Mar 12 2022

Your Input is Important !

Now is the time to tell the City if you have concerns regarding adding 587 housing units to Piedmont!

The City is planning an important review of conditions in Piedmont and potential issues relevant to the environment in Piedmont.

Adoption of an EIR will impact every area of Piedmont and potential development.

Without input from residents, the basis for developing the EIR is lessened. 

Once the EIR is approved by the City Council, it will be used repeatedly to measure, approve, or deny development in Piedmont using the EIR to determine environmental impacts.

Some issues not necessarily included in the EIR considerations are:

  • Safe roadway widths for vehicles
  • Safe pedestrian access
  • Viable provisions during an emergency
  • Lack of medical facilities
  • Insufficient police and fire services
  • Wildfire areas
  • Overhead utility wires
  • Pandemic resources
  • Open space/park preservation
  • Transit services
  • Urban trees and canopy preservation
  • Water provisions
  • Social services
  • Animal/fauna, pollinators survival
  • Landslide areas
  • Clay soil areas
  • Underground drainage systems 
  • Emergency exits from the City

Any questions, issues, or comments should be directed in writing to: Kevin Jackson, Planning & Building Director, City of Piedmont, 120 Vista Avenue, Piedmont, CA 94611; or kjackson@piedmont.ca.gov.

To assure the Piedmont City Council and the Piedmont Planning Commission are aware of any issues, public comments can also be sent and addressed to:

Piedmont City Council – citycouncil@piedmont.ca.gov

Planning Commission – kjackson@piedmont.ca.gov.

 

The 6th Cycle (2023-2031)
Housing Element Update
Environmental Impact Report

Public Scoping Comments

from Piedmonters are

Due March 18, 2022
On March 1, 2022, a Scoping Meeting for the Housing Element EIR was held by the Planning Commission  Click to view the video of the meeting. In response to comments during the scoping meeting, the following information is being provided to community members who may be interested in providing comments on the scope and preparation of the EIR. Please click on the links provided below (in blue font).
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This is a list of the environmental factors that are required to be examined under an Environmental Impact Report.
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In this Appendix, for each environmental factor, a list of questions is provided that an agency might ask when studying potential environmental impacts.
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On February 16, 2022, the City of Piedmont issued a Notice of Preparation of a Draft Environmental Impact Report for the proposed City of Piedmont 2023-2031 Housing Element update and associated amendments to the Piedmont General Plan.
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The City of Piedmont is preparing a Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the City’s Housing Element update (“the project”) and is requesting comments on the scope and content of the Draft EIR. This scoping stage of EIR preparation seeks comments that would answer the following questions:
  • What do we need to know to prepare the EIR for the Housing Element update?
  • What potential environmental impacts from the City’s Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) of 587 housing units should be studied as part of the EIR?
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The EIR is being prepared by the City of Piedmont, which is the lead agency for the project, in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and CEQA Guidelines. In accordance with CEQA Guidelines section 15082, the Notice of Preparation (NOP) was sent to the California State Clearinghouse, Alameda County Clerk, responsible agencies, trustee agencies, adjacent cities, and is being made available to members of the public, including individuals and organizations, to solicit comments on the scope and content of the analysis in the EIR.
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Written Comments: Responses to the NOP and any questions or comments should be directed in writing to: Kevin Jackson, Planning & Building Director, City of Piedmont, 120 Vista Avenue, Piedmont, CA 94611; or kjackson@piedmont.ca.gov.
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Responses to the NOP must be received on or before 5 p.m. on Friday, March 18, 2022. Comments should focus on the scope and content of the EIR, such as significant environmental issues, reasonable alternatives, and mitigation measures.
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Project Location: The project, which is an update to the Housing Element of the City’s General Plan, is applicable to the entire City of Piedmont (citywide). The City of Piedmont is located in the East Bay of the San Francisco Bay Area in northern Alameda County. The City of Piedmont encompasses approximately 1.7 square miles with a population of approximately 11,300 residents and 4,000 housing units. The Housing Element is one of the 7 state-mandated elements of the local General Plan and is required by the State of California to be updated every 8 years. Detailed project description information and background information are provided in the NOP, located here.
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Probable Environmental Effects: Approval of the proposed Housing Element update would not include approval of any physical development (e.g., construction of housing or infrastructure). However, the EIR will assume that such actions are reasonably foreseeable future outcomes of the Housing Element update. The EIR will evaluate the potential physical environmental impacts that could result from future actions for implementing the policies proposed under the Housing Element update at a programmatic level, in accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15168. The topical areas that will be addressed in the EIR are: Aesthetics, Air Quality, Biological Resources, Cultural Resources, Energy, Geology and Soils, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Hazards and Hazardous Materials, Hydrology and Water Quality, Noise, Land Use and Planning, Population and Housing, Public Services and Recreation, Transportation, Tribal Cultural Resources, Utilities and Service Systems, and Wildfire.
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The Draft EIR will also examine a reasonable range of alternatives to the proposed project, including the CEQA-mandated No Project Alternative and other potential alternatives that may be capable of reducing or avoiding potential environmental effects while meeting most of the basic objectives of the project. In addition, the EIR will address cumulative impacts, growth inducing impacts, and other issues required by CEQA.
Mar 8 2022

