Berkeley Municipal Code Ch. 6.12 Civic Center

*For buildings and construction generally, see Title 19 of this code.

For Civic Art Commission, see Ch. 3.12 of this code.

The development of the Civic Center in the City, and the property surrounding and in the neighborhood of the Civic Center, should proceed along the lines of good order, good taste and with due regard to the public interests involved, and to that end a reasonable degree of control should be exercised over the character and design of public, semipublic and private buildings located in such areas. (Ord. 4440-NS § 2 (part), 1969; Ord. 2413-NS § 1, 1941)

A. The Civic Center is that area included in the following two blocks:

1. The block bounded by Allston Way, Milvia Street, Center Street and Grove Street;

2. The block bounded by Allston Way, Grove Street, Addison Street and McKinley Avenue.

B. The Civic Center area is the Civic Center and the following described properties:

1. Beginning at the intersection of the westerly line of Grove Street, as it now exists, with the northerly line of Addison Street, as it now exists; thence westerly along said northerly line three hundred feet to the easterly line of Lot 1, as said lot is shown on the Map of Ranges of Lots 3 and 4 Hardy Tract, filed September 7, 1876 in Book 1 of Maps at Page 99 in the Office of the County Recorder of Alameda County; thence northerly along last said line one hundred thirty-eight feet; thence easterly and parallel to said northerly line three hundred feet to said westerly line of Grove Street; thence along last said line southerly one hundred thirty-eight feet to the point of beginning;

2. Lots 1 to 3 inclusive and Lots 41 to 52 inclusive; Block 1 Subdivision Map of Block No. 1, Shattuck Tract;

3. Lots 39, 38 and the western fifteen feet of Lot No. 37, Block 1 Subdivision Map of Block No. 1, Shattuck Tract;

4. Lots 15 to 19 inclusive; Block 2, Shattuck Tract Map No. 2;

5. Lots 5 to 18 inclusive, Block 4, Shattuck Tract Map No. 2;

6. Lots 1 to 3 inclusive and Lots 25 to 28 inclusive, Block 12 Resubdivision of Block 12 of the McGee Tract;

7. Lots 1, 2 and 3 in Block 11, Map of the McGee Tract;

8. Lots 1 to 3 inclusive and Lots 6 to 12 inclusive in Block 2, Map of the McGee Tract;

9. Lots 7, 8 and 9 in Block A, Map of Block A, Twitchell Tract;

10. Lots 1, 2 and 3 Map of Ranges of Lots 3 and 4, Hardy Tract. (Ord. 4440-NS § 2 (part), 1969; Ord. 2413-NS § 2, 1941)

The person desiring to construct, alter or repair any building in the Civic Center area shall file an application with the secretary of the Planning Commission. The Planning Commission shall within twenty days from the date of the filing of said application render a report to the City Council with its recommendations concerning the proposed building, alteration or repair. (Ord. 5134-NS § 1 (part), 1979; Ord. 4440-NS § 2 (part), 1969; Ord. 3992-NS (part), 1964; Ord. 2413-NS § 4, 1941)

Whenever an application is made for a permit for the erection or alteration of any building or other structure, any portion of which is within the Civic Center area, the plans therefor so far as they relate to general exterior appearance, design, color and texture of surface materials or exterior construction or the height of the structure or structures shall be submitted by the Director of Inspection Services to the Planning Commission. (Ord. 5134-NS § 1 (part), 1979; Ord. 4440-NS § 2 (part), 1969; Ord. 4094-NS (part), 1965; Ord. 3992-NS (part), 1964; Ord. 2413-NS § 3, 1941)

The City Council, within seven days after the receipt of recommendation of the Planning Commission, shall either authorize the issuance of a building permit or request the applicant to meet additional requirements concerning the general exterior appearance, design, color and texture of surface materials or exterior construction, or the height of the structure or structures. (Ord. 5134-NS § 1 (part), 1979; Ord. 3992-NS (part), 1964; Ord. 2413-NS § 5, 1941)

No building permit shall be issued for the construction, alteration or repair of any building in the Civic Center area without the approval of the City Council. (Ord. 4440-NS § 2 (part), 1969; Ord. 2413-NS § 6, 1941)

Any person violating any provision or failing to comply with any of the requirements of this chapter shall be deemed guilty of an infraction as set forth in Chapter 1.20 of this code. (Ord. 5591-NS § 1 (part), 1984; Ord. 2413-NS § 7, 1941)