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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTC Digest 2013-10-11TOWN COUNCIL WEEKLY DIGEST Week of October 7 —11, 2013 1. Letter — Tiburon Peninsula Foundation — Final Report — Carol Ann and Dennis Rockey Fund Grant 2. Letter — Michael J. Scippa — Recognition of Decision to Disallow Alcohol after the Half Marathon on November 3, 2013 Agendas & Minutes 3. Minutes — Design Review Board — September 19, 2013 4. Action Minutes — Design Review Board — October 3, 2013 5. Agenda — Design Review Board — October 17, 2013 a) Letter — Senator Alex Padilla — Request for Support of Senate Bill 405 Phasing Out Single-Use Plastic Bags in California b) Letter — Dept. Veterans Affairs — Communication with City Employees in Time for Veterans Day c) Letter — Metropolitan Transportation Commission — Steps to Mitigate Effect of Possible Bart Strike d) Invitation —10th Annual Cope Banquet — Dec. 5, 2013 e) Western City Magazine — October 2013 * 0 Bay Area Monitor — LWV Newsletter — September/October 2013 Agendas & Minutes g) None * Council Only Tiburon October 3, 2013 Peninsula Foundation To: Bonnie Grossman, Marin Community Foundation P.O. Box 210 Belvedere - Tiburon, From: Arlene M. Nielsen, Tiburon Peninsula Foundation CA 94920 Re: Final Report, Carol Ann and Dennis Rockey Fund Grant We received this grant of $25,000 from the Carol Ann and Dennis Rockey Fund to clear, clean and beautify the area around the old railroad track berm at THE BOARD Blackie's Pasture in Tiburon. Sonja Bohannon The area had become overgrown and unattractive. The trestle remains at the end Leslie Doyle of the berm, an important historical element for a town that began as the railroad David Holscher connection between the North Bay and San Francisco, were falling. The Town of Art Kern Tiburon had tried over the years to get agreement on a master plan and one was Elizabeth Kilgore prepared in 1982. It was very ambitious and expensive and many objected that it Ed Lynch did not respect the historical elements. Arlene Nielsen Steve Sears The Tiburon Peninsula Foundation has traditionally been the "stewards of Jeff Smith Blackie's Pasture." Dennis and Carol Ann Rockey knew us when we fundraised Petey Stein for Blackie's statue and began planning and supporting community events there. Jim Wood Carol Ann and Dennis Rockey would now be proud of Blackie's Trestle Berm! We were not asked to publicize their contribution but we were happy and honored to always show our appreciation for this very generous grant. This project could EMERITUS not have been accomplished without these funds. As we stated upon receipt, we were confident the money could be put to good use. Mogens Bach The Tiburon Peninsula Foundation has no staff but has a long history of working Piper Berger With volunteers and of partnering with others to accomplish our goals. We have Robin Daly spent $21,906.57. The Town of Tiburon paid the $3,450 cost of the hydro George Gnoss seeding. The Master Gardeners contributed the materials for the seed balls. Barbara Mathew Jim Mitchell The pending projects, already in the planning stage, will be more than the Sylvia Ross $3,093.43 remaining from the Grant. The Tiburon Peninsula Foundations will Larry Smith supplement any monies needed. Gary Spratling Expenses Payee Amount Purpose Garcia's Landscaping_ $ 7,961.18 Ve etation, cutting, chipping, disposing. Redwood Engineering $12,707.89 Debris collection & disposal. Contouring and leveling. Erosion control & drainage. Kristin Jakob $ 262.50 Horticultural consultation Historical plaque stands $ 975.00 2 cortan steel stands for plaques TOTAL: $21,906.57 We have not monetized the volunteer contributions. • Ed Lynch, TPF Vice President (2010 -2012) Tiburon Fire Battalion Chief, supervised Phases III and IV, the cleaning and contouring, • Cristina Poindexter, Graduate Engineering Student, UC, prepared the elevations to restore the area to the 1982 map as required by the Town. • Harvey Rogers and James Campbell supervised Phase V, the beautification, • Dave Gotz, Landmarks, spent several days clearing broom and vegetation and supervised the stabilization of the trestle remains. • James Campbell and the Peninsula Master Gardeners organized the making of the seed balls at Reed School and the fain Seed Toss at the Berm. Tiburon Peninsula Foundation pai s in this project are: • The Town of Tiburon • The Belvedere Tiburon Landmarks Society • The local chapter of Master Gardeners Phase I: Determining the Scope: The area around and on top of the old railroad berm had become so covered with vegetation that it was impossible to make an intelligent plan without clearing it first. Tiburon Town Council and staff had faith in us and allowed us to proceed with an exploration. They agreed that the first step would be to clear away the growth and see what was there. They were very helpful in facilitating this process. We had to get the endorsement of the Parks and Open Space Committee and final approval from the Council. Staff provided guidance and maps. All fees were waived. Phase II: Clearing the area. We set out to remove the vegetation in order to find out what was hidden by all the growth on top and on the sides of the berm and also the area surrounding it. With the help of volunteers, principally led by Dave Gotz, Landmarks' Archivist, we started this undertaking. Soon we learned that professional assistance was needed. We contracted with Garcia's Landscaping Company. They chopped and cut and cleared several truckloads of vegetation that were taken to the dump to be recycled. Jim Wood, of the Green Team, and now on the TPF board, introduced us to this very competent landscape company and we were able to negotiate a good price. Phase III: Cleaning the_a_rea of debris. To no one's surprise, we discovered mounds of dirt, discarded tree stumps and posts, broken concrete slabs... We learned we needed to bring a tractor and a large dump truck to remove the remaining debris. We contracted with Redwood Engincerin to haul away several large truckloads. TPF Vice President, Battalion Chief Ed Lynch, was able to negotiate very favorably with this local company. Phase IV: Restoring the contour of the land as much as possible to the plan the Town of Tiburon had on file from 1982. Essential conditions were: a) safety, b) good drainage and c) ease in maintaining the area. Mounds of dirt had been dumped altering the flow of water on the slope. A graduate student in engineering at UC Berkeley, Cristina Poindexter, volunteered and provided us with the proper elevations to restore the grading according to the record map. We were again able to contract with Redwood Engineering to do the grading of the ground around the berm. Ed Lynch worked with Town Public Works staff to insure the drainage was properly connected and he supervised the leveling including doing away with several dangerous improvised bike ramps that had been created. Phase V: Beautifying the area and protecting it from harmful erosion. Following the advise of our partner, Harvey Rogers, long time Master Gardener and prime mover and creator of Blackie's Garden, we decided to hydro seed the area with a mixture of wildflower seeds. We retained a native plant specialist to advise us and, with Harvey's assistance, we contracted with a hydro seeding company, Freedlun Hydroseeding. The Town of Tiburon covered this cost of $2,250. We also had great volunteer help from James Campbell and other Master Gardeners, and the children of Reed School. They made seed balls of a mixture of wild flower seeds and clay and organized a fun seed toss on the sides of the berm. Unfortunately, the rain did not come at the perfect time so we did not have the gorgeous display we had hoped. The California poppies did come through and we had no erosion problems. Pending projects in Phase V: The Town asked us to help "beautify" the side of the road at Trestle Glen and we facilitated meetings with Town staff and our Master Gardeners partners. Last spring, we were prepared to help implement their proposals. However, the Town embarked on a major re design of all signs and approaches to the downtown, and the plans for the road side along the curve at Blackie's have been delayed. The Town Council and staff are currently planning a major campaign to beautify the medians along Tiburon Blvd. and we assume this will also include our earlier plans. When we were discussing the hydro seeding process, we briefly explored other ways to prepare the soil and broadcast wildflower seeds. We hope this coming year we can try again perhaps on a smaller area. Phase VI: Stabilize the remains of the trestle the wooden structure at the end of the berm. This was a very important goal for our partners, the Belvedere- Tiburon Landmarks Society. David Gotz, Landmarks' Archivist, investigated the proper procedures that needed to be followed and, at their request and under Dave's supervision, we again contracted with Redwood Engineering to buttress the structure. Dave was able to get several discarded telephone poles donated. Phase VII: Placement of historical/instructional plaques. Pending. The iron stands have been purchased. TPF and Landmarks have partnered in the past in the creating and installing a series of "then and now" plaques along the old railroad tracks, now a historical path. Dave has located a fabulous picture in the Archives of a young boy standing on the old tracks. We had hoped to place this ON the berm, near the restored remains and on the exact spot from where the picture