The City Council will vote on the second reading of an ordinance that would permanently close the Linda off-leash dog area at their regular meeting on Monday, April 21, an action necessary to avoid steep fines from regional authorities.
The closure was prompted by an inquiry from the Regional Water Quality Control Board (Water Board) into soil erosion at the off-leash area. After reviewing steps the City had already taken to address erosion, the Water Board confirmed that “more appropriate and long-term erosion control measures” were needed and gave the City until April 9 to detail next steps.
Swift action required to avoid steep penalties
The Water Board’s involvement left the City with few options:
- close the off-leash area permanently and begin re-vegetating the hillside
- close the off-leash area for multiple years while undertaking significant capital improvements, including re-grading the hillside, installing a new drainage system, and building retaining walls – at a likely cost in the millions of dollars
- take no action and risk substantial penalties
If the City is deemed out of compliance with clean water regulations, Piedmont could be subject to fines as high as $66,000 per day.
The Council passed the first reading of the closure on Monday, April 7 after considering the fiscal consequences of inaction. The decision was reached after public comment and discussion regarding the importance of the area as a space for visitors and pets to connect with neighbors.
Comments welcome at April 21st meeting in-person or online
Community members who wish to speak at the April 21st meeting can do so in-person or online.
City Council meeting: Linda off-leash dog area closure (second reading)
Monday, April 21, 6pm
Piedmont City Hall, 120 Vista Avenue
Zoom: piedmont-ca-gov.zoom.us/j/82500567382
Agenda | Staff Report
Community members can also submit comments via email to [email protected].
Next steps: Hydroseeding, revegetation for Linda hillside; Sustainability evaluation for City parks
If the Council confirms the closure, Public Works staff will immediately move forward with hydroseeding the hillside, a common erosion control measure that forms a sort of protective shell over the soil, preventing soil erosion and allowing vegetation to begin to regrow.
Concurrently, the City will soon begin a sustainability and stewardship evaluation of all City parks and open spaces. This study will examine current management practices and existing park uses, including off-leash dog areas, with the aim of developing recommendations for how to best meet the community needs while maintaining healthy and vibrant public spaces throughout Piedmont.