Important volunteer positions are to be filled. 

Planning and Park Commission applicant interviews will take place in an open meeting at 5:30 p.m. Monday, November 2, in the Council Conference Room, City Hall.

A number of individuals have indicated their interest in becoming commissioners, 9 applicants for the one Planning Commission position and 3 applicants for the one Park Commission position.  The public is welcome to attend the meeting and provide input to the interview process.

Although not required, in the past certain individuals have been encouraged to apply by either the staff, Council members or community members.  The selection process is designed to be open, allowing all applicants qualified to vote in Piedmont elections an opportunity to be appointed to commissions or committees by the City Council. Staff members reporting to the commissions are typically present and can provide input during the selection process.

The interviews will not be broadcast or recorded.

<<<<<< PCA Looking Back <<<<<<

PCA Reported in October, 1988:

• The View and Tree Preservation Ordinance unanimously approved by the Piedmont City Council at its meeting on September 19, 1988 with a second reading to come October 3;

• The Main Park Final Plan was previewed;

• The City Council appointed 11 member Civic Center Parking Committee held its first meeting on September 27 to consider the resident parking complaints, enforcement, needs and costs of finding additional parking;

• The Capital Improvement Review Committee (CIP) hired California State University at Hayward to conduct a telephone survey of 400 Piedmont homes with copies of the questionnaire available for other residents to complete;

• Resident Perry Kennan asked the City Council if the City is negotiating to purchase a large lot on Moraga Avenue;

• PCA held an election forum on the City parcel tax Measure W with panels debating for and against the measure.

 

PCA journalism is the work of volunteers, devoting a few hours a month to provide a service to our neighbors.

The Piedmont Civic Association (PCA) is open to all Piedmont residents. There are no fees or dues. 

Report on Saturday, October 3rd an informal “brain storming” session in Upper Dracena Park

by Piedmont High School student Elizabeth Docter

EBMUD publishes excessive water users names.

The East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) established an Excessive Water Use Ordinance on April 28, 2015, effective May 29, 2015.  The penalties began as of July 1, 2015 with fines for single family homes consuming more than 1,000 gallons a day. The fine is $2 for each unit or portion of a unit over 80 units (59,840 gallons of water) per billing period (about 60 days). The fines will continue until the drought emergency ends. The bills mailed beginning in September are the first bills that will include the penalties. Excessive water use is a misdemeanor in accordance with California Water Code section 377 and EBMUD has the option to take enforcement actions.

Piedmont has 51 excessive water users. The names were published to encourage water conservation by pointing them out to their neighbors as required by California Public Records Act (Section 6254.16(d) of Government Code 6250-6276.48).

The most excessive user in Piedmont consumed 4363.33 gallons per day. However, 45 of the excessive users recorded in Piedmont were under 2000 gallons per day.

Alamo had 88 excessive water users. The most excessive user in Alamo consumed 8090.87 gallons per day. Orinda had 161 excessive water users. Danville had 211 excessive water users. The most excessive user in Danville consumed 12,578.87 gallons per day. Walnut Creek had 169 excessive water users, with the highest user consuming 5747.13 gallons per day. Lafayette had more than Piedmont but less than 100 excessive water users.

The Proposed Goal was 35 gallons per person per day

Only single family homes are listed and subject to the restrictions. As of April 15, 2015, single family residential customers were expected to limit indoor water consumption to 35 gallons per person per day. This is challenging even low water use customers since the estimated daily water flow per person even with energy flow toilets, faucets and shower heads exceeds the goal without including laundry or the use of a dishwasher.

Read the complete list.

Some of the previous PCA articles on water restrictions:

Rate Increase Hearing

California Water Board Targets

Piedmont Awarded for Developing Many Rent Restricted Second Units for Low and Lowest Income Renters –

The City Council announced with pleasure that it is a recipient of an Award of Merit from the American Planning Association California Chapter (APACC) in the 2014 and 2015 Implementation – Small Jurisdiction category for its Rent-Restricted Second Unit Program. This program is designed to meet the City’s Regional Housing Needs Allocation assigned by the Association of Bay Area Governments, in a way that utilizes Piedmont’s unique housing stock. The award was presented during an APACC conference on Sunday, October 4 at the Oakland City Center Marriott.

