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May 10, 18 10,1986 Vol. 1 No. ol. 1 No.3 —

Rockridge se News

* gpamsored by by y the . Rockridge ckridge Community mnity Planning Council 6225 Ross St, s St, Oakland

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Volunteer Force!

Thank You,Thank You,
Block Captains

A Rockndge News Special Edition prepared for
distribution at the College Avenue Merchant's Association
Sidewalk Sale referred to a communication pathway for the
newsletter and telephone tree. Some of the passersby who
read that phrase asked what it meant.

It means that more than one hundred of our friends and
neighbors have volunteered to be responsible to spread the
word, to publicise events and issues facing the Neighborhood
when time is of the essence. They have volunteered to contact
neighbors and friends in their immediate area to let them know
of hearings scheduled by the City, to pass information about
proposed developments, and to tell them about meetings and

events.

Think about it More than one hundred friends and
neighbors have volunteered to pass information essential to a
successful and effective Neighborhood Organization.

They pass this information by phone when the problems
come in a rush; in more sedate times, they distribute the
Rockridge News and post flyers. They are the District and
Block Captains and we thank them for their dedication and

their help!

To join in their work or for additional information, call
Bobbie Kinkead, 655-5608.

Merchants Association
Votes RCPC Support

CAMA Policy Shift
The Board of Directors of the College Avenue Merchants

| Association (CAMA) recently reversed its usual policy of

neutrality on proposed developments and took a stand
opposing Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream Corporation's corporate

expansion plans in Rockridge.

Members of CAMA’s Board reported the organization

decided that the scale and nature of the proposed expansion are
so severely out of character for the area that they would have a
negative effect on the neighborhood and on local business

activity.

After reaching its decision, the CAMA Board took a poll
of its members to determine the degree to which the general
membership supported the Board’s decision. According to
CAMA Vice President Eddie Zeidan (Chimes Market), more

than 80% of those merchants expressing an opinion on the
matter oppose Dreyers’ proposed Rockridge expansion.

The College Avenue Merchants Association is the
Organization for businesses located on College Avenue in
Oakland. Their current membership stands at more than 100
businesses.

To ensure good neighborhood relations § and
communication, two members of CAMA also Have seats on
the RCPC Board.

Meanwhile, Dreyer’s continues its application to the
City, and the City has notfied interested parties of the EIR
process. RCPC tinal and Zoning Committees are watching
closely. Attend the General Meeting Thursday for the latest

developments.

Saturday May 10 12-2 pm
Thursday May 1S 7:30 pm
Saturday May 17 = 12-2 pm
Saturday June 7 104 pm

Dates Calendar Events Calendar Dates Calendar Events

Informational picket in front of Dreyer’s Corporation.

May General Meeting of RCPC, College Avenue Presbyterian Church.
Informational picket in front of Dreyer’s Corporation.

Rockridge Extravaganza Garage Sale Neighborhood Block Party.

See Details Page 3 of this Issue! Be prepared! Save your
donatables bake your goods, get ready for a good time!
Donations are Tax Deductible!

Saturday June 14 = 12-2 pm
Thursday June 19 7:30 pm

Informational picket in front of Dreyer's Corporation.
June General Meeting of RCPC, College Avenue Presbyterian Church.

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May 10, 1986

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Page 2

The Rockridge News UY

—— a a RETR

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News From Other
Neighborhoods

© Adams Point
¢ Temescal Merchants
e West Clawson

——_

All over the city, individuals, Neighborhood Groups,
and businesses are working to improve life and the urban en-
vironment in Oakland. The Thirty-Eighth Steet
Neighborhood Association and the Mosswood Community
Association in their struggle against an mappropnate
fast-food restaurant is a good example of this movement

Here are some highlights of other groups’ activities.

Adams Point Preservation Association:

This Neighborhood Association meets the second
Monday of every month at the Parish House, Grand Lake
Lutheran Church at Euclid and Van Buren.

__ Major problems facing this Neighborhood are extreme
high-rise development pressure and severe parking shortages,
according to reports in their newsletter, the Adams Pointer.

__ Accelerating apartment development since 1979 has
Shifted the character of the area from predominantly
single-family dwellings to high-rise condominiums, alarming
area residents.

Residents have have met with the Planning Department
and the Planning Commission and with the Mayor to discuss
the problems and propose solutions that include new parking
regulations and development controls. They have pursued

legal help, as well, to be sure the City hears their concerns
and pays attention to their suggestions.

