Fwd: Join us August 30: let's talk shops, housing, and what's next

[Diane Tokugawa]

Diane

Begin forwarded message:

From: Save Berkeley Shops <in...@saveberkeleyshops.org>

Subject: Join us August 30: let's talk shops, housing, and what's next

Date: August 20, 2026 at 7:46:18 AM PDT

To: <dtok...@comcast.net>

Reply-To: Save Berkeley Shops <in...@saveberkeleyshops.org>

Click here to view this email in your web browser. Dear Neighbor, Our next community meeting is Sunday, August 30th. Join us to connect and learn more about the zoning issues facing Berkeley. Learn more.   In this email, we clarify our position on why adding housing and protecting shops works, along with ways that you can get involved in supporting the movement. Inside this email: August 30 Community Meeting—Show Up! Pick Up A Yard Sign Help Gather Signatures for a Referendum Support Our Fight to Save Berkeley Shops  What We Believe—Let’s Build Housing and Save Storefronts Save Berkeley Shops supports building more housing in Berkeley.  We believe our neighborhood commercial districts can accommodate new homes, but new density should come paired with clear agreements that keep ground floors active as retail. Development agreements are the tool we're pushing for. Development agreements are a well-established legal mechanism, authorized under California law and the Berkeley Municipal Code, that lets the City and a developer enter into a binding contract as part of the approval process. Done right, they let Berkeley add housing while guaranteeing our neighborhood shops aren't pushed out in the process. This is not housing vs. shops. It is housing and shops—done thoughtfully.  Read our August 6th newsletter for a detailed outline of our position.   Ashby Avenue in Berkeley, featuring Worthy Self-Care Studio, Dream Fluff Donuts, and Donato & Co Italian restaurant.  Join Us: Community Meeting on August 30  On Sunday, August 30, from 3:00 to 5:00 PM, we're gathering at Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda, Berkeley. (The meeting will be held in Haver Hall, inside the church.)  Learn, listen, and connect: This is your chance to hear the latest on the City's proposed upzoning plans for Upper Solano, North Shattuck, and Elmwood, and to connect with your neighbors who are working to protect these neighborhoods. What we'll cover: Where things stand with City Hall Save Berkeley Shops’ commitment to supporting real, affordable housing solutions Why preserving locally owned shops matters for Berkeley's future What's next for our community and how you can get involved Come with questions, come with ideas, and come ready to be part of what's next.  We hope to see you there! Community Meeting Sunday, August 30 3:00 to 5:00 PM Northbrae Community Church 941 The Alameda, Berkeley Refreshments will be served.  Parking: Available behind the church.  Carpool: If you're driving, consider inviting a neighbor to ride along; it's a great way to fill an empty seat and bring more people into the conversation. Yard Signs Are Popping Up Across Berkeley—Get Yours! Yard signs are a simple way to show your support and build community awareness.   You have two ways to get signs:   Option #1: Pick Up Pick up yard signs from either of these two locations: Your Basic Bird - 2940 College Avenue.  Fern’s Garden - 1831 Solano Avenue. Option #2: Request a Yard Sign Feel free to request a yard sign by emailing Carla Woodworth:carlawoo...@gmail.com. Help Gather Signatures for Our Referendum If the City Council adopts a corridor upzoning ordinance that calls for broad upzoning, or passes an ordinance that does not include the development agreements that enforce ground floor retail, we’ll have only 30 days to collect over 6,000 signatures. We’re building and training a team of volunteers to help. Please join the effort! Get started by emailing our signatures coordinator: dedi...@sbcglobal.net.  Gathering signatures; photo by Bay Area photojournalist Steve Rhodes.  Donate: Support the Save Berkeley Shops Action Fund Now Qualifying and winning a referendum is expensive.  Please join the hundreds of Berkeley residents who have already donated to the Save Berkeley Shops Action Fund to support this effort. Prefer to write a check? Make it payable to Save Berkeley Shops Action Fund and mail to: Save Berkeley Shops Action Fund 1442A Walnut Street Box 161 Berkeley, CA 94709 Please include a note with your profession, employer name, or whether you're retired (information that is required for political reporting). Donate Now Let’s protect what makes Berkeley great. 💙 We are fighting for the heart and soul of a city that we all love.  We are grateful for your support, Save Berkeley Shops Board of Directors -John Gage, Elmwood resident representative -David Salk, Elmwood shopkeeper representative -Mike Apte, North Shattuck shopkeeper representative -Fern Solomon, Solano Ave. shopkeeper representative -Melissa Quilter, Solano Ave. resident representative -Peter Montgomery, Secretary -Donald Simon, President Learn more at SaveBerkeleyShops.org → Our mailing address is: Save Berkeley Shops 2001 Addison St., Suite 300 Berkeley, CA 94704 USA Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe