May 11, 2022 – The School Board Will Ratify the Appointment of Piedmont Middle School Principal: Karyn Shipp –

Shipp was the Assistant Principal of the Piedmont Middle School .

READ the background and selection process  >5112022 PMS Principal_

Karyn Shipp.docx Press Release

I just wanted to clarify that the timeline for preparation of Housing Element updates is set by state law.

It is an iterative process that mandates local jurisdictions prepare draft Housing Elements, open them up for public comment and send them to the state’s Housing and Community Development department (HCD) for its review.  Once HCD has reviewed, it sends back its comments and recommendations to local jurisdictions, so they can incorporate them into revised drafts, to make sure those drafts comply with all the requirements of state law.  The final product, after all these different rounds of review, needs to be done in early to mid 2023.  So while it seems like 2023 is a long time away, the timeline is actually tight. You can find a model timeline in the website for the Association of Bay Area Governments, here:

https://abag.ca.gov/technical-assistance/housing-element-update-timeline

In other words, it is not up to the City Council or the Planning Commission to extend the deadlines.  In fact, delaying the process may lead to increased oversight of the process by the state, as recently happened to the city of Los Angeles. As a result of its failure to comply with Housing Element preparation on time, LA now finds itself into a state-law mandated expedited track to approve all required rezonings within one year.  See:

https://www.planetizen.com/news/2022/02/116337-las-housing-element-considered-among-californias-most-ambitious-rejected-state

The timeline, then, must be respected.  However, that doesn’t mean that the City is trying to push this forward without real opportunities for public comment.  We, as residents of Piedmont, can comment now and when HCD provides its recommendations.  We can also comment on the Draft Environmental Impact Report, which the City should be releasing any time now, and at the time of final approval.

Finally, I think we should remember that the draft Housing Element is NOT amending the Charter, rezoning the Corp Yard, or converting Veterans Hall or the City Council building to low income housing.  It is just proposing draft policies and identifying potential sites where the Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA), which represents the City’s fair share of housing growth, could be accommodated.  It is a high level policy document. Even if these policies were adopted, subsequent rezonings would be needed, as the draft plan acknowledges.  And even if those rezonings occurred, that doesn’t mean that automatically these sites would be developed.  Much more process would be needed, with public input and any required environmental review, and actual  projects would need to be proposed and approved.  So, it is a long process, and there will be many opportunities for public participation as we go along.

Thanks to PCA and to all of you, readers, for the opportunity to engage in this important conversation.  I look forward to more.

Respectfully,

Andrea Ruiz-Esquide, Piedmont Resident

Editors’ Note: Opinions expressed are those of the author.

 THE 3RD ANNUAL ART WALK, SATURDAY, MAY 7, 12 PM -5 PM

Painting, ceramics, mixed media, sculpture, photography, jewelry, textile arts, and more – all by artists in the Piedmont community.

Piedmont is filled with amazing artists. The city has always fostered a love and appreciation for what art offers. The Piedmont Art Walk brings together local artists and the Piedmont community to raise awareness, appreciation, and support for the arts in our community.

Purchases support local artists and art programs in our community. Twenty percent of proceeds are donated to the Piedmont Education Fund to support art in our schools.

The Art Walk is working closely with the city to follow Alameda County’s COVID-19 guidelines to keep everyone safe.

Please wear masks. Practice social distancing. No refreshments or receptions.

Map of Artist locations HERE.

Art Walk information click HERE.

For more information, email piedmontartwalk@gmail.com

“City Staff is asking Park Commissioners to provide feedback on the Draft 6th Cycle Piedmont Housing Element as community members and key stakeholders. The Park Commission meeting on May 4 gives the public further opportunities to learn about the Housing Element update process and to give their input and feedback.”

Numerous proposals are in the Draft Housing Element many occurring throughout Piedmont.  Density increases, removal of parking requirements, raised height limits of buildings, end to neighbor input on proposals, zoning changes, Charter change, etc.

 All proposals in the 374 page Draft Housing Element document can be read online for public comment.  See link at the end of this article.

6. Proposed Specific Plan: Page B-12, Appendix B, of the Draft Housing Element proposes to prepare a specific plan (Government Code §65450 et. seq) for the area of the Public Works Corporation Yard to accommodate new housing development, incorporate existing amenities, and modernize current city functions. The portion of the site utilized for park Page 2 of 62 and recreational uses, are intended to remain as an amenity for the proposed specific plan area, with the existing vehicle parking reconfigured, as needed.  See map on linked attachment below.

7. Blair Park: The Draft Housing Element identifies Blair Park, which is located on the south side of Moraga Avenue, as a potential alternate site for housing if the proposed specific plan for the Public Works Corporation Yard fails to yield 122 housing units (page B-13). Blair Park is 3.55 acres, with the potential for 210 units if developed at 60 units per acre.

8. Zoning Amendments: In order to meet the 6th Cycle RHNA target with Piedmont’s limited available land, the Draft Housing Element’s Goal 1, New Housing Construction, proposes to increase the allowed residential density for housing affiliated with religious institutions in Zone A (program 1.D, page (37) and increase allowed residential density in Zone B (program 1.F), Zone C (program 1.G), and Zone D (1.H).

