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Resident urges faster planning response for Berkeley Hills rebuild; requests planner follow-up
Summary
A resident spoke during public comment about delays and communication problems with planning staff on a Westmoreland Drive rebuild, requested additional time to present and asked that staff coordinate zoning review while building review proceeds.
Christian Bach told the Oakland Planning Commission during public comment that he has repeatedly tried to progress a rebuild on Westmoreland Drive in the Berkeley Hills and has experienced difficulty contacting case staff and long processing times.
Bach asked the commission to allow three minutes for his statement and said the project involves reusing a site that previously had a house (built in 1970, lost in the 1991 Tunnel fire). He described difficulties reaching his case manager by phone and said much communication had been by email, which slowed the project. "I have extreme difficulties to reach people over the phone," Bach said.
He asked whether zoning review could proceed in parallel with building-plan review so the project could begin sooner, noting the house would be roughly 5,200 square feet with an ADA-ready elevator. Chair Jennifer Rank said the topic was not on the agenda and directed staff to make a note to have a case planner check in with the speaker. The chair closed the public hearing and moved on to the scheduled appeal.
Bach's remarks were procedural public comment rather than a decision point; the commission did not take formal action on his request but directed staff to follow up with the case planner for a check-in.
