Calling out council misinformation
Those of you who are familiar with the activity of the Berkeley city council are probably familiar with the misleading, misinforming, and outright wrong statements that are sometimes put forth to the public. Build a Better Berkeley would like to invite readers to contribute to this section! If you know if such an instance, in reference to the Corridor Zoning Upgrade or otherwise, please let us know the details. Documentation is essential! We want to be able to show readers exactly how our council is distorting reality.
Corridor Zoning Upgrade
Council member Humbert’s “Special D8 Newsletter” of May 13 talks about the CZU as recently proposed by the Planning Commission. The misleading nature of the newsletter is addressed by Berkeley resident Larry Henry in a letter to the District 8 Community and the City Council, titled “A Libertarian Real Estate Grab Dressed up as Social Justice”, whose introduction is reproduced below:
The recent newsletter from Berkeley Councilperson Mark Humbert regarding the Corridors Zoning Update (CZU) presents a classic "divide and conquer" strategy, meticulously framed to paint a picture of moderate compromise while masking a radical shift in Berkeley’s urban fabric. By dismissing the legitimate concerns of small businesses and residents as "misinformation" and "myths," the Council office is attempting to steamroll a zoning overhaul that serves market-rate developers under the guise of "geographic equity" and "social justice".
Corridor Zoning Upgrade
Council member Humbert, in his District 8 Newsletter states “Sadly, those currently speaking for Save Berkeley Shops have chosen to paint this major win as a defeat due to relatively minor tweaks made by the Planning Commission”. These far from “minor tweaks”, which he fails to specifically call out, include:
Allowing for an additional story within the Mixed-Use Opportunity Areas on all three corridors, resulting in 5 stories on College Avenue, 6 stories on Solano Avenue and 7 stories on North Shattuck Avenue. (This does not include density bonus increases, which can more than double the permitted heights) ;
Allowing for approval of projects within Mixed-Use Opportunity Areas with an Administrative Use Permit, which limits the ability of the public to appeal compared to a Use Permit;
Removing the proposed lot coverage and massing development standards identified in the draft ordinance (which, among other things, removes the requirements for step-downs to lower heights for the sections of buildings adjacent to residential lots. Instead, those residents will be able to enjoy high-rise buildings built right to their property lines;
Removing the requirement for separate entries for trash storage;
Committing to evaluate and re-examine the zoning changes during the 7th Cycle of the Housing Element (allowing for additional zoning changes 3 years from now, increasing the uncertainty for small business owners about their longer term survival, and making it less likely they will engage in costly long term development improvements);
By failing to include this additional information in his greater than 2200 word newsletter, Council member Humbert continues his long tradition of misrepresentation, and impugns Save Berkeley Shops, who do not consider it a “major win”, and who actually supported the proposal before these “minor tweaks” were invoked.
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