Happy Monday everyone in the Save the UA Berkeley community!
We are still fighting to save this magnificent Art Deco theater in downtown Berkeley from being destroyed. The developer that wants to level it to dust might be about to get a special break from the city -- and we must stop that from happening.
That is why your URGENT ACTION is needed this week! Today if possible!
We need you to send a QUICK EMAIL to the city of Berkeley planning department because the city appears on the verge of granting the developer a sweetheart deal that circumvents a fundamental part of the planning process — CEQA review.
If city staff grants this deal to the developer, the theater is much more likely to be demolished. That's why we need EVERY ONE OF YOU to send an email as soon as possible. We need to MAKE SOME NOISE to make sure the city doesn't do an end-run around the public participation process. The email can be quick and simple. See below for further instruction and email text to guide you.
But first here's the background:
Because the UA Berkeley is on the state historic registry (not to mention National Register-eligible and now a city landmark), it is without a doubt considered a historical and cultural resource under state law. This means the proposal to demolish the theater is supposed to undergo an extensive review process under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). (In fact, the city told the developer as such in a letter in January.) The CEQA review process would involve expert evaluation of the historic structure under threat, a comment period allowing people to weigh in, and possibly a CEQA meeting for the public to attend.
But the developer is demanding that the city grant it a blanket exemption from this whole process, giving the city a deadline just two weeks from now to decide.
We must urge the planning department to NOT grant this exemption. It would be highly unethical for the city to deny the public this legitimate legal process.
Despite the raft of new pro housing legislation, CEQA is still in effect. The city must follow the law and not give unfair breaks to developers. This magnificent historic theater and the public deserve nothing less.
All you need to do is send ONE email to these three email addresses:
sgong@berkeleyca.gov
planning@berkeleyca.gov
jklein@cityofberkeley.info
And cc us if you can — savetheuaberkeley@gmail.com
It can be short. It doesn’t matter if you’ve written to the city before. It doesn’t matter if you live in Berkeley or not — but if you live in Berkeley, please say so.
Below are two versions of letters that you can use in whole or in part, or as an example to guide you.
The main point is: the development proposal for 2274 Shattuck Ave. must undergo CEQA review, no exemption for the developer!
Thanks for your help. Let’s keep fighting. And please share with your friends, neighbors, and family.
SAVE THE UA BERKELEY
www.facebook.com/groups/saveourua/
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SHORTER VERSION OF LETTER:
RE: CEQA review of 2274 Shattuck Ave. project
Dear Berkeley planning department:
I’m writing to demand that the proposal to tear down the historic United Artists theater in downtown Berkeley undergo review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The city must NOT grant a CEQA exemption to the developer.
Constructed during the Great Depression by Hollywood icons Charlie Chaplin and Mary Pickford, the UA is on the California Register of Historical Resources and was found eligible for the National Register. It is also a city landmark, thanks to an LPC decision earlier this year. Without a doubt, the building is a cultural and historical resource under the CEQA statute; demolishing nearly all of it would be a “substantial adverse change” requiring extensive CEQA review.
The city must follow the law—no special breaks for the developer. This magnificent theater and the public deserve no less. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
[NAME]
[place of residence] (optional)
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LONGER VERSION OF LETTER:
RE: CEQA review of 2274 Shattuck Ave. project
Dear Berkeley planning department:
I’m writing to demand that the proposal to tear down the historic United Artists theater in downtown Berkeley undergo a full review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). It would be highly unethical for the city to grant a CEQA exemption to the developer.
The UA Berkeley is a paragon of Art Deco architecture that is arguably the finest theater ever built in the city. Constructed during the Great Depression by Hollywood icons Charlie Chaplin and Mary Pickford, the UA is on the California Register of Historical Resources and was found eligible for the National Register. It is also a city landmark, thanks to an LPC decision earlier this year. Without a doubt, the building is a cultural and historical resource under the CEQA statute; demolishing it would be a “substantial adverse change” requiring extensive CEQA review.
If the city granted the developer a blanket exemption, it would be denying the public a multifaceted process under which it could learn more about the cultural resource status of the theater, be provided the opportunity to submit comment, and have the chance to attend at least one public meeting on the topic (within the SB 330 meeting cap).
The developer proposes to retain a portion of the facade and lobby while destroying the grand four-story theater itself—a palatial venue that entertained Berkeley moviegoers for 91 years! Its destruction would be a monumental blow to the city’s historic fabric; it warrants extensive review under CEQA.
Building more housing is vitally important, but it does not have to cost Berkeley one of its most magnificent historic buildings. It is unacceptable that Berkeley is allowing all of its downtown cinemas to be destroyed.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
[NAME]
City of Residence (optional)