Council Approves Arts Center Agreement on Split Vote

The Council heard from City staff, the City attorney, residents, non-residents, the Recreation Department, representatives from arts groups, and performers addressing an Agreement with the Piedmont Center for the Arts, a local non-profit organization, regarding the City owned property at 801 Magnolia Avenue.

Between 7:30 p.m. and almost midnight on Monday, March 7, 2022, there was a lively discussion of the proposed Agreement with the Piedmont Center for the Arts organization for their continued use of the City facility across from Piedmont High School.

Issues discussed were:

  • Length of Agreement  – 5 years – Accepted
  • High fees Arts Center might charge for usage of their time – Undetermined
  • Lack of review by Recreation Commission – True
  • Problematic process and insufficient information to community 
  • Excessive number of dates and times reserved for Arts Center group
  • Control over City facility by external group – To be reviewed
  • $200,000 + in Arts Center current reserves derived from fees
  • 90 day deadline for Arts Center to advise the City of non-use of their allotted time slots – Accepted
  • City review of Agreement and usage after  18 months – Accepted
  • City review of Agreement on an annual basis – Accepted
  • End to sub-leases of the property – Accepted
  • Adequate opportunities for other groups to use the facility 
  • Revenue not captured by the City
  • Compromises by all involved to reach Agreement
  •  Desire to continue the successful activities of the Arts Center 
  •  A provision for potential use of the property for housing – Accepted

Council members expressed sincere appreciate to the many volunteers from the Piedmont Center for the Arts in establishing a successful and regionally recognized arts venue in Piedmont.

Three Council members supported the Agreement not wanting to delay the matter further and approved the staff proposed Agreements with minor changes.   Those approving were King, Andersen and McCarthy.

Two Council members voted no desiring additional information, a more transparent process, shorter term to the Agreement, and guaranteed equitable access for the entire community; these were Council members Cavenaugh and Long.

Since the lease with the Arts Center will end, sub-tenant, The Piedmont Post, was given an extension of 60 days from time of notice to vacate the Arts Center building. The City will use the space for expanded recreational programs and Recreation Department staff needs.

See prior article on the proposed Agreement. 

Mar 3 2022

Piedmont Commission and Committee Vacancies 2022

Now is the time !

by March 21, 2022

to volunteer for City of Piedmont Committees and Commissions –

Budget Advisory and Financial Planning Committee, Civil Service Commission, Park Commission, Planning Commission, Public Safety Committee, Recreation Commission,  Mosquito Abatement Representative

Information  is linked below:

Residents wishing to apply must take one of the following two actions on or before the posted deadline of Monday, March 21, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. Postmarks will not be accepted for paper applications.

1) Apply online OR

2) Complete and return the paper application form A link to the electronic application and a downloadable application for paper submission are available on the city’s website at https://piedmont.ca.gov or from the office of the City Clerk, Piedmont City Hall, 120 Vista Avenue, Piedmont, or by telephone at (510) 420-3040.

All applicants must be available for an interview with the City Council the evening of Monday, March 28, 2022, at which time appointments may be made.

