11 minute read
City news
Big Changes in State Laws Impacting City Planning
In an effort to increase the availability of housing in California, during the past few years, the California State Legislature has been busy crafting new state laws that greatly affect how cities in California review applications for new housing developments These laws may impact you and your Albany neighborhood For example:
Accessory dwelling unit (“in-law units”) – If you are considering building an ADU, the City of Albany is required to waive many of our standard setback, height, and parking requirements In addition, the City is prohibited from holding public hearings on ADU applications ADUs not allowed a few years ago might now be in compliance with new standards Because the City is not sending out notices, it is important that neighbors talk about upcoming ADU projects
Off street parking – In 2023, new laws will limit the amount of off street parking the City of Albany can require at residences within one-half mile of major transit stops on San Pablo Avenue The Planning and Zoning Commission will be discussing updating residential parking local requirements throughout the City to be consistent with the new state laws
Multi-family housing – Nearly all of the applications for larger development projects received in the City Albany will qualify for a “density bonus” in the form of waivers from city zoning standards As a result, new multi-family housing projects will be larger than what the City might have approved a few years ago The Density Bonus laws have already affected how the City reviewed recent projects on San Pablo Avenue, Evelyn Avenue and Solano Avenue
Taken together, these zoning changes will allow the City of Albany to do our share in addressing the cost of housing in California
Construction Update: UC housing project and the SAHA project
Two major housing projects are on the horizon in Albany Already under construction is a graduate student housing apartment building at the corner of Jackson Street and Monroe Street in University Village This six-story project is being developed by UC Berkeley When completed, that project will have 289 apartments, accommodating 761 first year graduate students at UC Berkeley The project is expected to be completed by Fall 2024
In addition, expected to begin construction in the near future, are 62 units of affordable housing at the corner of Washington Street and Cleveland Avenue This site, purchased several years ago by the City of Albany from Caltrans, will be the largest affordable housing project in the City It is being developed by Satellite Affordable Housing Associates (SAHA), utilizing a variety of funding sources, including voter approved Alameda County Measure A1 funds, and other state and federal affordable housing program funding sources To help the project be affordable as possible for future residents, the City has contributed the land and waived its normal fees
University Village Housing Project
A Day in the Life of an Albany Police Department Dispatcher: Kizzy Huff
1. How does your workday begin?
My workday begins with a 4:00 a m workout My shift starts at 6:00 a m so I try to arrive in the dispatch/comm center at least 5 minutes before my shift starts so that I have time to log on and get my things together so that the night shift dispatcher can leave on time The night shift dispatcher relays any pertinent information from their shift
2. What happens during your shift while you are not taking calls?
During my shift while I am not taking calls, I complete web-based/online trainings I assist with requests for records releases and I assist people that come to the lobby of the police department
3. What shift is the busiest in policing for dispatchers?
I believe that the busiest shift for dispatchers would have to be Monday-Friday 6:00 a m to 6:00 p m During this time, people are going to work, dropping kids off at school, etc There is a lot of activity during these hours We get calls for vehicle accidents, thefts, medical assistance and these types of calls can all come in at the same time Since it is during normal business hours we assist people that come to the Police Department
I don’t know if I have just one favorite thing about being a dispatcher… being a dispatcher can be a difficult job at times, but it is also very gratifying Being able to help someone on what may very well be one of the worst days of their life and helping to ensure that my officers return home to their family at the end of their shift… words can not explain how fulfilling that is
Kizzy Huff, Albany Police Department Dispatcher
5. If you can give one safety tip, what would it be?
There are so many safety tips that could be given, I know you asked for one, but I will give you two…
When contacting the police department for assistance, give your location (address/cross streets) first and foremost We fully understand that you are calling 911 because there is something emergent occurring however, if you don’t start by telling us the location and pertinent information about your situation and the phone disconnects, we have no idea where you are located We can eventually get your location but by that time, there is no telling what could have happened, so please give your location first
If you call 911 accidentally, please do not hang up Stay on the line and let the dispatcher know that the call was an accident If you hang up, we must call you back and that takes away from our resources
City Facilities Opening for Private Rentals
Have you been searching for a local spot to host an upcoming event? It can be challenging to find an appealing but affordable option, especially one close to home
After a two-year pause due to the pandemic, Recreation and Community Services is preparing to reopen the City of Albany’s private rental program in January 2023 There will be a variety of spaces available for use in the Albany Community Center, as well as the Albany Senior Center and Senior Youth Annex
Renting the Community Hall at the Community Center includes access to a commercial size kitchen and spacious outdoor patio “Community members are especially excited about using the Community Hall," said Recreation Supervisor, Joy White “It’s ideal for wedding receptions or family celebrations," she continued
For those looking for a smaller space, there are also two fully equipped classrooms available at the Albany Community Center The Albany Senior Center also has a furnished meeting room and hall with kitchen access that can be rented
Whether planning a wedding reception, family reunion, birthday party, or community meeting, there is likely an ideal space for your event Reservations can be made up to a year in advance For more information and to submit an application, call 1(510) 524-9283 or visit www.albanyca. org/rentals
Grocery Program Running Monthly
You may have noticed increased activity at the Albany Community Center every first Friday of the month Over 120 community members are stopping by to pick up groceries, connect with neighbors and chat with Recreation and Community Services staff about available resources and services
Supported by the City of Albany’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, the Community Grocery Program began last February and has grown significantly The temporary program provides groceries and basic household items to lower-income Albany households who have been impacted by the pandemic Over 1700 bags have been distributed since the program started
Eligible households receive a bag of nutritious fresh food that can be utilized to cook several meals, including organic items whenever possible, and a bag of quality household items such as paper goods and cleaning supplies Walk-ups are available while supplies last
The application process is simple and can be completed in just a couple minutes Students, seniors, families, and residents of all ages have been participating and spreading the word about the program Call 1(510) 559-7227 for more information or to reserve a bag of groceries
The Inflation Reduction Act & Available Rebates for Energy Efficiency and Electrification
In Albany, our electricity comes from carbon-free and renewable sources procured by East Bay Community Energy (www.ebce.org) which are much cleaner than fossil fuels, including natural gas All-electric appliances, powered by clean energy, improve indoor air quality, make buildings more resilient, and improve indoor and outdoor air pollution
Thanks to the recently passed Inflation Reduction Act and pre-existing rebates at the local-level, there are thousands of dollars in rebates and tax credits available to help make your home more comfortable and sustainable!
