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UC to Host Discussion on Development of Anna Head School Site

Daily Planet staff
Tuesday December 16, 2008 - 06:53:00 PM

UC Berkeley is hosting a discussion on Wednesday about the proposed development of the Anna Head parking lot site for student housing.  

The buildings planned for the Anna Head property, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, have generated controversy in the city. The dorm project is part of UC Berkeley’s 2020 Long Range Development Plan. 

The discussion will take place at 7 p.m. in the Unit 2 Residence Hall Recreation Room, one level below the courtyard, on Haste Street between College Avenue and Bowditch Street.  

According to the university, the discussion was scheduled as a response to community members who requested opportunities to provide input to campus projects during the conceptual planning stage.  

In the public invitation to the event, the Emily Marthinsen, UC Berkeley assistant vice chancellor of Physical and Environmental Planning Facilities Services, wrote, “Our conversation with you will mirror conversations with campus stakeholders. We want to hear your ideas about the site to help inform the definition and development of the project.” 

John English, a retired city planner, sent an e-mail to friends of “various issues and concerns that need to be raised on (and after!) Wednesday” about the plan. They include the potential impacts the student housing building will have on the historic Anna Head structure, parking and traffic concerns, architectural and landscape design issues, how to ensure meaningful public input, the loss of trees, and the relationship to nearby People’s Park, among other concerns.