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A letter to Berkeley's Zoning Adjustment Board about the auto dealership project proposed for 2777 Shattuck (Public Comment)

Kelly Hammargren
Tuesday June 07, 2016 - 12:47:00 PM

Unfortunately, I cannot be present at the ZAB hearing Thursday June 9, 2016 to comment in person.

The stated Berkeley goal and often repeated by members of this body is to decrease auto ownership, auto dependency, auto traffic and to support a pedestrian friendly city of residents who use transit. The proposal of locating the Honda dealership at 2777 Shattuck on a narrow congested section of Shattuck Avenue, backing up to residences is in direct conflict to creating a pedestrian friendly neighborhood and reducing auto traffic undermining stated goals, past and present planning.

Placement of an auto dealership at 2777 Shattuck, a location that is already congested with traffic to the popular Berkeley Bowl is detrimental to the health safety and welfare of the neighborhood. Placement of any dealership in this location is detrimental to the community at large that travels along this section of Shattuck Avenue and/or frequents neighboring businesses.  

 

It should also be noted that the DRC Summary of the April 21, 2016 meeting is missing the comments by DRC members doubting the veracity of traffic study and conclusions. The supplemental traffic study completed after the April 21 meeting leaves much to question as to how a traffic study of Safeway near the intersection of College and Alcatraz is a reasonable choice to project traffic for the proposed Honda dealership. If a grocery is to be studied why was not the Berkeley Bowl which is approximately ½ block from the proposed project studied. 

The analysis of planned operation, traffic projections and conclusions do not comport with observations and experience and stated daily volume of 30-35 autos per day plus 1 to 2 tow trucks per day. 

· Customers arrange drop-off and pick-up around their personal work schedule which commonly places drop-off and pick-up during peak traffic hours. 

· Most dealerships provide courtesy transportation to customers generating trips in addition to drop-off for service. 

· Some dealerships provide or arrange for rental cars during auto service generating more auto trips for customers to and from the service center. 

· Parking is needed to hold cars before and after service work is completed until customer pick-up.  

Further, the supposed conditions of proximity to another dealership as reason to locate at 2777 Shattuck have never been validated, reviewed and/or made available to the public. 

ZAB must reject the proposed project for 2777 Shattuck Avenue and direct the Honda dealership to explore other locations. Surely, there are more suitable businesses for this site which will add to the vibrancy of the neighborhood without the detrimental impacts of the Honda dealership and still present reasonable profit for the property owner(s). 

It may be noted that while I am not a resident near the proposed project, I avoid this section of Shattuck Avenue due to the heavy traffic and congestion. Time is precious. If I can find the same products and/or services at another location which has easy access, I will travel to that location even if actual distance is further. For example, it is faster to travel to Berkeley Bowl West even though it is further from my home. 

On March 2, 2016, I did not have a choice, I had a meeting to attend on Shattuck Avenue. While in attendance at approximately 5:20 pm, my car which was parked on Shattuck Avenue north of Ashby not far from the proposed project was hit by an AC transit bus. Heavy traffic and congestion were factors. AC transit paid in full for the auto repairs and related costs. Still it is a reminder to avoid this congested area unless absolutely necessary. 

A non-detriment finding cannot be made and the project proposal must be denied in total. There is no satisfactory compromise. If approved, the unfortunate outcome is the neighborhood loses, the dealership is in a poor location and opportunity for vision and response to planning is lost. 

This entire project presentation lacks vision and represents short-sighted shuffling. 2777 Shattuck Avenue is a poor location choice and may well not bring the expected tax revenues to the City coffers. Approving this site for an auto dealership is all the more reason for potential customers to take their “buying” business elsewhere. There is no reason to fight Ashby and Shattuck traffic when “buying” will be so much more convenient and accessible elsewhere. Customers with autos can choose where to take their business. Internet searches make auto shopping for the best offers and choices possible. A myriad of desirable locations come to mind for auto shopping and purchasing.