63% of Parking Cut

The latest plans for the controversial Richmond Street Complete Streets project are now posted online and are also available for viewing at City Hall during regular business hours.

They show that about 140 spaces, or more than 60% of street parking, would be removed from the eight-block section of Richmond Street north of Moeser Lane.

Based on Livable El Cerrito’s count of parking spaces shown in the city’s recently posted maps, the new design would remove 143 parking spaces (63%) and keep just 83 parking spaces in the eight-block section.

Previously, the city’s consultant said about 50% of all street parking would be removed to add curving chicane bike lanes on both sides of the street in the eight blocks.

That disclosure sparked strong and persistent opposition from affected Richmond Street residents. They circulated a petition signed by 140 residents, advocated at council meetings and elsewhere for a different approach, formed the Richmond Street Neighbors group, and started a website, Richmond Street for All.

No one from Richmond Street Neighbors could be reached for comment over the weekend.

Upcoming Public Meetings

The city has scheduled an Open House on the plans for June 25 at City Hall.

In addition, a local website has urged anyone concerned about the plan to attend the City Council meeting at 6 p.m. on June 17 and speak during public comment. Many people feel the matter is urgent because final approval of the project design by the City Engineer is expected in July.

Counting the Parking Spaces

Here is a block-by-block count of parking spaces using the recently posted maps.

• Moeser Lane to Portola Drive, the city would remove 22 parking spaces and keep five (less than 20%).

• Portola Drive to Schmidt Lane, remove 21 spaces and leave 12 at most. (Barriers are unclear.)

• Schmidt Lane to Manila Avenue, remove 21 parking spaces and keep 12.

• Manila Avenue to Donal Avenue, remove 14 spaces and keep 10.

• Donal Avenue to Gladys Avenue, remove 19 spaces and keep 10.

• Gladys Avenue to Potrero Avenue, remove 13 spaces and keep 14.

• Potrero Avenue to Blake Street, remove 14 spaces and keep 6.

• Blake Street to Hill Street, remove 19 spaces and keep 14.

Did Residents Have Any Influence?

The latest plans seem to indicate that neighborhood opposition had no influence when it came to parking, and a very slight effect on another issue.

The Disability Issue

Residents have said that losing 50% of street parking would cause elderly and disabled residents to lose access to their homes.

Perhaps in response, one change in the design is that a few “potential” ADA parking spaces are now shown on side streets near intersections with Richmond Street. None are on Richmond Street.

Concern About Driveways

The plans include a detail stating that driveways of Richmond Street residents “can be modified at owner’s request.” Modifications would be for “residents within zones of no parking.” It’s not stated why such modifications would be needed or who would pay for them.

Concern About Unsafe Intersections

The plans do provide details about how the city would make intersections safer for pedestrians.

Viewing the Plans

View the plans at the Public Works Counter in City Hall during regular business hours or at this link:

https://sites.google.com/view/richmond-street-complete/home

Public Meetings

Plans will also be displayed at the city’s planned Open House in the City Council chambers on Wednesday, June 25. It’s not clear what the role of public comments might be. According to a city press release, a brief project overview will be presented at 6:15, and plans will be available from 6 to 8 p.m.

City Council Meeting: June 17, 6 p.m., City Council Chambers

Open House: June 25, 2025, 6-8 p.m., City Council Chambers, 10890 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito.