I have lived three blocks from Ashby & College for the past fifteen years. I think this is a great infill project, much more appropriate for the neighborhood than the former garage, and that it will bring vitality to our neighborhood. I do not belive that it will generate much additional car traffic or that a bar in a restaurant, like the one just opened in Somerset, down College in Oakland, or the one that (for those who go back far enough) use to be in Normans on the corner of College and Alcatraz will have any adverse affect. This is the best kind of use for these buildings in this location. I would also add that I have discussed the projects with many of my neighbors and all are in favor.

Henry Siegel

Wrights Garage, I thought was an eye sore and negatively impacted the neighborhood in several ways. The mechanics and towers could be seen throughout the day moving their cars right across form where I live on Russell near Hillegass. Frankly I'm relieved that another use for that space has been found.
I think having a Restaurant with a bar, naturally hoping that it's one I'd like to go to, will be a enhancement for that space. Depending on the success of the restaurant there may be additional parking in the neighborhood, When I think of the cycle of eating at a restaurant, that is, people sitting eating or waiting and those leaving after having eaten, think that parking issues may be a relatively light impact. The Public Parking on Russell should help since it's also free at night.

I do not live particularly close to the garage and so, my opinion should be considered under-informed.

Mr. Wozniak's arguments are excellent and, on general principles, I would support it. Looking at the "no" votes of people who live close by, I'm impressed by concerns about the lot behind the building, the need for additional exits from the building, the hope of a little extra parking, and some misgivings about the hours of operation. As a Berkeley citizen, it would make me uncomfortable to see those issues be ignored without public comment. Of course, while they appear on kitchendemocracy.org, those complaints are just interesting ideas. Will those no voters, with an open mind, submit them as testimony in the official process?

-t

As a Berkeley voter and former resident of the Elmwood neighborhood (College and Derby), I support this Project, and look forward to the pedestrian activity it will add to the district. I also support Councilmember Wozniak's public statements of support. He is an elected official who has a duty to Berkeley and his constituents to be open and forthright with his views. Personally, I prefer to know what my elected representatives think about important Berkeley land use issues, rather than forcing them to keep mum to preserve the illusion of objectivity regarding quasi-judicial decisions. Open, respectful discussion and debate is the best way to reach good decisions about public policy.

Walk up the street to a friendly bustling restaurant with fine food , which is open late and has space to meet up with friends?

Yes, please!

If my family feels like tacos, Italian or Asian food, there are plenty of choices but isn't there more than enough room in the neighborhood for other options?

(Parking tip - when I don't have time to walk the five blocks, I don't expect to be able to park within that first block, but can generally find a spot behind the barriers north of Ashby or other locations more than a block away.)

From what I've seen, Gordon Commercial has done nothing but good things to improve Berkeley - their hearts are in the right place. I'm sure that they're doing all they can to make it work for everyone. How lucky we are to have them in our community!

Develop more parking before approving any large restaurant.

My husband and I live close enough to walk to the Elmwood, but when I do drive there (to pick up my cleaning, go to the hardware store, en route from another location), sometimes I simply have to give up because there is no available parking. To say "parking is bad already so we might as well let it get worse" makes no sense to me.

I like John Gordon's projects. I like the idea of a restaurant and additional retail and would support the project. But the City needs to deal with the lack of parking in the district. Reconfiguring the small lot on Russell and adding valet parking would be a start.

Since KD allows voting without background information, my comment is aimed at KD more than my fellow Berkeley residents. This is another issue where Kitchen Democracy has failed miserably to inform the public of subissues before expressing opinions. The immediate neighbors who would feel the greatest impact, their streets are already over used and over parked and the health and safety aspects of the neighborhood are also at risk, have proposed that John Gordon Commercial (or any other developer) meet with the representatives of the 4 (all) neighborhood associations to mitigate the problems this project brings to the neighborhood. (This is not a "red herring!") The neighbors present were overwhelmingly opposed to issuing permits without known tenants; and unanimous in their opposition to the business remaining open past the existing regulations. KD already has my signature and has given my comments to their Board of Directors.

I don't have any confidence in our urban planning ability. Do we need a garage? What about things we need but which aren't profitable? Do we subsidize our favorite local businesses so they can stay in town? Do we have too many nail salons? Do we have a nice distribution of options? Doesn't look to me like we have answers to any of these questions, so how can we claim to have an answer about this garage?