Read links below:

PCA Commission Application 2022

PCA Commission Description of Duties 2022-02-28

PCA2022-02-28 Volunteers for Commissions-Committees

PCA Notice of Appointive Vacancies 2022

 

Feb 26 2022

Will the Housing EIR Cover Parks and Open Space, Pandemics, Roadway Widths, Underground Utilities, and More?

The 6th Cycle (2023-2031)

Housing Element Update

Environmental Impact Report

Public Scoping Meeting

Tuesday

March 1, 2022, 5:30 PM
On February 16, 2022, the City of Piedmont issued a Notice of Preparation of a Draft Environmental Impact Report for the proposed City of Piedmont 2023-2031 Housing Element update and associated amendments to the Piedmont General Plan.
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The City of Piedmont is preparing a Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the City’s Housing Element update (“the project”) and is requesting comments on the scope and content of the Draft EIR. This scoping stage of EIR preparation seeks comments that would answer the following questions:
  • What do we need to know to prepare the EIR for the Housing Element update?
  • What potential environmental impacts from the City’s Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) of 587 housing units should be studied as part of the EIR?
The EIR is being prepared by the City of Piedmont, which is the lead agency for the project, in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and CEQA Guidelines. In accordance with CEQA Guidelines section 15082, the Notice of Preparation (NOP) was sent to the California State Clearinghouse, Alameda County Clerk, responsible agencies, trustee agencies, adjacent cities, and is being made available to members of the public, including individuals and organizations, to solicit comments on the scope and content of the analysis in the EIR.
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Written Comments: Responses to the NOP and any questions or comments should be directed in writing to: Kevin Jackson, Planning & Building Director, City of Piedmont, 120 Vista Avenue, Piedmont, CA 94611; or kjackson@piedmont.ca.gov.
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Responses to the NOP must be received on or before 5 p.m. on Friday, March 18, 2022. In addition, comments may be provided at the EIR Scoping Meeting (see details below). Comments should focus on the scope and content of the EIR, such as significant environmental issues, reasonable alternatives, and mitigation measures.
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EIR Public Scoping Meeting: The City of Piedmont will conduct a public scoping session on Tuesday, March 1, 2022, as part of a special Planning Commission meeting to receive comments on the scope and contents of the EIR. The meeting will start at 5:30 p.m. and be held via video and teleconference. Information about how to join the meeting is available: here
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Project Location: The project, which is an update to the Housing Element of the City’s General Plan, is applicable to the entire City of Piedmont (citywide). The City of Piedmont is located in the East Bay of the San Francisco Bay Area in northern Alameda County. The City of Piedmont encompasses approximately 1.7 square miles with a population of approximately 11,300 residents and 4,000 housing units. The Housing Element is one of the 7 state-mandated elements of the local General Plan and is required by the State of California to be updated every 8 years. Detailed project description information and background information are provided in the NOP, located here.
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Probable Environmental Effects: Approval of the proposed Housing Element update would not include approval of any physical development (e.g., construction of housing or infrastructure). However, the EIR will assume that such actions are reasonably foreseeable future outcomes of the Housing Element update. The EIR will evaluate the potential physical environmental impacts that could result from future actions for implementing the policies proposed under the Housing Element update at a programmatic level, in accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15168. The topical areas that will be addressed in the EIR are: Aesthetics, Air Quality, Biological Resources, Cultural Resources, Energy, Geology and Soils, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Hazards and Hazardous Materials, Hydrology and Water Quality, Noise, Land Use and Planning, Population and Housing, Public Services and Recreation, Transportation, Tribal Cultural Resources, Utilities and Service Systems, and Wildfire.
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The Draft EIR will also examine a reasonable range of alternatives to the proposed project, including the CEQA-mandated No Project Alternative and other potential alternatives that may be capable of reducing or avoiding potential environmental effects while meeting most of the basic objectives of the project. In addition, the EIR will address cumulative impacts, growth inducing impacts, and other issues required by CEQA.

