The City of EmeryvilleThe City of Emeryville provides a monthly progress report outlining significant developments and milestones that occurred throughout the period. Council returned from its August recess with a packed agenda including the final meeting and subsequent approval of a contentious two-year operating budget that included several staff layoffs and service cuts.
Among the other highlights for the two meetings conducted during the month include the revocation of a weekend noise waiver at the Public Market. Council also passed an Ordinance regulating the creation of Accessory Dwelling Units (AKA “In-Law” units) that the state hopes will make a dent in our lack of affordable housing options.
Please note that the summaries provided below are taken directly from the text of these reports.
September Highlights of The Month
The City Council adopted permit regulations for cannabis businesses, and approved a Request for Qualifications for a storefront dispensary; the Council is expected to select one applicant for a dispensary in November.
The Council approved a Request for Proposals for a pilot mural program on the Emeryville Greenway, and a Request for Qualifications for public art at the Marina.
The Council approved a contract to update the City’s North Hollis parking management plan and to expand it citywide, and a contract for a design concept for the 40th/San Pablo Transit Hub.
The Council revoked the construction noise waiver previously granted for Saturday work at the Public Market due to work starting before the allowed time on two Saturdays.
The Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of the 6-unit Doyle Street Mews project at 5876-5880 Doyle Street; the City Council is scheduled to consider the application on November 7.
The Commission held a study session on a proposed 259-unit residential project with 10,000 square feet of ground floor commercial space on the north side of Shellmound Way.
The Mayor and staff attended the GreenTRIP Champions Award ceremony and received an award for the inclusion of GreenTRIP Certification in the Emeryville Planning Regulations.
“All hands” meetings were held with the developers and contractors of the various Public Market and Transit Center projects to discuss recent construction-related issues.
Staff attended a number of conferences and training sessions in September, including the American Planning Association state conference; California Building Officials “Education Week”, a Regional Manufacturing Policy Huddle sponsored by SFMade, the East Bay Economic Development Alliance Fall Membership Meeting, and Business Assistance and Funding Training.
View the entire progress report on Emeryville.org →
September 5th Council Meeting
Budget (Special Meeting)
The Council held a study session and gave direction for preparation of the operating budget for the next two fiscal years.
The discussion for this item can be viewed above at [02:10].
Doyle Street Mews (Special Study Session)
The Council held a second study session on this proposed 6-unit residential project a 5876-5880 Doyle Street to review revised plans. The Council discussed whether the
character and scale of the project fit with the location, which is an Area of Stability as designated by the General Plan, and within the North Hollis Overlay Zone. The Council directed that the conditions of approval for the project need to include provisions to protect all trees with root zones on the project site, and emphasized the importance of protecting the existing Coast Redwood directly north of the project site. As this project contains fewer than 10 residential units, no affordable units are required. The Council inquired about the feasibility of obtaining 50 of the required bonus points through the “Flexible Community Benefit” option by providing one affordable housing unit, instead of by contributing to the Citywide Fund to Support Small Local-Serving Businesses. However, subsequent analysis showed that this was financially infeasible.
The discussion for this item can be viewed above at [01:15:37].
Cannabis (Consent Item)
The Council adopted regulations governing the issuance of Dispensary/Retail Permits to cannabis businesses, and approved a Request for Qualifications for a permit for a storefront dispensary.
40th/San Pablo Transit Hub (Consent Item)
The Council approved a contract with Community Design + Architecture to prepare a transit hub concept design and preliminary cost estimate for 40th Street and part of San Pablo Avenue, to make room for bus shelters, eliminate bus pullouts, reduce bicycle-bus conflicts, maximize passenger amenities, provide transit information and wayfinding, and integrate public art.
Artistry Affordability Agreement (Consent Item)
The City Council approved an Affordability Agreement for an additional very low-income unit at the Artistry apartment development at 6401 Shellmound Street. The additional affordable unit was made possible by a project to convert ground floor office and lounge space into six new residential units.
Parking Management Plan Update (Consent Item)
The Council approved a contract with CDM Smith to update the City’s parking management plan. In 2010, the City commissioned CDM Smith to prepare a Parking Policy and Management Implementation Plan, which recommended instituting paid parking and utilizing variable pricing for short-term (high turnover parking) and longer term (employee parking) in the North Hollis area, among other policy recommendations. Due to the economic recession, the City elected not to proceed with implementation of the plan’s recommendations. With improved economic conditions, the City Council prioritized paid parking in their most recent review of the City’s Capital Improvement Program and expanded the scope to include all neighborhoods citywide. As a first step, CDM Smith will update the data and findings in the 2010 study. Public meetings will be scheduled for late 2017 to discuss the study’s findings and recommendations.
