RULE Meeting: Onni Tower & Measure K Discussions

From RULE:

Residents United for a Livable Emeryville

Hello Friends and Neighbors!

Please join us for our next RULE meeting 10 am Saturday, February 8. Bring your questions and concerns and visit with your neighbors over coffee and breakfast. The meeting will be held at Doyle Street Co-housing, 5514 Doyle Street, Emeryville.

Mayor Christian Patz will attend from 10 am to 11 am to discuss the proposed 54-story (638-foot) Onni super tower at the corner of Christie Avenue and Powell Street in Emeryville.

RULE is working with city officials and staff to put together a March Town Hall meeting with residents, Onni developers, Emeryville Council members and planning staff, and outside environmental and other experts to discuss the project. RULE has also formed a Strategy Committee to focus efforts on the issue.

If time allows, Christian will also talk about Measure K, an upcoming ballot measure that, if approved, would provide the Emeryville Unified School District with close to $2 million. Christian opposes the measure because the District does not ensure the money will go to teacher pay and classroom resources.

Everyone is encouraged to attend and share their views!
__________________________

About the Onni project:
The proposed Onni Tower includes 653 residential units, the majority of which will be market rate studios and one-bedrooms. The development does not meet the city's required unit mix for families, and the developer has asked the City Council to excuse it from that requirement. For more information on the Onni Group proposal, go to: http://www.ci.emeryville.ca.us/1267/Onni and
http://www.emeryville.org/DocumentCenter/View/11303/Onni-Christie-Plans-Study-Session-I--Plans-12-13-18

Below is link to article about negotiating a community benefits agreement (CBA), an option if the project goes forward.
https://www.law.uchicago.edu/files/file/housing_initiative_clinic_briefs_-_best_practices_in_negotiating_and_drafting_community_benefits_agreements.pdf 

The next critical step in the process is the project’s Environmental Impact Report. The city’s website does not indicate when that will be complete. For more information, contact Senior Planner Miroo Desai, at 510-596-3785 or mdesai@emeryville.org.

Onni Project: RULE Meeting to Presage City Sponsored Town Hall

The citizen advocacy group Residents for a Livable Emeryville is holding a meeting this coming Saturday about the proposed 54 story Onni project on Christie Avenue.  The meeting is intended to gather and disseminate community information in the run up to a City of Emeryville sponsored Town Hall meeting RULE has proposed.   RULE meetings are open to all except City Council members (except by invitation), and everybody else, including our Berkeley and Oakland neighbors, are encouraged to attend.
The following is submitted by RULE:

Hello Friends and Neighbors!

Please join us for our next RULE meeting 10 am Saturday, November 23. Bring your questions and concerns and visit with your neighbors over coffee and breakfast. The meeting will be held at Doyle Street Co-housing, 5514 Doyle Street, Emeryville (across the street from the Doyle Street Cafe).

At least half of this two-hour meeting will be devoted to discussion of the proposed 54-story (638-foot) Onni super tower at the corner of Christie Avenue and Powell Street in Emeryville. RULE is working with Mayor Ally Medina and City staff to put together a Town Hall meeting of residents, city officials and staff, Onni developers, and environmental, building, and other experts to discuss the project. RULE has also formed a Strategy Committee to focus efforts on the issue.

Everyone is encouraged to attend and share their views.
__________________________

Residents' principle concerns about the Onni project:
- developer requesting to be excused from minimum number of family friendly (2- and 3-bedroom) units required by the City
- size of project out of scale for surrounding area
- detrimental environmental impact
- traffic impact
- bicycle and pedestrian safety and access, particularly for seniors
- lack of sufficient green space and other amenities
- Housing appeals to foreign investors who will not live there
- Housing rented or purchased for purpose of Airbnb rentals

About the project:
The proposed Onni Tower includes 653 residential units, the majority of which will be market rate studios and one-bedrooms. The development does not meet the city's required unit mix for families, and the developer has asked the City Council to excuse it from that requirement due to the added expense.

