[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6167491,"mediaKeyId","5410987-c0e23dd30078c290c79aaa094650eab6","parentId",5410987,"title","Orinda holds study session on inclusionary housing; consultants flag trade-offs between 15% target and project feasibility","audioSeconds",1209,"startMs",6871000,"endMs",8080000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5410987-c0e23dd30078c290c79aaa094650eab6&start=6871&end=8080","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5410987-c0e23dd30078c290c79aaa094650eab6/thumbnail_6871000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6167491/Orinda-City/Contra-Costa-County/California/Orinda-holds-study-session-on-inclusionary-housing-consultants-flag-trade-offs-between-15-target-and-project-feasibility","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6167491-8bf1fa1df2d4dc7613fbe266ee3e882e/orig.mp4?Expires=1775407408&Signature=dgSIq6D7zZQ5RF2rJ2F~HaVp7vyiCpfQBDEtu9TRS9LgOJFEZC0otHXOgeLd8OSeoyNjESTLfU0I~f0c14nEGP79KENKPIgXxFwicScS~rZNUNideInfEB3iafcTZXl2FifCNi1lODiGEwsN5BWaJ1HYd0ziQ3xY5CKKiJxicIdXaghdDKLj9sGtsV3FX98i~BLSDjey7rpvHUAT4jrjH5P9G8nWyFo-T4UjCUzePVAxKlZ3tij777f8lJr-YhrfReWTffEPBM4ZlHmheWVLZR68C0wwlmJKFSL5krrLXUm1Ftv8RzT1bqfBa25KoSWQhCXMw~hd8DZEWKbTsj8qfA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Orinda CA","date","2025-07-16T06:13:32Z","article","The Orinda City Council on July 15 held a study session on whether to adopt an inclusionary housing ordinance (IHO) as part of the city's housing-element commitments and heard a consultant's market and feasibility analysis.

Dave Bergman of Lisa Wise Consulting presented the study, which modeled typical developable projects and tested a 15% inclusionary requirement with affordable units set at 80% of Contra Costa County area median income (AMI). Bergman said the 15% at 80% AMI would meet the Metropolitan Transportation Commission's Transit-Oriented Communities (TOC) policy, a key regional discretionary-funding criterion, but noted that structured parking and the cost of for-sale projects could make some developments financially infeasible. \"The study recommends that a 15% inclusionary requirement at 80% AMI is compliant with the MTC TOC policy,\" he said, while also cautioning that \"some individual projects could be financially infeasible, particularly in the downtown core with structured parking requirements.\" (Dave Bergman)

Consultant and staff discussion also addressed the in-lieu fee used as an alternative compliance mechanism. The analysis identified a theoretical maximum in-lieu fee near $550,000 per required affordable unit (about $69 per net rentable square foot under the modeling assumptions), but noted that MTC's TOC guidance would expect a minimum of about $100,000 per unit for fee-out options. Staff and the consultant advised caution: a very high in-lieu fee could suppress development and a very low fee would generate insufficient funds for off-site or nonprofit affordable projects.

Developers and local stakeholders attending the session urged caution and local calibration. Lafayette-based developer Brian Griggs said Orinda needs projects and cautioned that underwriting assumptions used in the model should reflect Bay Area construction and financing realities. Developer Jeff Stone said the presentation's cost assumptions appeared low compared with recent project experience in the region and urged the council to validate model inputs.

Council reaction was mixed. Some members expressed support for adopting an IHO, within carefully chosen parameters and with flexibility to respond to project feasibility on a case-by-case basis. Council member Iverson said he was inclined to move forward but wanted provisions that allowed project-specific exceptions and careful calibration of the in-lieu fee. Council member Riley asked for more data and suggested the council had to balance community goals for affordable housing with not making development infeasible.

Council did not adopt an ordinance. Staff proposed next steps: prepare a formal recommendations memo incorporating public and Planning Commission feedback, draft a proposed ordinance for council review and return with more detailed options (including a range of inclusionary percentages, recommended thresholds for project size, and draft in-lieu fee calculations). Council members asked staff to consult further with the school district and housing practitioners and to schedule additional briefings before any formal ordinance hearings.