_ Your help and support on these issues will let Adams
Point residents know other Oakland residents are facing
similar problems and are standing with them. Your help and

rt will remind the City administrators that more than
one Neighborhood is facing unwelcome development and that
Neighborhoods will work together to achieve their goals.

Call 893-8511 during the day for additional information
and details. To donate to the legal fund, send your check to
oa Point Preservation, 297 Adams Street, Oakland, CA

10.

Temescal Merchants Association:

Members of the Temescal Merchants Association and
The Telegraph Avenue Business Association are dedicating
themselves to a Telegraph Avenue clean-up and revitalization
for the biocks between 30th Street and Alcatraz. According to
Temescal Merchants Associauon President Nicolas Sakkis.
the groups want to get nd of pornographic theatres and movie
houses and clean up wash and trashy empty lots.

Iniual clean-up efforts include contacting City officials.
Marge Gibson, Councilmember for the area, has been invited
to attend the next regular membership meeting of the
Temescal Merchants on May 2lst, 6 p.m., at the American
Savings offices at Claremont and Telegraph Avenues.

Please turn to “Associations”, Page 4

Planning Commission Action

Businesses Accept RCPC Proposals

Yoshi’s

Last month’s Rockridge News reported that RCPC hag
received complaints about parking and noise problems
associated with Yoshi’s Night Spot and that the Planning
Commission had scheduled a public hearing on April 30 to
conduct a six-month review of the Conditional Use Perm;
under which Yoshi’s expansion was allowed .

This matter was discussed at the April 17 RCPC
General Meeting, following which RCPC wrote to Yoshi’s
about the complaints and to suggest solutions. Yoshi's
owner, Kaz Kajimura, offered to meet with immediate neigh-
bors of the nightclub/restaurant to hear directly the problems
they have experienced. |

~A group of neighbors, including RCPC Board Members
Ray Perman and Richard Smith, met on Apnil 28 with Mr.
Kajimura and other Yoshi’s representatives. After listening to
the resident’s concerns and suggestions, Yoshi's agreed to
pursue several actions to reduce noise and parking abuses.
These include earlier weekday closing times for the nightclub,
valet parking for large banquet groups, having employees park
in metered spaces on College Avenue, and reducing noise by
locking windows closed, more aggressively controlling the
volume level of musical groups and seeking quieter,
listening—onented groups.

Yoshi’s and RCPC requested that the Planning
Commission reschedule its public hearing in approximately
two months to evaluate the effect of the changes. The
Commission agreed.

The Yoshi's Committee will meet again with the
owners on June 2. If you want to be involved with this group
or have opinions about the effects of Yoshi’s on neighborhood
quality, please plan to attend the May 15 RCPC General

Meetng or call Ray Perman, h-658-0536/w-652-6523 or
Richard Smith, 981-6076.

Columbus Pizz3 :

The City Planning Commission has approved with
conditions the application of property owner John Allen and
his tenant, Hanee Alhakeem, to operate a pizza—by-the-slice
business at 5295 College Avenue near Clifton.
Pizza—by—the-slice is considered “fast food” and requires a

Conditional Use Permit in the College Avenue Special Retail

When the City posted notice of the application, local
RCPC Block Captains distributed flyers in the immediately
Surrounding area (thanks again, Block Captains!) and the
Rockricge News printed a report (see April 12 issue, Vol. 1.
No. 2). Neighbors opposing the plan wrote to the City and
also voiced their concerns at RCPC's April 17 General
Meeung. RCPC Board Member Ray Perman wrote to the
Planning Commission summarizing those concerns and
specifying specific litter control and other measures as
condiuons of approval for the project.

Plezse turn to “Action”, Page 4

_—_oo

Page 3 May 10, 1986 he Rockridge News
- EE ASTRO

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Rockridge Area ST a ZZ

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Neighborhood Zon ay >

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PUNGTAISED gs Y RS
Bake xe Say | | X
Neighborhood Block A a

WHERE?: Chabot Road Between
College and Claremont

WHEN?: Saturday, June 7, 1986
10 a.m. — 4 p.m.

WHY?: To Raise Money For
The Rockridge Community
oe Council (RCPC)

“Call Now To Donate:

© Please Let Us. Know As Soon As. Possible
. - Pickup Can Be Arranged”

SALEABLE ITEMS:...books,plants, clothing, tools,
furniture, toys, etc..

Do it now! ; Annette Floystrup - 652-6794
TT CALL: Ethel Ruymaker - 658-3912
FOODSTUFFS... .cakes,. pies, soft drinks...
CALL: Mary Biagini- 654-1509 ©

Do it now!
11 EE
YOUR TIME....for selling, collecting, cleaning, helping...

