Archive for August, 2008
by John M. Zukoski on August 31, 2008 | 
No Comments | Topics: Development · Parks
A few quick updates on the Shannon Community Center and Medium Density Designations in Dublin:
- Shannon Community Center – The Dublin City Council will be authorizing the City to name the Shannon Community Center Banquet Hall in honor of our outgoing City Manager Richard Ambrose on Tuesday night. The banquet hall will be aptly named Ambrose Hall. Also of note, the contractor has experienced some delays at the Shannon Community Center. In light of these delays, the Center will likely not be completed until Dec-08 or Jan-09.
- Medium Density Designation – The Dublin City Council and Planning Commission held a joint study session on August 19th to evaluate many of of the critical new residential development issues related to medium density definitions, setbacks, density calculations (net vs. gross), etc. The highlight of the session was the discussion related to the proposed change to the medium density (e.g., townhouses) calculation applied to a few parcels in the Fallon Village development (i.e., the Jordan and Croak properties). While the Planning Commission disagreed, the City Council reaffirmed their desire to see the medium density designation split out on the Jordan and Croak properties between Medium-Low and Medium-Mid to ensure that the future developers don’t simply build to the highest density possible on the land. Please click here for background information on change that is expected to soon be ratified by City Council. This is good news for residents that would like to see homes with larger lot sizes (e.g., small backyard setbacks). It’s important to note that these new medium-low and medium-mid designations only apply to the Jordan and Croak properties and not properties like Sorrento East.
by John M. Zukoski on August 30, 2008 | 1 Comment | Topics: Local Issues
TriValley Views is a new magazine published by The Pleasanton Weekly. TriValley Views will be different from many other local publications in that it will have a significant proportion of its coverage dedicated to Dublin. This is fantastic news for Dublin residents and is a sign of the prominence that Dublin has achieved as a city.
Here are two items that you may want to check out from the inaugural online edition:
Please be sure to look for the magazine version of TriValley Views as you travel around Dublin.
by John M. Zukoski on August 29, 2008 | 3 Comments | Topics: Opinions
Dublin had a solid week with 13 homes sold – 6 new homes (5 at Elan and 1 at Silvera Ranch) and 7 existing homes. The average home sale price dipped to $493K this week. However, the dip was due more to the mix of homes sold (condos/townhouses vs. single family) then a change in market conditions.
Demand for residential properties will increase once the Downtown Dublin Specific Plan is implemented and the first phase of The Promenade is completed. The key to seeing these projects succeed is for us to accept nothing less than excellence. The City of Dublin must set the bar high to ensure that we have commercial centers at both ends of town that will draw in residents from throughout the Bay Area.
by John M. Zukoski on August 25, 2008 | 1 Comment | Topics: Local Businesses
Dublin Smiles Dentistry has been a landmark business in Dublin for over 20 years. Janice Liao, DMD, and George Shiao, DMD, purchased the Dublin Smiles Dentistry practice from its previous owner in 2004. Dr. Liao and Dr. Shiao were attracted to Dublin because “it is a great place to raise a family” and both wanted to have a family practice in the heart of a growing and contemporary community that “has been run so well for so long.”
With over 16 years of combined experience as dentists, Dr. Liao and Dr. Shiao demonstrate their fierce commitment to patient care by never seeing more than one patient at a time. In addition to being recognized by the Tri-Valley Herald over multiple years as the best family dental practice, Dublin Smiles Dentistry sets itself apart from other practices by offering a casual and relaxed setting where patients may feel like welcomed guests. Some patients have even said that visiting Dublin Smiles Dentistry is “like walking into your own home.”
Dublin Smiles Dentistry will be moving from their current location at 6990 Village Parkway, Suite 210, to a much larger office at The Shops at Tralee in the Fourth Quarter of 2008. This new office at Tralee – located at the gateway to Downtown Dublin, Dublin Ranch, and Windemere – will help Dublin Smiles Dentistry achieve the vision of providing the extremely personalized care it is known for throughout the Tri-Valley to a greater number of patients. Dr. Liao and Dr. Shiao will be hosting an open house for the public to celebrate the opening of their new office at Tralee (details to follow).
The Around Dublin blog is especially excited that one of its “The Best of Dublin, CA” selections will be among the first businesses to open in The Shops at Tralee in the heart of Dublin.
Dublin Smiles Dentistry
6990 Village Parkway
Suite 210
Dublin, CA 94568
(925) 833-2501
by John M. Zukoski on August 23, 2008 | No Comments | Topics: Things To Do
Hello Loyal Around Dublin Readers -
Mark your calendars for the Around Dublin Reader Meetup at the Sorrento Clubhouse (next to the new Piazza Sorrento park) on Sunday, September 21st from 2-4pm. This event is a chance for you to meet other Dublin residents who are passionate about our city and for you to share with us what you would like to see more of from the blog.