READ the Draft Housing Element May 4 presentation to the Park Commission and Agenda, including participation information below:

> 2022-05-04 Park Agenda

Selling desirable naming opportunities has been an important fund-raising tool prior to the current stampede to remove donor’s names.

The current incentive to investigate the individual donor and ancestors to uncover impurity has led to a rash of donors’ un-naming.  Do people really want their lives examined in such punitive ways today?  Giving anonymously has a new appeal for some who don’t want to be publicly shamed for the unknown misdeeds of great-grandparents.

The usual practice was to produce a price list of the donation required to brand a building, plaza, walkway, or other feature with the donor’s name or company.

In light of the substantial costs of the Piedmont Community pools complex, the City Council is eager to encourage donations.  To this end a policy on donations and naming for the pools or other local improvements.  On April 4, 2022, the Council directed staff to develop a policy.  See the policy prepared by the City Attorney’s office here.

Among other points, it authorizes the City Administrator to accept
donations valued (in the case of in-kind donations) of up to $75,000 with the authority for larger donations reserved to the City Council.  The naming requests for facility or capital project must be reviewed by the City Council.

• 1. Amenity: An improvement located on City property, including, but not limited to a wall,
  a plaza in front of a City building, a trail located along City property, room or rooms in a
  City building, gazebos, archways, paths, decks, patios, athletic facilities, playing fields,
  aquatic facilities, picnic areas, play structures, hard courts, and trail segments.
•  2. Donation: A person or entity providing the City with financial support or property of a
  value exceeding the City’s payment for such item. Furthermore, a donor typically does
  not expect to receive a substantial return or recognition from the City in return for the
  donation. A donation may consist of an amenity, cash, real property (land), in-kind
  donation, or work of art. Donations may be unrestricted or restricted by the donor.
• 3. Donor: A company, organization, or individual, who provides the City a donation without expectation of significant return or recognition.
• 4. In-Kind Contributions: A contribution of an item or object other than cash or real
  property, which would serve a useful purpose in the provision of City services. Examples
  may include equipment, materials, or services.
• 5. Restricted Donation: A donation made to the City where the donor has restricted its use
  to a specified purpose. Any proposed restrictions must be made in writing.
• 6. Sponsor: A company, organization, or individual who provides the City with funding
  support for a program, activity, or facility in the form of a sponsorship, and who expects more than nominal recognition in return.
• 7. Sponsorship: A sponsorship typically means a person or entity that provides the City with financial support for an activity, City program, or City facility, typically in exchange for the City providing more than nominal recognition of its financial support, which distinguishes a sponsorship from a donation. Financial assistance provided by a sponsor may consist of cash and/or in-kind contributions
• 8. Sponsorship Agreement: A negotiated agreement between the City and a company,
  organization, or individual who provides a sponsorship whereby the City agrees to
  provide a sponsorship opportunity to a company, organization, or individual in exchange
  for recognition rights related to certain identified City-owned commercial or marketable
  assets. A Sponsorship Agreement may permit a limited form of advertising opportunity for a company, organization, or individual in exchange for the fee paid to the City.
• 9. Unrestricted Donation: A donation made to the City where the donor has placed no
  limitation on its use.
• 10. Works of Art: Includes, without limitation, physical art that may be an integral part of a public site or building, or that may be integrated with the work of other design professionals. Examples of public works of art include: sculptures; murals and paintings; earthworks; neon; glass; organic materials; mosaics; photographs; prints; film; and any combination of media forms or hybrids of any media.

Donation Policy & Naming Policy 522020

council- 522020 agenda

Receipt of the Piedmont Community Pool Design Development Package and Consideration of: 

1) Approval of Design Modifications to the Recreation Pool; and

2) Authorization for Staff and ELS to Advance to Construction Documents Phase

RECOMMENDATION: Receive the 100% Design Development Package and Cost Estimate for the Piedmont Community Pool Project and by a single motion, take the following actions with regard to the project:

1) Approve design modifications to the shallow water recreation pool as recommended by the Community Pool Advisory Committee (PAC):

a) Lap Lanes: increased length of the three lap lanes from 20 to 25 yards with a depth profile that moves side to side from approximately 3.5 feet in the middle of the pool to approximately 5 feet at the western edge of the pool

b) Rotate the stairs 90 degrees such that the stairs enter the open free water area rather than the rectangular lap lane area

2) Approve expansion of the zero-beach entry area in the recreation pool by approximately 300 square feet

3) Authorize Staff and ELS to advance to Construction Documents Phase

FULL STAFF REPORT >Pool Acceptance 522022

council- 522020 agenda

Public Hearing, Introduction, and 1st Reading of Ordinance 764 N.S., Adopting Piedmont Police Department Policy 710 Pertaining to Military Equipment Use

RECOMMENDATION Conduct a public hearing and approve the 1st Reading of Ordinance 764 N.S., adopting Piedmont Police Department Policy 710 pertaining to Military Equipment Use.

