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In closed session yesterday the city sealed the lid on a possible lawsuit against University of California Berkeley’s plan to put a parking structure and offices on Berkeley’s southside. But perhaps more importantly, it sealed the details of that closed session meeting by further deciding not to report on it — disallowing councilmembers to speak about what took place behind closed doors.  

The proposed construction has been protested by residents living near the northeast quadrant of the campus, claiming the EIR originally drafted for the project failed to address important environmental impacts of the construction and the new buildings. 

Marie Felde, director of media relations for UC Berkeley, was unavailable yesterday but in the past has denied deficiencies in the EIR.  

University officials extended the public comment period well beyond state requirements Felde said.