Ending: The study session clarified the trade-off the city faces: aligning with regional TOC goals would push toward a 15% target at 80% AMI, but several council members want flexibility so projects that would not be financially viable can be evaluated without blocking housing production.
","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Orinda City Council Meeting - July 15, 2025 - 7PM","oneSentenceSummary","Orinda held a study session on July 15 to evaluate an inclusionary housing ordinance; consultants said a 15% affordability requirement at 80% of area median income would meet regional TOC guidance but could render some downtown or for-sale projects infeasible.","taxTitle","Orinda City, Contra Costa County, California","taxId",70905,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6167495,"Orinda council pauses plan to remove Ivy Drive restriction after residents object; directs more study",5681,1128000,6809000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5410987-c0e23dd30078c290c79aaa094650eab6&start=1128&end=6809","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5410987-c0e23dd30078c290c79aaa094650eab6/thumbnail_1128000.jpg","/articles/6167495/Orinda-City/Contra-Costa-County/California/Orinda-council-pauses-plan-to-remove-Ivy-Drive-restriction-after-residents-object-directs-more-study","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6167495-066bdabbf948f67e3a2d55c831eb8d48/orig.mp4?Expires=1775407408&Signature=Yz4~DPsQCYyeowoiRpQY56VZbbEP3lhN6Z2CtJMgg2XWTvrWS2CQzMqViZsZufFe5OCjNTr0vVW3WeC9GILBWTSrXCwXEjvm4m-fizmxQPg99iefWK2wGKZw5dEBVLNp3LJWzZH68UYNONnCpVy6JB-a5Rw0ofqAOCQHKMY16rHAl5iCzTjxO5y7bWOuimbII-jJPWJJHdUUlR7L-JqBydjro6De3BT15h7tbKS8ySubJtVbdlnBPyWQj8gdQi9aAA1gWVIyMkjCtAworRlPU3tDr13PpmFnC0BhIPJR~RvfdJNKkcXMR3UuHkj9uKh46ahGAOdR7VWRpVaz7pEgjA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Orinda City Council on July 15 declined to adopt staff's full proposal to remove a longstanding no-left-turn restriction at the north intersection of Ivy Drive and Moraga Way, electing instead to send the item back for more study and public engagement.

City staff and the city's traffic consultant had proposed removing one no-left-turn sign, extending the hours on intermediate no-turn restrictions from 7 a.m.'8 a.m. to 7:30 a.m.' 8:30 a.m., modifying signal timing and adding a new no-right-turn sign on Ardith Drive as a pilot to limit cut-through traffic to Miramonte High School. Director of Public Works Scott Christie told the council the study recommended the changes as a trial, with the option to revert or tweak signage based on monitoring: \"The study recommends that that no left turn sign at the north end be removed, and changing those intermediate signs, from 7 to 8AM to 07:30 to 08:30AM, and then to modify our traffic signal timing controls to improve circulation.\" (Scott Christie)

The proposal drew sustained public comment from residents who said the earlier no-left-turn restriction, in place since the early 2000s, keeps student and cut-through traffic out of a neighborhood with children and elderly residents. \"Don't take the no left turn sign out,\" said resident Tim Silviera, who described decades of neighborhood study and safety concern. Doreen Marr, an Ivy Drive resident active in the original traffic process, said the measures taken previously had reduced crashes and near-misses: \"Don't remove it.\" Other speakers provided counts and on-street observations: one resident reported 134 cars passing straight through the Ivy entrance during a single observation day, a figure he said implied about 24,000 annual trips.

Council members pressed the consultant and staff on methods and timing. Council member Hoxie questioned the validity of traffic counts done on dates that coincided with school testing, and Council member Gee noted that the existing no-left-turn sign likely reduced observed left turns during the study'making exact measurement of demand difficult. Council member Riley and others suggested pilot testing would require a longer interval and strong public notice to produce reliable results.

After a failed motion to adopt staff's recommendation (the first motion was not seconded) and further discussion, the council directed staff to return with: (1) a study-session briefing that includes the traffic consultant and school-district input, (2) options for a time-limited traffic order (a pilot) that would permit systematic observation, and (3) a package of related near-term safety items such as evaluating a four-way stop at Ardith and Coral Drive, sidewalks and sight-distance improvements, and reconsideration of speed-calming options on Ardith (including pursuing fire-department concurrence for speed cushions).

City staff said funding for changing signs and signage management is available in the city's gas tax fund and that the pilot, if approved later, would be monitored and adjusted. \"If it turns out to be a positive move, which we believe and the traffic consultant believes, then we would keep the signage in place and the changes will become permanent, so to speak,\" Christie said during the presentation.

Next steps: staff will schedule a dedicated study session with the consultant and school representatives, test pilot options if the council authorizes a limited traffic order, and return with recommended time windows, monitoring metrics and draft public outreach for any sign changes.

