Extracted text · highlighting “Don Kinkead”

(Best Wishes for the Holiday Scason and the Rew Bear)

Dreyers Revises
Plans: To File Soon

Changes In Parking

Rumors of the death of the Dreyer’s Corporation
College Avenue expansion proposal have been greatly
exaggerated. According to . Rick Graffis, Assistant to
Dreyer’s Financial Officer, the Corporation has been planning
some alterations to portions of the original plans me expects
to submit them to the City within a month.

Mr. Graffis said that cost estimates for the parking
structure planned for Claremont Avenue came in at close to
two million dollars, so the company decided to reconsider that
aspect of the plans. Building plans

City Reverses Decision

Neighbors Quick
To Save Engine 19

Seventy-five Rockridge Neighbors, backed by hundreds
of phone cails and letters, attended the City Council meeting
November 25 to protest the proposed closing of the fire house
on Miles Avenue. Responding to this unified Neighborhood
outcry, the City Council voted to keep the fire house open.

Firehouse closures had been considered by the City as a
way to meet reduced Federal revenue-sharing funds, but
closing the Miles Avenue station had not been publicly
discussed. When the San Francisco Chronicle (!) reported the

proposed closure, concerned Rock-

and the overall scope of the project

have not changed, he said. RCPC MEETING
Last March, Dreyer’s planned a
parking structure with four levels for NIGHT MOVES TO
136 employee cars and rejected con- IRD WE) ES.
current pantie parking because a TH D WEDNI DAY
concerns for liability. (As of
October, 1985, Dreyer's had 104 eres een coon
one in Lafayette and 40 in have been changed!
Now, according to Mr. Graffis, Meetings will now be held
parking variables to be decided are the third Wednesday of

whether to build a scaled down
version of the original structure or a
surface lot. A surface lot would be
built to conform with current zoning
requirements for parking, or about
seventy spaces.

Mr. Graffis also said Dreyer’s is
“exploring the possibility” of a joint
parking lot venture with the City of
Oakland.

each month in the first floor
meeting room behind the sanctuary
of the College Avenue Presbyterian
Church at 7:30 p.m. This change
enables RCPC to provide
wheelchair access.

Next General Meeting
Wednesday,
December 17, 7:30 p.m.

ridge Neighbors turned to their
telephone network to spread the word
and get protesters to the Council
meeting.

Before the meeting started, the
message had gotten through! In a
closed session prior to the public
meeting, the Council voted to accept
Vice-Mayor Marge Gibson’s pro-
posal to put off renovation of their
new offices and to apply the
$800,000 savings to the cost of
keeping the firehouse open.
Pleased firemen put a a up at the
station thanking the Neighbors.

The Council had also failed to
consider the impact of the closure on
BART’s and CalTrans’ responsi-
bilities and did not notify them of
the planned closure. BART's fire
chief wrote to the City to suggest a
full review of the effect of the
closure.

Tuesday Dec 16 7:30 pm North Oakland Community Development District
meeting; Sante Fe School, 915 54th Street.
Wednesday Dec 17 7:30 pm RCPC December General Meeting, College Avenue Presbyterian
Church. NOTE CHANGE IN DATE AND MEETING ROOM!
Monday Jan 5 7:30 pm North Oakland District Council meeting; Baptist Church,

42nd and Rich Streets.

The Rockridge News

December 13, 1986

Page 2

Neighborhood Elects 1987 RCPC Board
Of Directors — Statements From Members

The 1987 Board of Directors of the Rockridge
Community Planning Council was elected by Neighborhood
residents voting at a well-attended November General Meeting.
The new Board members will serve for a one year term
beginning with the December General Meeting.

Four Board members were selected at the first Board
meeting to serve as Officers: Chair; Co-Chair; Secretary; and
Treasurer.

The nine members and two alternates have submitted
these views of their roles as Neighbors and RCPC Board
members for the coming year:

Barbara Anderson, Chair

I will be working to broaden Neighborhood participation
in RCPC; to develop, with Neighbors and merchants, a
creative community solution for the parking project at
College/Manila; and to fund and initiate a Specific Area Plan
for Rockridge.