• The City of Albany is offering rebates of $750-$1500 for heat pump heating systems • BayREN offers up to $5000 in rebates for a variety of improvements • The Federal Inflation Reduction Act contains several programs that offer tax credits and rebates for energy efficiency and electrification upgrades
Learn more about these programs and how to electrify your home at www.albanyca.org/electric!
Sun + Atmosphere + Earth photo: NASA Rot Girl: www stopwaste org
What Do New State Laws on Composting Mean for You?
On January 1st, 2022, California's Short-Lived Climate Pollutant Reduction Law, or more commonly known as Senate Bill (SB) 1383, went into effect This new State law aims to reduce emissions of short-lived climate pollutants, such as methane (CH4), which are powerful climate forcers that have detrimental effects on air quality, public health, and climate change More specifically, SB 1383 sets the following targets:
1 Reduce statewide disposal of organic waste by 75% by 2025 (using 2014 levels as a baseline) and, 2 Recover at least 20% of currently disposed edible food for human consumption
Methane accounts for about 11% of all greenhouse gas emissions in the United States and while it has a relatively short atmospheric lifetime compared to carbon dioxide (CO2), its impacts are far more severe in the short-term This is why it is imperative to act now to reduce methane emissions
But what exactly is methane and why is SB 1383 so critical? Organic waste such as yard trimmings, food scraps and soiled paper products decompose anaerobically, or without oxygen, in landfills producing potent gasses that trap heat in the atmosphere In California, 20% of methane emissions come from landfills with remaining emissions coming from livestock, oil and natural gas extraction among other sources
How Does SB 1383 Impact Me?
All residents should already be subscribed to organic waste and recycling collection services through Waste Management of Alameda County (WMAC) Unsure which bin something should be sorted into? Visit the RE:Source Guide for reuse, repair, recycling, and safe disposal at www.StopWaste.org
As a business owner or owner/manager of a multifamily property with five or more units, the City of Albany is offering FREE sorting bins on a first-come first-serve basis to support residents and ensure proper sorting
Visit www.AlbanyCA.org/RECYCLE to learn more
Do you know where your recyclables, organics, and garbage go once it leaves your curb?
WMAC transports the City of Albany’s waste to the Davis Street Transfer Station located in San Leandro According to CalRecycle, Alameda County sends approximately 1 19 million tons of waste annually to landfills, contributing 3 3% of total state tonnage This is more than 1,500 pounds of waste per resident! Organic materials account for more than a third (34 1%) of total waste disposed in California landfills and continue to be a significant source, followed by paper (16 6%)
For Kids: What are greenhouse gases, and how are they polluting our world?
Greenhouse gases (GHGs) are a type of pollution that act like a greenhouse; the windows of a greenhouse allow sunlight to pass, be absorbed by plants, and turned into heat energy The glass walls trap the heat which keeps everything inside the greenhouse warm So greenhouse gases aren’t necessarily a bad thing–our planet would be too cold without them! But today, we are adding too much GHGs into the atmosphere from everyday activities like throwing food away into the garbage One type of powerful GHG called methane (CH4) comes from the breakdown of organic waste like banana peels and pizza boxes that end up in landfills because food scraps and soiled-paper products break down without oxygen Methane’s lifetime is not as long as other GHGs like carbon dioxide (CO2) but it is much more powerful in the short-term and that’s why SB 1383 is so important
How Can I Help Stop GHG Pollution?
Become a Waste Warrior! – Follow the 4 R’s to avoid sending items to the landfill!
Reducing is the best way to stop waste before it starts! Packaging items such as cardboard boxes, plastic bags, and food ware account for nearly a third of solid waste in the U S and introducing a few lifestyle changes can make a large impact and lead to cost-savings over time
Reuse items for their original use or something else
Recycle to recover materials
Rot to recover organic material to create compost
