An Interesting read on the recent Albany Waterfront Committee meeting.

Lots of discussion about controlling the dogs at  The Bulb, which centered on how to license dog walkers, or dog guardians, as well, committee members also talked about how to determine which areas should require leashes; how to protect certain areas from dog-induced wear; and how to make sure the public supports the plan.

The new policy (download the draft of Albany’s Waterfront Dog Policy), could ultimately be folded into the Parks and Recreation Department’s dog ordinance.

Some public comments made at the meeting included:
one woman saying she doesn’t take her 14 year old dog to the Bulb because it is too “chaotic”;

and of course, as always, there is suggestion that “fenced-off area for pets could be helpful in ensuring community members and Bulb visitors respect the ordinance.” (More fencing?!)

And another asked why they weren’t looking to the Voices to Vision report that cost thousands and thousands of dollars; noting that along with the other studies done costs now total up to the millions spent on these studies.

Read more about the Waterfront Committe Meeting and what was said at AlbanyPatch.com

“as you approach the cove up the path to its right, you will see a row of fruit trees with raised beds of vegetables lining the path to your left.”

Cove and Oasis Area

Oasis Seating Area: Move bicycle racks out of the view of seating and viewing area but into a highly visible location within view of people to inhibit tampering with bikes. Install one or two picnic benches. Install new seating area facing south west toward the beach within the new tree planting.

Triangle

Triangle Planting: Planting located at the triangle of the access road and path, directly south of the benches. Construct two four foot walls out of urbanite, one wall on the low east side and one wall midway in order to terrace the area and allow for mounding of appropriate planting soil.

Discussion regarding Albany’s Waterfront include:

Observations – walking dogs has become one, if not the, primary user activity at the Waterfront – observations indicate that most dogs are off-leash – people love walking their dogs at the Waterfront; while others avoid the area because they are uncomfortable (I’m assuming they are referring to off-leash dogs); Cleaning up after dogs-some complaints about inconsistent cleaning up.

Questions being addressed regarding these observations

Should policies include all kinds of Waterfront park visitors?

Should policies recognize existing conditions and provide more amenities for dog owners?

Should commercial dog walking be allowed at Waterfront?

Should there be seasonal or year round exclusion of dogs from sensitive bird habitat areas?

Should there be specific off-leash dog areas?

Should there be “dog free zones”?

Discussion of Enforcement

Enforcement difficult with two jurisdictions, both with different rules regarding on-leash vs off-leash

Jurisdictional boundaries are not clear-cut in the field – to users and enforcers

Alternatives to think about

Leash/Dog Regulations

Retain existing city rules: dogs off-leash under proper control (no change)

Create uniform dog leash regulations (need to amend city regulations regarding designate specific areas for dogs Dogs On Leash, Off Leash, No Dogs for specific areas – Beach, Plateau, Neck, Parking lot, Cove.

Seasonal exclusion from sensitive bird habitat (seasonal flyway October-March) Year round exclusion form sensitive bird habitat.

Limit days/hours for dogs

Create fenced area on Bulb for dogs off-leash; other areas become on-leash or “no dogs”.

There is much more to read including the issue of Commercial Dog Walking – if Albany should adopt commercial dog walking regulations similar to EBRPD and the enforcement of policies.

Visit Albany City Website – Waterfront Committee – Agendas & Minutes

http://www.albanyca.org/index.aspx?page=330

The City of Albany is sponsoring Voices to Vision, “a process designed to engage the Albany community in an informed dialogue about its vision for the city and its waterfront.”

The community meeting for Albany residents to learn more about the Albany waterfront and share their input with the rest of the community was scheduled to run from May 16, 2009 through June 25, 2009.

A session for non-Albany residents who are interested in voicing their thoughts about the Albany waterfront, are being held Saturday, June 27 from 1 – 2:30 pm at the Albany Senior Center. These sessions are shorter than those for Albany residents (90 minutes instead of two hours) because they do not include one section of the session which looks at perceptions for the future of all of Albany. The non-resident sessions focus solely on the waterfront.

There will be a second phase of community participation in the fall. The details of that phase are not yet designed but will build on the findings of the first phase.

Links:

Voices to Vision
City of Albany

I’d be very interested to hear from anyone who attended a meeting.

Please feel free to leave a comment below.

Discussions will include a brief presentation by Fern Tiger Associates regarding the upcoming Voices to Vision sessions and a presentation by Sustainability Committee member regarding liaison relationship.
Discussion and possible action on matters related to the following items:
Measure WW

$27 million for Eastshore State Park improvements/expansion “…to expand and restore this eight-mile long urban shoreline park adjacent to the East Bay communities of Oakland, Berkeley, Emeryville, Albany, and Richmond. Consistent with the ESP General Plan, develop access improvements, restore upland and wetland areas to enhance wildlife habitat, and to complete east shore segments of the Bay Trail.”

$12.3 million for Bay Trail funding “…to connect urban communities to shoreline access and wildlife viewing, opportunities by completing the 86 mile Bay Trail along the East Bay shoreline. Acquire and develop trail links to close the remaining gaps between Martinez and Fremont.”

Other discussion includes:
Installation of bicycle rack at Waterfront Park

Read more on the Albany Waterfront Meeting