ABAG Stipulates More Housing and Jobs in Piedmont - 

At the March 19, City Council meeting City Planner Kate Black explained the new housing and jobs allocations for Piedmont that have been designated by the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG).  Based on California’s projected needs, ABAG, the regional planning agency for the nine Bay Area counties, apportions specific requirements for each city and county .  Piedmont has historically struggled with meeting ABAG’s requirements because of the lack of  available sites for businesses, parks and housing.

Despite Piedmont’s limitations as a built-out city with little opportunity to expand, ABAG continues to place demands on the City.  > Click to read more…

The Planning Commission will hold a hearing to discuss potential changes to the City’s Municipal Code and Residential Design Guidelines at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, March 12, in  City Hall Council Chambers. 

This hearing will be the first of several hearings to consider changes to the Code to implement General Plan, Housing Element, and  Climate Action Plan objectives, and recommendations from the Environmental Task Force.   Subjects to be considered include hot water heaters, impermeable  surfaces, artificial turf,  grey water systems and the color of roofs. > Click to read more…

Proposed “Flexibility” in Professional Verification of Pole Placement -

At its upcoming meeting on Monday, March 12, 2012, the Piedmont Planning Commission will consider changes to the current policy on construction of story poles prior to Commission review of proposed projects.  > Click to read more…

Off-street parking space would not be required for new low income second units - 

The Planning Commission will continue discussions on a new second unit ordinance at its meeting on Monday, February 13.  The new law would permit a second unit on any residential parcel in Piedmont without off-street parking as long as low-income rent and size restrictions are met.  Sufficient on-street parking would be necessary in the general vicinity of the location, but not necessarily in front of the house. A variance would no longer be necessary.

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The Recreation Commission on November 16, took up the issue of large groups of primarily adult male soccer players taking over the grassy play space at Beach and Havens.  The games have been noted to start as early as 7:00 a.m.  Typically, the fields are divided in half, allowing four teams to use the space at one time.  By City regulation, the fields cannot be reserved.  The goal has been for casual, drop-in use by neighborhood residents.

Parking, noise, preemption of children’s play, and wear and tear on the fields have presented problems.  The Recreation Commission plans to continue to monitor the issue to see if education will solve the problem or if monitors will need to be present during certain periods.

Public input wanted on new incentives and policy changes -

On Monday, December 12, 2011 the City of Piedmont Planning Commission will hold a hearing to discuss potential changes to the City’s Second Unit ordinances and receive public input.  Changes are being considered to promote extremely-low and low income units and streamline the application process.  > Click to read more…

Group Urges City to Hire Sustainability Coordinator

The following letter was received on November 11, 2011 from a group of Piedmont residents.  NOTE: The City Council passed the Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Policy at its meeting on November 7, 2011. 

Dear City Council,

We’re writing in support of the Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Policy (EPPP) coming before you on Monday, and also to ask that the City place more priority on the issue of greenhouse gas emissions reductions.  Piedmont had a lot to be proud about when the Climate Action Plan (CAP) and Environmental Task Force (ETF) > Click to read more…

City’s Goal  To Streamline Ordinance - 

Among other issues, the Piedmont Planning Commission will consider possible changes to the City’s second unit ordinance at its November 14 meeting, which starts at 5:00 p.m. in City Hall.  The full agenda will be posted on the City’s website  by Friday, November 11. > Click to read more…

Big Changes at MacArthur BART Parking Lot

Piedmonters who drive to the MacArthur BART station for their weekday commute can expect to encounter blocked entrances and a reduced parking lot size, although parking capacity will not decrease.  For the next three months or longer, up to 60% of the parking lot will be closed for the construction of a parking garage.  There will be no access from MacArthur Boulevard or Telegraph Avenue via Apgar Street.  Soon, the only access will be from eastbound 40th Street. 

In order to accommodate the same number of cars in the shrinking lot, only the north end near 40th street will remain self-park.  South of that, BART introduced weekday assisted parking* from 7am to 10pm.   > Click to read more…

Less Costly Ways to Save Home Energy, Solar and Non-Solar

Every year about two dozen Piedmont families install solar panels on their homes.  On Thursday, January 29, 2009, Piedmonters were invited to an event at the Community Hall sponsored by the City.*  Dozens of residents attended the meeting to learn about solar electric panels that could provide an alternative source of energy for their homes. 
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