I say no

To those in Claremont/Elmwood neighborhood who voted YES for this project, and to their Councilmember Wozniac, who suggested the question to Kitchen Democracy:
How would you vote if the tables were turned so this project was to be at College and Ashby, on the same northwest side of College, same five stories, same mixed-use built over entire site and parking log, with no tenant amenities, frequent daily delivery trucks

I say no

Maybe they should put one in in Claremont? Maybe in a less residential area? Maybe an area that could use a boost. Maybe none at all?

I live in this area. There are houses right next to this site. I would ask people to consider if they would want this next to their residences.

There is a Trader Joe's in Emeryville. There is one in El Cerrito. Both in large shopping centers. We don't need one here. You could get on your bike, drive or use public transit to one of the other ones.

Traffic would be worse, parking would be worse, large trucks, congestion, etc. Not a nice addition to the neighborhood. This area is commercial enough

I say no

I live on Grant street around the corner from this location. While I support the concept of mixed use developments and the need for affordable housing and smart manageable commercial businesses -I am not in favor of this project as it currently is defined. The building in its current form is overly prescribed in terms of size and density (height and bulk). The developers have done a half hearted job at stepping down the North side of the building into the neighborhood and what they have proposed was not from the goodness of their heart but the continued perseverance of the neighbors to get some relief from the mass. It's still pretty shabby. In the forseeable future there will not be any buildings built on the other 3 corners (2-3 story bldgs already exist plus the gas station) of this magnitude to counterbalance the bulk that this bldg brings to bear. That alone in terms of cityscape design makes this unbearable to think about. This building should have at least 1 floor removed if not 2 -- to at least make it a reasonable fit with the neighborhood. Big isn't always better. While the developers sing the virtues of this building -- and the demographics of the people who they are hoping to attract as tennants -- have they ever indicated it's a building they would live in? Hard to imagine.
Parking and Traffic. For the residents alone there are 148 units and only 109 parking spots. At a minimum this building should have at least 1 spot per unit. By not having spots maybe that will detract car owners from renting, but in Berkeley you have to manage for the worst case under conditions like this kind of development (everyone will have a car even if they are committed to public transportation). I own a car and I use public transit extensively -- With that in mind consider this those renting one bedrooms may have couples in it (1 or 2 cars). Some 2 bedrooms may rent to 2-3 people (1 or 2 cars) --you do the math -- it aint gonna work when you add it up with only 109 spots. The neighborhood now competes with itself already in terms of parking -- this building will be 'the tipping point' in the wrong direction. As far as the parking for Trader Joes -it's a joke. Cars will be lined up in either direction of MLK (and generating more backup - wait till everyone is trying to get home at 6 p.m.) waiting to enter. What's worse is it's all getting funneled into and out of Berkeley Way. I've suggested the entrance be moved to the University side and there is lame explanations as to why it can't be done.. There's always solutions, it would require more development and money to do it. So instead the neighbors had to also fight to build a traffic barrier just to protect the neighborhood so cars won't be driving through this tiny street. What bonafide grocery store chain has only one entance/exit to their store. It's a poor design which is why this location is a bad spot for TJ's. Even the people who voted 'yes' on this website for TJ's have expressed their concern for the lack parking. They know what it's like going to the other TJ's --

I think there could be alot done to make this building a better fit in the neighboorhood. Unfortunately I fear that the ZAB is on par with a 'stay the course' mentality and the tatics of the developer have placed the committee in a position that no one will stand up to support the neighborhood and vote no.

Sadly what will end up happening -- KPFA will have to start providing traffic reports on the TJ's parking status (they'll be able to see it first hand) and issue a red alert warning to drivers planning to stop there. And like those traffic signs that you see driving towards SF letting you know how much time it will take-- those will need to be placed at least 5 blocks in each direction...

I say no

This project is very badly suited to the suggested area. A five story building does not suit the quiet charm of the existing neighborhood. The excessive traffic is of great concern. The parking is not suffiecient for the many stories of residents. Too little parking is planned for a large store like the projected trader joes.