had been taken; however, Town staff has determined that the location would not be appropriate since it would be prohibitively expensive to comply with all the ADA requirements. Based on our experience creating, manufacturing and installing other historical plaques, we have budgeted $4,000 to place one near the remains of the trestle bridge. We will have to find a location at the base of the berm and go through the permitting process to build a cement pad and install the stand and plaque. We will also be working with the Master Gardeners to create and install an instructional plaque. Other remaining work: We did not clear the inside corner of the angle formed by the berm and Tiburon Blvd. principally because we worried about not being able to cover all before the rains arrived but also because we thought we would not have enough money to address it. We do plan to finish clearing and cleaning the last portion of the north side of the berm where it makes a narrowing angle between it and Tiburon Blvd. We have budgeted an additional $5,000 to complement the $25,000 of the original grant for this. Town Manager, Peggy Curran, seemed receptive to a proposal to hire a flock of goats to clear the inside and to trim the sides and top of the berm. The tenacious invasive broom now covering the corner would not have a chance of surviving! The final goal is to leave the entire area so that it can be maintained clear and beautiful on an ongoing basis. Tiburon Public Works has incorporated most of the area we were able to clear into their maintenance schedule and now mow the flat areas. We have not yet finalized a plan for the sides and top of the berm that may have to be done with weed eaters. Acknowledgements: Peggy Curran, Tiburon Town Manager, was supportive and encouraging from the very beginning. She instructed staff to assist us as much as possible. David Gotz, Archivist, Belvedere Tiburon Landmarks Society, was the most diligent volunteer. He enthusiastically showed up with his chain saw when we attempted to clear the top of the berm. He had the vision on how to properly stabilize the remains. Harvey Rogers, Master Gardener Supreme, the creative genius behind Blackie's Garden, a beautiful demonstration garden at the entrance to the Pasture, has been a long time partner of the Tiburon Peninsula Foundation. He joined the team with courage and unflagging enthusiasm and was our technical supervisor during the beautification phase. James Campbell, Master Gardener, was the inspiration and leader of the seed toss project. He enlisted Reed School children, supervised the making of the seeds and organized the tossing of the balls on the side of the berm. Ed Lynch, Battalion Chief, Tiburon Fire and Vice President of the Tiburon Peninsula Foundation (1910 -1912) was indispensable with his knowledge of the practical aspects of clearing, hauling and grading. He was the first line of supervision during the cleaning, leveling and grading phases. His many local contacts and friendships greatly facilitated our progress. Attaclunents to official report: 1. Financial documentation 2. Official correspondence, chronological 3. Correspondence with Tammie Fraser, Trustee of Rockey Fund 4. Newspaper coverage ILI •-NI. I I i=� I ci I m IA3 l� 7 D I I H R - 0 I:t Ej I ut z LU -Z W Z ct r\1 2 ul D, rJ rit, a kL ,3- ILI, kA tCJ Q. ut P- ul 0 cC <D C_- S W23---7'e- -�LLO og - s-s ou- av a-(!�a4: -9 --,�-,-a56 v�j niiqAwo -a-14j_ -�? W - - -RA��Vjt :jtQ S�f�5q& A LL{ a t1/ u 2 I s http://maii.alcohoijustice.org/#1 Dear Council Members, DIGEST Qd You make me proud to be a resident of Tiburon (since 1974). Your recent decision to not allow alcohol after the Half Marathon &5K race coming up on Nov. 3 was bold and enlightened and deserves greater recognition. On behalf of Alcohol Justice and myself, I invite you to our next Board meeting which will be held on Friday October 18, 2013, at the Tiburon Lodge, to receive a token of our appreciation for keeping the event "family friendly." We are still putting the finishing touches on our meeting agenda but can tentatively say the award would be made at 1:30 p.m. to whomever can be there to represent you all. Please let me know if you can make it. Kind regards, E C E Michael / - 11 si -, 3 OZ013 L- TOWN CLERK TOWN OF TIBURON Michael J. Scippa Public Affairs Director Alcohol Justice Michaels@AlcohoiJustice.org 415/257-2490 (D) 415/548-0492 (C) ALCOHOL jusinCE, alcoholjustice.r.,l g Michael J. Scippa Director of Public Affairs michaeis@alcoholiustice.org 24 Belvedere Street tel 415-257-2490 San Rafael, CA 94901,, cell 415-548-0492 I f reecursports.org fax 415-456-0491 alcopopfreezone.us 1 of 1 alcohoijustice.org . I G"' E S T a3e MINUTES #15 The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chair Chong. A. ROLL CALL Present: Chair Chong, Vice Chair Cousins, Boardmembers Emberson, Kricensky and Tollini Absent: None Ex- Officio: Director of Community Development Anderson, Assistant Plainer O'Malley, and Minutes Clerk Harper B. PUBLIC COMMENTS - None C. STAFF BRIEFING - None 26 APOLLO ROAM: File No. 713039, Suzanna and Nikita Bell, Owners; Site Plan and Architectural Review for construction of a new single - family dwelling. The new two - story house would include four bedrooms, three bathrooms, a living room, dining room, kitchen, family room and a one -car garage. The project would increase the floor area by 1,901 square feet to a total of 2,861 square feet of living space. The lot coverage would increase to 2,421 square feet (28.1 %) of the site. Assessor's Parcel No. 034 - 271 -13. Chair Chong provided a brief introduction and recap of the item, which had been continued from the Board meeting of July 18, 2013. Jim Rizzo, project designer, thanked the Board for hearing this revision and said that he took the Board's earlier recommendations to revise the building to better blend in with the existing neighborhoods. He stated that Mr. Bell could not attend the meeting. Mr. Rizzo presented a graphic of all two - story homes in the neighborhood, identifying their sizes and locations, and said that there are four two -story homes in the center of the neighborhood , the nearest situated about 100 feet away from the proposed project. He said that the graphic showed at least 50 neighbors in support of the project, including all but one of the neighbors surrounding the property. He noted that there are second stories in the vicinity of their property and they had significantly redesigned the fagade to lessen the volume and to feel more in keeping with the neighborhood. He referenced a letter from Marti Andrews and asked why opposing community members feel they are entitled to design the Bell's project and take away their dreams. He said that although the height limit is 30 feet, the proposed house would be 23 feet tall and they were trying to keep the building volume down. He suggested letting the Town's legislative review process detennine TIBURON D.R.B. MINUTES #15 9/19/2013 the outcome of this proposal and not the community, which is split. He said that the zoning ordinance says that they can build the project and the Bell's would like to build a second story for their family. He said that they want to maintain green space for their children and they believe it is the right design for the property. Mr. Rizzo referred to the revised plans and the concessions made to reduce the entire building volume by 19% to lessen the impact of views to the hills. He said that they maintained the Thors' views the best that they could while maintaining the program of the second story. He stated that they would use a hip roof with shed dormers that would also make the building more charming. He said that they softened the entrance with a trellis and landscaping. He said that the building height was reduced 4'6" from the original design which would be 7 feet less than the maximum allowable height, and the house would comply with all setback restrictions. He said that they also moved the main living space forward 6.5 feet to lessen the impact of noise to the neighbors and they did the best they could with bedrooms upstairs. He said that the bedrooms are secondary spaces and if there was going to be a second story they felt it would be less of an impact to put the children's bedrooms upstairs and not a master suite with potential for a balcony. Suzanna Bell, applicant, said that she was sorry to have missed the last meeting and was disappointed that they did get approved because she thought they followed everything to code and that the majority of the immediate neighbors were in support. She said that her biggest disappointment was the neighborhood war that is going on. She hoped that the DRB could focus on the project and said that this was not about the neighborhood. She said that neighbors who were against second stories should go to a higher level of the Town and try to put in a rule about that for the future, but today she felt that their property is perfect for a second story. She said that the house would be more than 70 feet away from the closest neighbor. Chair Chong stated that he recognized that this is an emotional and polarizing application. He asked for everyone to be professional and neighborly. He said that the Board had read all letters. Lastly, he stated that this was not a popularity contest and he asked that audience members not clap or cheer. He said that the Board was most interested in the most specific concerns about the revised design, noting that the minutes include all comments from the last meeting and