B’nai Shalom Renovation Project Receives Unanimous Accolades and Approval From the Walnut Creek Planning Commission

With accolades and overwhelming unanimous support of the Walnut Creek Planning Commission, Congregation B’nai Shalom received its land use approval from the Commission. This approval is the second step in the three step City approval process.

At the September 27th Planning Commission meeting, presentation was again made by Past President Craig Judson. Supporting comments were provided by Douglas Flett, the synagogue’s civil engineer. Mark Schlientz, our lead project designer, and Jeffrey Miller, our landscape designer, did not even need to speak.

The Commission’s role was to review the Synagogue’s use of our property in terms of how our use is accommodated by the proposed property improvements, our compatibility and use in a residential neighborhood, environmental assessment, approval of our tree removal and replanting plan, and other use related issues. Prior to the meeting, Walnut Creek Planning Department staff issued a very favorable report to the Commission, highlighting how our plan meets or exceeds the planning code requirements, compatibility with the neighborhood, appropriate planning for parking both on-site and off-site, and traffic circulation. The renewal of the reciprocal parking agreements with both the Unitarian Universalist Church and First Church of Christ Scientist Walnut Creek allow us to exceed the required off-site parking requirement of 230 spaces by 61 parking spaces! With the expansion of our own parking lot by 39 spaces (for a total of 70 parking spaces with appropriate handicap spaces), we more than meet the required on-site weekday parking needs.

Several use restrictions were imposed by the Commission as expected. In general, our outside evening activities should end at 11 pm, except for special religious services. We agreed to construct a good-neighbor fence between the rear of the new social hall and the home next door for mutual privacy. The Commission instructed us to work with the First Church of Christ Scientist Walnut Creek (church below our property) to agree upon a reasonable limits of our noisy outdoor activities on the new social hall patio on Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings when they hold their religious services. Although we have been good neighbors they are concerned that the new location of the social hall and patio may interfere with their services. We have already proposed draft language for a short agreement with our neighbors to respect their religious practices.

Three Eckley Place neighbors expressed concern about the possibility of our new social hall being renting out for non-religious purposes and creating a neighborhood nuisance. With our strict Kashrut policies, the Commission was satisfied that it was not an issue. They also raised concern with the cars lining up on Eckley Lane during times of religious school and Midrasha pick-up. This traffic enforcement issue was of great concern to the Commission. Although we believe the added parking spaces on our property will help relieve the need for cars lining up along the painted “red zone,” we have been instructed to prepare alternative plans and meet with City Engineers to discuss ways to alleviate the traffic congestion and impact upon our neighbors. President Rayna Arnold and Craig Judson will form a committee to work with our architect to explore traffic alternatives for both our religious school and Midrasha programs.

City staff proposed issues regarding widening of Eckley Lane and related street repairs which were deferred for final approval by the Design Review Commission. That hearing will take place in October, and be the third and final stage of the land use approval process.

Overall, we received very favorable comments, kudos, and commendations from the Planning Commissioners. As was the case with the Design Review Commission hearing last August, we received compliments for the design, integration of new and existing buildings, and general improvements to the property which will enhance the neighborhood.

Most of all, we received high compliments from every commissioner and the neighbors who spoke about our efforts to reach out to the neighborhood, hold two meetings with them, and to realistically address their concerns. As Craig Judson told the Commission, “Just because the project is good for us, it does not mean we cannot find ways to improve things for our neighbors. We have enjoyed decades of good relations within our neighborhood, and want to keep it that way. Being a good neighbor and reaching out to others is part of who we are.”

If you have not yet had the opportunity to view the models of the new social hall and property layout, they will remain on display in the CBS lobby. You can also view a slide show of the project plans and photos on our web site at www.bshalom.org. Just click on the link to the “Renovation Project Update” on the top right of the home page and then click on the photo to start the slide show.

The most asked question during the holidays was “When do you think we will break ground?” The answer is simple: “We will break ground when all permits and construction plans are approved and we raise the funds to finance the project. G-d willing, it will all happen soon....very soon with every member’s support and generosity.”

As we enter this new year, we do so with excitement of not just the renewal of our lives, but also the renewal of our facilities and our Congregation as a whole. May we all be blessed with the celebration of many simchas in our new and refurbished facilities.