“In the last housing cycle, Piedmont was asked to plan for 60 new homes and the city fell short, issuing permits for just 37 units*. This cycle, the city is expected to plan for nearly 600 new homes.  …

Piedmont’s Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA)

Jumps from 60 to 587 housing units in the next

Planning Cycle that begins in 2023

An “equity adjustment” formula was proposed that increases the allocations of lower-income units for some jurisdictions identified as having racial and socioeconomic demographics that differ from the regional average. Five jurisdictions that met the formula were excluded.  These jurisdictions were excluded from the equity adjustment to avoid directing additional lower-income RHNA units to jurisdictions with racial demographics that are different than the rest of the region but that already have a high share of lower-income households.

[See the equity adjustment tables which begin on page 31 of this report.}

The equity adjustment identified 49 jurisdictions in the Bay Area that exhibit racial and socioeconomic demographics that differ from the regional average using a composite score developed by several members of the Housing Methodology Committee (HMC). The purpose of the equity adjustment is to ensure that each of these 49 jurisdictions receives an allocation of lower-income units that is at least proportional to its share of the region’s total households in 2020.

For example, if a jurisdiction had two percent of existing households, it would receive at least two percent of the very low- and low-income RHNA units. The composite score is calculated by adding together the jurisdiction’s divergence index score (which measures segregation by looking at how much local racial demographics differ from the region) and the percent of the jurisdiction’s households with household incomes above 120 percent of the area median income (AMI).

Jurisdictions with a composite score greater than the median score for the region are included in the group of “exclusionary” jurisdictions. Accordingly, a jurisdiction does not necessarily need to have an extremely high divergence score or percent of households above 120 percent AMI to be considered “exclusionary,” as a jurisdiction’s composite score only needed to be in the top half for all Bay Area jurisdictions.

The equity adjustment excludes five jurisdictions who have composite scores above the region’s median, but median incomes in the bottom quartile for the region. These jurisdictions were excluded from the equity adjustment to avoid directing additional lower-income RHNA units to jurisdictions with racial demographics that are different than the rest of the region but that already have a high share of lower-income households.

The equity adjustment is the last step in the allocation methodology, and is applied after the methodology’s factors and weights are used to determine a jurisdiction’s allocation by income category. If the allocation of lower-income RHNA units to one of the 49 jurisdictions identified by the equity adjustment’s composite score does not meet the equity adjustments proportionality threshold, then lower-income units are redistributed from the remaining 60 jurisdictions.

Understanding the formula by reading the long tables is challenging.  Piedmont residential locations were rated virtually identical (18, 19) in terms of very low income job proximity via auto (18) and very low income job proximity via public transit (19), and low income job proximity via auto (10) and low income job proximity via public transit (11) despite the fact that most of Piedmont is more than a quarter mile pedestrian path walk from public transit with service for work schedules.

In comparison, Pinole scored 13, 13 low income job proximity via auto, transit. Portola Valley scored 7, 5 very low income job proximity via auto, transit, and 4, 3 low income job proximity via auto, transit.   Ross scored 2, 3 very low income job proximity via auto, transit and 1, 2 low income job proximity via auto, transit.  Tiburon scored 14, 15 very low income job proximity via auto, transit and 8,8 low income job proximity via auto, transit.  After adding other factors, low density Tiburon with a land area of 4.4 square miles for a population nearly as large as Piedmont, was assigned an RHNA of 639, slightly more than Piedmont.

Often lost in the local enthusiasm is the fact that the planning cycle is 2023 through 2031 and the State law explicitly does not require local jurisdictions to produce or pay for the new housing units it is asked to plan for.

4th OF JULY EVENTS CHANGED FOR 2021

Unfortunately in 2021, the City of Piedmont will not hold the annual 4th of July parade and party in the park due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

As disappointing as this is, the City recognizes that the most important thing right now is to keep the community safe and healthy. Because of the nature of the parade and party in the park, the determination has been made that hosting a large group event in Piedmont is still not a good idea, even with the progress we’ve made fighting COVID-19.

Bringing the Parade to the Community

While we can’t gather together on Highland Avenue, there will be a small flotilla of vehicles that brings the parade to you (or nearby)! A small group of vehicles as well as a flatbed truck carrying the venerable Barrelhouse Jazz Band will slowly make its way around town to bring a little bit of parade spirit to the community.

Keep a look out for the caravan driving down your street (or close by) between at 12:00-1:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 4th.

4th of July House and Car Decorating Contest

Decorate your house, yard, or car to show our Independence Day Spirit, with the theme to be announced soon. The following awards will be given:
• The Highland Cup (Best Entry)
• Highland Saucer (Most Patriotic)
• Highland Spoon (Best Team Entry)
• Best Car in Place

• Most Artistic Award
• Best Spirit Award
• Best Theme Award

Judges will visit each entry on Saturday, July 3rd between 5:00–7:00 p.m. and winners will be announced on Sunday, July 4th.