design. Dana Thor said that she and her husband Ed share 2/3 of the fence with the Bells and would be adversely affected by the huge looming structure being proposed. She said that the applicants were advised by the Board not to return with a two -story design yet they have persisted in doing so. She said that one of the four cornerstones of good planning and design is to ensure that a new design fits in with the surrounding community, protecting not only the applicant, but the surrounding neighbors. She said that the proposed second story would destroy their privacy and quality of life as it would look into every livable space in their home including their master bedroom. She stated that their home was renovated with tall windows and French doors, designed to take advantage of their yard and patio and the privacy that they currently leave. She said that a second story would take away their view of Ring Mountain which is a landmark to the residents of Tiburon, especially in their Belveron East neighborhood, and one of the main reasons they purchased their home. She said that she and her husband are supporters of good design and improvement but not at the expense of any neighbors. She said that good neighbors always take into consideration how their actions will affect others. TIBURON D.R.B. MINUTES #I5 9/19/2013 Linda Hevern said that at the July 18"' meeting the DRB advised the applicants not to resubmit an altered two -story design and instead submit a one -story design. She thought that the Board should stand by their previous direction instead of bowing to an attempt to wear down the Board with a resubmission of a two -story design. She said that the crux of this issue was the effect on neighbors of additional two -story homes in the interior and flat area of Belveron East. She felt that future requests for second story homes in the interior of Belveron. East should be exceptions as a rule and provide that two -story structures do not affect the views, privacy and home value of surrounding neighbors. She said that the Thors would be affected in all of these ways. She said that if this situation was reversed, the applicants would oppose the second story because it would take away their views and would be a detriment to their privacy. Keri Bosch said that she recently did a similar renovation for her home in Belvedere and they reduced the bulk and mass as the applicants did and now their neighbors are very happy. She said that she lives in a very small house and the most cherished point of their property is their backyard and she thought that it is important to have an area for kids to play safely. She said that all the applicants want is a little more space for their family and she felt that the Town should allow that. She thought that the Bells have done a good job in reducing the bulk and mass and the house would look charming. Catherine Soper said that she cannot compare this neighborhood to the one that she lived in an affluent Boston community with two -story Cape Cod homes on very small lots. She said that she has a one -story home and has no privacy, as she hears her neighbors behind her in their one -story homes. She said that the dynamics of the neighborhood are changing and people have different needs. She said that a beautiful two -story home would fit the applicants' needs and would improve the neighborhood. Melissa Hopps, said that she understood that the applicants want to build a nice house for their family, but many neighbors have raised their kids without a huge yard. She was concerned that if two -story homes were allowed in one section where neighbors supported them or where there were already two -story homes, eventually such homes would come down to her end and open up a can of worms. She understood that this was upsetting for the Bells and the entire neighborhood, but she felt that they can live in a one -story home. She said that there are some beautiful one - story homes in the neighborhood that are very spacious. She said that they all have views and she would like to preserve what she has and supported the Thors' concerns. Devin Bosch said that he and his wife live on two -story homes on 7,500 square foot lots and said that people close draperies and give each other privacy. He said that design is important to the community, as there are families that want to move in the area and they do not want to have their children play in the street, as one accident would make people ask why the Town did not allow them to have a second story. He said that the Board should consider that the Bell's three kids want to play in the backyard. He felt that this design would increase property values and more families will want to come to the neighborhood. He said that the Bell's existing house is tiny and it was important to set a precedent to let the neighborhood know that it is okay to bring families in there. He said that many of those opposed to the project do not have kids now that live in their homes. He thought that this would be a very lovely house and he hoped that the Board thinks about the future. TIBURON D.R.B. MINUTES #25 9/19/2013 Jill. Arcuri said that she supported the project. She said that based on what she has read and heard, the Bells have followed the guidelines and the codes. She was concerned that the neighbors were interfering with the design but she understood how the project could affect the one neighbor. She was upset that this was wrecking the sense of community. She discussed concerns about traffic safety of Apollo Road with cars speeding down the road and kids in the street. She said that she understood the need for privacy but felt that the applicants modified their design and lowered the house. Regarding privacy, she said that she hears her backyard neighbor that has a one -story house and it does not bother her. She felt that other families will not want to buy a house to remodel if people will tell them they carnlot rebuild it the way they want to build. Katie Vasieek expressed her and her husband's support for the project. They felt that the changes to the home would positively impact the neighborhood and the surrounding community. She said that they moved to the neighborhood in 2006 and at this time it was apparent that the area was in transition. She said that since that time, many small homes have slowly been transforriled to beautifully updated homes that have helped make the neighborhood more appealing. She said that today, families pay a premium for their properties and have expectations that they can someday renovate. She felt that it would be unfair to deny the applicants or any other homeowner the right to upgrade their homes as they wish when they are working within building regulations set by the City. She felt that the project would be a great addition to the neighborhood and the partial second story would only add positively to the architectural diversity of the neighborhood. She said that there are many other two -story homes in Belveron. She urged the Board to approve the project because the design would enhance their neighborhood and potential homebuyers will be more likely to invest here if they know they can design a home within the regulated standards. She said that encouraging and investing in this neighborhood will bring property values up throughout the neighborhood and positively benefit the Town through increased property taxes and building permits and fees. She said that allowing partial two -story homes would save more green space and increase access to outdoor living and healthy lifestyles for families. She strongly urged the Board to approve the project. Barr Haney said that he is an active real estate agent in the community and knows the Tiburon market extremely well and he was shocked that they were having this conversation. He voiced his support of the project and believed that people do not move to the flats of any city for views or privacy. He said that if people want views, they buy on a hill and if they want privacy, they buy a bigger lot elsewhere. He said that this is a family neighborhood where it is a community and people are not worried about views or privacy. He said that on this 8,600+ square foot pancake flat lot the fact that the applicants might be limited to a single story home in a neighborhood with other second story homes was shocking, especially when the Town's ordinance allows second stories. He noted that the design had been reduced in height to 2' ) feet and concessions have been made. He said that a two -story home with a smaller footprint is more valuable than taking up and sacrificing the yard. He felt that this was very big for this and any neighborhood in Marin and he could not believe that there is opposition. He suggested closing windows at night or planting trees for privacy and he felt that the Bells had done everything to be as respectful as possible. John Levenllagen voiced support of the project. He said that she has lived in the neighborhood since 1965 and has seen many two stories go up. He thought that the project design is respectful, attractive and does not invade the privacy of any homes. He said that he had concerns when the TIBURON D.R.B. MINUTES #15 9/19/2013 two -story homes were being built next to him but he has never experienced invasion of privacy. Regarding the yard, he said that he likes it when kids are in the back and having fun and when they are in the street it scares everyone. He asked that the Board support the project so the Bells can keep their yard. Diane Larson said that a second story