Produced by the City of Piedmont
Produced by the City of Piedmont
STAY CONNECTED & INFORMED
The City of Piedmont wants to keep you up to date on planning-related issues regarding transportation, sustainability, housing and changes to development regulations that affect you. Community participation is key to the success of new City policies. Contact pmacdonald@piedmont.ca.gov to learn more.
Jan 25 2022

Commingled: Pension Board Responsibilities, Pool Bonds, and City Investments Jan. 26

The Piedmont Police and Fire Pension Board has no authority in Pool or City financial matters.  However, in a staff report for an expanded meeting with the City Investment Sub-committee, the Pension Board is jointly involved in consideration of City assets  (separate from Pension funds) and the Pool Complex Bond funds.  City_Investment_Report_FY21-22_Q2   Fiscal Year 2021-22: 2nd Quarter Report on the City’s Investment Portfolio

City Code: SEC. 26.1 PENSION BOARD [Charge]

“A board is hereby created whose duty it shall be to handle and administer pensions for retired members and benefits for members, their nominees and the widows and minor children of deceased members of the police and fire departments of the City of Piedmont.

The Pension Board shall be comprised of the mayor, one member of the City Council, one member of the police department, one member of the fire department, and one community representative appointed by the Council for a three-year term of office commencing April l. Each said department member shall be selected from the rank and file of each respective department. The Council member and the community representative shall be selected by the members of the Council of the City of Piedmont.

The pension board shall select its own chairman and secretary and shall administer all matters pertaining to pensions in accordance with the provisions of this Chapter 26. The pension board shall have power, by resolution, to provide rules and regulations for the administration of all matters pertaining to pensions and benefits hereunder, and shall invest the pension fund, or direct that their investments be made by or through investment counsel, trust companies, or trust departments of banks, or any combination thereof, in accordance with City ordinances applicable to the investment of funds of municipal retirement systems, and if there be none, in accordance with state law. (Ord. No. 396 N.S., §1; Ord. No. 42l N.S., §l)”

 

City of Piedmont Police & Fire Pension Board & City Investment Subcommittee

Agenda Wednesday, January 26, 2022 4:00 p.m.

Via Teleconference

See agenda details below:

Pension Board Agenda 2022-01-26

Pension 2021-10-27

Finance Director’s Memo 1:2022

City_Investment_Report_FY21-22_Q2

The Finance Director’s staff report regarding a disability applicant is purposely omitted from this article to protect the privacy of the applicant’s medical condition.   https://oag.ca.gov/system/files/opinions/pdfs/04-408.pdf 

If readers need more information on the disability application, please contact the City Clerk at 510/420-3040.

Jan 6 2022

OPINION: Pool Advisory Committee How Can Measure UU Funds Be Used

The first item on today’s (January 6, 2022) PAC agenda is a briefing on the scope of facilities allowed under Measure UU.
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Can Measure UU bonds be used for just pool facilities or other recreational activities/services?  

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This seems a more appropriate question for the Bond Oversight Committee, but in any event, a brief staff report would help the public to understand staff’s interpretation, but none is provided for today’s meeting. That interpretation may be best understood from a use survey for the new facility (link below). Multipurpose rooms, cardio gyms and a cafe all appear to be permitted under UU. 
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https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/piedmontcommunitypoolprogramming
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Measure UU language and the City Attorney analysis of the measure are provided below. I think the key language is “new pool facilities” and many of those uses in the survey are not related to a pool facility. 
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Measure UU
“Shall the measure to prevent permanent closure of Piedmont’s Community Pool by constructing new pool facilities, restrooms and related areas, to conserve energy and water, provide greater community access and safety, and authorize Piedmont to issue $19,500,000 in bonds at legal rates, generating $1,257,950 annually at an average rate of 2.6 cents per $100 of assessed valuation while bonds are outstanding, with all money staying local and independent citizens’ oversight, be adopted?”
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City Attorney Analysis of UU 
“Measure UU limits the principal amount of the bonds to no more than $19,500,000 and provides that interest rates on the bonds would be capped at a maximum of 12%, but the prevailing market rates could be less. The bonds would be secured by ad valorem taxes levied on taxable real property in the City. The City estimates that the levy of taxes to repay the bonds would be at an average rate of 2.6 cents per $100 of the assessed valuation. The tax would only be assessed if the bonds are issued and the actual tax rate shall be subject to variation during the duration of the repayment period. Proceeds of the bonds may only be used for the design and construction of improvements for the Piedmont Community Pool and adjacent areas. Measure UU includes accountability requirements including that bond proceeds shall be deposited in a separate account created and held by the City solely for financing the authorized improvements. In addition, the measure also requires the Finance Director to file a report with the City Council at least annually showing the amount of bond proceeds collected and expended, and the status of improvements. Measure UU would also require the City Council to establish and appoint members to an oversight committee, which would have responsibility for reviewing and reporting on the expenditure of the proceeds of the bonds.”
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Garrett Keating, Former City Council Member
Jan 4 2022