To enter, email Carla Betts (carlabetts@hotmail.com) the following information by Thursday, July 1st at 5:00 p.m.
• Name
• Address
• Cell Phone

• Email
• Yard or car description

4th of July Block Parties Are Back

Coming back this year in 2021, 4th of July block parties will once again be permitted this year.

If you would like to host a 4th of July block party, please fill out the form on the City’s web page at
https://piedmont.ca.gov and submit by Friday, June 25th at 5:00 p.m.

Please make sure to follow current State COVID Safety guidelines. City of Piedmont Public Works staff will deliver barricades by Friday, July 2nd.

If you need more information about 4th of July block parties please call (510) 420-3040.

Press Release > 2021-05-25 2021 4th of July Events Changed

The Piedmont Public Safety Committee will hold a Zoom meeting on Thursday, May 27 at 5:30 pm.  Click the Agenda below for participation details and draft minutes of the Committee’s March meeting. 

PSC Agenda 2021-05-27

Public Safety 2021-03-25 DRAFT

The Piedmont Recreation Department (PRD) is pleased to announce the selection of Eva Phalen as Piedmont’s newest recreation supervisor.

Ms. Phalen was selected through a rigorous interview process from a group of thirty-eight applicants. Ms. Phalen will join the department on June 7th.

Ms. Phalen is currently employed as the Recreation Manager at the City of Albany, an organization at which she has held several other positions, including Recreation Supervisor, since being hired in 2014.

Prior to her work in Albany, she served with the City of Orinda and Sunny Hills Services, now known as Side By Side.

In her position as Recreation Supervisor with PRD, Ms. Phalen will spend the majority of her time managing the City’s general recreation programs, including classes, facilities, special events, adult/senior programs, and inclusive programs. She will also help supervise PRD’s preschool programs.

“I am so thrilled to join the Piedmont Recreation Department team and work directly with the Piedmont community, said Ms. Phalen. “Living just a stone’s throw away in the Oakland Hills, my family and I utilize Piedmont’s gorgeous parks on a weekly basis. My kids have participated in various PRD camps and classes over the years. We’ve participated in the annual Turkey Trot and I actually grew up taking swim lessons in the Piedmont Community Pool. I’m continually impressed by Piedmont’s robust offerings and I am excited to bring my experience, creativity and passion for building community and family-focused programs to the city.”

“I am looking forward to working with Eva and thrilled to have her join the Piedmont Recreation Department,” said Recreation Director Chelle Putzer.” She brings a wealth of recreation experience to our PRD team and will be able to hit the ground running on her first day in Piedmont!”

Zoom meeting details 2021-05-25 Budget Advisory and Financial Planning Committee Agenda

1. Election of a Chairperson
2.  Fiscal Year 2020-21 Financial Update
3.  Review Proposed Fiscal Year 2021-22 Budget and Consideration of FY 2021-2022 Budget Report
4.  Review Long Range Financial Plan

Distributed presentation >2021-05-25 Budget Advisory and Financial Planning Presentation

UPDATED: Where is Piedmont’s money going?

The Piedmont City Council will consider the proposed annual budget for fiscal year 2021-2022 at three separate meetings -May 22, June 7 and June 21.

This is a special opportunity for the public to view and speak from a distance when the various department heads present their proposed budgets to the Council on Saturday, May 22, starting at 9:30 am.  The budget presentations historically have not been broadcast or recorded for public viewing, but because of COVID-19 procedures anyone can access and view the critically important Council budget work session from their home or computer.

The Saturday work session will be held virtually on May 22, 2021 beginning at 9:30 a.m. Members of the public are invited to participate in this meeting. Virtual meeting details will be included in the agenda for this meeting.  For Agenda and viewing links go to https://piedmont.ca.gov/UserFiles/Servers/Server_13659739/File/Government/City%20Council/Agenda/City%20Council%20Agenda%202021-05-22%20(Special).pdf

Public hearings regarding the proposed budget and the levy of the Municipal Services Tax and the Sewer Tax will be held during regularly scheduled City Council meetings on June 7 and June 21, 2021.

The public is invited to attend all of these meetings and speak to the City Council about spending priorities for the city in the coming year. Click the link to visit the Annual Budgets page > (https://piedmont.ca.gov/services___departments/finance/annual_budgets), where all sections of the proposed budget, as well as approved budgets from previous years, are available for download.

Residents with questions about the contents of the proposed budget can contact Finance Director Michael Szczech via email at mszczech@piedmont.ca.gov or by phone at (510) 420-3045.

