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Residents and therapists urge Berkeley to restore parking and ADA access after Bancroft & 6th signal change
Summary
Public commenters told the City Council that a recently installed traffic signal at Bancroft and 6th removed loading zones and 40–50 parking spaces, affecting nearby businesses, residents and an incoming therapy practice; speakers asked staff for follow-up and clarification.
Multiple public commenters at the May 12 Berkeley City Council meeting urged the city to address traffic signal changes on Bancroft Way at 6th Street that have reduced curb parking and removed loading and ADA spaces.
"The turn lanes have taken between 40 and 50 parking spots away from our community that about 30 businesses and several homeowners rely on," said Marber Watker, a Berkeley resident and homeowner, who asked the council to follow up on prior, unresolved requests from the neighborhood.
Wubishat, who represents Alchemy Community Therapy Center, said the nonprofit plans to relocate a team of roughly 20 therapists and about 250 clients to Berkeley this summer, but the removal of loading zones and ADA parking during the renovation process threatens access. "Accessibility is a major value of ours ... We cannot sacrifice including any of our community members with such physical barriers to accessing our office," Wubishat said, asking the city to explain its position and consider reinstating accommodations.
Council members thanked speakers and staff said they would follow up; no formal action or vote was taken during the meeting. Staff did not provide an immediate timeline for adjustments during the public comment period.
