This modest expansion maintains the architectural charm and human scale of the traditional Elmwood shopping district. It adds just four residential units, unobtrusively set back from the streetscape. It provides storage space crucial for viable operation of this independent, locally owned hardware store that has served the neighborhood so well. Keep needed neighborhood services within walking distance; it's good for health and good for the earth.

I have lived in the Elmwood since I was six years old. I am now 58. I have been going to the hardware store all of this time. Having a local hardware store keeps me out of my car to pick up that miscellaneous screw or that necessary plumbing tee. This is an important store for a real business district. While I enjoy our restaurants and clothing stores, I believe, we also need real service stores in the mix. Please join me and support Tad Laird in his project. I think it will be overall a positive addition to our College Ave retail life.

Michael Grove

My concern is that there are no guaruntees that the owner will remain in business with the Hardware store, thus we cannot evaulate the two business opportunites (hardware and housing unit rentals) as combined.

On its own, Hardware is apparently not enough of a viable business at this location. As a community member, I favor having a hardware store like most of my neighbors do, but all that is just principal (as would be any vote cast on that basis since we apparently wander over to the store for the occoassion light bulb only). Clearly, not enough people are truly willing to back it up by opening their wallets enough to actually make the hardware store a viable business, so those who want in in the neighborhood are not really willing or enough in number to support it economically. Ultimately, economic forces will win out and it will close. Again, there is no reason or guaruntee that this owner will stay in business.

The question for me is thus reduced to...should anyone be allowed to build 4 units on the strip, period. In my opinion, I think that would depend on the zoning. If the city plan is truly a reflection of the pluralistic aspirations of the people in the city, then there is reason for not allowing such use. A variance should only be granted if economic hardship is proven, or if there is reason to believe a deviation from the permitted use is in the publics best interest. Does this really qualify for either? Will these owners truly starve, or if this was in the publics best interest, wouldn't our money do the talking?

I am concerned we will wind up with 4 housing units, no Hardware store, and other existing businesses lining up to add residential units too. A tone will be set. I can just see all the construction and disparate development eveolve. We may very well lose the charm of our little strip as well as the Hardware store!

Elmwood Hardware is an anchor business in the neighborhood. Adding 4 housing units at this location makes great sense and will help insure that the neighborhood will enjoy the benefits of this wonderful, family-owned hardware store in the future.

Chip Harley

Oh, please, anything to keep Bolfing's a profitable going concern. We used to have a bookstore on the street - remember? Tad needs room for more varied inventory, and he has to fund the renovation of the store somehow.

We need more housing too, right? I'm not quite sure about the wisdom of getting into the business of being a landlord in Berkeley, but if Tad thinks the revenue will keep him afloat and he'll have time to run the store in between confrontations with the Rent Board, more power to him.

Finally, buildings need a major tune up every hundred years or so, and like most of the storefronts in the Elmwood, the Bolfing's building will do better, and look better, with some deep renovation. There is no way to justify the capital invested in such renovation, however, if the end result is to be nothing more than good old Bolfing's.

I think that it's a good idea to keep the hardware store in this neighborhood, and that the proposed changes could improve the neighborhood's atmosphere.

It seems important that the plans include off-street parking for the apartments; I would also support the proposal more strongly if it required fewer variances--e.g., if the proposed height were reduced slightly, and/or the proposed number of floors reduced to 2.

1) The roofline will be enhanced by the set-back upper story of apartments. 2)I shop at Elmwood Hdwr. and I know their business is currently not profitable; they need the expanded storage and rent income. 3) Adding apartments at this location -on the 51 bus line, close to BART, close to UC campus- supports the ecological concept of urban infill.

Elmwood Hardware is a significant member of the local community. They are decent people who provide an invaluable service. Closing this business would, in my opinion, significantlyu damage the conmmunity.

The variance they request can only benefit the community as a whole. Communities that integrate business and residence make each better.

It is difficult to understand regulatory resistance to this proposal, and it would be difficult to accept as final any such regulatory decision.

yes, they are an asset to the neighborhood!!!

If Elmwood Hardware is not able to go ahead with this plan the store will most likely have to close. This is one of the most useful and helpful stores in the area. Good hardware stores are an asset to a neighborhood and difficult to find. We don't want another restaurant or clothes shop -- there are plenty of them already. Vote yes for its survival. Tracey Taylor

Elmwood cannot stay a sleepy country crossroads much longer. We need more housing and we need a better stocked hardware store in this area.

The arguments against this got me thinking

I have shopped at the Hardware Store since 1960's and have to now, driven there to find just what I needed or at least get a friendly reply where something I needed could be located. It is always a disaster to see/hear of something so good be lost...this is a MUST keep !!!

This is a great project - to further enhance an already great neighborhood. Support locally owned business and new housing.

Elmwood businesses need a more dense population base. This is right on two major streets, Ashby and College, and is a short bus ride from BART.

Berkeley needs more housing. The store is located five feet from a bus stop so it's convenient for the tenant. This would be an ideal place for anyone associated with the University and/or who works along bus line #51.

The planned expansion of the store and added housing are aesthetically superior to what exists! They add character and charm while meeting neighborhood needs for a hardware store and more housing......go for it!

These are difficult economic times as it is; we are grateful to have the hardware store stay in business in our community. To punish the new owner, whose roots in the community are not as deep as the previous owner, for wanting to stay in business, provide jobs and products for residents, and for making a decent living, is not very charitable, to say the least. Let's keep the neighborhood intact, and provide more housing in our town for people who prefer not to commute long distances, and foul the planet with automotive emissions!

It seems the owner has done everything humanly possible for a small business to try and meet Berkeley's concerns. If you wonder why many communities have nothing left but big box chains, imposing such onerous time and money requirements on small business is part of the problem. Let's minimize the impediments and recognize that the proposed modifications add to the community in many ways.

I'm biased because I work at Elmwood Hardware...but what can I say? I'm a first year college student at U.C. Berkeley and started the school year looking for a reliable job. And I'm so glad I was hired at Bolfing's.

I've seen so many people come into the store with questions that don't seem to have answers, and somehow, Tad (or one of the other employees) come up with the perfect one. I was taught that the more customer service the better, and I've seen many happy and relieved customers. It would be irresponsible and selfish to take such an entity away from the people of Berkeley.

The need for variances is neither a "commercial/non-commercial business issue" nor a threat to the rest of the Elmwood district. It is simply a small business owner's desire to save the friendly, personable, helpful hardware store that he grew up with...and that Berkeley residents have grown up with for 80 years.

Another boutique is an okay option, but why add more boutiques at the cost of a store that causes it's customers to learn more about their own abilities. What ever happened to "fix it yourself" and self reliance?

Elmwood Hardware should be able to update. For Berkeley, and for a modern take on old fashioned customer service and self-dependency. I'm shouting a yes, and will continue to.