RULE Meeting

From RULE:

Residents United for a Livable Emeryville

➤Important public meeting this Saturday March 16 at 10-noon on the Onni Tower project

The resident advocacy group RULE invites all interested to attend our meeting Saturday, March 16 in the community room of Doyle Street Co-housing in Emeryville, 5514 Doyle Street. 

Both Council Member Dianne Martinez and Planning Director Charlie Bryant will be in attendance. We will be discussing the proposed Onni Tower at Christie Avenue and Powell Street in Emeryville. The luxury residential (and office/retail) project will be 54 stories (+ parking, close to 700 feet in total building height) and contain 638 units for more than 1,000 residents.  It is comprised primarily of market rate studios and one-bedrooms.  The developer has included the required minimum 17 percent affordable housing, but is below the number of two- and three bedroom units required by city ordinance.  Twelve of the 55 three-bedrooms will be located on the tower's penthouse and "sub penthouse" floors. There will also be a half acre park fronting on Christie Avenue.

For more information, go to: http://www.ci.emeryville.ca.us/1267/Onni
and
http://www.emeryville.org/DocumentCenter/View/11303/Onni-Christie-Plans-Study-Session-I--Plans-12-13-18

Council Member Martinez said she will be available to hear residents concerns and feedback, and Planning Director Bryant will answer specific questions about the proposed plans.  Mr. Bryant has requested a list of questions beforehand, so please email Lillianschroth@gmail.com with your Qs by end of day Tuesday, March 12 and she will send a summarized list to Mr. Bryant.

The goal is to allow everyone an opportunity to speak at the meeting, from 10 am to 12 pm Saturday, March 16.

RULE Hosts School Board Candidates Audience

Rule announces a School Board candidates forum open to the public:

Residents United for a Livable Emeryville

HOST: RULE  510-205-5850

WHEN: Saturday, September 29 from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM

WHERE: Doyle Street Co-housing, 5514 Doyle Street (Common Room, 1st floor) Emeryville, CA 94608

Hello Friends and Neighbors!

Please join us 10 am Saturday, Sept. 29 and meet candidates running for the Emeryville Unified School Board. All five candidates (running for three seats) will make presentations and take questions from the community. This is your opportunity to meet the candidates and share your concerns. This is a particularly important election, as our school district struggles to increase enrollment and test scores, and retain and support good teachers. Please join us, and spread the word! All are welcome!

Each candidate will be allotted 20 minutes. The candidates and their time slots are listed below.

Susan Donaldson          10 am

Katy Brown                    10:30 am

Brynnda Collins             11 am

Ken Bukowski                11:30 am

Sarah Nguyen                12 pm

Hope to see you there!

RULE Meeting Called

Residents United for a Livable Emeryville

Hello Friends and Neighbors!

Please join us Saturday, March 17 for the next meeting of RULE. Share a late breakfast and coffee, meet your progressive neighbors, and speak your mind! 

Tentative agenda items include:

• The School Board and City Council elections coming up in November 
• Plans for a new Emeryville Art Center 
• Efforts by some California tenants' advocates to strengthen rent control regulations amidst the current affordable housing crisis.  

10 AM to 12 PM  Doyle Street Co-housing 5514 Doyle Street (Common Room, first floor) 

Please spread the word. All are welcome! 

Hope to see you there!

Doyle Street Co-housing
Common room is through the trellis and
behind the stairs.

RULE Meeting: School Board

Residents United for a Livable Emeryville

School Board Candidate Discussion

Hello Friends and Neighbors!

Please join us Saturday, Jan. 27 for the next meeting of RULE.  Share a late breakfast and coffee, meet your progressive neighbors, and speak your mind!

This month's meeting will focus on the Emeryville School Board election in November and how we can recruit qualified, knowledgeable candidates - vital to improving the quality of education the district provides.

