Council OKs El Toyonal Closures; Mayor Opposes Housing Bill

    Traffic disruptions along segments of El Toyonal will last through October as EBMUD upgrades and replaces water mainlines. On red flag warning days, new “no on-street stopping/parking restrictions” may be implemented in the future along El Toyonal and Loma Vista Drive.
    Adopted June 16, Resolution 35-20, states in part, “the City Council authorizes the temporary full road closure of a portion of El Toyonal for EBMUD’s system upgrade project.” The stipulation that EBMUD suspend work if required by the MOFD Fire Chief on red flag days was added to the original resolution. Construction has started on the Westside Pumping Plant Replacement Project, which is expected to last 12 to 15 months.
    On El Toyonal between Alta Vista Drive and upper Loma Vista Drive intersections, road closures are allowed Tuesdays through Fridays between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. through Aug. 12, then between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. through Sept. 30. The longer workdays will shorten the length of the project, according to EBMUD and its contractor. No closures are allowed Mondays to avoid impacting garbage pickup.
    Full road closure is allowed on El Toyonal between upper Loma Vista Drive and just east of La Encinal intersections through Oct. 30. Work is scheduled Tuesdays through Fridays, except holidays, between 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
    The El Toyonal Parking and Access Recommendations report identified several El Toyonal and Loma Vista Drive locations along curving, narrow roads with limited sightlines. The report recommends all-day no stopping/parking restrictions signs be installed at these locations.

State Housing Bill SB1120
    June 4, Mayor Darlene Gee wrote a letter of opposition to SB1120 which promotes construction of duplexes and multi-use zoning.
    Addressed to Senators Anthony Portantino (D-La Cañada Flintridge) and Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel), the letter stated: “This bill will override local jurisdiction for single-family zoning … without any additional funding being provided by the state to offset the impacts of significantly more residents in a community.”
    She pointed out Orinda recognizes the need for additional housing statewide and adopted an ordinance to “encourage the construction of accessory dwelling units.”
    Much of Orinda is in a high-fire zone with significant infrastructure issues, “potentially adding numerous additional residents through this housing measure without regard for the complex issues of fire/life safety and infrastructure needs is irresponsible… To impose this legislation without additional funding to address local needs or exemptions for special circumstances is unacceptable.”