Town of Danville Quarterly Newsletter

Fall 2016

Town of

Danville NEWSLETTER

Message from the Town Council Thanks for reading the first edition of the new quarterly newsletter by the Town of Danville featuring news and information about the programs, projects and events that are happening in the community. For over a decade, the Town of Danville distributed the Danville Today newsletter to postal patrons.

As a result of the Danville community’s high Internet adoption rate, the Town discontinued the Danville Today in 2012. Based on community feedback, we’re bringing the newsletter back in print form with a new look.

The newsletter showcases what makes Danville such a special place to live and how we’re working to maintain Danville’s outstanding quality of life and small-town service.

Although we’ve gone back to print for the newsletter, we still offer 24/7 access to Town information and services online. Our newsletter features even more articles than what’s found in print.

The website continues to be a resource for residents.

The Danville Connect App (learn more on page 2) offers excellent resources. Of course, you’ll also find us on Facebook, Twitter, Nextdoor and Nixle. We hope you’ll continue to take advantage of the many ways to connect with your Town government.

Thanks for reading!

Osage Station Park Renovation—page 9

INSIDE   

Connecting with Your Town: The Danville Connect App

Magic, Music, and Laughter at the Village Theatre

Short Term Rental Ordinance Approved

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Stay Updated on Construction Want to know more about what’s happening in Danville when it comes to projects and construction? A new webpage is available to help answer those questions and provide information on new and ongoing projects. Visit danville.ca.gov/improvements.

Launched while several public and private development projects were going on in downtown Danville, the site helped residents stay abreast of the work’s progress.

Now, the site has been expanded to include work going on throughout Danville, from the Library Renovation to the new playgrounds at Osage Station Park.

Connecting with your Town

See a streetlight out, or a pothole on your street but don’t know who to tell? It’s all as close as your smartphone, as the Danville Connect app provides easy access to a wide variety of services.

Available for free in either iTunes or the Google Play store, Danville Connect lets you: Report issues in Town such as  potholes, graffiti or electrical outages Track your issue until it’s resolved  Contact the Town Council  Access the Town’s website,  online newsletter, Activity Guide and Special Events Connects you to the Town’s  social media Residents can access the app through their tablets or smartphones or can report issues online by going to the Town of Danville website.

Residents can see plans, documents and photos, as well as reading blog posts about current or upcoming work. Contact information is provided for each project, so that residents can reach out for further information.

A FOCUS ON DOWNTOWN PUBLIC PARKING Throughout the fall of 2015 and spring of 2016, Town staff and its consultant studied parking conditions and operations throughout the Downtown area.

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The study focused on existing public parking supply and demand and provided recommendations for maximizing and improving management of existing public parking facilities. A final report summarizing the findings and recommendations was presented and approved by the Town Council in July 2016. The report found that, while there are certain ‘hot spot’ locations during peak hours, the Town’s parking supply remains adequate.

An ongoing challenge will be balancing the parking needs of patrons and employees.

A recommendation of the study is to ramp up outreach and enforcement efforts and to explore incentives to help increase employee utilization of the Town’s permit program.

As the Town continues to research ways of better providing parking, a new parking capacity-increasing project is planned for construction over the course of the next two years, that includes a new 79 space parking lot at the northwest corner of Rose Street and Linda Mesa Avenue.

Close monitoring and evaluation of the downtown’s parking supply and demand will continue over the next several years as new parking facilities come online.

For more information on this project, contact Andrew Dillard, Transportation Manager, at (925) 314-3384 or visit www.danville.ca.gov/parking.

Innovative Mobile Gift Giving: Danville Gift Card The holidays are right around the corner and the Danville Gift Card just made your holiday shopping that much easier. Danville is offering a next-generation approach to gifting that will not only provide a perfect present for everyone on your list, but is available at your fingertips and will surely bring joy to your world.

Last year, the Town of Danville partnered with Yiftee, a national online and mobile gift card service, and launched a mobile Danville Gift Card that offers the convenience of supporting local merchants.