We would love to hear from all members of the community, but particularly parents and teachers. What insights can you share?  Are you interested in running?  Do you know someone who is?  Maybe you have suggestions about how to recruit good candidates.  There will be three seats (out of five) open this election. 

Please spread the word. All are welcome! 

If there are other (or related) issues you want to discuss, please call the host and we will add it to the agenda.

Hope to see you there!

Where: 
Doyle Street Co-Housing
5514 Doyle Street (common room, 1st floor)

When:
Saturday January 27th at 10:00 am

Who: 
Lillian Schroth host 
(510) 205-5850

Why:
To make your town a more livable place!
     

RULE Meeting

Residents United for a Livable Emeryville

Hello friends and neighbors!

Please join us Saturday, Nov. 18 for the next meeting of RULE, and help make Emeryville a great place to live and work!

Doyle Street Co-Housing

5514 Doyle Street (Common Room, 1st floor)

10 AM to noon 

Share a late breakfast and coffee, meet your progressive neighbors, and speak your mind!  We encourage residents to bring up issues of concern.

Here's our agenda so far:

• Emeryville School District: declining enrollment, low test scores, and an exodus of roughly 40 teachers in just two years. We would like to have an open, creative discussion with parents, teachers, and residents about what they think can and should be done to improve the quality of education provided by the Emeryville School District. Please spread the word to anyone you think would contribute to the conversation.
• The Incorruptables:  Anna Callahan of The Incorruptables will talk about the organization and how RULE might contribute to its work. The Incorruptables works to elect officials at all levels of government who will fight for economic, racial, environmental, and social justice. 

ALL ARE WELCOME:  PLEASE JOIN US!  

RULE Meeting

Residents United for a Livable Emeryville

Progressive neighbors making our city a great place to live and work 
Next Meeting:  After a summer hiatus we're back at Doyle St. for Saturday meetings
 
Where:  5514 Doyle St., first floor common room
When:  Sat., October 21, 10:00 - 12:00
 

         Agenda:

        Council Member Dianne Martinez is guest speaker:  to be discussed.... your concerns (let us know)!

        School Board member Barbara Inch initiates forum on Emeryville families:  "How to attract and retain families in Emeryville"

          

Bring breakfast snacks.....coffee and tea provided 

 All welcome...See you there!  Judy Timmel, RULE Steering Committee

RULE Meeting

From RULE:

Residents United for a Livable Emeryville Making our city a great place to live and work!  Come and plan for the year ahead with your progressive neighbors. Where:  5514 Doyle St., first floor common room When:  Sat., March 18, 10:00 - 12:00          Agenda:          -Council Member Dianne Martinez is our guest speaker           -Planning and goals for RULE in 2017 Bring breakfast snacks....coffee and tea provided See you there!  Judy Timmel, RULE Steering Committee

RULE Meeting

From RULE:

Residents United for a Livable Emeryville

Making our city a great place to live and work!  Come and plan for the year ahead with your progressive neighbors.

Next Meeting:  We're at Doyle St. for Saturday meetings 

Where:  5514 Doyle St., first floor common room

When:  Saturday, Feb. 18, 10:00 - 12:00 AM

         Agenda:

       -Laura McCamy of the Bicycle/Pedestrian Committee             priorities for 2017

        -Planning and goals for RULE in 2017

Bring breakfast snacks...coffee and tea provided

 See you there!  Judy Timmel, RULE Steering Committee

RULE Meeting

Residents United for a Livable Emeryville

Making our city a great place to live and work!

Please come and meet your progressive neighbors
Next Meeting:  We're back at Doyle St. for Saturday meetings 

 

Where:  5514 Doyle St., first floor common room

When:  July 23, 12:00 - 2:00
 

         Agenda:

             -Discussion of By-Laws re:  non-Emeryville residents

            -Candidates for City Council

            -Sherwin-Williams Site:  RULE letter; position in response to the EIR document 

            -Draft of the Donahue Letter on Bike-Boulevards

            -Police use of weapons

See you there!  Judy Timmel, RULE Steering Committee