Northern Alameda Group plans for 2005

The Sierra Club Northern Alameda County Group is closely watching local environmental issues and encourages activists to get involved. Contact the issue leader or conservation chair Andy Katz to learn more (phone numbers below).

University development. The UC Berkeley Long Range Development Plan proposes 2,300 commuter parking spaces in addition to about 600 already-approved new parking spaces. The plan also increases research and instructional space for the University. The Sierra Club supports a significant reduction in parking, and provision by UC of paid transit passes for employees. (Andy Katz)

Bus service. We are working for improvements to bus service in Berkeley-Oakland-San Leandro, as elsewhere, including Rapid Bus on the San Pablo and the Telegraph-International Boulevard-East 14th Street corridors. Rapid Bus attracts riders who formerly drove, by improving the speed, attractiveness, and efficiency of bus travel. (Hank Resnik, Bob Piper)

Berkeley/Albany shoreline. We advocate for shoreline protection against casino or resort development along the shoreline, and against a ferry site that would impact natural areas that support wildlife. (Norman La Force)

Berkeley creeks preservation. We are participating in a collaborative process to strengthen creek preservation and restoration in Berkeley, working on Berkeley's creeks ordinance and public-works policies. (Helen Burke, Kitty McLean, Juliet Lamont)

Oakland toxics ordinance. We are working with Oakland officials to propose an ordinance that would help protect chemically sensitive individuals from harmful substances. (Bill Smith, David Tam)

Oakland land use. We advocate for pedestrian- and transit-oriented design, and for affordable housing in housing projects in Oakland, including the West Oakland Wood Street Project and the Uptown Oakland Project (Joyce Roy - see article to right)

Oakland Estuary. Signature Properties is proposing a huge mixed-use development on Port-owned land on the Oakland Estuary from Oak Street to Ninth Avenue. The property includes the Ninth Avenue Terminal, the last remaining large marine break-bulk terminal on the waterfront, and part of the land is governed by the Tidelands Trust. The Bay Trail is planned to run through the area, but there will be challenges in providing public access through private housing spaces to the public open space on the Estuary. The project does not conform to the Estuary Plan. The city plans to conduct an extensive public process about the best uses and design for this land. (Joyce Roy)

We have also commented on the proposal for Jack London Square. We are concerned that it is slated to be an outdoor shopping mall and to be built on open spaces that are now used for events by the public. A huge parking garage is planned for this auto-dependent site. The Environmental Impact Report shows it clearly to be environmentally detrimental. (Joyce Roy)

Downtown Berkeley. The University has proposed a downtown Berkeley Hotel and conference center. Environmental advocates support a design that would preserve a future opportunity to daylight Strawberry Creek along Center Street, incorporate green-building features, and minimize parking. (Helen Burke, Kitty McLean)

Claremont Canyon Conservancy. The Sierra Club participates as part of the conservancy, which is working to remove non-native plants and improve vegetation-management practices to prevent future fires and protect the natural areas. (Afton Crooks)

Solid waste and recycling. We are working to persuade city financial leaders that adoption of the proposed Berkeley Zero Waste Ordinance will be cost-effective, and beneficial to residents and businesses. (David Tam)

East Bay Regional Parks. The Group opposes casino plans along the Eastshore State Park and near Martin Luther King Jr. Regional Shoreline. (Norman La Force)

EBMUD. The Group is raising concerns over the future water-supply plans of the East Bay Municipal Utility District. EBMUD should emphasize water conservation before turning to desalinization. We support enforcement of EBMUD compliance with water-quality standards and further study of public power that would include more renewable sources of energy. (Andy Katz, Helen Burke)

Affordable housing. The Group supports funding and development of affordable housing. (David Tam, Bill Smith)

Group contacts

Helen Burke, (510) 527-0176 or
Afton Crooks, (510) 658-9353
Andy Katz, (510) 540-5921 or by
Norman La Force, (510) 526-4362 or by
Juliet Lamont, (510) 909-5403 or by
Kitty McClean, (510) 526-2738 or by
Bob Piper, (510) 848-4134 or by
Hank Resnik by (working from Paris and not at his phone)
Joyce Roy, (510) 655-7508 or by (preferred)
Bill Smith, (510) 522-0390 or by
David Tam, (510) 472-5723 or by