home would affect the Thors and the second story is the issue and not the design. She felt that a second story home was not appropriate in that location given the effect it would have on their neighbor. She said that the Thors' house is designed for an indoor /outdoor lifestyle with large windows and opens out completely into their backyard. She said that invasion of privacy involves a perception that one cannot walk from one room of the house to the other end of the house in full view of large, high windows without having a robe on because they know there is a second story with an easy vantage point into their home. She felt that the lots are plenty large enough to expand in a single story style and still have a back yard. She said that there was never an issue of children playing in the streets until recent years, which she does not understand. She said that Belveron is a community and two -story homes within the interior are an issue. She said that Belveron was developed with the back side of Mercury Avenue higher than Apollo Road, with Apollo Roads higher than Juno Road, for water drainage. She said that homeowners should have a right to develop their homes, but the applicants' lot size is adequate and she felt that a home should not be designed to affect its neighbors. Marti Andrews said that she was sorry that they were back here rehashing what should have been settled. She said that this was not personal and not about popularity either, but about respect for neighbors, DRB's views, and privacy. She said that this was not Belveron West or Belvedere, but Belveron East, where there are 4 two -story homes in the interior right now. She said that none of the neighbors were impacted by two of these homes, as one was built in the 1960's before the DRB existed, and one is on a corner lot where the owners worked with the neighbors and accommodated their design accordingly. She said that this issue has divided the community terribly simply because one family does not choose to respect their neighbors. She said that many people in the neighborhood have told her that they cannot oppose the two -story plan since their children play and /or go to school with the applicants' children. Jon Welner disclosed that he is a Plamming Commissioner and was told that he was able to testify tonight. He thought that in the course of the testimony there was an effort to portray the opponents of this project as being the old neighborhood and the proponents of the project as being the new neighborhood, and he strongly felt that this was not the case. He said that he lives in a 1,100 square foot home with three small children and they also plan to remodel their home someday. However, he objected to the outrageous way the plan has gone forward to remodel the home at the expense of the neighborhood and the im nediate neighbors. He noted that points were repeatedly made that the applicants have followed all codes and that this is about the project and not the neighborhood. He disagreed with both of these points, stating that the reason there is a DRB is because one can adhere to the letter of the code, yet something can be out of character with the neighborhood or be unfair. He said that they are asking that the Board look at the plan objectively and ask whether it is fair to the Thors, and whether it is consistent with the character of the neighborhood. He said that the reason that kids play in the street is because it is a public space and they are being neighborly, not because there is no room on their lot. He objected to the strategy where an applicant comes in with an outrageously large project knowing that they will be rejected so that they can leave, come back with a smaller project, and get what TIBURON D.R.B. MINUTES #15 9/19/2013 they want. He felt that this is a transparent strategy that wears people down to which he strongly objects and he thought that the Board should, too. Margaux Geitheim, 63 Mercury Avenue, said this project is right around the conger from her house. She is fully in support of it. She does not know the details necessarily but, at today's prices, once you pay this kind of money it is not fair to say this is only for the rich people and poor people must stay within a one - story home. The first floor houses often cover 80% of the lot and if there is more flooding, there is less ground to absorb the rainwater. This is a plus when going up to two stories. She does not know the Bells but thinks the people spend a lot of money these days and other communities with smaller lots are building two stories and it is fine, and she is in support of it. Matt Richter said that he is neighbor who is an architect and has worked in the neighborhood on one -story and two -story remodels. As a 15 year resident in the neighborhood with kids that he raised from age 4 to 15 and 17, he said that he supported the project for a two -story home in the interior of the neighborhood. He felt that it was inconsistent for the DRB to approve two -story projects over the last 5 to 6 years and now say they cannot be done on the interior of the neighborhood. He thought that it was important for people have the right to develop their property. He said that the home would block some views to some extent and would be different neighbors directly behind them, but he felt that this was something that needs to happen in the neighborhood. He said that kids will play in the street anyway and this is not an issue, but it the issues were about the zoning ordinance and view corridors. Karen Carrera said that she is an attorney and stated that at the last hearing it was represented that there are only 7 two -story homes in Belveron and there are actually 22 two -story homes in Belveron East and West. She said that Belveron East has 14 two -story homes, with 8 located in the center of the neighborhood and 6 on the parameter of the neighborhood. She said that Belveron West has 8 two -story homes, with 3 located in the center of the neighborhood and 5 on the parameter. She disagreed that two -story homes should only approved on the perimeter, as there is a precedent set by 11 two -story homes in the interior of Belveron East and West. She said that there was no legal basis to support this capricious position and referenced Section 4, Chapter 16; Zoning Height Limits of Tiburon Municipal Code. She said that while the Board has the authority to approve variances, it does not have the authority to create arbitrary codes or create regulations. She said that failure by the Board to follow the code adversely impacts property values and may expose the Town to liability. She believed that it was wrong for the Board to quash development that is clearly with the guidelines. She hoped that the Board understood that the neighborhood is changing and younger families should not be discouraged from remodeling their homes. She felt that second stories are important to maintaining a yard and thus, the integrity of the neighborhood. She said that the project should be approved based on precedent alone and because the project complies with the codes and would be within the height limit. She said that statements by the DRB at the last meeting suggesting possible approval of variances may also expose the Town to liability by adversely affecting property values. She believed that the Belveron Homeowners Association does not have authority to take a position on this project as was insinuated at the last meeting. She said that the HOA comprises all neighbors and should not take a position against any neighbors. She supported the project and felt that the Board should approve it with the changes that have been made. TIBURON D.R.B. MINUTES #15 9/19/2013 Christina Wollan said that what she loves about this project is that it is being developed and financed by a young family that wants to live and raise their kids in the neighborhood. She said that there are about 26 kids who run up and down Apollo Road every day, two of which are hers. She said that it was a little bit disingenuous to pretend any of their houses have any privacy with 8 foot side yard setbacks. She was worried that if the Town does approve this project, the only people who will invest in the neighborhood will be the flippers who come in and convert every garage into a bedroom and make a handy profit when they sell. She wished everybody understood that the applicants want to make an improvement and supported the project. She thought that this would be a great addition to the neighborhood and wished that everybody had that would understand how their property values would rise along with that. Jim Rizzo pointed to a diagram that shows how much they brought the building down to highlight the view of Ring Mountain and pointed out the story poles and the view across the entire property. He said that the windows in the back would not be large, but small 42 inch high egress windows for the bedrooms. He felt that they did the best they could to respect the privacy of the neighbor that is 70 feet away, which is the furthest neighbor away from this particular development. He said that they thought if they were going to put any windows they would be in a direction that is the furthest distance away. He noted the development above Trestle Glen Boulevard where the homes would loom on top of single story back yards, and said that this project would not loom over a back yard, but would simply be a little higher. He asked for the Board's approval and a decision on what is best for the community. The public hearing was closed at 7:57 