FINALIZE POOL PLAN Thurs. Jan. 6 7:30 PM Via Zoom

Community Pool Advisory Committee (PAC) Agenda

Thursday, January 6, 2022 7:30 p.m. Via Teleconference

Revised to Update Zoom Meeting

Regular Agenda

1. Briefing on Scope of Facilities Under Measure UU

2. Consideration of Recommendation to City Council Regarding Final Version of the Piedmont Community Pool Conceptual Plan

3. Update on Status of Evaluation of Exterior Lighting

4. Discussion of Next Steps and Tentative Timeline After Conceptual Design Approval 

READ THE FULL AGENDA WITH LINKS BY CLICKING BELOW:

PAC_current_agenda 2022

For more information go to: https://www.piedmont.ca.gov/government/commissions___committees/community_pool_advisory_committee

Jan 4 2022

Pool Plans and Housing: Planning Commission Mon. Jan 10 6 PM

Special Planning Commission Agenda Monday, January 10, 2022 6:00 p.m. Via Teleconference

Regular Agenda

1. Presentation on the Piedmont Community Pool Project.

2. Presentation on Senate Bill 9 Related to Housing.

READ THE FULL AGENDA FOR PARTICIPATION DETAILS BY CLICKING BELOW:

January 2022 PC Agenda

Contact the Planning Department for additional information at:

510-420-3050

Jan 4 2022

Pool Bond Oversight Committee Appointed

City Council Makes Appointments to Bond Oversight Committee

At a special meeting on December 13, 2021, the City Council interviewed applicants and made appointments to the Bond Oversight Committee. Drawing on the talents of seventeen applicants for five vacancies, the City Council appointed:

John Chiang

Margaret Hiller

Al Lee

Patricia Leicher, Chair

Dirk tenGrotenhuis

Ms. Leicher was appointed as the Committee’s chair.

The committee members bring over 100 cumulative years of experience in
accounting, regulatory auditing, public fiduciary oversight, and financial and executive management.

This committee, required by Measure UU, was established by the City Council to focus on reviewing and reporting on the expenditure of the proceeds of the bonds, specifically:

• Informing the public how the City is expending the bond proceeds
• Review expenditure reports produced by the City to verify that bond proceeds were expended only for the purposes set forth in Measure UU.
• Produce an annual report which includes the following information:

o A statement indicating whether the bond proceeds used by the City have been expended only for the purposes set forth in Measure UU; and
o A summary of the Committee’s proceedings and activities for the preceding year.

The Bond Oversight Committee will meet twice per year and will terminate when the expenditure of the bond proceeds is complete.

Dec 19 2021

Fees for Lot Splits and New Housing Units: Dec. 20

Piedmont Gears Up for Densification – Lot Splits and Increased Housing Units in Single-family Zones Approved Singularly by the Piedmont Planning Staff.

The Piedmont City Council will consider fees to be charged for lot splits and housing developments of up to two units on Dec. 20. > AGENDA

SB 9 requires local jurisdictions, like Piedmont, to grant ministerial approval [Neighbors cannot voice opinions.] of housing developments of one to two units and urban lot splits for property within single-family zoning districts, such as Piedmont’s Zone A and Zone E.1  SB 9 also sets some minimum standards for housing development and lot split proposals, filed under SB 9 regulations.

Changes to Piedmont zoning requirements have yet to be finalized.

READ the full staff report by clicking below:

https://piedmont.ca.gov/common/pages/DisplayFile.aspx?itemId=18207580

COMMENTS MAY BE SENT TO THE CITY COUNCIL AT:

citycouncil@piedmont.ca.gov.

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