Danville’s mobile Gift Card makes giving gifts easy and enjoyable: Simply go to www.yiftee.com/danville to purchase a Danville Gift Card, or choose a specific Danville shop from a list of over a 120 local merchants, select a gift ranging from $5 to $250, then enter a personal message, a delivery date, the recipient’s contact information, and

pay with your credit card. Recipients of a mobile Danville Gift Card receive your gift via email, text or Twitter and can redeem it by presenting the voucher, either via a mobile device or printed version, to the designated shop, restaurant, or service provider.

Powered by Yiftee and backed by MasterCard, the mobile gift card is not only greener than its plastic predecessors, but is 100% protected against fraud and allows your dollar to go farther in the community. When you spend $50 locally, approximately $23 is reinvested to support and improve the parks, library, recreation centers and other things that make Danville the perfect place to live, dine, shop and play.

So when you’re thinking about the people in your life who deserve something special this season, give them a gift that allows them to delight in Danville’s abundant offerings and shop in the places they love.

It’s Easy!

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Visit: yiftee.com/danville

Choose a gift card: Danville Gift Card or one from a specific Danville shop

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Select a gift ranging from $5 to $250.

Enter a personal message, delivery date, address, and payment information.

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Recipients receive your gift via email, text or Twitter.

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Tips & Tricks for Safe Trickor-Treating Make sure all costume  pieces are made of fire retardant material.

Use reflective tape  or stickers on bags or costumes.

Carry a flashlight or glow  stick for lighting.

Stay in a large group  when traveling through the neighborhood.

Remain in well-lit areas and  always use sidewalks where possible.

Avoid crossing  between parked cars.

Do not assume right-of-way.  Motorists may not see you so be sure to make eye contact.

Be sure Trick-or-Treaters are  only visiting homes where porch lights are on and never enter a home or a car for a treat.

Notify law enforcement  immediately if you notice any suspicious activity.

Street Smarts Program is Kicking Off 2017 School Year Now that school is underway for the year, students can look forward to participating in upcoming events with the Street Smarts program.

Assemblies and Bike Rodeos  Street Smarts assemblies and bike rodeos educate students about basic tenets of traffic safety in a fun and entertaining environment.

Street Smarts is a traffic safety campaign in the San Ramon Valley made possible through a collaborative partnership between the Town of Danville, City of San Ramon, Contra Costa County, San Ramon Valley Unified School District San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District and other community partners. The campaign’s goal is to educate drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians on issues related to traffic safety and encourage active transportation through outreach programs.

MIDDLE SCHOOLS: “BMX Flatland” Assemblies  This bike safety program featuring Peter Brandt, a local Flatland BMX performer, delivers an informative and entertaining message to middle school students.

Look for upcoming programs this school year: ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS: Storybook Poster Contest 2016,  October 18–November 15 Young artists draw safety themed art for entry into an annual storybook.

“Be Reel” Video Contest,  December 12–January 17 The “Be Reel” Video Contest encourages middle school students to create 60-second public service announcement videos on a specific traffic safety theme.

HIGH SCHOOLS: CHP “Start Smart”  Street Smarts partners with the California Highway Patrol to educate new drivers and their parents or guardians about safe driving practices. Visit www.street-smarts.com.

RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY PREVENTION Burglars are hunters. Similar to traditional hunters, burglars stalk their prey at certain times and in specific locations. Learn how to protect your home from these predators with knowledge and proactive measures.

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Burglars do homework on their prey, called ‘casing.’ They will travel to their target location and get a ‘feel’ for the patterns of the neighborhood in order to know where the greatest vulnerability lies.

One way in which they do this is posing as solicitors or people asking for help.

TIPS FOR PREVENTING HOME BURGLARIES:

Don’t present an empty home. If a person comes

seeking to ‘sell’ something or looking for help,

speak to them through a closed and locked door.

Whether a person pretends to be a solicitor, a utility worker or motorist in distress, do not allow access to your home.

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While away, use timers to make it appear someone is home.

Wet Weather Driving As winter approaches and the much needed rains return, it’s important to remember safe driving habits in wet weather conditions. In an effort to keep the number of collisions down, the Danville Police Department has some suggestions on staying safe on slick roadways.

