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As a Beth El representative on the parking committee for our new building, I have spent many hours working with LOCCNA about parking concerns and worked hard to come up with a plan that addressed those concerns. Over the years I have grown fond of many LOCCNA members. Many of us on each side of the table have listened respectfully to each other’s perspective.  

Gould and O’Malley’s criticisms of the final parking plan are unwarranted. The parking plan approved by the City of Berkeley provides for everything LOCCNA said they wanted—including numerous satellite spaces available at all times, a monitoring program and parking impact thresholds—obligations undertaken by no other religious institution in Berkeley. 

Our agreement with LOCCNA calls for us to “minimize” parking impacts in the neighborhood. LOCCNA’s current position (one that is not necessarily advocated by all LOCCNA members and certainly doesn’t represent the many neighbors who have nothing to do with LOCCNA) is that “minimize” means that no Beth El member should be able to park on the street. This is why, despite prior optimism about LOCCNA operating in good faith, I am sadly beginning to believe that at least some LOCCNA members do not want Beth El at that site under any circumstances. 

Some other important facts—Beth El has sufficient parking in the lot and frontage for about 50 cars, which, given those who walk, take public transportation, get dropped off and carpool, translates to about 150 people. Beth El rarely has more than 150 people at the building at one time. Furthermore, it is doubtful, even with events of over 150, that Beth El will use anywhere near 50 percent of the available spaces.  

The current site, where we have operated for about 60 years, is two and a half blocks away, has parking and frontage space for about 12 cars, yet street parking is available most Saturdays—when usage is greatest. Furthermore the new site will reduce problems caused by parents dropping off their children. They will be dropped off on Beth El property, not on the street. 

LOCCNA has accused Beth EL of not honoring agreements, which is not true, yet LOCCNA has violated the agreements they made. LOCCNA agreed not to oppose Beth El’s plans publicly until and unless there had been mediation. However they did not ask for mediation before the city approved the plan, nor did they do so before they put up lawn signs or before they orchestrated a PR campaign full of misinformation.  

We are looking forward to carrying our sacred Torahs to our new site on Sept. 9. We will to continue to be the best neighbors we can be from that day forward. We hope LOCNNA members will make the same commitment. 

Amy Oppenheimer is a Berkeley resident.