Here's Doug's credentials as an engineer:

• Practiced as a licensed Professional Engineer.
• Environmental Engineering.
• Geotechnical Engineering.
• Performed Capital Reserve Studies for Condo Associations.
• Designed and installed solar power system with controllers and battery bank on sailboat where lived green for 9 months off-grid, utilizing sun, wind, rain water and reverse osmosis water maker.
• Cornell University B.S. and Masters in Civil and Environmental Engineering.

Doug applied his professional engineers skills to help address the legitimate concerns of members of the neighborhood over the proposed Berkeley Carroll School Expansion during his 2009 City Council Campaign.  Here's a letter Doug sent to the neighborhood organizers and the administration of the Berkeley Carroll School in response the Wednesday, July 29th meeting that he and over 75 residents attended:

Considerations & Recommendations for the Proposed Berkeley Carroll School Addition

Folks,

It was a pleasure to meet most of you a couple days ago, and to hear your concerns. As I said, I am a Civil Engineer by trade who specializes in Geotechnical Engineering and challenging on-site construction excavations. I would like to offer some recommendations and understanding to provide a path forward for The Berkeley Carroll School (BCS) and the concerned members of the neighborhood and the Committee of Saint Johns Residents (collectively Neighbors). There are some very important and unavoidable technical and construction considerations with this project that I believe BCS will need to address sooner rather than later and work in good faith with their Neighbors regardless of the "as of right" stance put forth at the meeting on July 29. These considerations arise from the plans of new construction with a basement placed directly on the property line of St. John's Place residences and the adjacent apartment building to the east.

I admire the community action you’ve undertaken here, and this is exactly the kind of involvement and open dialogue I am going to foster as your City Councilman. While several of my opponents are more concerned with protecting the status quo and special interests which dominate local politics, I will always stand up for greater transparency and community participation in the development process. I look forward to continuing this dialogue with you. And remember, this is the kind of leadership you can expect from me in office.

Considerations:

1. Based on the presentation, the anticipated depth of the excavation along the St. John's Place property is about 15 feet and a new foundation retaining wall will be constructed.
2. From my cursory visual survey of the adjacent structure on the east property line, the excavation along the slab grade in the basement level alley is anticipated to be at about half of the overall depth of 15 feet.
3. Depending on the construction and water proofing methods selected, this may require over excavating beyond the property lines for both safety and work space for concrete forming. Generally, sloping back an excavation is a safer and less expensive approach space permitting. There are industry and OSHA standards for this procedure.
4. Safety in an excavation of this depth would require either stepping back the excavation well into the St. John's residential properties or a soil shoring system.
5. Undermining of the slab on grade along the basement alley of the building on the east property line is a concern.
6. Undermining of the bearing soils beneath the existing foundation of the building on the east property line is a concern.
7. Shoring systems are expensive and would require either tieback/underpinning beneath the St. John's residential properties, a cantilever support system or some type of advanced stabilization system.
8. It is anticipated that shoring systems would result in a lesser impact of neighboring properties in terms of access and excavation of soils, but an impact nonetheless. However, cantilever systems may require driving piles and this results in loud noises and vibrations that could damage masonry or cause settlement in neighboring structures.
9. Mobilization and cost will be a factor in the more advanced techniques of soil stabilization that would minimize impact on the neighboring properties.
10. Access to St. John's properties will be necessary for future maintenance of the wall.
11. Concrete pumping may be required and equipment may need to be craned in to access the construction site which is behind existing structures.
12. Presence of groundwater could further complicate the excavation and soil stability.

Because of these considerations and the scope of this project, there is no doubt that BCS will need to work in good faith and in a very proactive way with their neighbors. Here are some of my recommendations.

Recommendations:

1. For BCS to initiate a soil investigation report immediately with a licensed Geotechnical Engineering firm working closely with a licensed Structural Engineer and Architect.
2. Based on the soil findings and proposed construction, for BCS to develop a preliminary excavation stabilization plan that considers impact on all neighboring properties and costs for BCS.
3. As part of the excavation plan, evaluate stability of the existing foundation of the building on the east property line with respect to proposed excavation and existing foundation grades, soil conditions, proposed shoring systems and horizontal distances.
4. Reach out to the neighbors and plan an informational presentation with the neighbors to present and discuss the excavation plan. It is only fair that the Neighbors know up front the kind of impact this type of excavation will have on their properties, structures and quality of life, even if the project engineers anticipate it is minimal.
5. In my opinion, it is best that BCS take these measures of a soil investigation and excavation plan as soon as possible for both good faith and BCS's own project cost purposes, making available to the neighbors all soil engineering reports and excavation plans in advance of any meetings.
6. Based on the projections of the Engineers and Architect, establish with the Neighbors a public meeting timeline that follows preliminary and final design phases.
7. It is my opinion that BCS should keep an open mind to concessions to the Neighbors to keep costs under control and, of course, to be good neighbors. Offsetting the structure from the property, final heights and configurations, freestanding "green walls" with ivy like cover, deed restrictions of future structures/additions and other options are available to achieve both BCS objectives and to iron out a solution that is amenable to both sides. Licensed Professional Engineers, Architects and Lawyers should be consulted with regarding them.

I hope I have created a better understanding of some of the technical, safety, building service and construction considerations and provided helpful recommendations to move this project forward

I plan to be available for follow-up meetings. Please call any time.

Thanks,

Doug Biviano

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