I say no

48 Parking spaces is not enough for a Trader Joe's , not to mention the 157 cars pouring out of the basement lot from the closet sized apartments. This breaks zoning laws, puts stress on the local parking and an already busy intersection. It makes Berkeley look ugly, and will increase pollution. I wouldn't mind a Trader Joe's but this is not the way it should be done!!!

I love Berkeley and I don't want it to look like El Cerrito or Emeryville. If the Board approves this they might as well let a Walmart move onto Shattuck.

I say no

This all comes down to one simple issue. Is it reasonable to sacrifice the well-being of one neighborhood to increase tax revenues for the rest of us? Clearly, that’s unethical, but that doesn’t seem to bother some people. They need a reason based on self-interest. Here’s one: those 48 parking spaces for Trader Joe’s are not nearly enough to keep lines of cars from obstructing traffic on MLK. This will produce gridlock when combined with the residential traffic from this immense building, which is way too large for the neighborhood. The result will be more cars moving over to Milvia and Shattuck, where they will compete with the bicycles, pedestrians, and buses, thus congesting the “Heart of Berkeley.” But by then, the developers will have moved onto another neighborhood, hoping that nobody will speak up for it, either.

I say no

we have 4 Adronico's and 1 Safeway 5 minutes apart of one another and only one kragen in all of berkeley and i know that it will cause a huge problem with traffic in the downtown area. It will be horrible to live next to a store that will get delivery's at 11:00 pm cause i live next to the one in El Cerrito. we should keep the Kragen and build the complex on top with space for small buisnesses. I also know that trader joes sells alcohol and the city said they wont give anymore licenses for alcohol and that would be unfair to the buisnesses who applied for them in the past which were probally rejected. put the trader joes on 4th street where freeway is because their is more space and it causes less traffic and it is easy access to the freeway

thanks for listening to this idea,
Fred's Market

I say no

We don't need a big-chain, non-union grocery store when two large, locally-owned grocery stores are within walking distance (and along major bus routes)--Andronico's has stores on University Ave. and on Shattuck Ave. (with headquarters in Albany). In addition, a bit further up Shattuck is Safeway. All of these large grocery stores are within walking distance of this proposed development.

I say no

The format for this site -- vote for or against -- seems to me to be limiting the possibilities for dialog. There are at least 4 choices for our community:

* No new building -- Hudson/McDonald has already applied for a use permit for a grocery store in the current building. Trader Joe's could be there in a matter of months.

* The "deemed complete" project -- mostly housing with a tiny store at University and MLK. Trader Joe's could rent the Eddy Bauer space really in the downtown right at the BART station.

* The substitute project -- This is scheduled for a vote Dec. 14. I assume this is what people are voting on with Kitchen Democracy.

* A scaled down version of the substitute project that fits the zoning ordinance -- The city staff has calculated that Hudson/McDonald is asking for 25 units more than the zoning allows. They say the project gets 91 units by city zoning or 123 units after the state density bonus which leaves them 25 units short of the 148 units in the substitute project. This version would fit in a 5 floor building on University Ave. and a 3 floor building on Berkeley Way.

In the interest of dialog, I'd like to respond to some of the comments.

"We need more taxpayers to share the load."

* Sales tax is main tax the city gets from retail. Pretty much only the liquor is taxed at a grocery store. At Kragen everything is taxed.

* The development is owned by a corporation. Since shares in a corporation can be sold to an entirely different group of people without the corporation officially selling the building, proposition 13 will forever restrict the increase in property taxes and there will never be any transfer taxes for the city.

* The additional residents and shoppers will need city services. A grocery store may need more services than it can cover in taxes.

"more diversity to the food available"
"lots of foot traffic and public transportation"
"big project just where it belongs. Downtown"
"We need to fill in the core of the city"

* The Eddy Bauer site has more foot traffic and a BART station across the street. This isn't the only possible place in Berkeley for Trader Joe's.

* This lot isn't in the downtown. It's zoned C-1 like every commercial district in Berkeley except downtown.

