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Greetings!
1. Please let us know if you have an interest in a new program called "Good News People". See http://www.goodnewspeople-jfm.org/. Reply to socialjustice@catholicsofpleasanton.org
2. RSVP now to watch and listen to webcast Responding to the Syrian Civil War and Refugee Crisis, presented by Catholics Confront Global Poverty Thursday, June 20, 10:00 - 11:00 A.M., RSVP
3. Under Upcoming Events see Saturday, June 22, Habitat for Humanity "Build Day"
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Upcoming Events
Friday, June 14, 9:30 A.M.
Audiocast of meeting of the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) Planning Committee with the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) Administrative Committee, see
Thursday, June 20, 10:00 - 11:00 A.M. Webcast on Responding to the Syrian Civil War and Refugee Crisis, presented by Catholics Confront Global Poverty, RSVP
Saturday, June 22, 8:30 A.M. - 3:30 P.M.
CCOP Habitat for Humanity "Build Day"
Habitat for Humanity's Oakland build site.
All who are 16 years of age or older are welcome! No prior experience necessary, just the willingness to help another family realize the dream of home ownership! Carpools available. Please commit to a full day 8:30 am to 3:30 pm. Space is limited. Contact Diane Ravnik at dravnik@gmail.com
for further information, any questions and to pre-register. Together let's make a difference!
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The Farm Bill
Although the Farm Bill does not receive much public or media attention, it is a very important legislation. The United States and nations of the world need agreements, policies and programs that will alleviate hunger, protect soil, water supplies and climatic conditions, and provide better nutrition for peoples everywhere. The legislative process that is currently shaping the U.S. Farm Bill appears to be falling far short of meeting what is needed. The Senate has passed a Farm Bill that is mostly forward looking but includes $4.1 billion in cuts to SNAP (formerly, the food stamp program) which supplements the food supply for the poor. The House is drafting a Farm Bill that includes a cut of $21 billion from SNAP.
Food for the World, "a collective Christian voice urging our nation's decision makers to end hunger at home and abroad", has a wide range of information about hunger nationally and globally, http://www.bread.org/hunger/
The New York Times had an article on June 10 about Senate passage of a farm bill and the state of the House bill, link.
Questions and Answers about the Farm Bill from the Associated Press dated June 3, link.
A May 22 article from the New York Times illustrates the financial motivations behind the political controversy caused by the Farm Bill, link
Blog posts on the Farm Bill from Bread for the World, http://blog.bread.org/farm-bill/
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Brief Links
Getting to One-Planet Living (World Watch Institute), http://www.worldwatch.org/node/12813
Responses to draft of Plan Bay Area in correspondence by letter and email and comments at a Town Hall and 9 Public Hearings, link Transcripts of speakers' oral comments at 3 public hearings concerning the draft of the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) accompanying the draft Plan Bay Area, link Archive of the meeting beginning at 9:30 A.M. on Friday, June 14, of the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) Planning Committee with the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) Administrative Committee, see link Food for 9 Billion, Exploring the challenge of keeping ourselves fed at a time of rapid social and environmental change (from Center for Investigative Reporting) - contains videos of segments shown on the PBS Newshour and written commentary, Food for 9 billion
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Affordable Rental Complexes in Dublin
The City of Dublin has had notable success in getting housing developers to build apartment complexes with relatively high percentages of affordable units. Linda Smith, Dublin's Economic Development Director & Public Information Officer, explained,
"In terms of the City Council's policy positions on high density housing around transit, this can be found as a common theme in the City's adopted General Plan and the most recently adopted Downtown Dublin Specific Plan. Higher density housing around transit hubs and corridors promotes the development of a more sustainable community, through the lessening of trip traffic and encouraging pedestrian and biking activity. This type of housing also provides for the growing workforce in the region. The Tri-Valley has long been known as a bedroom community, with executive and single family housing options. By diversifying the housing stock with higher density, transit oriented development the region becomes even more attractive to prospective employers."
Dublin has nine apartment complexes that include affordable units. A table showing the total number of units, the number available at below market rate, the level of affordability and other data for each complex is available at link.
Some of these complexes are managed by non-profits. EAH manages Camillia Place, and Eden Housing manages Wicklow Square, Emerald Vista for Seniors at Carlow Court and Emerald Vista for families at Wexford Way. A project approved for Eden Housing will provide 72 units of affordable veteran's housing at the Downtown Dublin Transit District, see link.
Dublin has three so called "Priority Development Areas (PDAs)" intended to support the needs of residents and create pedestrian-and-transit friendly environments connecting jobs with housing. The three have been described as follows:
Dublin - Dublin Transit Center
Plans for the Dublin Transit Center call for the creation of a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly and high-density mix of office, residential, and retail uses within easy walking distance of the BART station. The area accommodates office buildings up to ten stories high. The plan also includes ancillary retail located in the ground floors of the buildings along Iron Horse Parkway and locates a village green at the center of the residential areas, at the western end of Digital Drive.
Dublin - Town Center
The Dublin Town Center Priority includes a mix of housing types-including single-family detached, town homes, condominiums, and apartments. It is intended to become a visually distinctive central business district and community center. The city envisions the Town Center as a walkable area with locally-serving businesses within walking distance or a short ride from residential neighborhoods, conveniently served by transit. Mixed-use development with retail and service uses on the ground level and office or residential uses above is encouraged in existing commercial areas. Landscaped parkways provide attractive, tree canopied sidewalks to enhance the pedestrian experience and encourage greater pedestrian activity. These will be complemented by the addition of two elementary schools, a local trail, four neighborhood parks, and a community park all within walking distance of residential neighborhoods. The City is also planning for community uses, with the potential for a performing arts center, library, community center, or post office, and a public plaza.
Dublin - West Dublin BART Station Area
The plan for this area promotes a mix of uses, including high-density residential, mid-rise office buildings, specialty retail uses, and lodging around the future BART station. This development pattern would be supported by a variety of infrastructure improvements and creation of a cohesive pedestrian- and bicycle-oriented network. The plan calls for buildings up to eight stories tall. According to the plan, retail/office uses will be to the east of Golden Gate Drive, while Amador Plaza Road would be lined by commercial uses. Housing would be located adjacent to the BART station, with a hotel to the south of the housing. Land along Interstate 580 is designated for mixed-use, office, commercial, and lodging while there would be commercial and office uses along the south side of Dublin Boulevard. The plan calls for a bike lane along Dublin Boulevard to link the BART station to downtown Dublin and other employment and recreation areas throughout the city.
Other Links
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about housing in Dublin, link Sustainable Neighborhood Design Amendment to the General Plan Community Design and Sustainability Element, link
Downtown Dublin Specific Plan, link
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