Residents wishing to comment on the proposed budget can send an e-mail to the City Council at citycouncil@piedmont.ca.gov, send a letter via U.S. Mail to Piedmont City Council, c/o City Clerk’s Office, 120 Vista Avenue, Piedmont, 94611, or speak at appropriate times during the meetings to address budget issues.

The Piedmont Energy Codes “reach” above and beyond the minimum requirements in the State Energy Code.  Comment period for State Code is open. 

On February 1, 2021, Piedmont City Council adopted two amendments to the Building Energy Code that affect both sales and transfers of real estate and the construction of new and existing residential buildings.

To read Ordinance 750 N.S., please click here.
To read Ordinance 751 N.S., please click here.

For renovation projects that cost more than $25,000, at least one from a series of energy efficiency measures must be included in the project.

For renovations costing more than $100,000, two energy efficient measures must be included. It is up to the homeowner which option(s) to choose.

Options range from less expensive options, such as switching out light bulbs, to more expensive ones, like replacing water heaters.

This is intended to reduce greenhouse gas emissions stemming from natural gas appliances.

Ordinance 750 N.S. was approved by the California Energy Commission on May 12. This ordinance will go into effect for Piedmont projects on June 1. Ordinance 751 N.S. (home energy assessment policy) went into effect on March 3, 2021 and affects homeowners and real estate agents.

When selling a property or transferring the title, the seller must provide potential buyers with a Home Energy Score or Home Energy Audit prepared in the past five years, in addition to the normal disclosure information.

For any questions about these ordinances, please visit the website linked above, or email adykman@piedmont.ca.gov or nredinbo@piedmont.ca.gov.

CEC’s new California Energy Code Draft open for public comment period.

Every three years, the California Energy Commission (CEC) approves a new Energy Code, which impacts how structures are built and renovated during that code cycle. Two weeks ago, the CEC released their proposed changes to the 2022 Energy Code, to take effect January 1, 2023. This is what’s called the “45-day language” meaning that everyone has 45 days to review and provide comments, which are due June 21, 2021.

If members of Piedmont want to comment on the proposed Energy Code, you can make comments on their website (https://efiling.energy.ca.gov/EComment/EComment.aspx?docketnumber=21-BSTD-01).

There are also three days of Zoom hearings on May 24, 27, and 28. The Energy Code helps dictate the work that the Planning and Building Department completes in Piedmont. For instance, the Piedmont reach codes came to pass because they “reach” above and beyond the minimum requirements in the State Energy Code. The new California Energy Code will go into effect in 2023.

AGENDA and Ways to participate in the May 19th meeting of the Housing Advisory meeting.  Click below.  https://piedmont.ca.gov/UserFiles/Servers/Server_13659739/File/Government/Commissions%20and%20Committees/Housing%20Advisory%20Committee/current_agenda.pdf

On May 3, 2021, the Piedmont City Council approved a proposal from Lisa Wise Consulting (LWC) for approximately $700,000 to prepare updates to the Housing Element of the Piedmont General Plan.

State requirements have challenged City officials to find sites and policies to promote the construction of 587 new houses and apartments by 2031.

The cost of the next Housing Element policy document and associated General Plan amendments is estimated at $691,000, with $172,000 earmarked for public engagement and outreach.

Planning and Building Director Kevin Jackson stated, “With approval of LWC as the lead housing consultant, the City moves forward with planning to meet the mandates set by the State of California, starting with meetings of the new Piedmont Housing Advisory Committee on May 19 and June 15, 2021. We are confident that the Piedmont community will come together to share ideas and expertise to solve the region’s housing crisis.”

The May and June Housing Advisory Committee meetings will feature results of the citywide fair housing survey and pinnable map tools, which closed for public comment mid-April. The citywide fair housing survey and pinnable map were funded through a $160,000 grant awarded to Piedmont by the State of California SB2 planning grant program.

LWC is expected to present their analysis of Piedmonters’ ideas, design preferences, and understanding of new housing laws, as well as LWC’s recommendations for guiding principles for new tools to accelerate Piedmont affordable housing production.

The Piedmont community is invited to attend. The agendas and instructions for participating in the meetings on May 19 and June 15, 2021 , which start at 5 pm, will be posted at https://piedmont.ca.gov/government/commissions___committees/housing_advisory_committee

The May and June Housing Advisory Committee meetings will be televised live on KCOM-TV, the City’s government TV station and will be available through streaming video on the City’s web site https://piedmont.ca.gov/services___departments/kcomtv/live_content_and_video_archive

For more information and project updates, please visit the City of Piedmont’s web site at https://piedmont.ca.gov/

52021 Revised City of Piedmont Press Release May 4 2021