Do it now! Meg Trahey - 654-4082
Wm CALL head - 655-7474

Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you

i Oakland, Walter Abernathy, Executive Director, 66 Jack

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“Associations ’, from Page 1

Mr. Sakkis said the are ready to press their case
through legal channels if the City proves unable or unwilling
to acl

The Temescal Merchants Association meets every third
Wednesday of the month at American Savings. Call or wnite
for further information: Nicolas Sakkis, 4927 Telegraph
Avenue, Oakland, 653-9139.

West Clawson Neighborhood Organization:

The West Clawson Neighborhood Organization worked
for three years to get the City to respond to Neighborhood
concems about sidewalks and curbing. Now they are battling

to stop the transport of nuclear fuel materials through
Oakland.

The Organization learned of the hazardous shipments
early this year when the Port of Long Beach announced that it
would not handle a shipment of spent nuclear fuel rods from
Taiwan. The Department of Energy said then that they would
just bring them through Oakland “as usual”.

Chappell Hayes of WCNO began alerting neighbors and |
marshalling the support of local officials. The Alameda
County Board of Sy, nhl agreed with the Organization's
position and wrote emor George Deukmejian to say they

Vv
want no nuclear fuel rods transported through Alameda |
County.

The Oakland City Council also voted to support the
Organization's position and has also written to the Governor.

West Clawson Neighborhood Organization members and
Supporters will speak before the Oakland Board of Port
Commissioners on May 20, at 4 p.m., to appeal for an
Official policy of not handling nuclear fuel elements through |
the Por. Take a moment now to write to the Por of

London Square, Oakland, CA 94607. |

Help support these efforts to prevent this dangerous
cargo at our Port and in our City. Ea Chappell Hayes or
Nancy Nadel at 655-9832 for further information about the
mecuing and the organization.

|
ADS ADS ADS ADS ADS ADS ADS

A new feanre with this issue— Advertisements placed
College Avenue merchants and businesspeople and Neighbor-
hood professionels. Rates are still developing but will run
about $20. a column imch, using this column width as a basis.
Call Don Kinkead, 655-7474, for a rate sheet

wPhekinishingiouch

Sellers of Fine Old Wicker Furniture

Experts in Caning and Wicker Restoration

5636 COLLEGE AVE., OAKLAND 652-4908

See Our Selection of Reproduction Brass Furniture Hardware

Bring in This Ad By eng Aa: for a 10% Discount on
Hardware hems In Stock

The Rockridge News May 10, 1986 Page 4

—— -

Well, What D’ You Think?

Here it is, May already, not to mention Mother's Day,
and you're reading Volume 1, No. 3 (no less) of The
Rockridge News.

These first issues of the newsletter have sought to
present news and points of view of interest to residents of the
Rockridge Neighborhood and the City of Oakland in a
meaningful and straightforward way. We have tried to be as
even-handed as possible (but can offer no strong promises in
that regard for the future) and to provide a variety of infor-
mation to appeal to a variety of interests .

General response has been encouraging and it looks as
if we are on the night track... but how do you feel about it?

Please take a moment to think about the things you
have read here, the things you would like to read about in
issues to come, and the way you would like them presented.

Call or write: Don Kinkead 655-7474
Nina Robinson 658-9523
c/o RCPC
6225 Ross St
Oakland, CA 94618

and let us know how you feel.

“A ction’’, from Page 1

Board Members Barbara Anderson, Don Kinkead, and
Nina Robinson discussed the proposed conditions with Mr.
Allen and Mr. Alhakeem just before the Apnl 30 Planning
Commission meeting. Both agreed to all the proposed litter
control measures and to setting Columbus Pizza's closing
time at 12 midnight. The Commission subsumted RCPC's
recommendations for those of the staff and approved the
project

Ventilation measures and sign design remain at issue..
The conditions of approval specify that Columbus Pizza must
develop a “ventilauon plan” to be approved by the Planning
Director. Sign design will be considered as part of the Design
Review for this project RCPC has taken a position
opposing large, projecting signs (signs that project over the
sidewalk, perpendicular to the face of the building) and plastic,
internally lit “lightboxes”, such as those typically used in
shopping malls and along large streets and freeways.

~( Chimes Grocery

5642 College Avenue 7 AM to Midnight
- AtRockridge BART —- 7: Days A Week

— i 4 ad
Special Offer: eo

SAVE 50 Cents On Any” Six-Pack Of:
Beer Soda Wine 750 o 15 L

With This Ad Only-
© Except Sale Tiers (Exp. 6/15/86)

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