I say maybe

I think these large structure along the main arterial roads are OK for Berkeley. My concerns are
1-Only 48 parking commerical spaces? - seems a small amount, Safeway and Andronico's have more and are often full. Will this be a small Trader Joes? I think more commercial parking spaces would be usefull and would reduce parking issues with neighbors.
2.- Building rear should be stepped down to match neighborhood heights.
3. The front of these current buildings in Berkeley look OK/nice, the rear is often poor - looking like a prison or factory. The Neighbors look at the rear - what does it look like - this view is missing? Request the board review this before agreeing.
Thank you
Alastair MacDowell
1836 Delaware St.

I say maybe

Needs more parking. Not even one spot per unit, and not enough to support TJ alone.

I say maybe

I wonder if it would be possible to set up satellite parking a few blocks away from the Univ/MLK intersection (preferably to the west on Univ. but maybe to the east, where UC Theater was). That way, the bulk of the traffic headed for TJs might not even come near the Univ/MLK intersection. A satellite lot would also give TJs more than the handful of parking spots designated in the proposal. There are, of course, parking garages nearby, but people wouldn't want to pay to go to TJs. The satellite lot should be free to TJs customers and available only to them. Just a thought...

I say maybe

I have no problem with a Trader Joes but this project has to provide parking for not only the people who will live above it and the TJ's customers but also the employees.

We saw this very problem a block away when a developer was allowed to put in a large building on our corner (University & Grant). He put in parking for most of the residents but made no allowance for the 40 or so people that work in the first floor commercial space. Consequently, our street is constantly jammed with their cars all day. When they leave around 5 or 6, the spaces are immediately taken by the customers of the Italian restaurant on the same corner.

Our block of Grant between University and Berkeley Way is a row of small bungalows without driveways or garages. Without some accomodation for Trader Joes employees, this situation is going to become intolerable.

M. Tani

I say maybe

I like the idea of Trader Joe's, I like the parking lot below the building but why do we need 14,000 sq ft of retail when University Avenue is full of empty retail buildings? As for the driving, I can think of a few alternatives for those healthy and young enough to use them....

I say maybe

I'd definitely vote "yes" if the traffic concerns of the people living in that neighborhood can be addressed satisfactorily.

I say maybe

If truly adequate parking is provided for both residents and shoppers. Berkeley id woefully short of adequate parking for both. Why anyone would want to open a business here is unbelievable. The city makes it too hard on everyone.

I say maybe

A TJ's in Berkeley is a big plus. However, the apartment component is too big, too bulky, too high. The design ought to include more open space and certainly not go straight to the sidewalk.
The developers will no doubt plead that if the design were smaller, they will not make the profit they want.
It's a quality of life issue. Take another look at the Action/University sardine can. It just adds to urban angst, does nothing to mitigate it.

I say maybe

I would generally favor the project as an important boost to downtown housing and commerce. But I'm not yet convinced that traffic mitigation would be sufficient to take care of what appears to be potential traffic gridlock during the business hours of this popular store.

I say maybe

I like the idea of a TJ's in town, however, I have to say maybe here, not a whole-hearted yes. There are two big issues for me, one, the proposed building is way too tall, 5 stories no way, it would be totally out of place in that neighborhood, maybe 3 stories max, I had heard that no new construction over two stories was allowed in Berkeley? Must be a myth.

Second, although I live within walking distance, MORE PARKING (at least double what is proposed) for commercial customers and/or LESS parking for residents (presumably people who would choose to live in a commercial/residential building would be inclined to use public transit which is in fact very close to this location -bus/bart- and not have to own a car) for this development would make me say a yes. I see parking enforcement as a probable issue- I bet that people visiting friends/family in the residential units will take up shopping (30 min-1 hr endeavor) spaces- is enforcement possible, and who would pay for it?

Parking is a problem all over Berkeley, and the more new commercial "stuff" that comes in without enough parking just makes the city-wide problem worse. As an example, I have not been to Berkeley Bowl in at least 5 years due to the parking nightmare there, and I would hate to not get to go to Trader Joe's in Berkeley due to lack of parking, and end up driving to El Cerrito anyhow.

I say maybe

I shop at Trader Joe's a lot and would love to have one in my neighborhood (I live on McGee and Hearst, about four blocks from University and MLK); however, I do not want a five-story building at that location. I do not want Berkeley to become a taller city on the outskirts of the downtown area. Anything below MLK, such as this Trader Joe's, should be four stories at a maximum.

A five-story building at University and MLK will ruin the look and feel of our community, as well as contributing to the encroaching trend of turning the University Avenue neighborhood into a much more built-up, dense, crowded, frantic and dark area (yes, tall buildings decrease the light!). We live in Berkeley as an alternative to the gray concrete highrise coldness of a city. To allow more tall buildings on University Avenue will reduce our enjoyment of the low-rise, green, neighborly, low-key community environment we are entitled to as Berkeley residents and taxpayers. So while I favor a new building and a Trader Joe's at University and MLK, I am very much against a five-story building, and I hope that we have a choice in this matter.

I say maybe

I'd support this project and others like it if real actions were taken to allieve parking and traffic issues in these neighborhoods.

Why not expand the city carshare program and support the use of new electric vehicles like the Tango. Go to www.commutercars.com. The T-600 is now available for a whopping $100,000. Sales of these cars will go into starting up mass-production of the similar T-100 electric car for a far more affordable price of under $20,000.

I'm not in any way affiliated with Commuter Cars, but can't wait 'til the day I can buy one of my own. Would love to see Berkeley use their mojo to make something like this happen!

I say maybe