Here are a few things to consider when skies turn cloudy and water falls from the sky: Allow for more cushion between you and  the vehicle in front of you. Perception and reaction time is about 1.5 seconds, but in wet conditions, if you have to abruptly stop, you run the risk of losing traction and/or hydroplaning. If you leave about a three second gap between you and the car in front of you, you double your chances of being able to safely come to a stop.

Slow down. Not terribly surprising, but still  a valid suggestion. Speeding remains the primary cause in most crashes; however, when you throw in wet conditions and colder temperatures, the chance of ice forming increases. When February rolls around and the fog rolls in, the speed

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Conduct an inspection on the state of your  tires. If you can’t really see the tread on your tires, it’s time to get new ones. Bald tires won’t grip the road, especially when it’s wet out. For those who want to be sure, go to an auto parts store and purchase a tread depth gauge. You should have 1/32 of an inch as a minimum.

Conduct an inspection of your windshield  wipers. When the monsoon hits, it is necessary to have wipers that effectively remove water from your field of vision.

Just as in clear weather, signaling lane  changes and yielding to traffic in the appropriate manner are good habits. When the weather is foul, however, it becomes even more important. Other drivers may not be paying attention as closely as you are.

After the dog days of summer, we all appreciate the change in the weather. Please be cognizant and cautious with those changes.

Residents may also invest in motion-activated camera systems or lights. If you have them installed, make sure they are correctly positioned to give the best view of any potential suspects. You can also register a camera with the Danville PD to assist the Investigations unit in the event of a crime in your neighborhood.

Make sure all locks on

doors and windows in

the home are functional. It is also good strategy to employ secondary locking on windows and sliding glass doors (such as dowels in the track path of a window).

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limit may very well be considered unsafe depending on how far ahead of your vehicle you can see.

Burglary prevention is much simpler if approached by looking through the burglar’s eyes. Ask yourself questions like, ‘When would I do it? Where would I make entry? How would I hide?’

Taking a hard look at your house can help you keep a burglar out. When it comes to home security, an ounce of prevention is surely worth a pound of cure.

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Lock your vehicle at night and remove valuables.

Lock garage door remotes in the glove compartment or bring them inside at night.

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Get to know your neighbors! Start a Neighborhood Watch group or have a block party on National Night Out. The better you know your neighborhood, the easier it is to see when something/someone is out of place.

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Annual Tree Lighting, a Classic Tradition Mark your calendar, hone your shopping list and prepare for merriment and memories, because Danville’s holiday spirit will be here before you know it.

One of the Town’s most charming events, the Lighting of the Old Oak Tree, is held the day after Thanksgiving on Friday, November 25, from 5:15 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in downtown Danville. In its 40th year, the tree lighting has become a yearly tradition for local families, but also a community favorite.

At the start of the event, families will gather on Diablo Road around the Town’s landmark oak tree, which is more than 350 years old, and will enjoy music provided by the Danville Girls Chorus and the San Ramon Valley High School Chorus. Around 6:15 p.m., the magic begins when Father Christmas and the Snow Angel arrive, fairy dust is sprinkled and the Old Oak Tree is spectacularly illuminated—a joyful and jolly kick-off to Danville’s holiday season.

Family Fun at Fall Crafts Festival Danville’s downtown streets will be home to hundreds of artists and artisans as the 25th Annual Fall Crafts Festival returns October 22–23, 2016.

Co-sponsored by the Danville Area Chamber of Commerce and the Town of Danville, the Fall Crafts Festival will feature an amazing array of crafts created by some 200 artisans. There’s truly something for everyone: ceramics, wood, leather, metalwork, jewelry, glass, photography, painting, mixed-media and much more. Whether you’re new to the event or a seasoned veteran, you’ll certainly appreciate the festival’s glass pumpkin patch: a stunning display that features more than 1,000 one-of-a-kind hand-blown pumpkins in a myriad of shapes and hues.

Children of all ages will enjoy the many festivities available, including bounce houses, face painting, train rides, music and a hometown costume parade held on Saturday at 10:00 a.m. Don’t forget your treat bags, as Danville’s downtown merchants and artists are eager to greet costumed clientele with delicious delights during the weekend’s trick-or-treat time.