READ the STAFF REPORT > Military Equipment Policy 522022

council- 522020 agenda

Piedmont events to celebrate Arbor Day, some lasting through the week of April 25 – 29th.

Chalk Art:

April 25-29 ^–  Select your favorite street tree or tree in a park next to a sidewalk, decorate the sidewalk with Chalk Art celebrating the tree. Take a photo of yourself celebrating the tree and your chalk art. Submit to nkent@piedmont.ca.gov. Fenton Gift certificates will be awarded to the  most creative art.

Gratitude Trees:

April 25 – 29 – In honor of Arbor Day, there will (4) trees designated in our parks as Gratitude Trees. During the week of April 25-29^th, park visitors, students, schoolmates and pre-school classes  are invited to stop by and write their messages on tags provided at each tree. The trees will be in Piedmont Park, Dracena, Crocker and Linda Park. They will be identified  by barricades and Gratitude Tree signage.

Piedmont Community Hall, Main Park, Highland Avenue

Thursday, April 28, 2022

Heritage Tree Winners Announced:

 8pm on April 28^th at Community Hall in Piedmont Main Park, Highland Avenue,  the winners of the Heritage Trees for 2022 will be acknowledge and “pinned” with the special Heritage Tree lapel pin.

Public Work Trucks, plus Ask Your Public Works Staff Questions:

8 p.m. April 28 – Public Works Department will have at the Community Hall their big trucks on display- their Sweeper, Camera Truck and Dump Truck. Come at 8 pm and see the trucks, a gator watering bag installation for your street tree, and  a chance to meet, greet and ask your Public Works staff questions about street trees, street sweeping, parks, storm and sanitary sewers, maintenance, sidewalks, and road questions!

Free Popcorn and bring your water bottle:

April 28th fill your water bottle at the Community Hall before the movie: donated by Piedmont Garden Club

Tree Raffle before the Movie: 

Cub Scout volunteers will be passing out raffle tickets in the Piedmont Main Park and the Cubs will select two lucky winners that will win  a 15 gallon  tree to take home  to plant in their garden. Devil Mountain Nursery has donated (2) Cercis Redbuds for the raffle and the Cubs will also present the winners with a handmade plaque offering to help plant the tree in the homeowner’s  garden.

Free Movie in the Park:

Starting at 8:30 p.m. -A showing of the documentary Intelligent Trees– a 45 minute movie about how trees communicate with each other! Made possible by a generous donation by Tree Sculpture and Terra Landscape.

Posters and maps for Arbor Day Celebration

>Posters for Arbor Day 2022

Piedmont is scheduled to adopt a new Housing Element to accommodate 587 new housing units in Piedmont.  You can play a role in deciding how! 

For development potential, some residents and City staff have suggested,  amongst other areas, the area around the City Corporation Yard on Moraga Avenue.  Undeveloped areas are unlikely to provide housing space for 587 new housing units leading to new units added in single family neighborhoods. 

Once the Housing Element is approved, the City will be prohibited by law from informing neighbors of certain proposed projects, potentially turning garages into housing, subdividing properties, adding new housing units on existing properties, restructuring existing homes as apartment buildings, etc. .

The Housing Element is important to all areas of Piedmont, for after parameters and requirements for housing are approved in the new Housing Element, “ministerial” permits are to be issued by the City Planning Department for all conforming proposals without neighborhood notification or input. 

The Piedmont Planning staff, along with outside consultants, have devised the new DRAFT Housing Element.  Attempts have been made by the City to involve Piedmont residents in the process.  The result is a 374 page DRAFT Housing Element document outlining conditions for approval of housing units. 

Go to the end of this article to learn how you can voice your preferences and read the DRAFT Housing Element.

TIME FOR WRITTEN INPUT TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION IS  ENDING ON MAY 5, 2022.

If you are not able or need assistance with submitting your ideas to the City, contact City Clerk John O. Tulloch at 510-420-3040 or Senior Planner Pierce Macdonald at 510-420-3050.

  The Piedmont City Council has planned a limited comment period based on an earlier State deadline for submittal of Piedmont’s new Housing Element. 

State Housing Element Update Timeline was Extended to May 2023 due to a recent state law requiring additional review and longer comment periods.

• April 8, 2022: Publication of the Draft Housing Element > Draft Piedmont 6th Cycle Housing Element.  (374 pages)

• May 12, 2022: Special Planning Commission public hearing, starting at 5:30 pm to discuss and consider the Draft Housing Element. Approximately one month comment period.
• June 2022: City Council public hearing. Approximately one month comment period.
• May 2023: NEW deadline for adoption of the final draft of the updated Housing Element, date amended due to recent state law requiring additional review and longer comment periods! 

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The 374-page Draft Housing Element, shown above, includes policies to increase housing access and affordability in Piedmont.

Purple arrows identify the locations of the links to the Draft Housing Element on the homepages of the City website and Piedmontishome.org

Win a $50 gift card to Grand Lake Ace Hardware by submitting your housing plan, email, and comments in the Piedmont Housing Puzzle. Click below to start! START