"local retailers are simply too expensive"

* Is Berkeley Bowl too expensive?

"If I owned a small business, I'd love to have a Trader Joe's open up next door (or for that matter, an Ifshin Violin, Forrest Music or Cody's Books)"

* You might not like it if there were never any parking spaces for your customers.

"maybe it will get the city to invest in public transportation infrastructure"

* Who's going to pay?

"Do they prefer a failing strip commercial drive up mini-mall?"

* It wasn't failing until the developers started evicting sales tax generating businesses.

"Curitiba has such a good frequent well-used transit that 70% on their total trips are via transit, BUSES!"

* Roy, you're right. Three paragraphs later you also say why it won't happen in California: "However, we do the opposite by using more general funds for transportation which everyone pays i.e. regressive local sales tax, and Bonds (Prop 1B) and even limiting sales tax on fuel (Prop 1A)" AC Transit is cutting service, reducing the number of bus stops, and increasing fares.

"Pretty much the height of absurdity to deny a commercial permit in a commercial district."

* We aren't asking the city to deny a project -- just this project. It's more than the zoning allows. It's going to be a traffic and parking nightmare. The zoning allows 123 units of housing above a floor of commercial. That would be a 5 floor building on University Ave. and a 3 floor building on Berkeley Way. If the commercial parking entrance is on University Ave., the lowest point on the lot, the Berkeley Way side could be 5 ft. (1/2 floor) lower. It would fit much better with the surrounding residential neighborhood and accomplish the goals of most of the people who have voted in support of the project on Kitchen Democracy.

I say no

Terrible location considering traffic levels generated by Trader Joe's. How about at the South Berkeley or North Berkeley Transit Villages, where street access is much better and adequate parking could be easily provided?

I say no

Though I like Trader Joes, I believe the increase in traffic is too high a price to pay. A five story residential building would also negatively change the character of the neighborhood on Berkeley Way.

Karyn Krause
829 Kains Avenue
Albany, CA 94706

I say no

The issue is not a Trader Joe's in Berkeley or not, as tempting as it is to discuss that point.

The issue before the City is the suitability of such a large project on *this* site and with *this* plan.

This is a project without adequate parking and with great traffic impact on an already heavily traveled intersection and main streets, located on a site that is neither truly "downtown" nor all that close to BART for people carrying groceries, wine, whatever is bulky or heavy--and everyone I know who shops at TJ's does so with a full cart. Transporting groceries isn't easy on either BART or the bus. Is there even a direct bus that stops close to your home? It's not just the availability of public transportation near TJ's--it has to be available close to home also. And usually even a close bus stop won't be right outside your front door.

How many people who currently fill up at TJ's in Emeryville or El Cerrito and would shop in Berkeley instead will actually leave their car at home and cart the same amount that they currently buy at TJs home on a bus?

Too little parking--and too much traffic. This is an unsuitable location and an inappropriate plan that will impact traffic and parking for some distance around.

I say no

The development is too dense and will adversely impact the surrounding residential neighborhood.

I say no

Nothing new to add, except I commute daily by bike through the Berkeley Way/MLK intersection and can see what a nightmare it would be to add a huge volume of vehicular traffic in this location. TJs is a great store, but I don't think it's appropriate here, especially when coupled with an inappropriately large number of rental units. Fie on "transient villages"!

I say no

Kip Waldo
This project is simply too large for the location. Most people in this area would like to have access to a Trader Joe's, but not if this is the price to be paid. The congestion would make MLK impassable during peak shopping hours. The impact on those living on Berkeley Way would be immense.
The congestion would pose a hazard to any emergency vehicles travelling along MLK. For these and many other reasons, I oppose this project.
There must be better locale for such a project, this is unacceptable.

I say no

Too big a building, too much traffic too close to city center. I'm all for affordable housing, but there are already 2 Trader Joe's within bicycle distance and easily reached by car, and each have ample parking there. Why not just put in a small cafe and a restaurant or two? I like Trader Joe's (except that they're non-union) but I don't want them to become too big and expand everywhere, becoming ubiquitous like Barnes & Noble or Starbucks.