On Sunday you’ll find the Fall Festival Classic Car Show, which is back for its fourth year and promises to impress with its display of classic hot rods from the 1950s and ’60s.

The Danville Fall Crafts Festival is open from 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. October 22–23, 2016.

Admission is free and parking is available in all Town-owned lots and at curbside parking spaces.

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Event-goers can then bask in the spirit by humming to street-corner musicians, strolling along the tree-lined sidewalks, stopping in for dinner or a cocktail at a local eatery, browsing shops and enjoying holiday merriment and goodies such as hot cocoa, cider and tea provided by Danville’s merchants, who have decked out their downtown shops with seasonal splendor.

Danville’s small businesses will be front and center the day following the tree lighting, Saturday, November 25, to welcome you to downtown for Photo: Kyle Mix Small Business Saturday. Start off the holiday shopping right this year by shopping local, it does make a difference.

For every $50 spent at Danville businesses, $23 is reinvested to support and improve the parks, library, recreation centers and other things that make Danville the perfect place to live, dine, shop and play.

Magic, Music, and Laughter at the Village Theatre

Parents clear your schedules because the Town of Danville’s Preschool Performances are back!

The 2016/17 series is sure to satisfy funny bones of all ages.

THE VILLAGE THEATRE IS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THE FOLLOWING SCHEDULE: October 7

May 5

Juggler and prop comic Fred Anderson

November 4 Back by popular demand:

the music of Octopretzel

June 2

Physical comedian and juggler Bri Crabtree

December 2 Illusionist Timothy James

July 7

Comedy illusionist Brian Scott

January 6

The Brian Waite Band

February 3

Escape artist and comedy juggler Bob Kann

August 11 The one, the only…

the Bubble Lady!

March 3

Cowgirl tricks with America’s funniest cowgirl, Karen Quest

April 14

Ventriloquist Steve Chaney & his puppet partner, Cornelius Crowe

Physical comedy and juggling with Unique Derique

All shows begin at 10:00 a.m. (August 11 has an additional 1:00 p.m. show) and tickets are on sale now; $5 tickets need to be purchased for parents and all children over the age of 18 months. Full season packages are also available for only $48. To purchase tickets or packages visit www.villagetheatreshows.com or call (925) 314-3400.

Holiday Events for Youth and Tweens!

Elf Workshop Saturday, December 10 Ages 1–9: Children can create hands-on holiday crafts and get a chance to visit and take a photo with Santa.

A Homemade Holiday Thursday, December 8 Ages 8–12: Tweens can get into the holiday spirit by creating homemade gifts that come straight from the heart.

Both events are very popular each year and will fill up fast so be sure to preregister now! Online registration is recommended at www.danvillerecguide.com.

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Parking Additions and Bike Lane Enhancements in Vicinity of SRVHS In late summer, the Town of Danville embarked on a project that will not only increase parking capacity near San Ramon Valley High School, but will also enhance safety for cyclists.

Following a repaving and resealing of Danville Boulevard between Railroad Avenue and El Cerro Boulevard, the entire stretch was restriped, along with a section of El Cerro Boulevard to create more parking. 22 new spaces were created as a result.

In addition, green bicycle lane markings were put down to make a more visible bike lane and encourage residents to use bicycles as a mode of transport in Town.

The project, completed in August 2016, is a good example of maximizing street resurfacing projects for implementing traffic safety, circulation and parking capacity improvements through innovative pavement striping design.

For more information on this project, contact Andrew Dillard, Transportation Manager, at (925) 314-3384 or adillard@danville.ca.gov.

Drought Restrictions Eased In May 2016, East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) officials announced an end to the drought emergency and eased the drought restrictions from a Stage 4 to Stage 0 level.

Effective July 1, 2016, EBMUD lifted the temporary drought surcharge from customers’ bills and suspended the outdoor water use restrictions.

