{"id":134,"date":"2009-05-15T04:20:00","date_gmt":"2009-05-15T04:20:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/terragrafix.com\/blog\/?p=134"},"modified":"2009-05-15T04:20:00","modified_gmt":"2009-05-15T04:20:00","slug":"city-council-poised-to-grant-2-5-million-in-taxpayer-money-to-wealthy-developer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.thesecretnewsonline.com\/?p=134","title":{"rendered":"City Council Poised to Grant $2.5 Million in Taxpayer Money to Wealthy Developer"},"content":{"rendered":"


Edited version of email message from Council Member John Fricke, sent to residents Thursday, May 14<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

At the upcoming City Council meeting on Tuesday, May 20, the Council is poised to grant $2.5 million in taxpayer money to a developer (Wareham Development) to construct a 58-foot office building on the northeast corner of Hollis and Powell streets (next to the Elevation 22 residential complex).<\/p>\n

I will vote no because:
(1) we should stop giving millions of dollars in taxpayer money to developers
(2) the project violates the city\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s zoning ordinance (the developer is asking to exceed the height limit)
(3) an appeal filed by residents of Elevation 22 objecting to the project is still pending
(4) the project will not be required to adopt policies that would reduce the use of single-occupant vehicles<\/p>\n

Elevation 22 residents object to the planning commission\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s approval of the project on a number of grounds, including the excessive height of the proposed building. Residents are also concerned about noise expected from equipment on the roof of the building (they have complained of incessant noise coming from the roof of an existing office building across the street that was constructed by the same developer).<\/p>\n

The city staff report implies that if the city doesn’t grant Wareham millions of dollars in subsidies, the project won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t happen. The City Council majority embraces this assumption. This project is yet another example of the Council granting millions in taxpayer money without demanding any concrete benefits in return.<\/p>\n

I believe the developer would construct the project without the subsidy. However, if Wareham decides it will not do the project without the subsidy, then we should wait until the market improves — and see what happens. Once the economy recovers, the project can likely occur without a subsidy.<\/p>\n

(The staff report on this project is not yet available on the city\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s website. But whenever its posted, one can access staff reports at
http:\/\/www.ci.emeryville.ca.us\/media\/ )<\/p>\n

Whenever new development projects seek City Council approval, I call for a condition of approval that the project charge for parking, commonly called unbundled parking. I also seek to require that each resident and\/or employee associated with the project receive a free AC Transit bus pass. Bulk passes can be purchased for far less than the cost of one bus pass. These and other policies (such as requiring car-share cars) seek to reduce single-occupant vehicle use and encourage public transit use, bicycling, and walking. None of the other Council members has supported these conditions, including for the project to be considered on Tuesday.<\/p>\n

I receive many responses to my broadcast email messages. Some of the responses I receive seem to be addressed to a larger audience. I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have a blog on my web page that can receive such messages, but I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m trying something new with this message.<\/p>\n

By clicking on the “comment” link at the end of this story, you can post your comment for others to read.<\/p>\n

Speaking of reducing single-occupant vehicles . . .<\/p>\n

Happy Bike to Work Day!

<\/a>www.johnfricke.com\/BikeToWorkDay14may2009a.jpg<\/a>
www.johnfricke.com\/BikeToWorkDay14may2009b.jpg
<\/a>
The woman on the right is none other than Alameda County\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Bike Commuter of the Year, Laura McCamy! Laura lives in Emeryville. Here\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s more information about Laura:

http:\/\/btwd.bayareabikes.org\/node\/102<\/a><\/p>\n

Best,<\/p>\n

John<\/p>\n

John Fricke
1057 43rd Street
Emeryville, CA 94608<\/p>\n

510\/601-8846<\/p>\n

jfricke@JohnFricke.com<\/p>\n

www.JohnFricke.com<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n