I say no

Only a "no" vote by Zab on a project of this massive size will bring these developers to heel. It is the same, all the time, with those who traffic in money and nothing but money for a living. They will try to take as much as they are given by government, so please be responsible. Berkeley is a city which deserves continued astute stewardship. I presume it did not become a great city by accident.

I say no

There is already a Trader Joe's quite close to North Berkeley, at El Cerrito Plaza. Why put a hugely popular store right in the middle of one of Berkeley's most congested neighborhoods?
This is going to be an unending, recurring nightmare for anyone living within blocks of University and MLK.
Why? Because while Berkeleyan love to think they are green, but they ain't!!! They are all going to drive. They are all going look for a parking space... ooops, sorry. Lot full.

I say no

--The proposed building has insufficient parking for both retail and residential use. The argument against sufficient parking - "don't provide it and cars will not come" - is in deep denial and abrogates our duties as citizen planners. We can encourage a good plan, and we can reject bad plans. Plans with insufficient parking are not good.
--The proposal(s) have all requested height, shadow, or unit variances. The zoning laws should not be the starting point for negotiation. If developers insist they cannot develop within the zoning guidelines, we should accept their analysis and deny their proposals.
--The corner of MLK and Univ. Ave. is already among the busiest traffic spots in town. Proposing a high-traffic retail magnet with a Univ. Ave. street-side loading area and insufficent parking, and with traffic patterns weaving through a residential neighborhood, is inviting chaos. Let's plan around chaos with a smaller proposal, parking, and a better traffic plan.
-- While some feel great excitement at the prospect of a Trader Joes in Berekely, there is no guarantee that a Trader Joe's will fill the retail space at 1885 Univ. Ave., or remain there. We do not want to be the victims of bait and switch. Does the proposal include an appropriate penalty clause if Trader Joes does not occupy the space (for example, the retail space is turned into parking)? Is the developer sufficiently sure of the outcome to include a penalty?
--Zoning Adjustment Board members have pointed out questionable designs in the proposed apartments, such as tiny apartments with main windows placed opposite one another a few feet away. Let's not rubber-stamp tiny ill-conceived apartments and bad design.
--Arguments for new housing in Berkeley imply that all crammed and tiny apartments are low-income. Most new housing in town is not low income but market-rate housing. I would love for this project to be true low-income and well-designed housing, but that has never been a proposal.
--Remember that Berkeley residents will be living with the result of this decision for decades. Let's help make it as good as it can be.

I say no

I don't believe there is a memorandum of understanding with Trader Joes. Therefore it is a MAYBE or pie in the sky notion to serve as a ploy in getting neighborhood approval. Like the imagined tenants in the Brower Center and the Gaia Bookstore, it may never take place as the rents are very high in Berkeley for businesses and there are parking stresses as drivers drive around and around competing with pedestrians trying to cross the streets. More cars, more stress, more danger for us seniors who go to the North Berkeley Senior Center on foot.

And another outlet to buy hard liquor and cheap wine and beer? In walking our dogs or simply going to an event at Black Oak Books we seriously have to watch out for drunk drivers. Lately, thanks largely to the ZAB, North Berkeley restaurants are being varianced to accommodate more bars that serve cocktails-After the wine store moved to MLK Jr Way at Cedar, there is a newish wine shop on VIne Street and now the Taste on Shattuck-- so far for expensive wine -- and soon Chesters with a full bar.Then there is Cesars where people stagger out and drive off. Now even the winos who used to hang out in South Berkeley come heree and tell me they shop for cheap liquor at Saveway and Longs-then go to meet friends at Ohlone Park, LIve Oak Park or just hang out around the Safeway store late at night. Adding a Trader Joes will be another cheap liquor outlet near these parks and close to the Civic Center Park where resale of brown bagged spirits can be easily resold to children. A farmer's market would be a better fit with fruits, vegetables and perhaps fish?