Planning and Building News:

Nicole Finley

“COVID-19 Vaccine Supply –

Due to a lack of vaccine supply we are currently unable to book appointments for a first vaccination until further notice.”

Announcement by Sutter Health February 11, 2021

CVS pharmacy announced that it is “fully booked” with no vaccine appointments available.

Seniors 75 and over who have spent countless days and hours in search of vaccine appointments within the Oakland area learned later Thursday why they have been unsuccessful in booking appointments with Sutter Health and that CVS appointments filled within hours.

How Many COVID-19 Vaccine Doses in the US?

US Center for Disease Control (CDC) Reports as of 8pm 2/10/2021:

Vaccines  Delivered to Who?

The CDC has not released demographic information on the recipients of the vaccine since January 14, 2021.  During the first month of the U.S. COVID-19 vaccination program, approximately 13,000,000 persons received ≥1 dose of vaccine. Among persons with demographic data, 63.0% were women, 55.0% were aged ≥50 years, and 60.4% were non-Hispanic White.

“The problems around the unfair administration of the vaccine extend beyond individual acts of selfishness, entitlement and obliviousness.”  The definition of teacher and medical worker is stretched beyond reason in such examples as a gym’s 52-year-old spin cycle instructor vaccinated in January.   New York Times Feb. 7, 2021 –

“Survival of the Fittest,” was Chuck Todd’s report on the Feb. 7, 2021 NBC broadcast of Meet the Press of the effect of the vaccination administration.

Those interested in receiving a vaccine are advised to register for notification by numerous programs – pharmacies, health services, county programs, etc.

Students for Solar Launch Event

Students for Solar is a group of twelve PHS and MHS students working to raise the $400,000 needed to put solar panels on the roof of the STEAM building, a newly constructed building at our high school. To find out more see our website: https://greenclubphs.wixsite.com/studentsforsolar

Our event on February 22 will feature speakers Meredith Fowlie, Gabriel Kra, and Josh Posamentier to inform the public on solar energy and climate change. It will also feature a panel of district employees to field any questions about the project.

REGISTER AT: https://pef.schoolauction.net/students4solar/?_ga=2.114284935.1438797767.1612201578-300494272.1612201578

Editors Note:  Students for Solar is a separate organization unaffiliated with the Piedmont Civic Association. 

 PADC + Wellness celebrate Black History Month in Piedmont

The Wellness Center (Piedmont High School) is thrilled to partner with the PADC (Piedmont Appreciating Diversity Committee) to celebrate and honor Black History Month. Last week we held our first of a three series event. Here is a summary of what’s to come.

2/4/21 from 7pm – 8pm: Listen to the following PODCAST ahead of time and come together to discuss reactions: Black History Buff podcast features The Little Rock Nine on Spotify, 27 min. Click HERE to join.

• Wellness Facilitators: Laurie and Amy

2/11/21 from 7pm – 8pm: Self-Care (including self-care through action). Click HERE to join.

• Wellness Facilitators: Emma, Lea, and possibly Jannat

2/25/21 from 7pm – 8pm: Somatic manifestations of generational trauma (including chronic and acute forms of trauma). Click HERE to join.

• Wellness Facilitators: Nic and Jannat

Read a proposed revised Arts Center lease sent to the  Piedmont City Council.

The proposal recommends the City of Piedmont Recreation Department manage 801 Magnolia Avenue with The Piedmont Center for the Arts guaranteed 1,600 hours of free annual usage.  The unallotted time of 2,050 hours would be scheduled by the Recreation Department to fully and inclusively utilize the property for various community and recreation uses. 

Click the Nancy Lehrkind proposed Arts Center lease and petition below.

Art Center Proposal Lehrkind 1282021

Petition – https://www.change.org/piedmontcenter

On February 1, 2021 the Piedmont City Council unanimously approved a second reading of the proposed energy reach codes. Ordinance 750 N.S. amends City Code regarding requirements for energy efficiency measures, photovoltaic systems, and all-electric construction in new or existing low-rise residential buildings. Ordinance 751 N.S. amends City Code to include requirements for the preparation of a Home Energy Audit or Home Energy Score for low-rise residential buildings. City staff initiated the process for adopting the reach codes 18 months ago. Along the way, there have been two public opinion surveys, several workshops, virtual town halls, two City Council meetings, and lots of feedback from community members.

Now that the reach codes have been adopted, what does that mean for residents? The proposed changes can lead to additional requirements during building projects, but not immediately.

Ordinance 750 N.S. will be sent to the California Energy Commission (CEC), where it will verify that the codes are at least as stringent as the California Energy Code. The reach codes are then posted for public comment for 60 days. At the end of the public comment period, CEC will approve or return the codes for edits. Additionally, the reach codes must be sent to the California Building Standards Commission for approval. If both of these commissions approve the reach codes, they will become part of the City’s building code. Ordinance 750 N.S. will go into effect on June 1, 2021. Each project that requires a permit will work with a member of the City’s Planning Department, who will be able to explain the reach code requirements to applicants.

Ordinance 751 N.S. will go into effect on March 3, 2021, which is 30 days after City Council approved the code.

