Planning Commission

April 22, 2014

• 4 Sager Court - Design review for a 1,473 square foot addition including a new second story - approved with conditions
• 8 Frogs Leap Way - Design review for a new 3,785 square foot single family residence at Wilder - approved with conditions

May 13, 2014

• 47 Orchard - Design review  for a new 11,882 adjusted square foot for single family residence and a general use permit for 2 new detached garages
• 23 Bigleaf Way - Design review and elevated deck for a new 3,376 square foot single family residence at Wilder
• 17 Bigleaf Way - Design review for a 4,404 square foot single family residence at Wilder
• 19 Bigleaf Way - Design review for a 4,703 square foot single family residence at Wilder
• 21 Bigleaf Way - Design review for a 3,964 square foot single family residence at Wilder
• C.I.P General Plan Consistency

Zoning Administrator Hearing

At the request of a resident, a Zoning Administrator hearing was held on April 21 to consider AT&T's design review application for a telecommunications equipment cabinet proposed as part of their Project Lightspeed in the public right of way at 140 Brookwood Road. The project was approved with conditions that the equipment be screened with landscaping and a pedestrian path/sidewalk be extended in front of the proposed equipment.

New Projects:

• 210 Stanton Terrace - Tree removal permit
• 208 El Toyonal - Exception for a 412 square foot addition
• 49 Rheem Boulevard - Design review for a 1,228 square foot second unit
• 61 Orinda Way - Temporary event permit for the Orinda Classic Car Show
• 66 Muth Drive -  Elevated deck permit
• 315 Camino Sobrante - Tree removal permit
• 4 Ridge Lane - Tree removal permit

Road and Drainage Repairs Plan: At the Tuesday, April 22, 2014 City Council meeting the Council approved the revised Road and Drainage Repairs Plan (Plan) (aka "10-Year Plan"). The Plan is a very important component of the City's effort to improve the condition of the streets and drains over the next eight to ten years and defines the goals for the $20 million bond (Orinda Measure J) that the voters are being asked to approve on June 3. The Plan is posted on the City web site at www.cityoforinda.org and paper copies are available at City Hall.

Traffic Safety Advisory Committee (TSAC):

The Dalewood/Sundown Terrace neighborhood action team decided to proceed with a simplified plan of adding shoulder striping to visually narrow the road and placing additional 25 mph signs, and new Playground Ahead and Watch Downhill Speed signs. Installation of these Traffic calming measures, are estimated to cost between $10,000 to $15,000.

The Brookwood neighborhood action team expressed their main objective as improving pedestrian safety and reducing vehicular speeds. They requested staff to proceed with installing a walkway along north side of Brookwood Road between 73 Brookwood and Alma Music store, adding speed cushions at two separate locations (near Alma Music store and 50 Brookwood Rd), installing speed feedback signs in each direction, and various additional traffic signage. After receiving some feedback from TSAC, the walkway was eliminated from the traffic calming request and recommended to proceed as a capital improvement plan project which is already identified in the Bicycles, Trails, and Walkways Master Plan. The remaining measures will be included in a draft plan prepared by staff. The preliminary estimate of these remaining measures would be at least $60,000.

Staff directed both neighborhood action teams to outreach to as many residents as possible and to look into possible private funding options due to the City's limited budget. Staff informed the neighborhood action teams that the City does not have a specific budget for installing traffic calming measures and therefore City funded projects of this nature would require re-allocating funds from another capital improvement plan project.  

Public Works:

• Weed abatement on City owned properties in preparation of the fire season
• Roto Rooter started hydrauger cleaning on 4/22/14, all hydraugers should be completed by mid May

"The Nation's 2nd Friendliest City" 

We received an update from PG&E regarding the work to be performed on the transmission tower south of Highway 24 on Quarry Hill (PG&E Tower No. 116).   In order to meet ground clearance requirements, the height of towers throughout the community will be increased. Most of the work will be done with cranes; however, in some locations a helicopter will be necessary.  According to PG&E, a 15-foot extension to the top of the tower No. 116 will need to be installed by helicopter rather than with a crane as they had originally planned. PG&E is anticipating receipt of the necessary permit from Caltrans, and if received, work is scheduled for May 2 and 3, 2014.  The work should not interfere with regular community activities, but there may be noise from the use of the helicopter.

If you have questions for PG&E about the project you can contact Rory Dimick, customer outreach specialist, at 925-459-6158 or electricreliability@pge.com.  

Residential Burglary             10 block La Sombra Ct

DUI Arrest                             Moraga Way/Glorietta Blvd

                                   Camino Pablo/Los Amigos

Identity Theft                         70 block El Gavilan Rd

                                   60 block Muth Dr

                                   20 block Dias Dorados Rd

Warrant Arrest                      30 block Oak Rd

orindatip@cityoforinda.org     

Lamorinda Lunch n' Learn is launching the third series hosted by the City of Orinda, Lafayette, and Town of Moraga. Throughout the summer this series will be covering backyard gardening topics including It's for the Birds (...and Bees,) Inside Dirt, and Garden Habits.  

Contra Costa Master Gardener, Lisa Mizes, will be sharing her tips and tricks on gardening to help you start a sustainable and thriving garden! Register today and attend one class or all three. Lectures start at 10:30am and lunch is served at 12:00pm. For more information pick up an Orinda Parks and Recreation Activity Guide or Click Here! 

Performances run May 21 through June 15 at the  

solar-powered Bruns Amphitheater  -