Ending: Council members and staff emphasized the trial-and-evaluate approach. Several members said they wanted to avoid an impulsive sign change that could produce confusing or unreliable data, but acknowledged the neighborhood'wide nature of the congestion problem and the need for multi-pronged solutions.
","The Orinda City Council on July 15 paused action on a traffic order that would remove a no-left-turn sign on Ivy Drive and change timing for other restrictions, directing staff to return with more analysis and a study session after residents urged retaining the existing calming measure.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6167480,"Orinda amends SSTOC bylaws to add evacuation planning role; council appoints three volunteers",515,7984000,8499000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5410987-c0e23dd30078c290c79aaa094650eab6&start=7984&end=8499","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5410987-c0e23dd30078c290c79aaa094650eab6/thumbnail_7984000.jpg","/articles/6167480/Orinda-City/Contra-Costa-County/California/Orinda-amends-SSTOC-bylaws-to-add-evacuation-planning-role-council-appoints-three-volunteers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6167480-e4048e227466291324d026794c9b65e2/orig.mp4?Expires=1775407408&Signature=odSqhGLxaXWcXlpbuQhvE4JiJVHBdA9IOtgZ3nNbPe6tEWs35Vgn6l9YkIQDMpnkxL5Lk1ukwo3OhgIFkw7~ZKl5P~IwTwSSp3QQ6RlGkLhYQDSv8W2SADOBR4Jgt5ElbRfj-0DA7Ca1q~I9wg0FNGaL-mIJM-njA89hhRpkvO~c1Iu0wMay8n3xqIJFlmL7eBU4euzQayeWTgc~Xxw4JrmaanSexu7zIIg7ZaAsVeczdb37k1-CmA~7A-erEneX7-KZMvE54H-SpdiRVCb6DAz0DUaxitTU~Mz-KdyhqSNnEqSy90MLnPulSXNo8fKVMFIDeWZTyNPaHXZiFAIaNw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","On July 15 the Orinda City Council revised the bylaws of its Sales Tax Oversight Commission to clarify the commission's advisory and oversight role with respect to infrastructure that supports evacuation and emergency response.

City staff presented the proposed amendments as consistent with the commission's existing charge to provide oversight and public accountability for sales-tax-funded capital projects; the council approved Resolution No. 4325 amending the SSTOC bylaws unanimously. One council member described the change as a clarification of existing practice: the bylaws addition explicitly recognizes the SSTOC's ability to review evacuation-related projects funded by sales tax revenues.

The council also confirmed three appointments to advisory bodies. The mayor recommended and the council appointed Brenda Davis to the Planning Commission and Harmony Anderson to the Arts & Public Places Committee. The council also appointed the single applicant to a vacancy on the Finance Advisory Committee (application included in the staff report). All appointments were approved unanimously.

Ending: Council members said the bylaw amendment improves clarity and oversight of sales-tax-funded projects that have an evacuation or emergency-preparedness component. The new commission members will begin their service according to standard appointment procedures.
","Orinda amended the Sales Tax Oversight Commission bylaws to clarify its role in evacuation- and infrastructure-related project oversight, and the council appointed three volunteers to local advisory bodies on July 15.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6167484,"Orinda council approves Ladrus wildfire-evacuation modeling; staff to comment on state \"Zone 0\" draft rules",1020,7425000,8445000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5410987-c0e23dd30078c290c79aaa094650eab6&start=7425&end=8445","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5410987-c0e23dd30078c290c79aaa094650eab6/thumbnail_7425000.jpg","/articles/6167484/Orinda-City/Contra-Costa-County/California/Orinda-council-approves-Ladrus-wildfire-evacuation-modeling-staff-to-comment-on-state-Zone-0-draft-rules","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6167484-e0a506ef9a5939b1e28a4513c0b9c481/orig.mp4?Expires=1775407408&Signature=Plk6-RBV7MswCD9N14QQsf7ja0elLD52LgpaQ1TiEbEnQ355WMQocTE1TyUaNhzoYqPAaLcDYFzetj3VR2wc6Ryecmir8CZm9u50Vz7y4jsjBrycVaN7Ai7S6V8RSTMywzcvhBomEiAjYgcQSqsc2vKO8-Gg7v1Jinfn4koQIyO0bSqDMbAcVvN6v5c~-JYwQy32hQfhQ31hbSKE5-L6-I-qc9tndxjrnRH9~Pp1zGfbFD6Tp~tRpaI3sq8A38~94I1B4csCfnLn3ibY1UGY9fDEjbX7Uv-dhw3lYLV7yow40mqkhJco~EbmrrJa9KT03-L0BgRI8bh~Ahyw3h8qMg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Orinda City Council on July 15 approved a one-year contract with Ladrus (a wildfire and evacuation modeling firm) to provide AI-driven scenario modeling and a public portal to help the city plan evacuations and communicate wildfire risk.

