ADUs [Accessory Dwelling Units]are being approved administratively that are far above what people expect from such housing units and which are harming existing tenants.

On October 20, 2020, the City administratively[ministerially or “by right”] granted a permit to build a 4-bedroom, 1,005 sq ft ADU in the front yard of an existing multi-family building at 2915 Harper Street. The ADU eliminated the front yard setback of the existing building at that address along with the five parking spaces for existing tenants, including the access used by a wheelchair-bound disabled man. The only notice to tenants was a note in their mailbox to move their cars to enable the construction.

On November 19, 2020, during the Rent Stabilization Board’s Public Comment Period, six speakers told of the distress and problems encountered by residents due to this construction and how it was handled. It is said that the City has published a one-page summary of ADU regulations…. A long search by BNC has failed to find such a document. However, we have been told that it indicates that the City has decided that detached ADUs on multifamily lots that do not exceed 16 feet in height may be of unlimited size. This is truly an important issue throughout Berkeley.

[T]he State issued ADU Handbook, updated December 2020… states that while ADUs must be permitted, “any limits on where ADUs are permitted may only be based on the adequacy of water and sewer service, and the impacts on traffic flow and public safety.” (Emphasis added).

The experience of 2915 Harper is the canary in the mine where any and all zoning features will be waived. This speaks volumes as to how residents can be expected to be treated in the future.

—Berkeley Neighborhoods Council[excerpts from their February 14 open letter to the Berkeley City Council] -more-

The Cambridge Affordable Housing overlay, which allows four or sometimes more units to be built in areas otherwise zoned for single family residences, has been cited as the source of Councilmember Terry Taplin's proposal for a similar ordinance in Berkeley. In fact the two are notably different, as you see from the table below: -more-

The recent ‘quadplex’ proposal, scheduled for Berkeley City Council hearing March 25th, floated by Council members, Kesarwani D1, Taplin D-2, Robinson D-7, Droste D-8 and Mayor Arreguin, already in its fourth? iteration, landed on the people of Berkeley, backed by the pro-development organization California YIMBY, funded by technology and real estate interests. What the ‘quadplex’ proposal does not provide is affordable (low-cost) housing, which is the real housing need, not more market-rate housing, currently in over-supply.

The State Density Bonus provides affordable units, in exchange for a 50% bonus in unit count in addition to a number of waivers and concessions, including increased height and bulk and reduced setbacks, for 15%* extremely low-income units. A benefit of the State Density Bonus is that units must be located on site, unlike Berkeleys’ affordable housing requirement, which allows 100% in lieu fees to avoid providing required 20% affordable units in the project. *Because State Density Bonus affordable units are calculated on the base project, the percentage of low-cost units may net only about 7% of the total project.

What the ‘quadplex’ proposal does not admit is that, under State Bonus Density and ADU laws additional units are allowed: 4 unit base units + 2 Density Bonus units + 2 ADU/JADU units = 8 units. In return, 1 affordable unit is required, along with waivers and concessions for height and bulk. There is no limit on the number of bedrooms per unit, and 6 bedroom units, with minimal living space, are becoming common for market rate projects.This formula presents an attractive opportunity to for-profit developers, and for the neighborhood a project taller and bigger than allowable under current development standards, with the detrimental conflicts that out of scale projects bring. -more-

Just how to tell you what is happening with so much colliding in one week is at best a messy story and it’s going to come to you out of order.

Huge Commercial Project at Aquatic Park Moves Forward

Berkeley Commons at 600 Addison is a commercial project proposal for property bounded by Bancroft, Addison, Aquatic Park and the railroad tracks. The plan is to clear the land of the existing structures and construct two buildings for a Research and Development “campus” with lots of glass, a great view of the Bay, 1300 – 1600 expected employees and fully utilized parking structures for 924 cars. According to the proposal, the project is to be landscaped to blend into the park.