Despite the easing, some of the outdoor watering use restrictions have been folded into EBMUD’s permanent rules such as: No watering of ornamental turf on public street  medians allowed Use hoses with shutoff nozzles to wash vehicles 

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No washing of driveways and sidewalks: except  as needed for health and safety Turn off fountains or decorative water features  unless the water is recirculated Use a broom or air blower to clean hard  surfaces such as driveways and sidewalks, except as needed for health and safety The application of potable water to landscapes  (e.g. lawn) or hard surfaces (e.g. decks) that result in excessive use and runoff is prohibited For more information regarding EBMUD’s water use regulations, visit www.ebmud.com.

Town Begins Preparations for Rainy Season RESIDENTS CAN HELP PREVENT FLOODING

Every year the Town of Danville Maintenance staff takes on the monumental task of cleaning and clearing miles of roadside ditches, culverts, creeks and storm drain inlets. Even with these efforts there are instances of flooding in some Danville neighborhoods, many of which could be avoided.

Debris left in private drainage structures can become a serious flood hazard when it enters the public drainage system. Firewood, grass clippings, tree trimmings or other objects that are dumped or left on the banks of both private and public waterways become obstructions as they travel downstream. These objects become lodged in pipes and, as the storm waters continue to bring additional debris downstream, the pipes become clogged and flooding occurs.

Many instances of flooding occur well before debris can make it downstream however, as drain inlets can become obstructed by such items as leaves, construction materials and toys. With an estimated 4,700 inlets throughout the Town of Danville this may quickly result in flooding during heavy rains.

Debris left in drainage ditches or inlets can result in clogged or damaged drains, traffic or flooding hazards, increased costs for removal and disposal, and more.

The Town would like to remind residents that, with their help, we can avoid many potential flooding hazards by keeping drain inlets and waterways clear of debris. Preventative measures go a long way in avoiding these hazards and if we all work together we can keep the community safe during upcoming storm events.

For more information contact Dave Casteel, Maintenance Superintendent, at 314-3434 or dcasteel@danville.ca.gov.

Osage Station Renovation

One of the gems in the heart of Danville received a much-anticipated upgrade this summer as the picnic and playground area at Osage Station Park underwent a renovation.

After years of planning and community input, work began on the project in January 2016.

Based on input received through online surveys and public meetings, the new play area was designed and built to an ‘Old West’ theme. New rubberized surfacing was put in to help keep children safe. Bike racks were also installed throughout the area so that families could ride to the park for athletics, picnics or play.

Benches, barbecue grills and water fountains in the picnic area were removed and updated.

A new packed surface was installed and new landscaping put in, giving the area a serene setting for gatherings.

In addition to the picnic and play areas, the popular memorial rose boxes at the park received a complete makeover which included removal and replacement of the original rose boxes, along with crushed gravel surface.

The upper trail near the rose boxes was also improved for greater accessibility for those with disabilities.

Families wishing to hold team parties, birthdays or other gatherings at the picnic area can rent out tables at the park by going to www.danville.ca.gov/rentals.

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Building Permit Counter Hours Extended When working on a home project or having a contractor do work on your home, time is of the essence. And having more access to Town resources can help maximize that time. With that thought in mind, the Town of Danville has instituted extended hours for the front permit counter.

Monday–Friday, the counter is now open from 7:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

The enhanced services provided during the new extended hours are for express permit issues such as kitchen and bathroom remodels, window replacements, and other similar work.

For more information on the front counter hours and services available, contact Building Services at (925) 314-3330.

NEW COUNTER HOURS: Monday–Friday, 7:30 am–4:00 pm Enhanced services are for express permits such as: • kitchen remodels • bath remodels • window replacements

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More Bocce at Sycamore Valley Park Bocce is an extremely popular sport in Danville, with leagues and court time filling up rapidly. For the past few years, residents have requested additional courts to be put in to handle the demand. Over the winter of 2015 and spring of 2016, the Town worked on a project to increase the number of courts at Sycamore Valley Park from four to eight.

The project included new picnic areas, shade structures, lighting and renovations at the park. The new courts and amenities were unveiled in May 2016 with a ribbon-cutting attended by the Town Council and area bocce leagues.

Residents can rent the bocce courts by going to www.danville.ca.gov/Services/Facilities-andRentals/.