The “Implementation: Small Jurisdiction with populations of less than 100,000” award for developing low income housing at a rapid rate is one of more than two dozen award categories recognizing activities in many California cities.

Federal Housing Policy Implemented in Piedmont

The use of second units, also known as “Granny Flats” and “Accessory Dwelling Units,” as affordable housing was a policy that emerged at the beginning of the 1980’s by housing advocates and greenbelt organizations. By 1983 it was an official policy at the Department of Housing and Urban Development in Washington, DC.

How to accomplish this method of affordable housing in single-family zoning was a popular topic at universities, including the Institute of Urban and Regional Development at the University of California at Berkeley, the University of Virginia and elsewhere by 1983.

State Adopted Code to Facilitate Second Units as Affordable Housing

The State of California was quick to pick up on this method of developing affordable housing at no cost to the State–the expense and management responsibilities are handed over to the homeowners. (see Government Code Section 65583.1(a) amended in 2003 and 2010) As all levels of government pounced on the idea of housing production without any public funds, Piedmont also began dealing with the issue of second units in the mid-1980’s. Now, our City Council is thrilled to be commended for actually producing a large number of second units at a rapid pace.

Second units in Piedmont have been created by converting the basements of existing houses, adding an extension behind an existing house, converting an existing garage, or constructing an entirely new building. The accelerated development of second units over the past few years was accomplished through an active advocacy program by City staff that encouraged homeowners who were planning home renovations to consider adding a rent restricted or affordable second unit.

When variances are given for low income units, rent restrictions are required for a period of 10 years, after which units can be rented at market rates.  Any variances, such as parking requirements, continue after the ten year period. Piedmont has proactively given variances for rent restricted units in order to supply low income housing and meet regional housing goals. 

Important positions are open to applicants.

Resignations on the Park Commission and Planning Commission have created openings for the unexpired terms of two commissioners.

Park Commissioner Nancy Kent resigned to assume  her new Piedmont salaried employment, filling soon-to-retire Mark Feldkamp’s position as Parks and Project Manager in the Public Works Department.  She will be the primary staff member to the Park Commission.

Planning Commissioner Louise Simpson resigned because she no longer resides in Piedmont and is no longer a qualified Piedmont elector.

Applicants will be applying for unexpired terms which end in March 2016. 

Park Commission 1 Vacancy – 0 Incumbent

Planning Commission 1 Vacancy – 0 Incumbent: The current alternate commissioner may apply to become a full member of the Planning Commission.

Municipal Code:

SEC. 25.2 PLANNING COMMISSION COMPOSITION; REGULAR MEETINGS There is hereby established a planning commission consisting of five (5) members. The commission shall meet on the second Monday of each month. (Ord. No. 395 N.S., ‘3)

SEC. 25.3 POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION It shall be the duty of the planning commission to investigate and make recommendations to the City Council concerning real property, subdivisions, lot building restrictions, planning and zoning matters as may be in the best interest of the City, and to grant or disapprove design review and variance applications. In addition, the commission shall have the following powers and duties: (a) To consider and make recommendations to the Council on matters affecting the design and aesthetics of buildings, structures and other improvements within the City; (b) To consider and make recommendations to the Council regarding methods of encouraging and promoting good design in construction within the City in order to maintain the high quality of aesthetic values which make the City unique.

Monthly Planning Commission commitment includes the regular commission meetings, preparation for the meetings by reading and studying all submitted materials, and visits to application sites amounting to seven or more hours.

SEC. 25.4 PARK COMMISSION COMPOSITION; REGULAR MEETINGS There is hereby established a park commission consisting of seven (7) members. The commission shall meet at regular times normally once each month.

POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE PARK COMMISSION The park commission shall have the following powers and duties: (a) To consider and make recommendations to the Council on matters affecting the beautification, planting, litter control, development, uses, acquisition and disposal and maintenance of all parks, park improvements, park memorials, street trees, parking strips (i.e., the portion of the street right-of-way between the sidewalk and curb) and other planted areas owned or controlled by the City. (b) To consider and make recommendations to the Council concerning proposed solutions to those additional matters which appropriately may be referred to the commission by the Council; or which, relating to the beautification of the matters referred to in subsection (a) hereof, may be investigated by the commission on its own motion.