p.m. Vice Chair Cousins referred to Section 16- 30.050 of the Zoning Ordinance which states that "the height allowance is subject to reduction through the site plan and architectural review process," meaning that a 30 foot height is not going to be allowed everywhere. He also referred to Section 16- 52.020 (H[3]), which states that "in neighborhoods consisting primarily of one story homes, second story additions shall be discouraged or permitted within increased setbacks or other design features to minimize the intrusion on the neighborhood." He stated that these sections give clear instruction to the DRB on building heights. He said that at the last meeting he was less worried about the effect a two -story home would have because he comes from a country that primarily has two -story homes and he did not see the privacy issue as a problem as large as people were saying. He said that the character of the neighborhood at the moment is still single - story but is evolving to accommodate larger houses, which he thought was the question the Board must address. Boardmember Emberson said that the Board does not arbitrarily decide things because they like or do not like people, but must follow the code. She said that she loves stucco houses done in the right manner, but she cannot decide based on what she does or does not like. She reiterated the language in Section 16- 52.020 (H[3]) and said that when she drove around Belveron East, she saw a predominantly single -story neighborhood. She said that while it was hard for her to support, she loved the design, but since the zoning code says to discourage second stories she did not feel that she could go against the code that deals with neighborhoods like Belveron East, Hawthorne Terrace and Bel Aire. She believed that the DRB approved a second story on the perimeter of the neighborhood but not on the interior. She asked if the other Boardmembers TIBURON D.R.B. MINUTES #15 9/19/2013 recalled any other 30 foot homes that have recently been approved or built in Tiburon. Boardmember Tollini said that the Board approved one on the waterfront. Boardmember Eniberson said that the Bells have one of the biggest lots and there is room to expand in a single story manner that other people have done while still providing a large area for kids to play, although that was something the applicant did not want to do. She did not think that the project could be approved and thought that it will be appealed. She said that she was somewhat discouraged, but she could not support a second story, although she loved the project. Boardmember Tollini said that he did not understand how drainage was a meaningful issue on whether or not there is a first or second story. He said that there were many other red herring issues that the Board should probably address. He said that he has driven through the neighborhood about 14 times since the last meeting and had spent more time per application in this neighborhood than anywhere else and every time he goes through the neighborhood, there are tons of kids in the street and that is why he drives very slowly. He said that kids are on the street with riding scooters, bikes, and other things and they are not going to do this in a back yard. Boardmember Tollini said that he is also a lawyer and noted that there are specific things that the Board must look at above and beyond zoning. He read Section 16- 52.020 (H[3]) in its entirety which states that "the height, size and /or bulk of the proposed project bears a reasonable relationship to the character of existing buildings in the vicinity. A good relationship of a building to its surroundings is important. For example, in neighborhoods consisting primarily of one -story homes, second story homes shall be discouraged, or permitted with increased setbacks or other design features to minimize the intrusion on the neighborhood." He said that there are other things the Board pays attention to, but this is the neighborhood character aspect of what they should be sizing up. Boardmember Tollini said he took a holistic survey of homes in the Belveron East neighborhood and counted 123 houses, 9 of which have some sort of second story and, of those, 4 have a second story comparable to what was being requested by this application. Of those 4, he said that one was at 3 Juno Road and one was a house by Trestle Glen Boulevard, which are fairly new and have substantial second stories. He said that the other two look like they were approved further back in time. He said that he has been on the Board since July 2008 and no second story homes have been approved in the flats. He said that it is not that he hates second stories or has a categorical rule against them, but when applying the ordinance, with the exception of 22 Mercury Avenue which was denied by the Board but overturned by the Town Council, the homes approved in this area have uniformly been one story. Boardmember Tollini referred to comments made about improving property values and being consistent with all projects approved in the last 5 or 6 years and noted that the Board had been fairly consistent with that, as there have not been any two -story homes. He said that in addressing whether the project had done enough to minimize the impact of a second story in a neighborhood that is primarily one story, this is overwhelmingly, not just primarily, a one -story neighborhood and he did not think that the impact was sufficiently minimized. He thought that it was unfair to have a severe intrusion into the Thors' back yard. He also did not think that telling TIBURON D.R.B. MINUTES #15 9/1.9/2013 them to move or screening the house with enough trees so they can no longer see Ring Mountain was an adequate solution. Therefore, he said that he still cannot support the project. Boardmember Kricensky said that Boardmember Tollini's comments were very well put. He said that he was sympathetic to both groups who feel very adamant about what they are doing. He said that the revised plan which was essentially a large dormer was better than the previous design, but it was still a second story and the mass was still present. He thought that the idea that if a project complied with everything by the numbers in the zoning code you should be able to do it was wrong. He said that he could design houses for those lots that would be to code but no one would want built. He said that he drives through the neighborhood a lot and sees kids in the street and there is a reason for it. He said that in many neighborhoods, this is one of the charming things, as it is the kids' social place where they can get together without going in someone else's house and having "play dates." He said that kids just congregate in the street and this is how they get to know each other and is a very healthy social environment. Boardmember Kricensky said that these are small lots and he did not think it was a noise issue but a view issue combined with the mass. He said that there is a difference between sitting in the back yard where everything is open and there is a lot of sky and sun coming in, because when it starts to get closed up, it has a different feel. He said that there were many houses the DRB has approved with one -story design for families with kids. He said that the Board must really interpret what the code says and look at the larger issue of what happens if every house is two stories and how it would change the neighborhood. He thought that this neighborhood is its own place and cannot be compared to anywhere else and the Board must look at it like that and try to maintain its character and go by what the code says in terms of primarily one story neighborhoods. Chair Chong said that there were three things he saw when looking at application: 1) the code around variances, FAR, lot coverage and all the numbers; 2) the design, architecture, color, the fit with the neighborhood; and 3) the impact on neighbors' privacy and views. He said that when blending this altogether, there is rarely an application that does not have one of those issues that the Board must weigh. He said that the applications that the Board is able to approve in 5 minutes fit all those items perfectly. He quoted former Boardmember and current Councilmember Frank Doyle as saying "sometimes you just have to step back from a project and squint and look at it from the view as to really feel whether it fits in or not." Chair Chong said that for him, this project fits. He said that he reviewed the Town Council minutes for 22 Mercury Avenue and quoted the minutes, which stated, "Vice Mayor Berger stated that he understood the neighbors' concern. At the same time he said that the DRB did a great job in reviewing the application. He said that there was no prohibition of second stories in the Town's guidelines so the question for him was how well it had been designed." This was followed by Councilmember Slavitz who stated, "He agreed that the Council could not legislate against second story additions; however, he said the house was too big for a small lot and too close to the neighbors." Councilmember Collins also agreed with the comments. Councilmember Gram stated, "He has seen a number of applications in his 12 years on the Council. He said there is no policy on second story additions and it was possible to do them properly. He said the needs of families have changed over time and the Belveron neighborhood was changing and the homes were being updated. He said the job of the Council was to review each application individually." Mayor TIBURON