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Jennifer McDougall, AICP
Principal Planner - Environmental Planning
University of California, Berkeley
**By e-mail** |
June, 7 2006 |
Dear Ms. McDougall,
This letter comments on deficiencies in the Southeast Campus Integrated
Projects Draft Focused EIR (Draft EIR). By way of credentials, I am a life-long
resident of Berkeley, having been born at Herrick Hospital in 1958, and currently
residing at 1500 Grant Street. I attended U.C. Berkeley from 1978 through 1989,
earning A.B, M.A., and Ph.D. degrees along the way. I began attending Cal
football games at Memorial Stadium when I was about 12 and have continued to
do so every season since that time.
My comments focus on the failure of the Draft EIR to describe the existing
character and potential impacts of the proposed project on Tightwad Hill.
Tightwad Hill is the hill to the northeast of Memorial Stadium, across the rim
road. It is referred to as "Charter Hill" in the document, a name that, as far as I
can discern, is not in common use in the University community nor the Berkeley
community at large. The very use of the term Charter Hill clouds understanding
of the proposed project and its effects on the surrounding environment, and
should be changed to the more commonly used "Tightwad Hill" in the Final EIR.
Tightwad Hill is so-named because it affords a free view of the game. On any
given game day, from dozens to hundreds of people climb the steep slopes to the
informally designated seating areas, some of which provide good views of the
entire field. The relaxed atmosphere on "the Hill" as it is often affectionately
referred to, along with the great view of the field, the Campus, downtown
Berkeley, and the whole central Bay Area, combined with the unbeatable price,
combine to make watching games from Tightwad Hill a cherished experience for
many. The Draft EIR fails to mention this long-standing use of Tightwad Hill,
which probably dates back to the construction of the Stadium, nor are the
existing views from Tightwad Hill even mentioned in the Aesthetics section of the
document, let alone shown through photographs.
The Draft EIR is deficient in failing to characterize the visual resources, including
publicly-accessible scenic views, from Tightwad Hill. The Draft EIR is also
deficient in that it does not analyze the effects on these views of the proposed
modifications to Memorial Stadium, particularly the effects of the eastside seating
structure. This structure would rise "approximately 1 story" above the level of
the existing promenade above the Cal Rooting Section. While it is unclear from
the visual simulations provided, it appears from Figure 4.1-19B that the proposed
eastside seating structure would be high enough to block some or all of the views
of the field from the prime seating locations on Tightwad Hill. The Draft EIR
should analyze this effect of the proposed project. If views of the field are
blocked, this would "have a substantial adverse affect on a scenic vista" and
would also "substantially degrade the existing character or quality of the site and
its surroundings" and should therefore be identified as a significant impact.
Feasible ways to mitigate this impact would be to lower the height of the seating
structure or to position it so that it does not block views from Tightwad Hill.
The Draft EIR is also deficient in that it fails to recognize the historical and
cultural significance of Tightwad Hill. Watching football games from Tightwad
Hill is a cherished tradition on the Berkeley Campus and for the Berkeley
Community. Yet the Draft EIR in the Cultural Resources section completely fails
to recognize the importance of this tradition, and of the central role of the Hill
itself in creating and maintaining it. The EIR is deficient in that it fails to identify
Tightwad Hill as an historical resource pursuant to Public Resources Code
Section 5024.1(c). The Draft EIR is further deficient in that it fails to analyze the
potential impact of the proposed project on this historical resource; if views of
the field from Tightwad Hill are blocked, or if Tightwad Hill is made inaccessible,
it will essentially destroy this important Berkeley tradition.
I appreciate the opportunity to comment on the Southeast Campus Integrated
Projects Draft Focused EIR. I look forward to your considered responses.
Sincerely,
/s/ Daniel T. Sicular
1500 Grant St. #2
Berkeley, CA 94703
dsicular@copper.net
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