City Manager explained the tool will let staff run wildfire- and traffic-evacuation scenarios, vary inputs (for example, vehicle counts and departure behaviors), and visualize how quickly fire or congestion could reach neighborhoods. The council approved the agreement unanimously. City Manager: \"This tool will enable us to do a variety of things and will be incredibly valuable, for the city as we update both our emergency operations plan and continue our preparation efforts, working with the schools.\" (City Manager)

During the same meeting staff briefed the council on the Board of Forestry's draft Zone 0 rules, which define an ember-resistant zone extending five feet from structures and, in the current draft, would prohibit irrigated lawn grass in that Zone 0. Senior Management Analyst Nikki Crum summarized the draft and flagged two points for council consideration: the draft's exclusion of grass is not scientifically supported according to city staff discussions with local fire officials, and potted plants and certain trees would be allowed under prescribed restrictions. \"Green grass will not be allowed within Zone 0,\" Crum said, then noted city staff intends to contest that specific exclusion in the Board of Forestry comment process.

Council members discussed whether the city should send formal comments to the Board of Forestry and asked staff to coordinate comments with the Moraga-Orinda Fire District on specific planting allowances and roof/material considerations. \"We should comment on the grass question,\" a council member said during discussion, and council directed staff to prepare a letter addressing grass and other issues and to coordinate with MOFD on technical points.

Staff described an implementation timeline for Ladrus: an initial training and setup followed by scenario runs within 30' 60 days; a public portal will allow residents to visualize modeled evacuation flows. Ladrus' CEO (joining remotely) said the city could see useful scenarios quickly after implementation.

Ending: The council approved the contract for near-term modeling and asked staff to return comments on the Board of Forestry draft regulations, focusing in part on the scientific basis for prohibiting irrigated lawn in the five-foot Zone 0 surrounding structures.
","Orinda approved a one-year agreement with Ladrus on July 15 to run wildfire-evacuation models and provide a public portal; staff also briefed the council on draft Board of Forestry \"Zone 0\" rules and will prepare comment, including a challenge to a draft prohibition on lawn grass within five feet of structures.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6167476,"Orinda authorizes regional advocacy agreement with Lafayette and Moraga",55,1055000,1110000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5410987-c0e23dd30078c290c79aaa094650eab6&start=1055&end=1110","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5410987-c0e23dd30078c290c79aaa094650eab6/thumbnail_1055000.jpg","/articles/6167476/Orinda-City/Contra-Costa-County/California/Orinda-authorizes-regional-advocacy-agreement-with-Lafayette-and-Moraga","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6167476-9ea1125d9f3a0919baf1635592a97930/orig.mp4?Expires=1775407408&Signature=UPx8QqGRmWaOspxlyZ9NGABxzWjWdfhqxrz47O5JuRSNMR~fsqFgkZ7H~L1W6fVmAWdK3-9WPzrjr0JPrh1e9Rc62M7J-JB-mGpqRNdAxlNQElr6BmmerHsOtSQmTBiCbDjn2LFK0pBhA2-bwfQDdmqNxqVdtdeHdTKANApxGRBaqi6H1vRTsZHMmMa-KUp3lTmUyc0DCJRUMOxLHXk9o2JC2b6htbejrNfgk38p1ni2wNxLP~YbV0yGvbwMKfkmipEQuit-DtChsbpYMlammoldLA5HrnZ0ZtaIJ0XRNF7Q54WOYZPuRVENt2Xl3U~dzIxoANgRqIlHmvdVZ~5nWg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Orinda City Council unanimously authorized the city manager on July 15 to enter into a regional advocacy agreement with the City of Lafayette, the Town of Moraga and Townsend Public Affairs. The authorization was passed on the consent calendar after Council member Gee requested the item be pulled for brief discussion and public comment was solicited and closed with no speakers.

The agreement authorizes the city manager to execute a contract to obtain shared advocacy services; council members thanked staff and the city manager for pursuing regional collaboration. The item passed unanimously.

Ending: The city manager will execute the agreement and staff will coordinate on shared advocacy efforts with Lafayette and Moraga.
","The council unanimously authorized the city manager to sign a regional advocacy agreement with the cities of Lafayette and Moraga and Townsend Public Affairs, formalizing shared advocacy services.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Orinda holds study session on inclusionary housing; consultants flag trade-offs between 15% target and project feasibility

Orinda council pauses plan to remove Ivy Drive restriction after residents object; directs more study

Orinda amends SSTOC bylaws to add evacuation planning role; council appoints three volunteers

Orinda council approves Ladrus wildfire-evacuation modeling; staff to comment on state "Zone 0" draft rules

Orinda authorizes regional advocacy agreement with Lafayette and Moraga