Planning Commission to Hear Housing Element Update

5:00 p.m. in City Council Chambers

I’m writing in support of Measure H to complete the rehabilitation of our school facilities.

I think the District’s track record in funding and managing capital projects speaks for itself, and it’s telling that both proponents and opponents of the measure agree that the current 40 year-old Alan Harvey Theater facility is coming due for a major overhaul. Where they seem to disagree is on whether the proposed theater project is delivering good value compared to other recently build high school theaters. I believe it is.

The $10.5 million estimated construction cost (less contingencies and soft costs) seems to be roughly on par with the other theater projects. As an architect, I know that every building and every construction project is different. While comparisons are helpful for context, there is no set formula for dollars per square foot, per theater seat, or any other measure, because there are so many possible choices of building configuration, construction type, structural systems, finish materials, and theater amenities – not to mention a dynamic bidding environment.

Some opponents seem concerned that the project is an expansion and renovation of the theater, as opposed to a complete teardown. As a LEED-accredited processional, I want to point out that reusing buildings is generally “greener” than tearing them down and starting over.

The most comprehensive analysis to date of the potential environmental benefits associated with building reuse, a 2012 study by the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Green Lab, examined cumulative life-cycle impacts over a project 75 year period for six different building types, including a school building. For most building types, including schools, adaptive reuse of older buildings was found to yield measurable – and sometimes impressive – green benefits. The study found it can take 10 to 80 years for a new building that is 30 percent more efficient than an average-performing existing building just to overcome the negative climate change impacts related to the construction process. In the words of architect Carl Elefante, “the greenest building is the one that is already built.”

Of course, rehabbing an older building also uses environmental resources. The best way to minimize the impact is to choose materials and building systems carefully. Fortunately, our new state building code incorporates many green features, and the theater architects are also designing to performance criteria set out by the Collaborative for High Performance Schools to conserve energy, water and materials.

I believe renovating and expanding the theater is the right thing to do – for education, for accessibility, and for the environment.

Tim Rood, Piedmont City Councilmember

Editors’ Note:  The opinions expressed are those of the author and not necessarily those of the Piedmont Civic Association (PCA).  We invite various points of view on civic subjects.  PCA does not support or oppose ballot measures or candidates for public office.  COMMENTS may be made below.  Longer OPINIONS may be submitted using the link on the upper left side of this page. 

Vote No on Measure H, the $14.5 million Piedmont High School Theater Renovation Dear Neighbors,

If you subscribe to the Piedmont Post, you may have read many articles about the proposed renovation of the Piedmont High School Theater (the Alan Harvey Theater). Many questions have been raised and there is an on-going debate in the community about what to do.

You probably have received two fliers from the “Yes on H” campaign. You hopefully will get from us a postcard which encourages you to visit our website:www.NOOonH.org (note the three Os).

Please take a good look at the issues. Measure H will impact the way future capital projects are conceived by the School Board and the District. In our view, the Board has been blinded by the success of the Havens School rebuild. The Board should have pushed the pause button once it became clear that the initial concept for the theater renovation as proposed by Mr. Becker turned out to be twice as expensive as expected (construction cost rising from $5 million to $10 million).

 We all know that the theater needs work. The Superintendent has set aside a budget of $500,000 for changing the seats, replacing the HVAC, and fixing lighting for safety (such as adding footlights at the edge of the stage). We present our case in the Why No page.

• If you are a performing arts lover, you should vote No as the proposed project will not fix the major issues with the Theater: its low ceiling and its poor acoustics due to the large bay windows. It is also clear that the renovation is overpriced when compared to a new construction.

• If you feel, as I personally do, that the additional educational value for kids performing in public under expensive LED lights and a new control room is not worth the extra expenditure, you should vote No. Why waste money when since 2008 school programs have been cut, class sizes increased, and total instructional days decreased? Yes, capital money and operation money do not mix, but they do come from the same wallets! We need to nurture community goodwill so that taxpayers respond generously to the next State school budget cuts.

• Finally, if you are concerned about all the other needs that are in line for capital expenditure on the High School campus, you should request that the Board set priorities for big capital expenses based on a long term vision rather than letting nuts and bolts issues dominate and through scope creep be turned into big projects.

We also are annoyed by the tactics used by the proponents. Scare tactics distort the public debate, undermine trust, and take Piedmonters for granted. Please take a look at our web page on accessibility. The theater will not be closed due to lack of ADA compliance and it can be made more accessible at a low cost. Let us not have these tactics impair our judgment, as the matter is most important for our students.