There has been some pushback from the public for the developer to consider sea level rise, add more native plants, save more trees and most of all use bird safe glass since the project is in the bird migratory path and attached to Aquatic Park where there are lots of birds. -more-

Some of the best reporting on how the state's housing law is being impacted has been done by ZELDA BRONSTEIN former Berkeley Planning Commission Chair and former Berkeley Daily Planet PUBLIC EYE columnist, who is now writing mostly about San Francisco for 48hills.org, the successor to the San Francisco Bay Guardian. Here's her latest:)

Legislators decry alliance between progressive housing activists and 'Nimby' homeowners

On Tuesday, March 2, SPUR hosted an hourlong online conversation with Assemblymembers Phil Ting and David Chiu and State Senator Scott Wiener. (Link to tape here.) My state senator, Nancy Skinner, was also on the program; but as is so often her wont on such occasions, she didn’t show up. The legislators covered a lot of territory: COVID, the state budget, homelessness, the Newsom recall, and housing. Most of the talk was unremarkable. It was only when they got to housing that the knives came out. -more-

I grew up in a working class neighborhood in Birmingham England, a city that used to be known as the “black country.” It gained its name because of its smokey atmosphere from large scale steel furnaces. It was also the center of large scale manufacturing, a favorite target of German bombing raids during the second World War.

Going to school I quickly realized we were “different” (light skinned Sikhs with turbans) and were often exposed to racial slurs sometimes morphing into fist fights. The racism of the 30’s was deep rooted until the late 90’s when a large number of brown and black immigrants changed the demographics in a profound way. In some school districts the heavy influx of immigrants most notably in Southall, a large suburban district in West London. “Punjabi” students outnumbered the local white Brits. Predictably there no more bullying where the local whites were no match against their husky brown school mates.

My dad was a medical doctor who through enormous perseverance established a private practice in one of Birmingham’s unfriendly suburbs.

Occasionally, my parents took us to various holiday resorts but alas the reception was frosty and unwelcome. I experienced great difficulty gaining employment because of systemic racism but once I was hired I was warmly accepted. My sense of humor which I acquired from wonderful British comedians, had a lot to do with changing attitudes but only within the confines of the work place. Once I left the safety of my company, I was just another unwanted “foreigner.”

Racism was raging up to the year I left the UK in 1967. Advertising in newsagents bulletin boards were replete with overt racism. Example, “2 br. flat for rent, no pakis colored, . . “). Employment opportunities carried similar exclusions. One “barrow boy” (a vegetable seller) who I befriended, whispered“ you’re ok mate, it’s those “darkies” I don’t like, to which I replied “you’re ok mate it’s those other “whites” I can’t stand!” One company interview I recollect was with a large computer company offering programming courses to its customers. 15 minutes into the interview my future boss leaned forward and asked me whether I spoke English! I gasped with an Oprah response, WHHHAAT? “”sir, I was born in the UK and English is the only language I can speak fluently”. -more-

The passage of the American Rescue Plan --the coronavirus relief bill -- comes less than two months after Joe Biden's inauguration. How does this period compare to the similar period in Barack Obama's first term? -more-

In the aftermath of the recent war between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the Nagorno-Karabakh region, drone warfare is being touted as the latest breakthrough in military technology, a “magic bullet” that makes armored vehicles obsolete, defeats sophisticated anti-aircraft systems, and rout entrenched infantry.

While there is some truth in the hype, one needs to be especially wary of military “game changers,” since there is always a seller at the end of the pitch. In his examination of the two major books on drones--Christian Brose’s “The Kill Chain: Defending America in the Future of High-Tech Warfare,” and Michael Boyle’s “The Drone Age”--military analyst Andrew Cockburn points out that the victims of drones are mostly civilians, not soldiers. While drones can take out military targets, they are more commonly used to assassinate people one doesn’t approve of.A case in point was former President Trump’s drone strike that killed Qasem Solemani, a top Iranian general, a country we are not at war with. -more-

