Creek Task Force

Mission: Review the City’s Creek Ordinance and other issues regarding creeks including the definition of a creek, methods to protect creeks, property rights, setbacks, regulation of culverts, costs, suggestions for best practices, funding for identification of culverted creeks and daylighting. All Task Force reports, recommendations and proposed ordinance changes will be submitted to the Planning Commission for comment. 

Meetings: The Creeks Task Force concluded its work on December 11, 2006.

Enabling Resolution: City Council Resolution No. 62,711A-N.S. adopted November 9, 2004

More Information: Membership consists of a representative appointed by each member of the City Council and one member appointed by the Planning Commission, Public Works Commission, Community Environmental Advisory Commission, and the Parks and Recreation Commission.  One additional representative will be selected by the Neighbors on Urban Creeks and another representative will be selected by groups in support of creeks for a total of 15 members.

APPROVED ORDINANCE On November 28, 2006 the City Council approved the first reading of an Ordinance to modify the Creeks Ordinance.  The Council accepted the Creeks Task Force and Staff recommendations for the revisions, approving Alternative One for BMC Section 17.08.050.D - which requires a Variance for any new roofed structures within 0 to 25 feet of an open creek.  The Ordinance will become effective January 4, 2007.  The accompanying Zoning changes were approved November 14, 2006 and are effective December 28, 2006.

The approved Creeks Ordinance revisions can be viewed through the December 5, 2006 Council agenda -  click here. Accompanying Zoning Ordinance changes can be viewed through the November 28, 2006 Council agenda - click here.

Proposed Ordinance Revisions

November 28, 2006 City Council: Download Report and Revisions (Item 13)

November 14, 2006 City Council: Agenda - Download Reports and Proposed Revisions (Items 24 & 25); Public Hearing Notice

Recommendations and Reports

• Creeks Task Force Recommendations, April 17, 2006 (PDF) and Matrix of Regulatory Recommendations (PDF)
• Creeks Task Force Background Paper, adopted April 17, 2006 (PDF)
• Rationale for Berkeley Creeks Task Force Recommendations, adopted April 17, 2006 (PDF)
• Creeks Task Force Minority Report, March 20, 2006 (PDF)
• Planning Commission Recommendations, May 10, 2006 (PDF); Planning Commission Documents of Interest - (1) Commissioner Comments (PDF), (2) Letter from Neighbors on Urban Creeks (PDF)
• Public Works Comments on the CTF Recommendations (PDF)

Creek Information:

• Find the Creek Ordinance status for your individual parcel on the Parcel Conditions and Permit History page. Accept the disclaimer, enter the address, click on the address, and then click 'Creek Status' on the right column.
• BMC 17.08, Preservation and Restoration of Natural Watercourses  
• Procedure for Processing Permit Applications Where a Creek May Be Present on the Property (PDF)

Reports:

• November 14, 2006 Public Works Report to the City Council (PDF)
• October 25, 2006 Staff Reports to the Planning Commission (PDF)
• Reports from October 11, 2006 Planning Commission Public Hearing
• September 27, 2006 Staff Report to the Planning Commission (PDF)
• May 30, 2006 Staff Report to the City Council and attachments
• May 10, 2006 Planning Commissioner Comments (PDF)
• April 26, 2006 Staff Report to the Planning Commission (PDF)
• April 25, 2006 Staff Report to the City Council (PDF)
• April 5, 2006 Staff Report to the Planning Commission (PDF); Supplemental Report (PDF)
• February 8, 2006 Staff Report to the Planning Commission (PDF)
• January 25, 2006 Staff Report to the Planning Commission (PDF)
• January 11, 2006 Staff Report to the Planning Commission
• May 10, 2005 Staff Report to the City Council (PDF)
• April 13, 2005 Staff Report to the Planning Commission (PDF)
• April 13, 2005 Work Plan, Budget and Schedule for the Planning Commission (PDF)