Serendipity on the Sidewalk: Stories, Awards, and Warm Welcomes

Our Piedmont Recreation Department’s Walking on Wednesday group is not surprised when unexpected, happy things happen on our walks of Piedmont streets. Last Wednesday some serendipitous encounters added significantly to our walk enjoyment. There was a large turnout of 55 walkers and three K-9 best friends at the Exedra for the fun.

Before we started walking it was noted that the group will walk again together in Piedmont’s 4^th of July Parade. We were in the parade last year and participants noted how much fun it was. We hope for a big turnout again this year.

It was then shared that each year the Planning Commission and City recognize a small number of Piedmont projects that they feel represent the highest level of design excellence in residential construction, landscaping, and sustainable home improvements with their Design Awards. Last year the commission introduced Sustainability Awards to celebrate property owners who have incorporated green elements into their homes.

Jim Kellogg is a former planning commissioner. He said the selection process is for city staff to nominate their favorite projects from all those that have been reviewed by the commission and for the commissioners to pick the winners. To be eligible, a project must conform to Piedmont’s design and planning guidelines and must have completed construction in the previous calendar year. Last year the commission introduced Sustainability Awards to celebrate property owners who have incorporated green elements, like heat pumps, solar panels, and greywater systems, into their homes.

We could see two of the four 2025 Design Awards winners on a loop in the northwest part of town. Additionally, we could go see a nearby Sustainability Award winner. The first home for us to see was the winner of the Excellence in Comprehensive Remodel with Integrated Accessory Dwelling Unit at 224 Greenbank Avenue.

We headed out going down Magnolia Avenue past the under-construction aquatics center. Workers were busy and structures are taking shape but work still needs to be done and summer 2025 swimming doesn’t seem realistic.

We went across Hillside Avenue, crossed Oakland Avenue at the stop light, and down Oakland to Greenbank. We soon found 224 Greenbank and our first surprise. By coincidence, David L, the homeowner, was outside working. After introductions, David told us about his project. City codes had to be considered for house’s square footage and the lot’s size, so the house’s footprint had to stay the same. However, they wanted to add space, so the crawlspace at the house’s front was cleared and used for more room and an ADU. New windows matched existing ones and solar and a heat pump were part of the project. The neighbors were supportive of the effort. It took a year, but David said he was glad they did it and would do it again. After David answered questions, he posed with us in front of his house for the attached group photo.

After thanking David, we went down to Grand Avenue, up Cambridge Way, and over to York Drive. Our destination was 47 York, but before getting to it, there was another house to see. It was under construction during our 2024 walks. It’s the home of Piedmont realtor Stacey I and Chuck W. As we approach the now complete, modern, beautiful house, we had our second happy surprise of the morning. Stacey had seen us coming, came out to welcome us, and shared the project’s story.

Stacey and Chuck bought the house that was there six years ago. They liked that the lot was deep and level and intended to remodel the house. Some projects were started but they came to realize that to have the house the way they wanted, it would be better to take the old house down and start all over. That’s what they did. They first built an ADU to live in during the two years of new house construction. The project took more time and money than they had expected, but the house is spectacular.

After sharing the history, Stacey provided our third surprise of the morning. She generously invited us 55 walkers to come inside. It was an offer we couldn’t refuse. The home is an open-concept jewel. It’s beautifully detailed and furnished and flows nicely from the front to the backyard with the ADU on the side and a raised swimming pool of a modern designed at the back. Our group greatly enjoyed Stacey’s open house and had to be reminded that there was another house to see on the block. Thanks were given to Stacey and Chuck for their hospitality and we made our way up to 47 York.

This house was the winner for Excellence in for a Second Story Addition. We enjoyed seeing the seamlessly added second floor to the house. It was a good thing property owners Kevin Ma and Liana Wu were not there to talk about their project because the unexpected and happy visits with David, Stacey, and Chuck had taken a good piece of the morning. There wasn’t time to go up to Estrella Avenue and see James G and Tracy L's City Sustainability Award winner on Estrella Avenue. It would have to be part of a future Wednesday walk.

We retraced our steps back York to Cambridge and then returned to the Exedra via, Blair, San Carlos, Oakland, El Cerrito, and Magnolia Avenues. We should have expected it was another walk of surprises and fun.