As of February 25, 2021, 43 Republican-controlled states have together introduced over 250 bills to restrict voting access after the 2020 election. On March 5, 2021, the Democrat-controlled House responded by passing House Resolution 1 (H.R.1), the For the People Act of 2021. -more-

Most of us who experience a severe psychotic disorder must be medicated--this is non-negotiable. However, medication isn't always enough. Despite being well medicated, some level of delusions may persist in our minds. To help deal with this, albeit imperfectly, there are cognitive methods that can be used. By the same token, cognitive methods, by themselves, are not enough to do away with a severe psychotic disorder. Regardless of how skilled you are in correcting delusions through a cognitive technique, medication is the foundation on which you're building. -more-

At Your Service: It's No Secret

Every president since Woodrow Wilson has been given a Secret Service code name. The best part of this practice is that the code names never remain secret. First ladies also get a Secret Identity. Here's a short list: JFK (Lancer), Jackie (Lace). LBJ (Volunteer), Lady Bird (Velvet). Nixon (Searchlight), Pat (Starlight). Ford (Passkey), Betty (Pinafore). Carter (Lockmaster or Deacon), Rosalynn (Lotus Petal or Dancer). Reagan (Rawhide), Nancy (Rainbow). GHWB (Timberwolf), Barbara (Snowbank). Clinton (Eagle), Hillary (Evergreen). GWB (Tumbler), Laura (Tempo). Obama (Renegade), Michelle (Renaissance). Trump (Mogul), Melania (Muse). Biden (Celtic), Jill (Capri).

Does it look like Trump may have insisted on choosing his own codeword? Had I been in charge of the Secret Service's secrets, I would have dubbed him "Agent Orange."

Does an Ex-Prince Still Earn Royalties?

Wondering about the status of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Harry and Megan are now residents of the US but, despite their breach with Britain's Royal Family, Harry is still referred to as "Prince Harry." (Protocol only requires that he forfeit being addressed as "Your Royal Highness.")

Harry's full name is His Royal Highness Henry Charles Albert David Duke of Sussex. Technically, he doesn't have an actual surname and "Harry" is a nickname. His given name is "Henry." During his childhood and his service in the British Army, he was known as "Harry Wales" (after his father, Charles, the Prince of Wales). He also could have used the names "Harry Montbatten-Windsor" or "Harry Sussex." Adding to the confusion, the couple's firstborn is named "Archie Harrison" (as in "Harry's son").

And here's another puzzle. When a prince becomes king, his wife becomes queen. But when Princess Elizabeth became Queen, her husband remained a Prince. Where's the equity? -more-

Worth Noting:

A very full week ahead

Monday – City Council Agenda and Rules Committee at 2:30 pm item 8.b. lists Recommendations from Mayor Arreguin regarding impact of COVID-19 on Commissions/Boards, however, there are no recommendations found in the 410 page meeting packet, The committee is expected to take up Reorganizing of Commissions,

Tuesday – Special City Council meeting at 6 pm,

Wednesday – Council FITES Committee at 2:30 pm takes up plastic bags ordinance and Paving Master Plan,

Thursday – Design Review Committee at 7 pm will have preliminary preview of 600 Addison a R&D construction project. The project plans to be presented on March 18 are different from the plans presented to the Parks Commission on March 10.

The March 23 City Council agenda is available for review and follows the list of city meetings.

Mayor Arreguin announced there will be a special meeting on March 25 at 5 pm on a variety of zoning changes. No details are available or posted for the public.

If you have a meeting you would like included in the summary of meetings, please send a notice to kellyhammargren@gmail.com by noon on the Friday of the preceding week.

Sunday, March 14, 2021

No City meetings or events found -more-

A memorial for Barbara Brust, co-founder of Consider The Homeless! will take place on Tuesday, March 16 th from 6 - 8pm PST on the steps of Berkeley’s City Hall, 2180 Milvia Street, Berkeley, CA 94704. Community members, including unhoused neighbors she loved and served, will share thoughts and memories of Barbara Brust, the 69 year-old New York born woman who spoke boldly on their behalf. -more-