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THE DEVELOPMENT DIGEST
DECEMBER 2018
Welcome to The Development Digest, a monthly guide delivering the latest news from Fremont's Community Development Department.
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GET TO KNOW FREMONT'S NEW CITY MANAGER
Fremont’s eighth City Manager Mark Danaj is no stranger to our city. With over 20 years of public management executive experience, he was Fremont’s Assistant City Manager from 2011 to 2014. Through his return to Fremont, he brings with him renewed enthusiasm and drive to tackle our city’s challenges head-on. Learn more about Mark's vision for Fremont by reading his Q&A session on the Takes from Silicon Valley East blog developed by our Economic Development team.
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ONLINE PERMITTING FOR SOLAR INSTALLATIONS
We're happy to announce that anyone planning to install a small residential rooftop solar system of 10 kilowatts or less can now obtain their solar permit online! To get started, applicants can email their permit application and plans to solarpermits@fremont.gov. See our submittal checklist for more information.
So far, 78 permits have been issued using our new online process. The feedback we've received from applicants has been positive.
"I just want to take a moment and let you know how much I appreciate the new permitting process! It's quick, easy, saves me driving time, and saves on paper. The response has been amazing! It's nice to see City offices going as green as they can!"
- Lola Gill, Sunrun Inc.
"The solar team are very well versed and quick in their actions."
- Boocha Pawa, Sunpower Corp.
Processing solar permits online improves customer flow at the permitting counter, saves time and money, and reduces paper clutter. It's a win-win!
For more information, please email solarpermits@fremont.gov or call Plans and Permits at 510-494-4460.
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DECEMBER HOLIDAY CLOSURE
The City is implementing a Holiday Closure for many non-public safety City Services from Monday, Dec. 24, 2018 through Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019. The Holiday Closure is scheduled for Dec. 26, 27, and 28, 2018, while City holidays are observed on Dec. 24, 25 and 31, 2018 and Jan. 1, 2019. City offices participating in the Holiday Closure will re-open for business Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019. This closure will not affect police and fire services.
During the Holiday Closure, the Development Services Center will be closed. Prior to the Holiday Closure going into effect, community members who may need assistance with building permits and inspections are encouraged to use the time between now and Dec. 21 to organize project timelines and visit the Development Services Center. Community members with active building permits can coordinate building inspections with their building inspector at least one week prior to the closure. For questions, please call 510-494-4400.
The Development Services Center is located at 39550 Liberty St. and open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. The Center is a one-stop shop for accepting, reviewing, and approving applications and construction documents for all types of projects. Zoning, Planning, Engineering, and Building and Safety staff members are available to answer questions and assist you.
For more information, please visit Fremont.gov/HolidayClosure or call the Development Services Center at 510-494-4443.
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AFFORDABLE HOUSING UPDATE
At the Fremont City Council meeting held on November 20, the Council approved the following actions involving affordable housing:
- Approval of entitlements and funding for the conversion of the Islander Motel to affordable housing. The project will create 128 new affordable units on Mowry Avenue in Central Fremont: 79 in the motel building and 49 in a new building to be built on the vacant land behind the motel.
- Approval of additional funding for the construction of City Center Apartments, a 60-unit affordable housing project on Fremont Boulevard in central Fremont.
- Authorization to allow Habitat for Humanity to sell 19 homes in Phase II of the Central Commons development on Central Avenue to moderate income buyers (120 percent of the Area Median Income). This provides a great home ownership opportunity in Fremont for moderate income households.
To receive notifications when these developments become available in the future, please sign up for our Affordable Housing Interest List.
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CLEAN POWER OPTIONS WORKSHOP
The City of Fremont, East Bay Community Energy (EBCE), and the Center for Sustainable Energy (CSE) are hosting Clean Power Options for Fremont, a free community workshop, on Monday, December 10, 2018 at the Fremont Main Library from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. EBCE is the new electricity provider for Fremont. Through this local Community Choice Energy (CCE) program, Fremont residents are receiving cleaner electricity at an affordable rate.
At this workshop, City staff will discuss the City’s climate action goals and sustainability efforts. Staff will also provide resources for residents on how they can reduce their own environmental footprint and explain how participation in EBCE supports the City’s emissions reduction goals through the generation of cleaner, renewable energy.
In addition, EBCE will provide a presentation on the new cleaner energy options available to Fremont residents, and CSE will present on the Clean Vehicle Rebate Project (CVRP), the state rebate program for electric vehicles.
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SKIP THE STRAW!
We are launching an awareness campaign to help reduce single-use plastic waste in the Fremont community. With the Skip the Straw campaign, the City is encouraging residents to say no to plastic straws when dining out. This will help reduce plastic pollution, preserve waterways and waste streams, and create a cleaner and healthier future for Fremont.
For those finding it difficult to Skip the Straw, an easy solution is to obtain a reusable straw. Options include straws made out of stainless steel, bamboo, hard plastic, or even glass. Alternatives like compostable paper straws are also available but less preferable since they are manufactured and then discarded after one use.
The City understands that change is not easy, and the magnitude of the plastics problem can be discouraging. Changing personal behavior and habits may happen gradually, getting easier over time as more community members take on the same action.
So, start small and Skip the Straw today!
For more information, visit Fremont.gov/SkiptheStraw.
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