Downtown planning process gives Berkeley chance to become a lot greener

Downtown Berkeley may become a whole lot greener if a new planning process succeeds. Amid both controversy and cautious optimism, the city has convened its Downtown Area Plan Advisory Committee (DAPAC), which over the next two years is to develop a vision for improving the city's downtown core.

The Advisory Committee arose out of the May 2005 settlement of a lawsuit by the city against the University of California at Berkeley over the university's Long-Range Development Plan, which proposes new parking and housing, as well as extensive impacts on open space, transportation, and the city's infrastructure. The Sierra Club was one of many organizations that submitted extensive comments about problems with the plan and its associated Environmental Impact Report (EIR); the city shared these concerns.

The city agreed to drop its suit in exchange for an increase in annual fees paid to the city by the university, and for a commitment that any university proposals for the downtown area would be overseen by the city under the normal city planning process. (Under state law the University of California is generally exempt from local planning.) The settlement also called for a citizen-based, City Council-appointed advisory committee - the DAPAC - to guide the development of an overall downtown plan in partnership with UC Berkeley. The DAPAC has 21 members: two appointees from each City Council member, plus three from the Planning Commission.

Several Sierra Club leaders (Helen Burke, Wendy Alfsen, and myself) are among the appointees, along with several other appointees who understand the need for sustainable city planning and design. With a progressive vision, Berkeley's downtown could become a showcase for green building and site design, the daylighting of Strawberry Creek, better pedestrian spaces and streets, improved public-transit access and availability, more affordable housing, and the celebration of Berkeley's unique historical architecture.

So far the DAPAC has focused on background context, with presentations about downtown business and retail economics, historic preservation, and opportunities and challenges in the downtown core. More presentations from local organizations - including the Sierra Club - will happen over the next several months. In January the committee heard ideas from architects and planners about successful downtown areas. Paul Okamoto, an award-winning San Francisco architect and former boardmember of Urban Ecology, spoke extensively about innovative ways to make our cities greener and environmentally sustainable. There is no question that the strategies and techniques are out there. With commitment and vision, this new planning process just may help Berkeley to truly "go green".

WhatYouCanDo

Let the city know that you want it to "Go green!" The DAPAC meets on the third Wednesday of every month at the North Berkeley Senior Center (1901 Hearst Ave.), with additional meetings scheduled as needed. All meetings are open to the public, with a public-comment period at the beginning of each meeting. Give input, both oral and written, throughout the process. To send in comments or for more information, contact DAPAC secretary Matt Taecker at (510) 981-7487 or email mtaecker -at- ci.berkeley.ca.us and visit the DAPAC web site

Juliet Lamont, member, Downtown Area Plan Advisory Committee (DAPAC); and vice chair, Sierra Club Bay Chapter. The opinions expressed here are those of the author only; she is not speaking on behalf of the DAPAC.