Iceland Blogs

It took a couple of days, but the Save Berkeley Iceland website is back up and, mostly, complete; there may still be a few things missing or labeled differently. It would be great if we could get Berkeley Iceland back up just as quickly, but it first takes someone who would work with the community to make it happen. Which brings me to a repost of an article I wrote two years ago: An Open Letter to Mayor Bates.

The memory of this posting was triggered by a recent discussion with a friend who posited that if Tom Bates had stood up early and said, to the effect, "Berkeley Iceland is a needed resource for our community and children, lets find a way to preserve it" that we would be way to a restored community ice rink that would be another Berkeley model for the country. Instead we got a proposal to knock down the building and put a nice plaque where the historic rink would have been. For year, when talking with potential partners, donors, and foundations, the question would always come up "How does the city feel about the project" or "How does the Mayor feel about the project." In the best case, we had to say we were not sure because there was no public comments by the Mayor outside of the Council hearings related to Berkeley Iceland, where his position was consistent.

The server hosting the Save Berkeley Iceland website had a massive failure earlier this week. After trying to recover the system for more than a day, the system admins could not recover the machine. Unfortunately, the loss took the recent backups with it. We have installed an older backup and will replace the missing pieces in the next few days. We are still here, just a little out of sorts. Check back later for more updates.

I just received a note from the Leslie Mendez, the planner for the Berkeley Iceland project, letting me know that staff will be requesting a continuance for the Sports Basement permit to the May 24 meeting (same time and place). The notice of the meeting was not sent out as required by the regulation so the delay will ensure proper notice. We will continue to prepare for this meeting which I hope everyone will watch for.

Thanks - Tom K.

     Thanks to everyone who has written to us and to the ZAB in support of Berkeley Iceland. Some folks have asked for more information on issues to raise and suggestions on what to write. I've attached a sample letter which can be modified as you like. First, the details for the meeting:

Where: Berkeley City Council Chamber, 2134 MLK Jr. Way.
When: Thursday, May 24, 2012 7:00 pm

Items:

Zoning Ordinance Section 23E.52.090 includes:
B. A proposed use or structure must:
1. Be compatible with the purposes of the District;
2. Be compatible in design and character with the District and the adjacent residential neighborhoods;

The Sports Basement plan would create a 71,000 sq. ft. discount sporting goods store - roughly twice the size of Berkeley REI (which is on a major traffic route with over 100 parking space). Is there any doubt that a store this size replacing the historic community recreation ice center changes the character of this neighborhood. Instead of families spending time together having fun, shoppers stopping by to pick up bargain shoes.  Instead of early morning skaters working on their programs, delivery trucks dropping off stock for the shelves.  Instead of a real public community center where the Berkeley mixes, sales and the occasional nonprofit meeting.  It is hard to think of a bigger change in the character and culture of the neighborhood - and of Berkeley.

 It appears that the Zoning Board hearing to approve the Sports Basement permit is now May 10, not May 24 as originally expected. This is an extremely short schedule between meetings making preparations to get our voices heard are significantly shortened. If at all possible, please come to the ZAB on Thursday - the only way to make it clear to the City what the community needs is by getting a lot of folks out there. Also, write to the Zoning Board secretary Steven Buckley at SBuckley@CityofBerkeley.info protesting the plan and providing your comments on the appropriateness of a 70,000 sq. ft. store in what should be a public community recreation space! 

We will appeal the decision and the timing of these meetings. More emails to come.