Let me know if you want to participate in our No campaign. Whichever position you end up taking, make sure you cast your vote. You can vote using snail mail by registering with the County before May 27, 5 pm by calling  (510) 272-6973 to request a ballot to be mailed to you.

Sincerely yours,

Bernard Pech

Piedmonter since 1983.

Piedmont Citizens Against Measure H – An informal organization for now.  For this campaign, contact me through the email: bjalbums@gmail.com

Editors’ Note:  The opinions expressed are those of the author and not necessarily those of the Piedmont Civic Association (PCA).  We invite various points of view on civic subjects.  PCA does not support or oppose ballot measures or candidates for public office.  COMMENTS may be made below.  Longer OPINIONS may be submitted using the link on the upper left side of this page. 

Hello City Council:

      I see from the staff report that the cost estimate for the repaving of the Corp Yard has been reduced and Measure B funds no longer proposed to be used for the project.  Paving of the Corp Yard is now proposed to be funded totally by Measure F.  As the ballot statement for that measure indicates, this funding is really intended for transportation projects, not the repaving of municipal facilities.

On Monday, May 5, starting at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers and broadcast via the City website and cable 27, the Council will hear: a Crime Report from the Police Chief; an update on Piedmont’s Housing Element of the General Plan; implementation of the City’s Climate Action Plan; a recommended pavement contract; and opposition to legislation to restrict contract services for City work.

The Crime Report shows 39% decrease in reportable crimes from the same time period the prior year.  License Plate Readers have assisted in solving 5 crimes.

The Housing Element  required by the State continues to challenge Piedmont’s limited geographical area.  The report describes Piedmont income levels, age of residents, and available sites for increased density.

Implementation of the City’s Climate Action Plan contains the City’s goal to reduce greenhouse gas production 15% by 2020 based on analyses of 32 measures compared with 2005.

Read the entire May 5 Council agenda.

At the Council’s annual sit-down with City staff, Saturday, May 10,  9 a.m., the Council will review the City Administrator’s proposed 2014-15 Budget.  It has been the practice for the Council to hold the Budget Session in the Emergency Operation Center in the Police Department on Highland Avenue. The location provides a “round table” casual atmosphere leading to budget adoption. Nevertheless, these proceedings will not be recorded or broadcast for offsite viewing.

Those interested in hearing and learning first hand discussions and presentations on where City money might be spent, should attend the meeting.  There will be opportunities for the public to speak and ask questions.  In the past, coffee and donuts have been made available to attendees.

This year some of the items likely to be considered by the Council are:

• Hampton Field and tennis court reconstruction
• Roadway pavement, sidewalk and gutter improvements
• Employee benefits and salaries
• Staffing levels
• Piedmont pool maintenance and improvements
• Pedestrian and Bike Plan implementation
• Facility repair and maintenance
• Additional license plate readers
• Use of sewer fund monies and alternatives
• Reserve Funds
• Capital improvements
• Retirement costs
• Blair Park regular maintenance and improvements

Prior to adoption of the FY 2014-15 Budget, there will be two City Council public hearings.

What do you do when an unexpected person comes to your door?

Do not open your door unless you can identify the person.

Although Piedmont’s crime rate is low,  from time to time the Piedmont Police Department reminds Piedmonters to call when suspicious activities are occurring in their neighborhood. Solicitors have been known to either not have a permit or be casing your home.

Seniors may be vulnerable to those pretending to be PG&E or utility workers. Residents should not open their doors until individuals are identified through verification.

According to the Police Department, hundreds of solicitation permits are issued each year to various qualifying organizations.  The permits cost $20 and are valid for a year.  Some organizations are exempt from permits under the City Code.

Asking a solicitor what organization they represent is insufficient to verify their status.  The only way to know that a solicitor has the proper permits is to ask the Police Department to stop the individual and ask for their identification and certification.

Given the large number of outstanding solicitation permits and current Police Department procedures, it is important that residents contact the Police at 420-3000 or 911 whenever irregular activities are observed and request the department to check out the activities including those of solicitors. 

The Piedmont Police Department advocates as deterrents to crime the 3 L’s.

LOCKS

LIGHTS

LANDSCAPING

For further information on crime prevention, contact the Police Department at 420-3000 for a copy of their latest information or to schedule a neighborhood meeting with a Police Department representative.  The Department provides information on line regarding 9-1-1 calls.

Read the latest Piedmont Crime Report showing a 39% decrease in crimes during the same time period the prior year.