In July, the Berkeley City Council took up the EIR agreement for the proposed Safeway store on College Avenue in Oakland’s Rockridge district right on the Berkeley border. Buoyed by the protests of the attendees, Mayor Bates summarized the objections of the council, “it’s just too big for the location.” In the debate about the […]
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Posted inCity
Berkeley says ‘no’ to federal immigration detainers
A battle for immigrants’ rights has been intensifying throughout 2012, as deportations linked to the federal Secure Communities program, run by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, have risen. Here, protesters outside an ICE processing facility in Colorado call for an end to enforcement efforts. Photo: Justin Valas In a surprising twist, the Berkeley City Council […]
Posted inCity, Housing & Development, Schools
Council sets fee for affordable housing mitigation
A new mitigation fee gives developers flexibility on how to handle affordable housing requirements in Berkeley. Photo: Tracey Taylor Developers of new residential rental properties in Berkeley can now choose to pay into a special city fund instead of including on-site affordable housing after an 8-1 vote Tuesday by the City Council. It’s the latest […]
Posted inCity
Capitelli, Hahn go head to head in Berkeley’s District 5
Laurie Capitelli and Sophie Hahn are facing off for the second time for the District 5 Council seat. Photos: Emilie Raguso Incumbent Laurie Capitelli and challenger Sophie Hahn will face off in November for the second time in a pitched battle for Berkeley’s District 5 City Council seat, in a race that has been tinged with […]
Posted inCrime & Safety
Berkeley targets underserved for disaster preparedness
Council Member Darryl Moore: “Having 70% of the caches in the hill districts is just not acceptable” Berkeley’s City Council Tuesday night debated how the city’s disaster preparedness program has been disproportionately adopted in the hill districts, and left vulnerable — and generally poorer — districts in the flats far behind in terms of both training […]
Posted inCity
Allegations fly in District 5 council race
Incumbent Laurie Capitelli during the Solano Stroll. Photo: Alan Tobey Update 8:20pm: Sophie Hahn read to Berkeleyside from her prepared remarks made to the John George Democratic Club. Here’s what she said: “I am emphatically opposed to the death penalty. The incumbent did not support a resolution to end the death penalty in Alameda County. I […]
Posted inBusiness
Sports Basement to take over historic Berkeley ice rink
Five years after closure, Berkeley Iceland is derelict and graffittied. Photo: Sports Basement Mayor Tom Bates fell on his butt there. Susan Wengraf and Gordon Wozniak fondly recalled children’s parties there. There was a wave of nostalgia for Berkeley Iceland at last night’s City Council meeting, from both council members and residents providing public comment. […]
Posted inCity
Disability advocate challenges Max Anderson for council
Dmitri Belser, who is running for City Council, in a Victorian house on 62nd Street he is renovating with his partner. Photo: Judith Scherr Dmitri Belser, who is running for City Council, in a Victorian house on 62nd Street he is renovating with his partner. Photo: Judith Scherr By Judith Scherr Dmitri Belser runs a program that makes […]
Posted inCity
Council members’ charitable donations vary widely
Berkeley had a float in San Francisco’s Pride Parade in June, paid for, in part, by a $700 donation from Kriss Worthington. Photo: Cathy Cade Berkeley had a float in San Francisco’s Pride Parade in June, paid for, in part, by a $700 donation from Kriss Worthington. Photo: Cathy Cade By Hannah Long and Natalie […]
Posted inBerkeleyside
Berkeleyside’s approach to local politics
With less than 11 weeks to go to election day, interest in politics, nationally and locally, is growing steadily. We’re determined to provide comprehensive coverage of local politics here on Berkeleyside, looking at the issues, the candidates and the many ballot measures voters will encounter on November 6. In addition to our news coverage, we […]
Posted inCity
Council considers affordable housing, plastic bag ban
Jesse Arreguín: “desperate need” for affordable housing Jesse Arreguín: “desperate need” for affordable housing The Berkeley City Council last night passed Councilmember Jesse Arreguín’s proposal to move to an up or down vote on an affordable housing mitigation fee at an October meeting. The city has been debating a fee since the Palmer/Sixth Street Properties […]
Posted inCity
Mayor Bates defends his handling of raucous meeting
When Mayor Bates and Councilmembers Laurie Capitelli, Linda Maio, Darryl Moore, and Gordon Wozniak stepped out of the council chambers for a recess while audience members were singing, Councilmember Jesse Arreguin clapped to “We Will Not Be Moved.” Councilmembers Max Anderson and Kriss Worthington sang with the crowd. Photo: Natalie Orenstein When Mayor Bates and […]