Dublin’s own Barrelhouse Solly will be playing live blues and ragtime music while guests mingle and talk about all things Dublin. Peet’s coffee and various baked delicacies will be served.
Please email arounddublin@gmail.com to RSVP by Sunday, September 14th.
by John M. Zukoski on August 22, 2008 | No Comments | Topics: Opinions
Home sales were percolating in Dublin this past week. There were a total of 17 homes sold – 4 new (2 at Elan, 1 at Silvera Ranch, and 1 at Sonata) and 13 existing homes. While the average sale price dipped a bit to $609K, it’s great to see so many homes being sold. If you look at the chart above, you can see how the total weekly sales (the light green line) is trending boldly upward. This is a great indicator of the strong demand for homes in Dublin.
by John M. Zukoski on August 20, 2008 | 13 Comments | Topics: Polls
Dublin has an abundance of affordable housing options for residents. The term affordable housing is often used to refer to below-market-rate (BMR) and Section 8 housing. BMR housing is subsidized by developers (as required by the city) and sometimes non-profit agencies. This type of housing can be a apartment, a condo/townhouse, or a single family residence that is rented or sold at a sliding scale rate that is below the market rate (thus the term). In Dublin, developers are required to set aside 12.5% of all new development for BMR housing. Developers can have the option to build 7.5% and then contribute 5% to a fund to build future BMRs at other projects.
The term “Section 8 housing” is actually a bit of a misnomer in that the housing offered to families can be the same as any other non-Section 8 apartment or home. The only difference is that the landlord is willing to accept a Section 8 housing voucher that is sponsored by the HUD agency.
Many residents feel that providing affordable housing is an investment in our community. Some support affordable housing – but only if qualified candidates are accepted into the program. Others might argue that market rate housing has already become affordable and that a subsidized program isn’t necessary or that affordable housing reduces the value of market rate housing. There are many pros and cons to affordable housing, but the important question is – are you in favor of having affordable housing in Dublin?
by John M. Zukoski on August 18, 2008 | No Comments | Topics: Things To Do
The 2008 Day on the Glen will be held at Emerald Glen Park on September 20th and 21st in Dublin. This year’s theme is “A World of Fun” and admission will be free (although the competitions will cost money). Entertainment will include a Saturday exhibit from Wild Things and a Sunday exhibit from Leopards, Etc.
There will be an abundance of activities and events for residents and guests of all ages. For the under 12 crowd, there will be carnival attractions, jumpers, carnival rides, pony rides, a petting zoo, tot lot play area, face painting, balloon animals, roaming entertainment, crafts, etc. For teens, there will be a skateboard competition on Saturday, as well as ice skating, a 3-on-3 basketball tournament, and carnival rides. The 3-on-3 basketball tournament will be open to folks of all ages. There will also be the 7th Annual Dublin Open Volleyball Tournament for adults.
For those that enjoy listening to live music, there will be a treasure trove of World music on the International stage starting at 10am on Saturday and 11am on Sunday. The headliner will be Santana percussionist Pete Escovedo playing at 6pm on Saturday the 20th.
Please visit the official website at http://www.dayontheglen.com/ or call Lorri Polon at 925-556-4500 for more details about this iconic Dublin event.
by John M. Zukoski on August 17, 2008 | 6 Comments | Topics: Development · Schools
Here are a wide range of updates from all over Dublin:
Corrie Center – this is the office building located next to the Dublin Hooters and Dublin Bowl. Awhile back, the building’s owner (Corrie Development Group) had submitted a request to change the designation from office to retail/office and lodging. The requested lodging designation caused a bit of a stir because converting the office space at the Corrie Center could potentially take business away from the Radisson (which provides much-needed conference space) and future Windstar Hotel & Retail project. However, the Corrie Development Group has recently asked to withdraw their request.
Schaefer Ranch – it looks like the grand opening for Schaefer Ranch has been set for Saturday August 23rd. Shadow Canyon and Mesa Point will be the first two communities to be released at Schaefer Ranch.
Positano – this development is located within Fallon Village (at the eastern-most portion of Dublin). The developer (Braddock & Logan) will provide a 10-acre elementary school site and two public park sites in the Positano development including a 5-acre Neighborhood Square and a 6-acre Neighborhood Park. The Neighborhood Park will be located across the street from the elementary school site. The model homes for the Salerno and Cantara communities of the Positano master development at Fallon Village are open for viewing (Around Dublin especially enjoyed the Portofino model at Cantara).
Dublin High Math & Science Buildings – the Dublin High Math & Science buildings are scheduled to be completed by November 2008. Please click on the picture above to see how construction is coming along. Also, please click here for more details about this project.
A few quick updates on the Shannon Community Center and Medium Density Designations in Dublin:
