This was a heated and controversial topic at the City Council meeting with 20+ residents in attendance – many that spoke against approving Iroonet’s request to operate the boarding house. Dublin Ranch HOA President Dave Kay noted that the R-1 single family residential designation in his community precluded the Council’s ability to approve the boarding house request. Other homeowners expressed their concern that Iroonet is operating a for-profit commercial enterprise and that this is forbidden by the Dublin Ranch HOA guidelines.

In their final deliberation, the Council approved the 1 year Conditional Use Permit (CUP) request for no more than 6 student boarders. The permit will expire in June 2010 and will be reevaluated next March.

Related posts:

1. Request for Boarding House in Dublin Ranch Denied
2. Appeal to Add More Parking at Promenade Rejected by Dublin City Council

1. Install two “School Crossing Ahead” signs and lateral markings in the crosswalks at the intersection of Oak Bluff Lane and North Dublin Ranch Drive.
2. Paint “Stop” lines in front of the crosswalks at Oak Bluff Lane and North Dublin Ranch Drive to further assist drivers in remembering to stop.
3. Install “Yield to Pedestrians” signage and two “Stop Ahead” advance warning signs.

The total cost of these safety improvements is $4,500 and will be paid for from the Dublin gas tax fund.

Councilmember Kasie Hildenbrand pushed strongly for the addition of a crossing guard at the intersection of North Dublin Ranch Drive and Oak Bluff Lane based on the observation that many drivers ignore the existing Stop signs. However, the rest of the Council agreed with the Staff report and noted that an additional crossing guard wouldn’t be necessary at this time.

While the addition of speed bumps was not part of tonight’s formal discussion, the Dublin City Council directed City Staff to evaluate the potential for adding speed bumps in various neighborhoods throughout Dublin (including the area near John Green Elementary).

Please check out this YouTube video of Dublin Ranch’s Mary Morehead asking the Dublin City Council to take action to improve pedestrian safety near John Green Elementary after an 11-year old boy was struck by a car.

Related posts:

1. Parent Comments From the Kolb Elementary School Town Hall

Of the proposed 24 action items and strategies, the two most notable were to:

1. Provide the Dublin Unified School District (DUSD) with ongoing funding and one-time grants to promote recycling programs (such as food-scrapping).
2. Recognize local businesses that divert 75% of their waste away from landfills.

Councilmember Hildenbrand was very strong in her skepticism of the proposed partnership between the City of Dublin and the DUSD noting that, “There are 100 reasons why it is difficult to do.” Councilmember Hart countered that the DUSD’s behavior and reluctance to participate in the recycling efforts could be modified given the proper financial incentives.

A representative of Amador Valley Industries was also present to note that there are challenges with the proposed recycling program given that the value of recyclable materials has dropped significantly over the past year based on a precipitous drop in demand from countries like China and India. This in turn has led to unforeseen losses for Amador Valley Industries as they try to sell the recycled materials. Based on this, Amador Valley Industries requested that the City “provide fluidity” and remain flexible with respect to contract terms as market demand changes for recycled goods – seemingly leaving the door open for increased charges down the road.

No related posts.

One of Dublin’s next frontiers of development will be on the parcel of Camp Parks property along Dublin Boulevard – directly across from the East Dublin BART Station Transit Village. The Dublin City Council unanimously approved City Staff’s recommendation to:

1. Submit Requests for Proposal (RFP) to consultants to prepare a Specific Plan and Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the Camp Parks / Dublin Crossings project.
2. Form an evaluation committee to review the various proposals received as part of the RFP process.
3. Create a Task Force to work with the approved consultant to craft the Camp Parks / Dublin Crossings Specific Plan.

Dublin’s City Staff estimates that the Specific Plan and Environmental Impact Report will be completed by December 2010.

The project’s developer SunCal made a presentation to provide an overview of their:

• Expertise in creating master planned communities;
• Standard approach of gaining approvals, building infrastructure, and selling lots to commercial developers and home builders; and
• Experience with military base reuse projects like the Camp Parks / Dublin Crossings project.

SunCal also took time to assuage any concerns that the Council may have about their well-publicized partnerships with the now-defunct Lehman Brothers investment bank – specifically with respect to the Oak Knoll project in Oakland. SunCal’s spokesperson Joe Guerra noted that they have secured the necessary funding to complete the Camp Parks / Dublin Crossings project and that the Lehman Brothers bankruptcy will have no impact on the Dublin project.

In the Council’s ensuing discussion, Mayor Tim Sbranti noted in closing remarks that Dublin Crossings is one of – if not the most – important project in Dublin right now and a key to our future success as a City.

No related posts.