HAVE WE BEEN HAD? DOES THE UNIVERSITY'S LONG RANGE DEVELOPMENT PLAN GIVE CARTE BLANCE TO THE STADIUM LIGHTING PROJECT?
We've been waiting for word about the Stadium lighting project. Although Berkeley residents have heard nothing, be aware that an important planning document, the University's recently published 2020 Long-Range Development Plan (LRDP), made vague references and broad statements that might open the door to increased Stadium use, substantial light or glare, and with minimal environmental review. This very general plan might give carte blanche to University planners with respect to many buildings, but also with respect to stadium lighting per se. We know from experience that projects ''tiered'' off past LRDPs are usually approved without much fanfare.
Consider the following attention-getting statement: ''Projects under the 2020 LRDP have the potential to create new sources of substantial light or glare that could have adverse impacts on day- or night-time views, but the mitigation measures would reduce this impact to less than significant.''(p. 2-7 Volume I).
Not comforted in the least, Panoramic Hill residents know from experience that the proposed mitigation insufficiently mitigated light impacts in the past. ''Lighting for new development projects would be designed to include shields and cut-offs that minimize light spillage onto unintended surfaces and minimize atmospheric light pollution. The only exception to this principle would be in those areas where such features would be incompatible with the visual and/or historic character of the area.'' (p. 2-7, Volume I). I wouldn't count on this last sentence applying to us; instead it might be applied only to Central Campus especially since our neighborhood isn't described in the LRDP as notable for its historic character.
Potential increases in use as a result of Stadium lighting is also a threat. Opening the door to non-athletic uses, the LRDP gives some examples: ''Besides serving athletic uses, the Stadium has served as a venue for University ceremonies including Commencement. President John F. Kennedy and other notables have appeared there.'' (D.1-12, Volume II).
Please speak out as we may not have another chance. This Tuesday, May 11, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., a public hearing on the LRDP will be held at the Clark Kerr Campus, Krutch Theater on 2601 Warring Street. Please come. Put in the public record that extremely intense lights at Memorial Stadium would be incompatible with the adjacent use, which is a residential neighborhood. Describe the neighborhood's historic character. Describe the views. Better safe than sorry.
The LRDP is online at http://lrdp.berkeley.edu
By Janice Thomas
We've been waiting for word about the Stadium lighting project. Although Berkeley residents have heard nothing, be aware that an important planning document, the University's recently published 2020 Long-Range Development Plan (LRDP), made vague references and broad statements that might open the door to increased Stadium use, substantial light or glare, and with minimal environmental review. This very general plan might give carte blanche to University planners with respect to many buildings, but also with respect to stadium lighting per se. We know from experience that projects ''tiered'' off past LRDPs are usually approved without much fanfare.
Consider the following attention-getting statement: ''Projects under the 2020 LRDP have the potential to create new sources of substantial light or glare that could have adverse impacts on day- or night-time views, but the mitigation measures would reduce this impact to less than significant.''(p. 2-7 Volume I).
Not comforted in the least, Panoramic Hill residents know from experience that the proposed mitigation insufficiently mitigated light impacts in the past. ''Lighting for new development projects would be designed to include shields and cut-offs that minimize light spillage onto unintended surfaces and minimize atmospheric light pollution. The only exception to this principle would be in those areas where such features would be incompatible with the visual and/or historic character of the area.'' (p. 2-7, Volume I). I wouldn't count on this last sentence applying to us; instead it might be applied only to Central Campus especially since our neighborhood isn't described in the LRDP as notable for its historic character.
Potential increases in use as a result of Stadium lighting is also a threat. Opening the door to non-athletic uses, the LRDP gives some examples: ''Besides serving athletic uses, the Stadium has served as a venue for University ceremonies including Commencement. President John F. Kennedy and other notables have appeared there.'' (D.1-12, Volume II).
Please speak out as we may not have another chance. This Tuesday, May 11, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., a public hearing on the LRDP will be held at the Clark Kerr Campus, Krutch Theater on 2601 Warring Street. Please come. Put in the public record that extremely intense lights at Memorial Stadium would be incompatible with the adjacent use, which is a residential neighborhood. Describe the neighborhood's historic character. Describe the views. Better safe than sorry.
The LRDP is online at http://lrdp.berkeley.edu
By Janice Thomas
