Carolyn Jones, Chronicle Staff Writer
UC Berkeley officials said today they would scale back development plans for Memorial Stadium to avoid a looming court date with the city of Berkeley, stadium neighbors and oak-tree advocates. Cal Athletic Director Sandy Barbour said the university would reduce the size of the proposed parking garage so that there would be no more spaces than are currently in the area. UC also would plant one fully grown tree and two younger trees for each one that would be chopped down to make way for a new, $125 million athletic training facility.
The city, however, isn't biting. Berkeley Mayor Tom Bates called the proposed settlement "off the wall," saying that 500 parking spaces is still too many, and the training center should be moved elsewhere. "I'd be OK with 50 spots next to the stadium for coaches and a few others," he said. "The rest of them can get physical excerise like the rest of us." He added that while the city is open to negotiations, the staff intends to take the matter to court. The case is scheduled to be tried in Alameda County Superior Court on Sept. 19.
In December, the city, California Oak Foundation and Panoramic Hill neighborhood association filed separate lawsuits against UC over development plans around Memorial Stadium. The plaintiffs argue that further development in the area would endanger public safety because the 84-year-old stadium straddles the Hayward Fault.
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