy and Hearst Avenues, is adjacent to the former Beta Theta Pi fraternity house, a facility designed in 1893 by renowned architect Ernest Coxhead presently houses the Goldman School of Public Policy. 

The report says the expansion: 

• Would result in a less than significant adverse impact to the context of the historic resources.  

• Would present a less than significant alteration of the appearance of the site as seen from locations along Le Roy and Hearst Avenues. 

• Would slightly increase traffic delays at some intersections near the proposed project. 

• Would eliminate 22 parking spaces from the campus parking supply. 

• May increase transit use in the area. 

• Would significantly increase noise during construction in the short term. 

The complete Draft EIR report is available to the public at 300 A&E Building, just north of Sproul Hall on the UC Berkeley campus. A Public Hearing will be held on Wednesday, July 26 at 7 p.m. in the conference room of the GSPP at 2607 Hearst Ave. The public is invited to attend the hearing and offer comments.