|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Press
Contact: |
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MAYOR
TOM BATES LAUNCHES TASK FORCE TO FIX BERKELEY’S BROKEN DEVELOPMENT
PROCESS Mayor Bates appoints development experts, neighborhood activists, and two former Council members to tackle Berkeley’s dysfunctional process for approving building permits. Click Here for
Fact Sheet on the Task Force Berkeley, CA – Mayor Tom Bates
today announced the formation of the Mayor’s Task Force on Permitting
and Development. The Task
Force will recommend options for improving the permitting process for
small businesses, home improvements, and new commercial and housing
developments. Currently, housing and commercial
developments can face a three-year labyrinth to obtain approval.
Homeowners can wait over a year for approval to renovate their
homes, even if their neighbors are supportive.
On the other side, neighbors and opponents of proposed projects
complain of an opaque process that lacks clear deadlines and rules for
developers and City officials. “I promised to champion
affordable housing, economic development, and small business in this City
while protecting neighborhoods. But
we cannot build enough housing for people or attract new businesses if we
do not first fix this process,” said Mayor Tom Bates.
“Developers, neighborhood preservationists, and City staff all
agree that our permitting process is broken.
This Task Force brings all of them to the table to hammer out a way
to improve this system.” Local Realtor Laurie Capitelli,
currently Chair of the Zoning Adjustment Board and a former Chair of the
Berkeley Planning Commission, will serve as Chair the Task Force.
“I am very pleased that Laurie Capitelli has agreed to take on
this important responsibility. He
is as well versed in the Berkeley permitting process as anyone in the
City,” said Bates. Other members include former City
Council members Polly Armstrong and Nancy Skinner, Planning Commissioner
Rob Wrenn, Local pastor and affordable housing developer Rev. Gordon
Choyce, as well as local architects, city planners, and other experts in
Berkeley’s development process. A
full list is attached. The Task Force has been directed to report back with specific recommendations for Commission, Council and administrative action no later than four months from the date of its first meeting. #
# #
|
|
City of Berkeley Home / Departments / Mayor Home
|