D.R.B. MINUTES #15 9/19/2013 Fredericks said she was "a policy person. She agreed that second stories were often appropriate and could be done appropriately." Chair Chong agreed with Boardmember Emberson that whatever the Board decides will be appealed to the Town Council and possibly their thoughts are different, but most of the previous Council were quoted as saying they are not against second stories. Chair Chong said that for him the issue is whether the project fits on the lot. He'remembered 22 Mercury Avenue distinctly as a very narrow lot that was much closer to the neighbors and did not have as much yard to expand into, but remembered thinking at the time that if the house was just on a different lot, then it would have been easier to approve. He said that the subject lot is generously proportioned with enough room to provide a buffer between the applicants' house and the neighbors' house. He felt that if the final decision is to not allow a second story on this lot, the message was clear and perhaps the code should be amended to "discourage two -story homes with the exception of Belveron where it is not allowed." He thought that if a modest two -story addition like this does not go through he did not think that there were many lots in Belveron, short of some up on the hill, which would be appropriate for two stories. He said that he was in a different place and more in agreement with Vice Chair Cousins where he thought that this would not have the impact that many people think that it would have. He noted that there is a tree right to the left of the house and he thought that there was no reason that another tree could be planted that would blocks views of the house and maintain the same net view of Ring Mountain. He stated that he has little privacy where he lives and neighbors can look into each other's windows, but the house would not be on top of the Thor home and there were two yards in between the two houses. Boardmember Emberson said that what she said at the last meeting still held and she cannot still support the application. She thought that when one argues that the lot is big enough and is buffered, it supports her argument that it is big enough to expand into the yard. Boardmember Tollini said that he could not support the project. Boardmember Kricensky said that the Board has to look at each lot and house and the whole community. He said that in terms of consistency, there are both sides of Belveron, but in looking at what their decisions were on the recent house on Washington Court and a house further down on Apollo Road that was two stories, the DRB did not allow those because they were too inconsistent with the neighborhood and impacted rear yard privacy. He felt that this project, even though it came back a couple of times, never really tried to minimize the impacts. He reiterated that this kind of expanded dormer solution was probably the best solution for a two -story home here because it would not move the windows to the side and it would limit how the two -story area works. He felt that taking the triangle out on either side would help open it up and if he were to be supportive, that would be a design he could get behind. But based upon their past and taking into account of the code and the Town Council's opposite decision, he was truly on the fence about the application. Vice Chair Cousins pointed out to the architect that there was an issue with the design of the dormers, with a conflict with the way the roof slopes on the dormers and the way the roof hits the main ridge line which does not work. He said that this would need to be resolved before it could come back. TIBURON D.R.B. MINUTES #15 9/1912013 10 Boardmember Kricensky said that one could look at the design by itself and if it was stuck in there like a few of the other two story homes are, but in driving around and seeing the neighborhood and taking a feel of the neighborhood, he thought that this was inconsistent with the neighborhood. Chair Chong questioned whether the motion would be to direct staff to prepare a resolution to deny the application, and Director Anderson concurred. ACTION: It was M/S (Emberson /Tollini) to direct staff to return to the Design Review Board with a resolution denying the application for 26 Apollo Road; File No. 713039 to be acted on at the next meeting. Vote: 3 -2 (Ayes: Emberson, Kricensky, and Tollini. Noes: Chong and Cousins). E. APPROVAL, OF MINUTES #14 OF THE SEPTEMBER 5, 2013 DESIGN REVIEW BOARD MEETING Boardmember Tollini requested the following corrections to the minutes: Page 3, 6th full paragraph, first sentence should be corrected to read: "Boardmember Tollini stated the house would have no impact from inside neighbors' homes." ACTION: It was M/S (Kricensky /Tollini) to approve the minutes of the September 5, 2013 meeting, as amended. Vote: 5 -0. The meeting was adjourned at 8:27 p.m. BRYAN CHONG, CHAIR TIBURON DESIGN REVIEW BOARD ATTEST: SCOTT ANDERSON, SECRETARY TIBURON D.R.B. MINUTES #15 9/19/2013 11 DIGEST TOWN OF TIBURON Action Minutes- Regular Meeting Tiburon Town Hall Design Review Board 1505 Tiburon Boulevard October 3, 2013 Tiburon, CA 94920 7:00 P.M. ACTION MINUTES # 16 CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL At 7.00 PM ]Present: Vice Chair Cousins, Boardmembers Emberson and Tollini Absent: Chair Chong and Boardmember Kricensky Ex- Officio: Plam- ing Manager Watrous, Assistant Planner O'Malley, and Minutes Clerk Harper ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None STAFF BRIEFING (if any) None OLD BUSINESS 26 APOLLO ROAD: File No. 713039; Suzanna and Nikita Bell, Owners; Adoption of resolution denying Site Plan and Architectural Review for construction of a new single - family dwelling. Assessor's Parcel No. 034 - 271 -13. Resolution Adopted 3 -O PUBLIC HEARINGS AND NEW BUSINESS 2. 25 VENUS COURT: File No. 713098; Victor Barkhodarian, Owner; Site Plan and Architectural Review for construction of a new single- family dwelling. More than 50 percent of the existing house would be demolished and the house would be expanded to include three new bedrooms, two bathrooms, a dining room, game room and a new garage. The project would increase the floor area by 1,649 square feet to a total of 2,892 square feet of living space. The lot coverage would increase to 3,715 square feet (15.6 %) of the site. Assessor's Parcel No. 034 - 281 -55. Approved 3 -0 3. 849 TIBURON BOULEVARD: File No. 713084; Kam Shadan, Owner; Site Plan and Architectural Review construct additions to an existing single - family dwelling. The project would construct additions to the existing house, including a new upper level, along with a new detached garage and exterior improvements to the site, including a new hot tub, gazebo and decks. The project would increase the floor area by 1,247 square feet to a total of 3,442 square feet of living space. The lot coverage would increase to 2,662 square feet (10.7 %) of the site. Assessor's Parcel No. 055 - 261 -06. Approved 3 -0 MINUTES 4. Regular Meeting of September 19, 2013 Approved as amended 3 -0 ADJOURNMENT At 7.55 PM Design Review Board Action Minutes October 3, 2013 Page 1 TO)YNT OF TIBURON Tiburon Town Hall 1505 Tiburon Boulevard Tiburon, CA 94920 AGENDA TIBURON DESIGN REVIEW BOARD CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Chair Chong, Vice Chair Cousins, Boardmembers Emberson, Kricensky and Tollini ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Persons wishing to address the Design Review Board on any subject not on the agenda may do so under this portion of the agenda. Please note that the Design Review Board is not able to undertake extended discussion, or take action on, items that do not appear on this agenda. Matters requiring action will be referred to Town Staff for consideration and /or placed on .a future Design Review Board agenda. Please limit your continents to no more than three (3) minutes. Any communications regarding an item not on the agenda will not be considered part of the administrative record for that item. STAFF BRIEFING (if any) PUBLIC HEARINGS AND NEW BUSINESS 200 DIVISO ST'REE'T': File No. 21322; Todd Werby and Nonie Greene, Owners; Site Plan and Architectural Review for construction of additions to an existing single - family dwelling, with a Variance for reduced side yard setback and a Floor Area Exception. The project would expand an existing detached carport, add a new driveway and make minor exterior alterations to the existing house. The project would increase the floor area of the carport to 611 square feet ad increase the lot coverage to 3,646 square feet (28.6 %) of the site. The expanded carport would extend to within 2 feet of the north side yard property line, which is less than the 8 foot minimum side yard setback in the R -1 zone. Assessor's Parcel No. 059 - 132 -10. [KO] 2. 131 LAS LOMAS LANE: File No. 21324; Mary and David Lundgren, Owners; Site Plan and Architectural Review construct additions to an existing single - family dwelling, with Variances for reduced side yard setbacks. The project would enlarge two bedrooms a kitchen and living room on the main level and add a half bathroom, office and nook to the lower level of the house. The project would increase the floor area by 719 square feet to a total of 1,586 square feet of living space. The lot coverage would increase to 1,325 square feet (19.8 %) of the site. The additions would extend to within 2 feet of the south side property line and within 6 feet of the north side property line, which would be less than the 8 foot minimum side yard setback in the R -2 zone. Assessor's Parcel No. 059- 121 -06. [KO] Design Review Board October 17, 2013 Page 1 3. 