Traffic and parking concerns are cited in opposition to almost any development project proposed for Berkeley. Meanwhile, our neighborhood business districts are essentially "flat" and our downtown business district suffers and declines. We in Berkeley need to admit we are an urban place, and that traffic and parking impacts, while real, can be mitigated to a point that we can have economic vitality AND quality of life. Without economic growth our civic services will continue to deteriorate and our quality of life will ultimately suffer even more. We need to manage growth, not just stop it!

A number of the "additional conditions" for this project are completely unenforcible. I fell it's inappropriate to offer a variance to a developer with no tenants lined up; this parcel is not going to be sub-divided until Gordon actually knows who's moving in.

The problem is the Elmwood Commercial District conditions. I don't know why Rockridge works so well, but I think ZAB should consider revising the Elmood conditions to be more in line with Rockridge. I don't feel Elmwood meets the ordinary needs for a commercial district that I have on a regular basis as much as it does the drive-through segments of the shopping public.

I am puzzled. First, there are so many restaurants in the Elmwood already. How is it that suddenly this one is going to be the straw that breaks the camel's back? I agree entirely with Gordon. The Elmwood is a business district. It needs more vibrant businesses to support the ones that are already there. Second, why limit the hours of operation? It has been proven over and over that having eyes on the street at all hours makes neighborhoods safer. Third, why limit the type of cuisine? If that rule had applied to the existing restaurants, we would currently be lacking a popular Chinese restaurant, a popular Italian restaurant, and a popular coffee house or two. I am looking forward to the new restaurant and am anxious to try it out.

A garage in that location is a poor use of space. A restaurant and shops makes good sense. Parking issues should be addressed creatively for the entire commercial district, not just for this project. It is a good project and should be approved.

I was going to vote yes if Mr. Gordon provided addtional parking as any "high end" restaurant will fail if people cannot drive to it and there is no parking available now.

However, then I read about Elmwood Hardware being DENIED a variance by the City staff while Mr. Gordon is recommended for a variance. I find this skewing of City staff opinions to a large developer's needs versus a small local business needs in contradiction to the neighborhood's expressed desires appalling. If Elmwood Hardware cannot get a variance, then Mr. Gordon should not get one either.

I like the idea of a breakfast, lunch, dinner restaurant that stays open after 10P.M. I think it will benefit the businesses on College Avenue, and actually be an asset in the neighborhood. It will change the unsightliness of Wright's Garage into something more aesthetic.

Not enough parking for another eating place!

I strongly support the Wright's Garage Development. I live three blocks from the corner of College and Ashby.

Like many others, my wife and I chose to live in this neighborhood because we wanted to be able to walk, rather than drive, for a nice meal at a restaurant, a cup of coffee, groceries, etc. We love the neighborhood, but have long felt that it could use a nicer restaurant and it could use a place to have a drink with friends. In talking to our other neighbors, we have found that many want the same thing. It should come as no surprise that a developer has picked up on this need and wants to meet it.

I expect that we would go to the restaurant and the bar (and the yoga/fitness studio, if that remains part of the plan) frequently. We prefer to shop in the neighborhood rather than get in the car, so we like the idea of having more choices within walking distance.

Gordon has made extensive efforts to work with the community, and as a person who lives in the neighborhood, he is part of that community. He has met repeatedly with neighbors, answered questions, opened up the property for visits, and adopted numerous conditions in response to the concerns expressed (reasonable and unreasonable). He has already dramatically improved the look of the building. All indications are that he is a responsible developer who is responsive to the concerns of the community.

The main objection that I have heard concerns the impact on traffic and parking. There will be effects. However, I think that they are overstated. There is often vacant street parking nearby Ashby and College in the evenings, when the restaurant will do most of its business. Gordon has also discussed other parking solutions, such as leasing additional parking space, freeing up some parking directly on the street, or arranging for valet parking. Ultimately, if the restaurant and other businesses attract and depend on patrons who drive, they will have an incentive to use one of these options (or come up with others) to please their customers. That's what restaurants at the other end of College, in Piedmont, already do.

Fred Norton
3050 Hillegass Ave.

Parking is already bad in the Elmwood district, but more businesses are needed to draw customers. The district is slowly dying as things are going right now. This proposed use promises more use at different hours.

I'm changing my vote from yes to no.

Reading the objections, I see some valid ones. 1. Required the restaurant to close by 11 pm which is apparently required of other similar establishments.
2. Parking is a real issue and the idea of expanding the parking lot to include unused space behind the cleaners is a help.