Monthly Park Commission commitment starts at 4 hours.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

City Code – SEC. 25.8 QUALIFICATIONS AND APPOINTMENT OF COMMISSION MEMBERS

Commission members shall be qualified electors of the City and not otherwise serving the City in an elective or salaried capacity.

Members of commissions shall be appointed by majority vote of the Council to serve three-year (3-year) terms, and until their respective successors are appointed, with no person serving more than two consecutive terms of office. Terms of office shall commence on April 1 and terminate on March 31, and will be staggered by resolution of the Council. Commission members may be removed after hearing by the affirmative vote of four (4) members of the Council. If a member of a commission is absent from three (3) consecutive regular meetings of such commission, unless by permission of such body expressed in its official meeting record or by permission of the Council, that office shall become vacant and shall be so declared by the Council. Vacancies shall be filled for any unexpired term in the same manner as the original appointments were made. Any person who serves as a member of a commission for more than eighteen (18) months of an unexpired term shall be considered to have served a full term of office. (Ord. No. 395 N.S., ’11)

>>>>>>> Application form.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Qualified electors of the City who are interested must complete and return the application form on or before the posted deadline of Tuesday, October 27, 2015. Postmarks will not be accepted. Applications are also available from the office of the City Clerk, John Tulloch, at Piedmont City Hall, 120 Vista Avenue, Piedmont, by telephone (510) 420-3040 or by visiting the city’s website at www.ci.piedmont.ca.us.

All applicants must be available for an interview with the City Council on Monday, November 2, 2015, at which time appointments will be made.

The interview meeting on Monday, November 2, 2015, is open to the public.   The meeting will likely be held in the City Council Conference Room. There will be no recordings or broadcast of the interviews.  The interviews are expected to be held prior to the regular Council meeting.

Applicants’ elector qualification will be verified by the City.

 

The Planning Commission will hold another hearing to discuss short term rentals on October 12 in the City Hall Council Chambers. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m., however the short term rental issue has been placed at the end of the agenda.  Those wanting to know the anticipated time of the hearing can inquire of Planning Director Kate Black.

At the Monday, September 21st Council meeting, City staff presented options for prohibiting or regulating AirBnB type rentals for consideration by the City Council. (Read the staff report here.)

• Prohibit short-term rental of the 18 Second Units developed as low income housing. Staff strongly encourages the Council to adopt this provision, pointing out that the imposed rent restrictions would limit the AirBnB rate to $25 (very low income units) to $35 (low income units) per night for the units, before AirBnB takes its cut.
• Prohibit short-term rental of the 110 approved Second Units, which are not rent restricted. Staff notes that few are rented. Instead they are used as guest quarters or a home office.
• Prohibit short-term rental of the 66 apartments in Piedmont.
• No regulation of Home Swaps.
• Prohibit or regulate with standards short-term rental of rooms in a house. If allowed, the number of allowed rental days per year could be limited.
• Allow vacation rentals of whole houses with restrictions, perhaps limiting the number of allowed rental days per year.

The Piedmont City Council referred several questions back to the Planning Commission for further recommendations: whether home shares or vacation rentals should be permitted in Piedmont; if so, how should they be regulated; and how to enforce any regulations.

Excerpts from the draft minutes of the September 21, 2015, Council meeting:

Planning Director Kate Black noted that the regulatory environment regarding short term rentals has changed significantly since March and many cities are struggling with the issue. She reviewed regulations that have been passed or are being considered by other cities, noting all cities are facing the same issues: how to ensure short term rentals cause the least amount of disruption to nearby neighborhoods; ensuring that taxes are collected from each legal short term rental; how to address safety, indemnification, and notification; and how to enforce compliance.

The Council discussed the following issues – clarifying the landlord/tenant relationship with regard to subleasing; not turning rooms into commercial enterprises; that the City is not a destination location; neighborhoods being informed of rentals; and addressing this emerging economy. In addition, a Councilmember discussed prohibiting whole house rentals for more than 30 days as they could have deleterious effects on neighborhood’s quality of life.

The Council agreed on the following aspects of regulating Short Term Rentals:

1) No Second Units or apartments should be allowed as short term rentals so as to not jeopardize the existing low income housing stock and 2) Home swaps should not be regulated.

