Slt 02-07-19 Issue
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WEEKEND WEATHER FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY What’s an EV? Kindness Rocks Cold, wind and A LIST OF ADVANTAGES, SL GIRL SCOUT TROOP Rain rain. Oh my! HIGHS: 50-55 } DISADVANTAGES, AND EV BUILDS ROCK GARDEN IN 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 BUYING OPTIONS................ 6 } WINDSOR ...................... 9 LOWS: 40-45 San Leandro Times AN INDEPENDENT HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER SERVING SAN LEANDRO, ASHLAND, SAN LORENZO AND SHEFFIELD VILLAGE VOL. 29 • NO. 6 THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2019 SAN LEANDRO • CALIFORNIA Make Apartment Building Smaller, Council Says Developer submits scaled down plans, told to scale down again By Amy Sylvestri San Leandro Times The City Council postponed a units and opponents argue that decision on an apartment building should not be adjusted. Though at 1388 Bancroft Avenue this the Planning Commission and week, telling the developer to city staff recommended that Silva come back with a smaller project should be allowed a zoning vari- within 90 days after hearing vocal see APARTMENTS, page 14 opposition from neighbors. Developer Tom Silva has been trying to build on the site – currently a partially occupied medical office building – since MTC Outlines 2016. Silva’s current proposal for Emergency a three-story 45-unit building was approved by the Planning Commission in December and Housing Plan sent to the City Council. The city’s Community Development PHOTO BY JIM KNOWLES By Amy Sylvestri Department also recommended San Leandro Times Julie Arzadon finds that you now have to pay for parking at Pelton Plaza in downtown San Leandro. that the council approve the plan. The Metropolitan Transpor- Silva had previously pro- tation Commission (MTC) out- posed plans for 73 and 51 unit lined an ambitious plan to create buildings with up to five stories, “emergency housing” throughout Parking Meters Pop Up at Pelton but those plans weren’t approved. the Bay Area at a meeting at the Now the City Council has San Leandro Senior Center last By Jim Knowles tried to comprehend the new meters. “This Arzadon’s thought was pretty much on told Silva to make the 45-unit week. San Leandro Times is a shopping center. You shouldn’t have the money. Paying for parking is an added building even smaller, with May- It’s a 15-year regional, People parking in Pelton Plaza were put to pay.” expense and an inconvenience. But it opens or Pauline Cutter suggesting a multi-agency plan to make cre- into a perplexing position this winter since A moment later, Arzadon had second up parking spaces, because someone can’t 39-unit design. ating and retaining housing easier the parking meters popped up. thoughts. park in one spot the whole day. Neighbors in Estudillo Es- in the Bay Area. Parkers at Pelton scratched their heads, “But you notice there are more parking The new meters are the result of the tates have opposed all the ver- The compact was created squinting at the new, high-tech meters, spaces open,” she said, pointed to some Downtown Parking Management Plan, ap- sions of the 1388 Bancroft devel- by the the MTC’s Committee to trying to figure out what to do. empty spots across the way. “So it’s a give proved by the City Council in 2017, to get opment so far, saying it will bring House the Bay Area (which calls “It’s crazy!” said Julie Arzadon as she and take.” see METERS, page 16 traffic and parking headaches and itself “CASA”). The final CASA that a high-density apartment compact was published in Janu- building on 1.3 acres isn’t a good ary, detailing policies to promote fit for the mostly single-family affordable housing. home neighborhood. While the plan has the support The current zoning only al- of most local cities, developers Apartments to Revive Downtown San Lorenzo lows for a density of up to 31 see HOUSING, page 14 By Amy Sylvestri The 5.1-acre parcel would INSIDE YOUR TIMES San Leandro Times be developed with five separate A plan for a new apartment buildings of three and four sto- ■ ART Auto ......................6 complex with retail stores in ries. The apartments would have Calendar.................4 downtown San Lorenzo is head- SL Art Association installs balconies and residents would new officers. Page 2 Classified Ads ........ 12 ing to the county Planning Com- have open space on the rooftop Crime ....................3 mission for approval this month. and central courtyard. ■ NEWS Crossword ............. 14 Redwood City-based devel- There are also plans for a oper Demmon Partners wants pool, dog park, a shuttle to BART. Kitchen fire breaks out Homes ................. 10 on Estabrook. Page 3 to build a four-story art deco There will be 12,000-square-feet Home Services ....... 12 Inquiring Reporter ... 15 style mixed-use project – called of retail space on the corner of ■ NEWS the Village Green – with 163 Hesperian Boulevard and Paseo Letters ................. 