Some of the key components of the reach codes are as follows. More details can be found on the City’s website, or you can talk to a member of the Planning and Building Department when you apply for a permit.

• Newly constructed low-rise residential buildings and new detached ADU’s must use all electric building appliances. No gas lines can be hooked up to these buildings.
• Projects that include an entirely new level or expand the total roof area by 30% or more, must install solar panels on the roof.
• A renovation project on a low-rise residential building that costs $25,000 or more must include an energy efficient insulation or heating system electrification improvement to include in the renovation.
• A renovation project on a low-rise residential building that costs $100,000 or more must include two energy efficient insulation or heating system electrification improvements to include in the renovation.
  • The energy efficient insulation or heating system requirement can be modified with a Home Energy Score of at least a 7 completed in the last five years. This modification is included so homes that have been pursuing energy efficiency measures can be recognized for their efforts.
• An application for an electrical panel upgrade must include capacity in the panel to accommodate future electrification of all appliances in the residence.
• An application for a kitchen or laundry area renovation must include electrical outlets for future appliance installations.
• At point of listing for sale of a property, a report from a Home Energy Audit or Home Energy Score must be provided to potential buyers and submitted to the City.

Notably, many of these requirements will not affect most projects in Piedmont. Approximately, 20-25% of renovation projects cost over $25,000 and only 5% of projects cost more than $100,000.

These reach codes are put in place in order to reduce Piedmont’s natural gas emissions. Over 90% of emissions come from Piedmont residential living units. The reach codes are intended to slow natural gas usage, while still meeting the community standards that were published in the City’s Climate Action Plan. Piedmont is not alone in this initiative. Dozens of municipalities have passed reach codes in California (you can see a map here).

The California Energy Commission’s next update of statewide building codes (Title 24) will be implemented in 2023. Until then, these reach codes will help Piedmont homes become more energy efficient while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

For questions, please contact the planner working on your home renovation, the City’s Planning & Building Director, Kevin Jackson, or the City’s Sustainability Program Manager, Alyssa Dykman. Further educational information and resources will be posted on the City’s website.

Alyssa Dykman, Sustainability Program Manager, City of Piedmont

120 Vista Avenue, Piedmont, CA 94611 (510)420-3058

adykman@piedmont.ca.gov

• Information on regional housing allocation (587 units proposed for Piedmont raising requirements approximately 10 times above the current allocation of 60 units): https://piedmont.ca.gov/common/pages/DisplayFile.aspx?itemId=17393147

Current Piedmont total allocation is 60 by 2023.

https://abag.ca.gov/sites/default/files/2015-2023_rhna_allocations.pdf

The draft proposed 2023 – 2031  Allocations (Piedmont = 587) are “illustrative only” at this point according to the ABAG report:

“These are shown for illustrative purposes only.The ABAG Executive Board and MTC Commission adopted changes to the strategies for the Plan Bay Area 2050 Final Blueprint in September 2020. The changes adopted at that time will affect information about total households in Year 2050 from the Final Blueprint; updated data will be available in December 2020. As this information from the Blueprint is used as the baseline allocation for the proposed RHNA methodology, updates in the Final Blueprint could lead to changes in the ultimate allocations. Data from the Final Blueprint will be integrated into the Draft RHNA Methodology slated for January 2021.ABAG will approve a Final Methodology and issue Draft Allocations in Spring 2021 which will be followed by an appeal period before ABAG issues Final Allocations by the end of 2021. Jurisdiction Housing Elements will be due to HCD by January 2023.”

https://abag.ca.gov/sites/default/files/rhna_methodology_report_2023-2031_finalposting.pdf

•  Piedmont applied for and received Grant funding for assistance with adding new housing units in Piedmont.  Grant compliance is required.  Consideration of County program for new housing units. https://piedmont.ca.gov/common/pages/DisplayFile.aspx?itemId=17393149
• Formation of an Advisory Committee and  an Ad Hoc Committee of the Planning Commission to advise on housing implementation processes. The committees will work with Planning Director Kevin Jackson, Senior Planner Pierce MacDonald-Powell, and consultant Barry Miller.  below:https://piedmont.ca.gov/common/pages/DisplayFile.aspx?itemId=17393141

AGENDA – Monday, February 1, 2021 – Participation information below:

• https://piedmont.ca.gov/UserFiles/Servers/Server_13659739/File/Government/City%20Council/Agenda/council-current-agenda.pdf

Comments may be sent to the City Council at: council@piedmont.ca.gov.

I am writing to urge you to renew the lease for the Piedmont Center for the Arts. In a community that prides itself on promoting culture and the arts in our school curriculum, it seems inconceivable that the city council might not renew the Center’s lease.

Over the years and with countless numbers of tireless volunteers, the Piedmont Center for the Arts has become a venue for world class musical events.  It has enabled our residents to enjoy outstanding concerts without fighting the traffic and parking we face going into San Francisco and Berkeley.   Celebrated musicians from renowned companies have spoken of the venue’s lovely space, its stellar acoustics, and the magnificent Steinway piano.

The Center has become a jewel in the crown that is Piedmont, and it saddens me to think of this almost sacred space being used as a community center.  Do not let this cultural treasure slip away.  Please renew their lease.

Thank you,