Fair Workweek Regulations (Action Item)
The Council reviewed draft regulations for the Fair Workweek Ordinance. The regulations are intended to provide clarity and direction for implementation of the Fair Workweek Ordinance, which regulates employee scheduling for certain types of retail and restaurant employers. The Council provided direction to staff on the draft regulations, including direction to prepare an amendment to the Fair Workweek Ordinance to add exemptions to the requirements for Predictability Pay. The Fair Workweek Ordinance amendments will be presented to the Council for a first reading on October 3.
The discussion for this item can be viewed above at [03:05:32].
Greenway Mural Request for Proposals (Action Item)
The Council authorized release of a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a pilot mural program at the newest segment of the Emeryville Greenway, south of Powell Street. This pilot project will include a mural on the building occupied by the Broken Rack and, potentially, a storage building used by the Honor Bar restaurant. It is hoped that, through implementation of the pilot project, a mural program can expand to other sites in the City as funds are made available.
The discussion for this item can be viewed above at [04:44:33]
Electric Vehicle Charging Stations (Action Item)
The Council introduced an ordinance amending the Building Regulations to add a provision for expedited processing of permits for electric vehicle charging stations, as required by State law.
The discussion for this item can be viewed above at [4:58:53].
Cell Phone Antennas (Urgency Item)
In response to the Community Development Director’s report on actions at the August 24 Planning Commission meeting, concerning the Mobilitie cell phone antenna applications, staff was directed to research what other cities charge for such facilities on City streetlight poles and to prepare an update to the Master Fee Schedule. This item is tentatively scheduled to be considered by the Council in December.
The discussion for this item can be viewed above at [5:11:33].
The Agenda for the September 5th meeting can be viewed here [PDF]
September 19th Council Meeting
CDBG Annual Agreement (Consent Item)
The City Council approved an agreement with Alameda County for the administration of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding. The agreement provides for $66,614 in CDBG funding, which will be used in Fiscal Year 2017-2018 for the Countywide Homeless Management Information System, the Emeryville Meals-On-Wheels Program, and the City’s Housing Rehabilitation Program.
New Seasons Market Alcohol Sales (Consent Item)
The Council approved a “finding of public convenience or necessity” for New Seasons Market at the Public Market to sell beer, wine and distilled spirits. This is a requirement of the State Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC).
Electric Vehicle Charging Stations (Consent Item)
The Council passed the second reading of the ordinance amending the Building Regulations to add a provision for expedited processing of permits for electric vehicle charging stations, as required by State law.
Public Market Noise Waiver (Public Hearing)
The Council revoked the noise waiver that they had previously granted on July 25, 2017 for Saturday work at the Public Market, due to work starting before 10 am on two Saturdays. The vote was 4-1 with Mayor Donahue voting no.
The discussion for this item can be viewed above at [50:12].
Accessory Dwelling Units (Public Hearing)
The Council introduced an ordinance to amend the Planning Regulations related to Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). This was previously considered and recommended for approval by the Planning Commission on March 23. The City Council considered it on May 2, and directed staff to further analyze the need for lot coverage limitations. After researching this issue, staff concluded that no such limitations are necessary because existing setback regulations limit lot coverage. However, in adopting the first reading, the Council added a provision for a minimum of 200 square feet of open space, with a minimum 10-foot dimension, accessible to both units, for lots proposing new detached ADUs. Second reading of the ordinance is scheduled for October 3.
The discussion for this item can be viewed above at [1:16:58].
Construction and Demolition Waste Requirements (Action Item)
The Council introduced an ordinance amending the Building Regulations to add requirements for construction and demolition waste. Second reading of the ordinance is scheduled for October 3.
The discussion for this item can be viewed above at [1:42:15].
Marina Public Art Request for Qualifications (Action Item)
The Council approved a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for a public art installation at the Emeryville Marina. Art at the marina was identified in the Public Art Master Plan, and the Public Art Committee recommended prioritizing an installation there. The RFQ will be released in October, with qualifications due in November.
The discussion for this item can be viewed above at [1:48:00].
Budget (Public Hearing)
The Council approved the operating budget for fiscal years 2017-18 and 2018-19, which will result in the layoff of two staff members of the Economic Development and Housing Division in the second year.
The discussion for this item can be viewed above at [1:11:15].
Any idea why the In-n-Out CUP has been pending for a year.
I’ve heard there are significant barriers that might prevent this from happening not the least of which is the objection by some other tenants of the plaza that would be negatively impacted by the traffic & parking issues that an In-n-out typically brings.
I’m surprised Donohue doesn’t have a roll of toilet paper with him in order to clean up his verbal diarrhea.