15 Can’t go wrong with a home- market-rate units in five separate Grande, with room for at least Lifestyle .................8 made chocolate cake. Page 8 buildings along Hesperian Bou- six different shops ranging from Obituaries ............. 14 levard and Via Arriba at the old 1,300 to 2,600-square-feet. Plans for the Village Green apartments in San Lorenzo go 38,500 EVERY THURSDAY Seniors ..................7 Mervyn’s site. see SAN LORENZO, page 5 to the county for approval this month. THE LARGEST FREE-DELIVERED NEWSPAPER IN THE EAST BAY 01 FRONT PAGE 02-07-19.indd 1 2/6/19 5:14 PM 2 THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2019 San Leandro Times MEETING Chamber Names this SCHEDULES Year’s Business Awards The San Leandro Chamber • Business Person of the Year ■ CITY COUNCIL of Commerce held its annual – Robbin Beebe, Divine Home Council meets on the first and third awards program last Thursday Care Monday of each month at 7 p.m. in and announced the 2019 Chair • A Leader Creating a Culture of City Council Chambers, City Hall, of the Board of Directors, Emilio Advocacy, Community, & Eco- 835 E. 14th St., San Leandro Garcia, owner of 440 Creates nomic Growth For more information, call the (formerly known as Precision • Legacy Leader in Business City Clerk at 577-3367. Graphics). – McDermott Costa Insurance Emily Griego, president and Brokers ■ SAN LEANDRO CEO of the San Leandro Cham- • Lifetime Commitment of Qual- SCHOOL BOARD ber of Commerce, congratulated ity Service to San Leandro Board meets on the second Tuesday Emilio and all the award winners. • Leadership in Education - San of each month at 7 p.m. in the This year’s award winners: Leandro Adult School City Council Chambers, City Hall, • Business of the Year – F.H. • Commitment to Creating Path- 835 E. 14th St., San Leandro. Dailey Chevrolet ways to Successful Career Op- For more information, call • Excellence in Contributing to portunities Michelle Mayfield at 667-3522. Economic Growth and Commu- • Innovation & Technology Lead- PHOTO BY GINNY MILO nity Engagement Supporting the er – Porifera The San Leandro Art Association elected its officers for this year at the January meeting, Quality of Life in San Leandro • Commitment to Innovative and the group will host a framing and presentation demonstration on Feb. 12. Technology to Create a Sustain- able Future Correction • Spirit of the Community – Ber- Last week’s story “Still a nard Ashcraft Art Association Elects New Officers • Excellence in Collaboration to San Leandro Times Manufacturing Town,” (Jan. ing president Kathleen Kelly, every second Tuesday of the Affect Positive Change in the By Ginny Milo 31, 2019) incorrectly stated that Special to the Times treasurer Marcia O'Kane, board month at the general meeting. Community An independent hometown economic development manager member Azar Vaghefi, vice pres- Membership is open to all • People’s Choice Award: Small The San Leandro Art Associ- newspaper serving Katie Bowman used the phrase ident Stella Chen, board member individuals, businesses, profes- San Leandro, Ashland, Business of the Year – As Knead- ation (SLAA) held an installation “not-in-my-backyard homeown- Janice Cushere, board member sionals, teachers, and students. San Lorenzo and ed Bakery of officers during its first monthly ers.” She didn’t use that phrase Gladys Frantz, board member The SLAA has spring, sum- Sheffield Village • Commitment to Artisanship & meeting on Jan. 8. when describing the opposition Lawrence August, board member mer and fall shows at the Main EDITORIAL Service Wins the Unwavering In the photo are outgoing to the proposed development at Ole Nordhavn, and recording Library, exhibits at the Senior Support of the Community president Molly Dolly, incom- Fred Zehnder 1388 Bancroft Avenue. secretary Cricket Gallegos. Also Community Center, and holds a Editor and Publisher inducted were Corresponding major art festival showcasing the Jim Knowles Secretary Sherry Calcagno and very best of its art, annually for Managing Editor board member Chris Erwin. the past 62 years. [email protected] COMMIT YOUR FAMILY TO BE FIT! Roberto Cunanan won first Check out the SLAA Face- Amy Sylvestri We Are Different From Other Fitness Clubs. prize for Artist of the Month book page and www.slartassoci- City Editor We Have A Family Atmosphere! for his acrylic painting, "Fading ation.org for details and e-mail [email protected] into the Night,” inspired by his [email protected] on how Full Gym • Over 40 Group Exercise Classes • Lap Swimming Year-round memory of Hawaii. to become a member. SLAA is Steve Schaefer Aqua Aerobics • Swim Lessons • Pro Tennis Lessons • Kids Pool Auto Editor San Leandro Art Association accepting new members for 2019. Pickleball & $1Babysitting member artists bring their art Ginny Milo is a member Contributing Writers pieces for judging and possible artist of the San Leandro Art Buzz Bertolero winning Painting of the Month Association.