The holiday season is upon us and during this very busy time of the year we find ourselves rushing to complete our errands and tackle to do lists with a limited amount of time.  As we go about our day, there are people who are actively searching for opportunities to take advantage.  Packages that are delivered to our doorsteps and gifts that are left on the back seat of our parked cars, attract "porch pirates" and parking lot thieves who are looking for a chance to swipe those items and it can happen in the blink of an eye. 

When packages are delivered to your home, please take precautions to help minimize the chance of becoming a victim.  When possible, have packages delivered to a location where they can be received in person.  If possible, have them delivered to your workplace.  If not, request the delivery company to hold packages at a pick-up facility or require a mandatory signature for receipt.  There are even apps available that will notify you when packages are delivered, or have them accepted by a neighbor.

Parked vehicles are also a prime target for thieves, as it takes less than a minute to break a window and take a visible item.  Be sure to lock the doors and close the windows when parking your car.  A well-lit, visible parking spot is a huge deterrent as well as having an alarm system.   Do not keep any items, including your wallet or portable accessories, in plain view.  Reduce the temptation by securing your packages, coats, and backpacks in the trunk before reaching your destination.

The holiday season should be a happy time and taking these step to safeguard your property may help avoid loss. 

Housing Element Update

The focus of the City Council discussion on December 9, 2014 will be the selection of one or more sites to accommodate a portion of the regional housing needs allocation through zoning that will allow up to 20 dwelling units per acre.  Currently, zoning on a portion of the Santa Maria Church property meets the State mandate; however, the City will consider anew whether or not to continue to rely on the zoning on the Santa Maria site.

After a site is zoned to allow multifamily housing, whether or not a property owner chooses to develop their property with housing remains entirely up to the property owner.  The City's role is limited to establishing the rules for development and then reviewing development proposals for consistence with the rules. 

At its November 17, 2014 meeting, the Planning Commission recommended the City Council select three sites to allow up to a total of 50 units at 20 units per acre: 1 Orinda Way (martial arts studio, restaurant and other commercial), 27 Orinda Way (Rite Aid) and 10 Irwin Way (Orinda Community Church overflow parking lot).  Both Orinda Way sites  are in the Downtown Commercial District which currently allows, among other uses, multi-family housing at up to 10 units per acre.  If an Orinda Way site is among the sites selected to be zoned to allow housing, the current commercial uses would be permitted under the revised zoning and there would be no change in the mix of uses allowed on the site.  Only the potential number of residential units would change.

Whether or not a property owner decides to redevelop their property with a mix of uses to include multifamily housing is at the discretion of the property owner. 

Details regarding all of the sites under consideration for zoning to accommodate the regional housing need allocation is available here.

 Planning Commission

December 1, 2014 (Monday)

• 731 Miner Road - Design review, elevated deck, and tree removal permits for a 2,684 square foot addition, 384 square foot elevated deck and the removal of three protected oak trees - approved
• 5 Big Leaf Road -  Design review for a new 4,790 square foot one-story, single family residence in Wilder - approved
• 15 Big Leaf Road - Design review and elevated deck permit for a new 4,838 square foot one-story, single family residence in Wilder - approved

December 11, 2014 (Thursday)

• Complete Streets - General Plan Text Amendment implementing the California Complete Street Act of 2008. The proposed text amendment includes policies to plan for a balanced, multimodal transportation network that meets the needs of all users of roads for safe and convenient travel in a manner that is suitable with the semi-rural character of Orinda's residential neighborhoods and the village character of the downtown Crossroads and Village

First January Meeting (Date TBD at the December 11, 2014 Meeting)

• 5 & 7 Oak Knoll - Modifications to grading and tree removal approvals previously granted for the construction of two new single family homes  

• Canon Drive (Vacant site between 112 and 114 Canon Drive) - Design review, elevated deck permit and tree removal permit for a new 3,761 adjusted square foot two-story single family residence, with a 221 square foot elevated deck
• 21 Wilder Road - Design review and an elevated deck permit for a new 3,761 square foot single family residence
• 23 Wilder Road - Design review for a new 2,604 square foot single family residence
• 25 Wilder Road - Design review for a new 2,604 square foot single family residence
• 27 Wilder Road - Design review and elevated deck permit for a new 4,484 square foot single family residence
• 31 Wilder Road - Design review and elevated deck permit for a new 4,870 square foot single family residence

Zoning Administrator

Approved

• 45 Coachwood Terrace - Design review, elevated deck, and second unit applications to allow a 1,445 square foot addition

Projects Received

• 28 Oak Road - Design review to demolish an existing home and construct a new 3,256 square foot single family residence
• 42 Crestview Drive - Conceptual development review for a new 4,200 square foot single family residence
• 54 Linda Vista - Conceptual development review for an addition and to enclose a carport to create a 2-car garage
• 25 La Campana Road - Design review and tree removal permit  to demolish an existing home and build a new 2,710 square foot single family residence
• 31 Wilder Road - A design review for a new 2,497 square foot single family residence
• 33 Wilder Road - A design review for a new 2,491 square foot single family residence
• 35 Wilder Road - A design review for a new 4,490 square foot single family residence
• 37 Wilder Road - A design review for a new 3,798 square foot single family residence
• 29 Wilder Road - A design review for a new 5,000 square foot single family residence