88 ROLLING HILLS ROAD: File No. 21318; James To, Owner; Site Plan and Architectural Review for construction of a new single - family dwelling, with a Variance for excess building height. The house would include a living room, dining room, kitchen, four bedrooms, four bathrooms, an office, a laundry room and a two -car garage. The house would have 4,922 square feet of floor area and cover 3,193 square feet (1.3 %) of the site. A portion of the house would have a maximum height of 39 feet, which would exceed the maximum height limit of 30 feet. Assessor's Parcel No. 058 - 121 -32. [DW] 4. 2240 CENTRO EAST STREET: File No. 713070; Margo and Douglas Zucker, Owners; Site Plan and Architectural Review for construction of a new single- family dwelling. The house would include a living room, dining room, kitchen, three bedrooms, three bathrooms, powder room, laundry room, wine cellar and a two -car garage. The house would have 3,289 square feet of floor area and cover 3,823 square feet (29.6 %) of the site. Assessor's Parcel No. 059- 142 -02. [DW] MINUTES 5. Regular Meeting of October 3, 2013 ADJOURNMENT Design Review Board October 17; 2013 Page 2 (IT, Y a tats 'n t a t I-> ALEX PADILLA RECEIVED SENATOR. 20TH DISTRICT OCT -72013 f t� j�Gk 1 jbJ n��q'C�TN i%4� @L3G. a 4J3 F t 3 a October 1, 2013 Town of Tiburon Attn: City Council 1505 Tiburon Blvd Tiburon, CA 94920 -2530 Dear Colleague, I respectfully ask for your support of Senate Bill 405 which would phase out single -use plastic bags in California. Each year in California, more than 13 billion single -use plastic bags are handed out by retailers. CalRecycle reports that only 3% of single -use plastic bags are actually recycled. The other 97% litter our streams, rivers and coastline, and endanger birds, marine life and wildlife. Plastic bags remain one of the top items found during annual beach cleanups. Plastic bags also contribute to blight in our communities and clog local storm water systems. Because plastic bags take 1,000 years to degrade, their impacts are compounded every year. California local governments spend more than $25 million each year to collect and bury plastic bag waste. And the plastic bags that do enter our recycling centers slow the sorting process and jam machinery. Earlier this year, I introduced SB 405. This bill would enact a statewide phase out of single -use plastic bags in California. This legislation is supported by a broad coalition that includes grocers, environmentalists and many local governments. Despite strong support, SB 405 fell 3 votes short of passage this year. I remain committed to this effort, but I need your help. SB 405 will face another vote early next year. Between now and then, I am respectfully asking you to put your city on record in support of SB 405. The City of Los Angeles took this step in June of this year and joined 80 other California cities and counties who support the phase out of single -use plastic bags in their communities. Please join me in this effort. Attached, please find a sample resolution in support of SB 405, a copy of the bill, and a fact sheet with additional information. I look forward to working with you so that single -use plastic bags are soon phased out in our state. Thank you for your time and consideration. Please feel free to contact me at (916) 651 -4020 if you have any questions or need additional information. Sincerely, ALEX PADILLA State Senator, 20'h District w, CAPITOL OFFICE: STATE CAPITOL, ROOi41 4038 - SACRAMENTO. CA 95814 a TEL (9161 651 -4020 e FAX (916) 324 -6645 DISTRICT OFFICE: 6150 VAN NUYS BLVD., SUITE 400 - VAN NUYS, CA 91401 - TEL (818) 901 -5588 4 FAX (818) 901 -5562 iaPre waAa[o�i WHEREAS, each year in California more than 13 billion single -use plastic bags are handed out by retailers and only 3% of these bags are recycled; and WHEREAS, plastic bags cause slow sorting and jam machinery at recycling centers costing California more than $25 million dollars each year to collect and bury the plastic bag waste; and WHEREAS, according to a study commissioned by the US Marine Debris Monitoring Program, plastic bags remain one of the top items found consistently during annual beach cleanups; and WHEREAS, The Convention on Biological Diversity reports a total of 663 species have been affected by plastic marine pollution through entanglement or ingestion; and WHEREAS, the United States Environmental Protection Agency finds that reducing the use of an item is one of the most effective ways to save our natural resources and protect the environment; and WHEREAS, a third of Californians are subject to laws phasing out the use of single -use plastic bags; and WHEREAS, State Senator Padilla has authored SB 405, which would prohibit grocery stores and large retailers from providing single -use bags to customers in 2015, and would expand that prohibition to convenience stores and food marts in 2016; and WHEREAS, by prohibiting the free distribution of plastic bags, SB 405 would help eliminate a major source of pollution in California; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, with the concurrence of the Mayor, that by the adoption of this Resolution, the hereby SUPPORTS Senate Bill 405 (Padilla) that would prohibit grocery stores, large retailers, convenience stores, and food marts from providing free single -use plastic bags to consumers, and require those stores to have reusable bags available for purchase. PRESENTED BY SECONDED BY Green Vets Los Angeles GreenWaste Recovery Heal the Bay Humboldt County Board of Supervisors Humboldt Waste Management Authority LMV Productions Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Los Angeles County Integrated Waste Management Task Force Napa Valley CanDo Environment Group National Hispanic Environmental Council Natural Resources Defense Council Pacifica's Environmental Family Planning and Conservation League Plasticbaglaws.org Republic Services Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors Save Our Shores Seventh Generation Advisors Sierra Club California Surfrider Foundation Team Marine — Santa Monica High School The Northern California Recycling Association Turtle Island Restoration Network United Food & Commercial Workers Western States Council William C. Velazquez Institute Zanker Road Resource Management FOR MORE INFORMATION — Contact Angela Manetti, Office of Senator Alex Padilla (916) 651 -4020 SB 405 - PA DILLA Single -Ilse Bag Phase Out (as amended 05/24/13) SB 405 would phase out single -use plastic bags in California grocery stores, convenience stores, liquor stores, and pharmacies. Each year in California, more than 13 billion single -use plastic bags are handed out by retailers. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, 88% of plastic bags and sacks are not recycled. In California, only 3% are recycled, according to CalRecycle. Plastic bags cause litter, slow sorting and jam machinery at recycling centers costing California more than $25 million dollars each year to collect and bury the plastic bag waste. According to a study commissioned by the US Marine Debris Monitoring Program, plastic bags remain one of the top items found consistently during annual beach cleanups. Plastic bags are also harmful to the environment killing thousands of birds, turtles and other species. Most plastics do not degrade. Although they represent only 2.2% of waste stream in California, plastic waste is the predominate form of marine debris. Plastics are estimated to compose 60 -80% of all marine debris and 90% of all floating debris worldwide. Plastics not only entangle marine life, they are also ingested by marine life and birds. Most plastic marine debris exists as small plastic particles due to excessive UV radiation exposure and subsequent photo - degradation. The Convention on Biological Diversity reports a total of 663 species have been affected by plastic marine pollution through entanglement or ingestion. The California Coastal Commission reports that "birds, fish and mammals often mistake plastic for food. Some birds even feed it to their young. With plastic filling their stomachs, animals have a false feeling of being full, and may die of starvation. Sea turtles mistake plastic bags for jellyfish, one of their favorite foods. Even grey whales have been found dead with plastic bags and sheeting in their stomachs." The Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San. Diego found evidence of plastic waste in more than 9% of the stomachs of fish collected in the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre and estimate that fish who reside in the intermediate ocean depths ingest 12,000- to 24,000 tons of plastic per year. