Land Use (News)

Chevron: Contra Costa Times July 25 letters

Editor2 — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0500

As the Times reported on July 18, "Chevron refinery plan approved," a narrow Richmond City Council majority approved Chevron's plans for expanding its Richmond refinery.

The council had the opportunity — indeed, the obligation — to ensure the project not proceed without important public health and environmental safeguards in place, to be negotiated in a public and transparent process.

However, the council majority (Maria Viramontes, Nat Bates, John Marquez, Ludmyrna Lopez, and Harpreet Sandhu) betrayed the communities they were elected to represent.

Ardent concerns expressed by Richmond families, neighborhood groups, environmentalists and even State Attorney General Jerry Brown fell on deaf ears.

Oakland City Council strikes down new tax

Editor2 — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0500

By Christopher Heredia

Oakland's fiscal problems got $12 million worse Tuesday, when the City Council rejected a landscaping and lighting tax increase approved by property owners two months ago but challenged for improperly weighting votes.

The loss of the anticipated tax funds bumps the city's projected revenue shortfall this year to $50 million - 10 percent of its general fund budget - and will send city officials scrambling in the coming months to make deep spending cuts, including possible layoffs.

Richmond council OKs Chevron refinery plan

Editor2 — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0500

(07-17) 09:09 PDT RICHMOND -- A sharply divided Richmond City Council approved on Thursday Chevron's controversial plan for a major upgrade of its century-old refinery and accepted $61 million from the oil company for community programs.

The council voted 5-4 to approve a conditional use permit for Chevron to replace a hydrogen plant, install new hydrogen-purifying equipment, build a new cogeneration power plant and replace other antiquated machinery.

"We're pleased with the vote and look forward to moving ahead with construction," said Dean O'Hair, a Chevron spokesman. "This project will make us more efficient and reliable than we already are."

Richmond City Council approves Chevron's plan to upgrade refinery by 5-4 vote

Editor2 — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0500

By Katherine Tam

A divided Richmond City Council early Thursday morning approved Chevron's contentious plan to replace decades-old equipment at the local refinery, as well as a separate agreement for the oil company to provide $61.6 million for public safety, low-income healthcare and other services.

Environmental activists, who say Chevron's plans pose a public health risk that has not been fully studied, immediately shouted 'Shame on you!' from the audience and vowed to vote councilmembers out of office.

Councilwoman Ludmyrna Lopez defended the decision, saying a series of measures will require Chevron to cut emissions and other impacts.

Opponents of Chevron Upgrade Promise Lawsuit

Editor2 — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0500

RICHMOND, Calif. (KCBS/AP) -- Environmentalists have vowed to fight the Richmond city council’s decision to allow Chevron to upgrade equipment at its refinery.

After an emotional city council meeting that lasted until 2 a.m., the council on Thursday voted 5 – 4 in favor of an upgrade that Chevron officials said would allow them to generate less pollution and refine a wider range of oil.

Jessica Tovar of Communities for a Better Environment asserted that the environmental impact report submitted to the city was incomplete.

Planning Commission Leaps Tall Buildings

Editor2 — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0500

By Richard Brenneman

Berkeley planning commissioners continued their march through the Downtown Area Plan last week with a side excursion through a controversial economic study.

During its two-year term the Downtown Area Plan Advisory Committee (DAPAC) has struggled to decide how many buildings should be built in Berkeley’s downtown area and how high they should be.

Buildings of seven stories or higher have long been a focus of controversy in the city, pitting “smart growth” advocates against preservationists and neighborhood activists.

Oakland Council OKs Four Finalists for Army Base Development

Editor2 — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0500

By J. Douglas Allen-Taylor

The Oakland City Council voted late Tuesday night to approve four finalist developers to bid on its 108-acre Oakland Army Base Gateway Development project. The four finalists—pared down from an original list of eight developers who bid on the job—will now be invited to submit requests for proposals within the next four to six months.

Press Release: Chevron Offers Richmond $61 Million to Approve Refinery Expansion

Editor2 — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Richmond Residents and Bay Area Community say, “Our Health is Not for Sale.” In a last minute effort to lock-in City Council approval for Chevron’s refinery expansion, yesterday Chevron presented the City of Richmond with a $61 million dollar ‘Community Benefit Agreement’ (CBA). The Agreement, submitted to the city council in closed session immediately before the public council hearing, would reportedly include $6.75 million for jobs and education programs, $6 million for community health programs, and requires the City Council’s approval of the expansion project.

Lively meeting expected on Chevron expansion

Editor2 — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0500

by Carolyn Jones

More than 1,000 people jammed a Richmond City Council meeting Tuesday night to make impassioned pleas for and against Chevron's plan to expand its waterfront refinery.

The City Council is expected to meet again tonight to vote on the issue, which has galvanized environmentalists, community groups and labor unions.

"We're driving to the hospital while Chevron goes to the bank," said Rev. Kenneth Davis, a Richmond resident. "My health is not for sale."

Richmond council to resume Chevron deliberations tonight

Editor2 — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0500

By Katherine Tam

Deliberation on Chevron's contentious bid to upgrade decades-old equipment at its Richmond refinery continues tonight.

The Richmond City Council recessed its decision-making hearing at about 12:05 a.m. today and will resume at 7 p.m. at Kennedy High School's multipurpose room.

The council must decide whether Chevron's plan to replace its power plant, hydrogen plant and reformer will move forward. The Planning Commission last month approved a permit along with about 70 provisions, but neither Chevron nor environmental activists are satisfied. Both are appealing that ruling to the council.