I say no

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 say no

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 say no

Not enough parking for another eating place!

I say no

I'm changing my vote from yes to no.

I say no

As proposed, this development has SERIOUS safety concerns (long, narrow shops w/ only one exit + a restaurant kitchen with inadequate exits to the outdoors in case of fire). In addition, it does not add enough parking proportional to the added retail space.

Both these concerns could possibly be creatively addressed if the vacant lot behind this building (it appears to belong to the dry cleaning establishment) were to become available. To wit: the lot could be deeded/sold to the city and the adjacent city parking lot expanded by about 10 spaces; the rear access would allow the building to be converted into an arcade having access from the rear parking lot as well as Ashby & College; this would allow the internal spaces to have a much safer configuration; deliveries could be made (in the early hours) from this rear access, relieving congestion on Ashby/College.

I say no

My concern with this project is that it the new tenants will fall into the same category as Gordon's current tenants on College: upscale, niche boutiques that add little to life in the Elmwood for those who live here. These establishments don't server the neighborhood, which means their patrons are people who drive in from wherever; which leads to more congestion.

I say no

This restaurant will cause a parking burden to certain streets. One ZAB member suggested removing street barriers to allow more on street parking in various neighborhoods. Is that really worth a restaurant?

I say no

It is absolutely impossible that 98 people living close to this progect are in favor of it. No adequate parking-come on! I have experienced this before with Kitchen Democracy. People can vote more than once and so can the people trying to ruin our neighborhood, even if they do not live in our city! I could live in San Jose and vote. Using this information is an irresponsible way of representing your constituents. And it is happening too often.

I say no

In general I support the work that they have done to renovate and improve the state of the neighborhood. I shop in the Elmwood all the time, and always walk. However, if we are going to change the Elmwood plan, I think it should be through a considered process and not through a property owner/developer requesting one-off approvals. Do I need to remind the people of our neighborhood of how Starbucks got into the Gourmet Ghetto?

Allowing larger footprints will make the Elmwood attractive to national retailers, and drive up lease rates. As lease rates go up, we will lose more and more of our neighborhood businesses, many of which are already struggling with high rents.

Many Elmwood merchants already lease from Gordon, and are afraid to speak out against the project, for fear of retaliation. Gordon already controls too much retail space in the neighborhood shopping areas of Berkeley, and this has reduced competition and increased lease rates over those in neighboring, high income communities.

So if you want the Elmwood to look like the Castro, or Noe Valley, or the Marina, with lots of national chain stores moving in, support this project. If you want it to maintain our diverse, interesting and neighborhood serving shopping area, tell Gordon Wozniak to vote no!

I say no

This is a sound project except for one glaring detail: The restaurant/bar is to remain open until midnight or 1 A.M. This is a very troubling invitation for serious neighborhood problems. If the restaurant/bar were to be required to close by 11 pm (as do virtually all of the good restaurants in Berkeley and Rockridge) the project would have my support.

I say no

It would seem that this property has rental rates in excess of most other properties in the general Elmwood which prohibits smaller businesses being interested. That is a shame.
And in fact, the question 'should Wright's garage convert to various retail uses and a restaurant? does not really address the important questions of size or what retails uses and what kind of restaurant.
Therefore I vote 'no'

I say no

i live in the Elmwood, 2 blocks from Wright's Garage....i am strongly opposed to Gordon's proposal....i do NOT want ZAP to issue a blanket permit before any tenants are lined up....no landlord should be granted this....Gordon knew what he was buying when he purchased the property...being located on Ashby is a huge issue--this state highway cannot absorb additional delivery trucks, double parking, etc...and there is NO parking in our neighborhood now...the city should abide by the Elmwood Tenancy Ordinance---that's why we fought so hard for it years ago!!!

....barb scheifler

I say no

I'm concerned that more Gordon commercial spaces will remain vacant because their lease prices are so high. Look around Berkeley, and note that the greatest proportion of vacant spaces belong to Gordon. This is a serious detriment to a shopping district. Unreasonably high rental rates has led to many businesses leaving Berkeley. We need developers who can rehab and price spaces at rates that don't force businesses to relocate to less expensive communities. It's turning Berkeley into a ghost town.

I say no

Not interested in more restaurants and boutique shops in the Elmwood District.

I say no

I could support the project if it conformed to the Elmwood District requirements re allowed business types and uses--but it seeks exemption. Elmwood was a pioneer in these requirements aimed at preserving neighborhood-serving businesses (which require a lower rent to stay in business than do the 'boutique' businesses which are not neighborhood based).

As proposed, this project proposes to gut the neighborhood serving protections and therefore I oppose it. If the project conformed to those protections and maintained diversity of businesses as required by that ordinance, I could support it.

I say no

This project breaks the zoning limits that have kept the Elmwood a viable neighborhood shopping area. When the Zoning limits are regularly breached we will have chain stores replacing the local businesses and the Elmwood will change.
Art Goldberg

I say no

Traffic on College Avenue is already unbearable on the weekends. Another restaurant would make it even worse. The parking situation is also intolerable; again, another restaurant would add to an already horrible problem. We hate to go out on weekends - Berkeley residents should not have to feel this way.

I say no

I say no

I say no