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, reducing the use of an item is one of the most effective ways to save our natural resources and protect the environment. To date, many local jurisdictions in California have enacted ordinances. The ordinances vary with some requiring a charge for paper carry -out bags and others banning both single -use plastic and paper FOR MORE INFORMATION — Contact Angela Manetti, Office of Senator Alex Padilla (916) 651 -4020 carryout bags. These ordinances have both eliminated the costs associated with plastic bags as well as substantially reduced the volume and costs associated with paper bags in communities. For example. San Francisco, Los Angeles County, San Jose, and San Luis Obispo County are already experiencing the benefits of reducing the use of plastic bags. After just one year of implementation of its bag ordinance, the City of San Jose is reporting 50% cleaner creeks. Los Angeles County is reporting a 95% reduction of all single -use bags distributed, including a 30% reduction of paper bags. Section 42254 and 42257 of the Public Resources Code requires large grocery stores to establish a plastic bag recycling program and sunsets on January 1, 2020. Current California law is silent on the reduction of single -use plastic bags. This bill would: e prohibit a store, on and after January 1, 2015, from providing a single -use carryout bag (i.e., paper, plastic, or other material) to a customer at the point -of -sale. ( §42283(a)) ® authorize a store, on and after July 1, 2016, to provide a reusable grocery bag (i.e., cloth or durable plastic) to a customer, which may be made available for purchase. ( §42283(c)(1)). 0 authorize a store to make a recyclable paper bag available for purchase at the point of sale. ( §42283(d)). 0 specifies standards for reusable grocery bags. ( §42281) ® allows ordinances adopted prior to September 1, 2013 to continue to be enforced. (§42287 (b))• ® prohibits any local agency from enforcing an ordinance related to single -use carryout bags after January I , 2014. (§42287 (b)) allows local agencies to only amend the cost associated with the recyclable paper bag for existing ordinances ( §42287 (c)) ® authorizes the California Department of Resources, Recycling, and Recovery to inspect and audit a reusable bag producer. ( §42282 (a)). 5 Gyres Institute Azul BagIt Board of Supervisers California Coastkeeper Alliance California Coastal Coalition California Resource Recovery Association California State Lands Commission Californians Against Waste Central Contra Costa County Solid Waste Authority City of El Cerrito City of Long Beach City of Palo Alto City of Sacramento City and County of San Francisco City of Sunnyvale City of San Francisco Clean Water Action Clean Water California Contra Costa Clean Water Program County of Los Angeles County of San Mateo Environment California Greater San Fernando Valley Chamber of Commerce Green Sangha FOR MORE INFORMATION — Contact Angela Manetti, Office of Senator Alex Padilla (916) 651 -4020 DIGEST STATE OF CALIFORNIA EDMUND G. BROWN JR., Governor DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS POST OFFICE BOX 942895 SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA 94295 -0001 Telephone: (916) 653 -2158 Mayor Emmett O'Donnell City of Tiburon 1505 Tiburon Blvd. Tiburon, CA 94920 Dear Mayor O'Donnell: The California Department of Veterans Affairs (Ca1Vet) wants to work with you to ensure Tiburon veterans and veteran families are getting the education, employment, housing, health and other benefits and services they have earned through their military service. State and federal veterans benefits are enormously valuable. Besides enriching the lives of veterans and their families, veterans benefits bring hundreds of millions of dollars into California each year and boost local economies. They lower the local cost of veteran health care in California by millions of dollars each year, reduce veteran unemployment and homelessness numbers, and increase enrollment in California colleges and universities. Please consider using the information enclosed to create and send an e -mail from you to city employees system wide in time for Veterans Day, Monday, November 11, 2013. I also encourage you to use the information to create a veterans' page on the intranet site of each city department. Nearly everyone has a veteran somewhere in their life who could benefit from the information. If you are willing to work with CalVet, please contact Carolyn Ballou at 916- 653 -1355 or at carolyn.ballou @calvet.ca.gov to obtain an electronic version of the document for your e -mail or online veterans' page. Tiburon veterans and their families served and sacrificed for our country. Ensuring they get the benefits they are entitled to is the least we can do for them. Sincerely, PETER J. GRAVETT Major General (Ret) Secretary HONORING CALIFORNIA'S VETERANS CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS If you served honorably in the military, thank you for your service and sacrifice for this country. Regardless of your era, your branch, your post, or your assignment—you are entitled to state and federal veterans' benefits. Qualifying dependents may be eligible for benefits as well. To learn about your veterans benefits, go to www.calvet.ca ..gov, download the CalVet mobile app, or call 877-741-8532 toll free. You served, now let CalVet serve you! California Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Services Division 1227 0 Street Sacramento, CA 95814 STATE RESOURCES FOR VETERANS California Veterans Resource Book http://Www.calvetca.govIFilesIVetServicesIVeterans Resource-Book.pdf CalVet Registration/Request for Benefits Information & Assistance https.11cvcs.calvet.ca.govIPageslintakelReintegrationForm.aspx CalVet Newsletters http.-Ilwww.calvet ca. govINewslIVewsletters.aspx CalVet Frequently Asked Questions http://Www. cal vet. ca. govIVetServicesIFAQs.aspx Women Veteran Affairs http://Www. cal vet. ca. govIResourceslWomen.aspx College Fee Waiver Program Fact Sheet http:// www. cal vet.ca.gov1Fileslvet5ervices1Fee _ Waiver FactSheetpdf Agent Orange Fact Sheet http.,Ilwww.calvetca.govIFilesIVetServiceslAgent Orange-FactSheet.pdf PTSD/Traumatic Brain Injury Fact Sheet http://Www.calvet.ca.govIFilesIVetServicesIPTSD-FactSheet..pdf California Veteran License Plate Program http.-Ilwww.calvet. ca. govIVetServicesILicensePlates.aspx County Veterans Service Office Location List http://Www.cacvso.orglpagel2011-l-22-13-52-311 E-mail CalVet at PA O@calvet. ca. gov to be added to the News for Veterans subscriber list. You can easily unsubscribe at any time. FEDERAL RESOURCES FOR VETERANS U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (USDVA) Web Site http://Www. va.govl USDVA Benefits http.11www.va.govlopalpublicationslbenefits bookas.p USDVA Toll Free Phone Numbers https.Iliris.custhelp.comlapplanswersldetailla id/9703 USDVA Frequently Asked Questions https.Iliris.custhelp.comlapplanswers,qistlsessionIL2F2LzEvdGitZS8xMzl4MzE2MjUyL3NpZC8qLTNvKk9 Qaw%3D%3D USDVA Publications http.-Ilwww.va.govlopalpublicationsI USDVA Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Mobile App Coach http:11www.ptsd. va. gov1publicIpagesIptsdcoach. asp Aficiff cAgulme As the Bay Area prepares for another possible BART strike, MTC is reaching out to Bay 7bm A=nbrado Area employers and their employees with suggestions for proactive steps that can help to 1,J mitigate the problems that such a work stoppage would cause. We know from the relatively brief strike in July that a shutdown of BART is a significant matter to Bay Area residents 7b= &ta GL_ 4 (".=w and business. Indeed, the impact will be even greater in October, as BART ridership and David Compot freeway travel are both at higher levels now compared to July. Chq .,I Ow.ry nfS3n 1*.Pd m Roma We also know that sometimes small changes can often yield outsized benefits, especially if N.J. r—ty -a cltm the changes are, multiplied many times over throughout the system — this is particular true Dorm, M. Giampini with traffic congestion. It is in this spirit that we urge employees and employers to consider one or all of the following practices, each of which has the potential to lessen the damage to F"Wal D. Glover the region's economy - and to your own business - stemming from a BART strikes. Al e Telecommuting: Encourage employees to work from home or at a nearby office Anne W Rained location if alternative sites are available. S.. Fnn6.. P�y C.-M6. e Carpooling: With extended hours and additional access to carpool lanes, we Steve KhuV Al.n. r—,T..l Got, encourage employees to form workplace carpools where possible and to try out the Sam ua"& Bay Area's unique casual carpool phenomenon. Offer to cover the parking costs of S-j M.IvA.AppAnt" employees who form carpools, and provide incentives to include employees who Mark Um regularly take BART. (Note: Carpools on the Bay Bridge require three or mare A—i.mo of 11ay A� Q.xrnme.0 occupants, as well as FasTrak@ toll tags.) Ple Min*razzic S== C." -d Qx v Workplace Fleidbility: Relax policies about core work hours to allow employees to P i Cafes of SZ== avoid peak-hour traffic, and encourage options other than in-person meetings such as the use of tele-conferences or web-based meetings. .7— Qua" (11", ad %WS AM- Njan Sorrip; MTC's comprehensive travel information service — 511— provides up-to-the minute travel _Swe -d H—mg Ap y in rmation by a three-,31; tphrr.ecal,',to5-IL-Il.'orat5li.org.L-ifoi-,.t-iietiororitrai'fic fo 1A 19i I conditions, public transit options and carpools and up-to-the-minute updates on all other janus P sa� C kwy 2 travel related information can be found 2417. During the run-up to the strike deadline and Adrinme J. -rwier thereafter, your employees can visit a special page at alert.5 1 Lorg to learn about changes to !6AM.1_C_rj carpool lane policies, casual carpool pick-up and drop-off locations, travel options, Sim Irlener supplemental transit service, and more. Take full advantage of this helpful regional S­ Fmd.. Mr6 Afq-.= resource. s—'��a I appreciate any steps your company can take to disseminate this information and implement F�,,M Ann Fkmer these strategies to help keep the region moving! Ard"10 a Frealier Sincerely, Dpmy T—amw Mm� Or�=� Amy R% Worth, Chair