Plastic Bag Ban In an effort to limit the number of plastic bags polluting creeks, rivers, roadsides and the ocean, in fall 2014 the Danville Town Council adopted an ordinance prohibiting businesses from giving out single-use plastic carryout bags. After the approval, businesses were given 18 months to prepare for the ordinance, which was not implemented until July 1, 2016.

Short Term Rental Ordinance Approved In response to resident feedback, on March 1, 2016, an ordinance prohibiting short-term residential rentals (a period of less than 30 days) took effect in Danville. In recent years, the number of short term rentals of residential properties and individual rooms with residences has grown rapidly, aided in large part by the creation of Internet-based platforms such as Airbnb and VRBO which simplify property owners’ ability to connect with individuals looking for short-term accommodations. The ordinance affects any primary or secondary dwelling units.

Previously, the Town of Danville’s zoning ordinance neither explicitly prohibits nor permits short term rentals of dwelling units or individual rooms within dwelling units.

The new ordinance adds a definition of short term rentals to the Town of Danville’s zoning districts.

Feedback from residents clearly stated that the presence of short-term rentals in residential districts create negative, secondary impacts, such as additional traffic, parking demand and noise. In addition, the use of short-term rentals is also inconsistent with provisions of the Town’s 2030 General Plan regarding protection of residential neighborhoods from incompatible land uses. Short term rentals of second dwelling units or multi-family dwellings also conflict with provisions of the Danville 2014–2022 Housing Element, which relies on these types of housing being available to long-term tenants to meet the Town’s affordable housing needs.

The ordinance was discussed at a public study session and two Planning Commission meetings before being approved and adopted by the Danville Town Council.

Unlike other communities, retailers may, but are not required to, charge customers for a paper bag. Individual protective bags may be used, including: bags used for unwrapped prepared foods (such as bakery goods or popcorn), bags used to contain frozen foods or meats, bags used for bulk items (such as produce, candy, nuts or cereals), and bags wrapped around containers of soups or stews to prevent spilling.

Letters reminding businesses of the upcoming ban were mailed in January 2015 and January 2016, and during spring 2016, staff visited every retail and restaurant in Danville with information on the ban. Customers are encouraged to bring their own reusable bag when they shop.

The Town appreciates residents and businesses for helping keep plastic bags out of landfills, creeks, roadsides and waterways.

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Upcoming Special Events RUN FOR EDUCATION

Sunday, October 16 • 8:00–9:00 am A family-focused fitness fundraiser for San Ramon Valley schools.

DANVILLE FALL CRAFTS FESTIVAL

Saturday & Sunday, October 22 & 23 10:00 am–5:00 pm Enjoy arts, crafts, food, music, and entertainment for the whole family.

VETERANS DAY

Friday, November 11 • 10:30 am–1:00 pm Annual remembrance event at San Ramon Valley High School.

Veterans Memorial Building Open House—The Korean War Friday, November 11: 12:00 pm–8:00 pm Saturday, November 12: 9:00 am–5:00 pm Sunday, November 13: 10:00 am–3:00 pm

LIGHTING OF THE OLD OAK TREE

Friday, November 25 • 5:15–8:30 pm A wonderful annual tradition. Father Christmas and the Snow Angel bring the Town’s iconic Old Oak to light!

danville.ca.gov

SANTA’S MAILBOX

November 30–December 11 Children can drop off letters to Santa at the Danville Community Center and receive a letter in return by December 24.

MAYOR’S INSTALLATION & COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARDS

Tuesday, December 6 • 7:00–10:00 pm Join us in honoring all of those who volunteer their time and talents in service to Danville.

HOMEMADE HOLIDAYS

Thursday, December 8 • 4:00–5:00 pm Fun, craft-filled event for tweens to make their own holiday gift—preregistration required.

ELF WORKSHOP

Saturday, December 10 9:00–11:00 am, 11:30 am–1:30 pm Fantastic holiday event for the little ones.

DANVILLE FARMERS’ MARKET

Saturdays, 9:00 am–1:00 pm Buy local, eat local with freshly-picked nutritious food, breads and specialty items.

At the Railroad Avenue Municipal lot.