The Council referred the following items to the Planning Commission for a recommendation:

1) Whether home shares and/or vacation rentals should be permitted and if so, how they should be regulated; 2) How any enforcement of said regulations would be accomplished, including: i) Whether permits for short term rentals would be ministerial or discretionary (with neighbor notice). ii) How inspections of units should be addressed. iii) How any regulations should be enforced, including the amount of staff time devoted to enforcement as well as the cost. iv) Whether short term rentals should be limited to a certain number of days per year. v) Whether tenants should be allowed to sublet. vi) How taxes and fees should be addressed.

Residents are encouraged to attend the meeting and express their opinions and ideas. The Planning Commission hearing will be available live on KCOM, cable 27 or by logging on to the city’s website at www.ci.piedmont.ca.us

If you have any questions or comments, please call Planning Director Kate Black at (510) 420-3063 or email her         at kblack@ci.piedmont.ca.us . 

Written comments may be sent to: Planning Commission, 120 Vista Avenue, Piedmont, CA 94611 or by email to: kblack@ci.piedmont.ca.us

Planning Commission Agenda

View the Video of the September 21, 2015 City Council Hearing . 

Read the minutes of the September 21 Council meeting here.

Meeting Saturday, October 3 from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. in the upper area of Dracena Park next to Dracena Avenue – 

The Park Commission and Public Works staff will host an initial meeting with Piedmont residents, community members and all stakeholders to discuss a proposed change to the existing off-leash area located on Dracena Avenue.

The meeting is noted as a “brain storming” session to open discussion including restricted dog use of the grassy area at the top of the park, signage, neighborhood concerns, dog use hours, off leash fines, etc. An Animal Control officer will be in attendance to provide information and answer questions.

The informal meeting is to gather input on the issues and options going forward.  No decisions will be made at this meeting and additional fact-finding meetings may be held prior to a public hearing in November.  Send written comments to the Park Commission at mfeldkamp@ci.piedmont.ca.us or for further information contact Mark Feldkamp at 420-3064.

Piedmont resident Cisco DeVries will be the featured speaker at the Tuesday, October 6 Home Energy and Water Conservation Symposium at the Middle School library. DeVries earned an MPP from the Goldman School of Public Policy at the University of California, Berkeley and a BA from UC San Diego and is the co-founder and CEO of Renew Financial.

Renew Financial provides financing to homeowners for 100% of solar installations, super storage batteries or other home ecological project costs. The loans can be repaid over up to 25 years, expecting the project induced savings to offset the monthly repayment.

The October 6 symposium is sponsored by Piedmont Connect, Piedmont Middle School Green Team, and the League of Women Voters Piedmont.

Home Energy and Water Conservation Symposium

Piedmont Middle School Library

Tuesday, October 6, 7 – 9:30 pm

7 pm Keynote Speaker

Cisco DeVries, President & CEO of Renew Financial presents financing options and new developments.

7:30 – 8:10 pm, 8:15 – 8:55 pm  attend 40- minute presentations:

Solar Energy presented by Mel Burns, Domino, and Pete Shoemaker, Renewables Program Coordinator at PG&E Pacific Energy Center.

OR

Energy Upgrade Home Performance Speakers: Royal Huey, Green Pro Network and contractors.

OR

Water Conservation: Speaker: Tony Madrone,  Indra Designs.

9 – 9:30 pm Question and Answer Period

More details available at Piedmont Connect

City staff prepared options for prohibiting or regulating AirBnB rentals for consideration by the City Council on Monday, September 21.

• Prohibit short-term rental of the 18 Second Units developed as low income housing. Staff strongly encourages the Council to adopt this provision, pointing out that the imposed rent restrictions would limit the AirBnB rate to $25 (very low income units) to $35 (low income units) per night for the units, before AirBnB takes its cut.
• Prohibit short-term rental of the 110 approved Second Units, which are not rent restricted. Staff notes that few are rented. Instead they are used as guest quarters or a home office.
• Prohibit short-term rental of the 66 apartments in Piedmont.
• No regulation of Home Swaps.
• Prohibit or regulate with standards short-term rental of rooms in a house. If allowed, the number of allowed rental days per year could be limited.
• Allow vacation rentals of whole houses with restrictions, perhaps limiting the number of allowed rental days per year.

Read the staff report here.