Local News and Opinion from The Berkeley Daily Planet

News

City Rejects UC’s Settlement Offer

By Judith Scherr

Friday September 07, 2007

Saying the university’s “compromise” plan to settle city and community lawsuits over building a new athletic facility next to the football stadium was inadequate, the City Council voted 7-1-1 in closed session Tuesday to turn down a settlement offer and move ahead to trial. -more-

Superintendent Lawrence to Leave BUSD

By Riya Bhattacharjee

Friday September 07, 2007

Michele Lawrence’s golf clubs ride along with her in the back of her silver 2004 Volkswagen station wagon wherever she goes. -more-

Planning Commission Approves Reduction Of Proposed West Berkeley Auto Zone

By Angela Rowen, Special to the Planet

Friday September 07, 2007

The Planning Commission on Wednesday voted to drastically scale back a proposal to rezone parts of West Berkeley to allow car dealerships, appeasing critics who said the plan would displace recycling and building businesses by raising property values in the rezoned areas. -more-

Council Postpones Vote on Contentious Community Benefits District Plan

By Judith Scherr

Friday September 07, 2007

A few Southwest Berkeley residents concerned about a proposed Community Benefits District (CBD)—an area where property owners will be taxed for particular services—called a meeting at the end of August to ask their neighbors what they think of the plan. -more-

DAPAC Addresses Center Street Open Space Plan

By Riya Bhattacharjee

Friday September 07, 2007

Pedestrian pathways, high towers and hotels dominated the Downtown Area Plan Advisory Committee (DAPAC) meeting Tuesday as landscape architects, urban planners and UC Berkeley officials fielded questions from city commissioners and community members about their vision for a better downtown. -more-

Shattuck Hotel Plans to Grow

By Riya Bhattacharjee

Friday September 07, 2007

Hollis Faces New Charge in Willis-Starbuck Murder

Bay City News

Friday September 07, 2007

Children’s Hospital Fails to Resolve Dispute with Supervisors

By J. Douglas Allen-Taylor

Friday September 07, 2007

Political Action Committee Must File with City of Berkeley

By Judith Scherr

Friday September 07, 2007

New Corporate Owners for Hotel Durant, Berkeley Tower

By Richard Brenneman

Friday September 07, 2007

School Board Welcomes Student Bauce

By Riya Bhattacharjee

Friday September 07, 2007

Contrary to Reports, Wayans’ Deal Still Alive

By J. Douglas Allen-Taylor

Friday September 07, 2007

West Gate Closed at Cal Game

By Judith Scherr

Friday September 07, 2007

Berkeley High Football Season Begins

By Al Winslow

Friday September 07, 2007

Berkeley Historical Society Walking Tours Start Saturday

Friday September 07, 2007

Doug Buckwald, organizer of the Stand Up Berkeley press conference and rally, addresses some 60 supporters and the press Tuesday afternoon, calling on the City Council to reject the university’s offer to settle the city lawsuit on the proposed athletic training facility. Photograph by Judith Scherr.

Editorials

Editorial: Don’t Settle For Less Than a Complete EIR

By Becky O'Malley

Friday September 07, 2007

A number of citizens, including some who live in District 5, have forwarded to us Councilmember Laurie Capitelli’s thoughtful explanation of why he voted to reject UC’s proposed settlement of the city’s lawsuit on the EIR for the gym/office building proposed adjacent to Memorial Stadium. He makes several good points, obvious ones that can’t be reiterated too often. -more-