Annette R. Floystrup, Co-Chair

Thank you for the vote of confidence. I am pleased to
continue on the Board of Directors of RCPC. It is my hope
that in the coming year, the work that RCPC undertakes will
inspinre others to want to come forward and get involved.

This year I would like to put my efforts into a
Neighborhood outreach program. RCPC has been very
successful in mobilizing opinion and shaping government for
our Neighborhood. It is clear that in order to achieve
systematic control by Oakland citizens over our City’s
destiny, we must become part of an umbrella organization
representing Neighborhoods from all districts. I see this
group as a watchdog over the City Council serving to remind
the Mayor and the Council that this is OUR City, that they
work for US and that they serve at OUR pleasure.

__ Responsible government requires involvement by all
citizens.

Ray Perman, Secretary

RCPC has gained tremendous strength in the last few
years as a result of our becoming increasingly professional in
our dealings with developers, City Hall, merchants, and most
importantly, our fellow Neighbors. This professionalism has
given us credibility; the credibility gives us the strength. I
look forward to serving the community, to managing this
increasing strength to its greatest benefit.

Don Kinkead, Treasurer

Organized Neighborhood strength is the best way we all
can help bring into being and maintain the kind of city we
want for ourselves and our children. RCPC is an organization
that helps build that strength. I am pleased to have this
opportunity to work with friends and Neighbors to better our
community and our city.

Mark Aaronson

I am looking forward to assisting RCPC as a lawyer and
as a Neighbor. To the extent I can use my legal skills to help
achieve RCPC’s goals, I will be pleased.

It is important to continue the forceful role we now have
in affecting decisions that impact on our Neighborhood; in
particular, decisions involving future proposals for
commercial development.

RCPC has an important watchdog role for Neighbor-

hood interests in preventing overdevelopment inappropriate for
a residential community.

Nancy Dutcher

As a resident of Rockridge since 1939, I’ve seen it go
from a self-contained community with good schools, a strong
shopping community and pleasant residential area to a long
period of virtually no commercial activity, with boarded-up
shops, and a declining junior high, especially during and after
the freeway and BART construction. Then came the transition
period when we fought long and hard for the community’s
voice in the future of Rockridge.

We have achieved that voice, but the security of our
position always seems tenuous. I feel we have to continually
reinforce our residents’ concerns for the future of Rockridge.

Rockridge has once again become a fine area in which to
live, to shop and to send our children to school. I want to be
sure it stays that way!

Barry Epstein

As a new Board member, I was drawn to RCPC through
concerns with the increasing commercial development in
Rockridge. The intensity of this development threatens the
Neighborhood’s character and its residents’ diversity. We
must develop a pro-active vision for our Neighborhood to
channel the changes to meet residents’ desires.

Peter Goldsmith

Opposition to Dreyer’s proposed project introduced me
to RCPC. I will continue to oppose Dreyer’s inappropriate
plans and hope to help to ensure that future changes in
Rockridge are in keeping with its wonderful neighborhood
character.

Richard W. Smith

The expansion of Dreyer’s, whether it is a dead issue or
not, is something I will continue to watch carefully. Also, a
continuing dialogue with Yoshi’s will be necessary in the
resolution of the traffic and parking problems associated with
Yoshi’s Night Spot. However, there are three more global
concerns that are of interest: the general parking problem we
have in the area; the preparation of a Specific Plan for the
Rockridge area; and the revision of Oakland’s public hearing
noticing procedure. I would like to see it broadened to be
reflective of the standards set by other cities, and to ensure
more community involvement in the planning decisions that
form our community.

Marc Beyeler, Alternate

[Mark Beyeler works for the Coastal Conservancy and is
active in community affairs. He is Chair of the joint
CAMA/RCPC_ Parking Committee now involved in
developing a plan for the proposed parking development on
the Art Stone property.]

Jack Nunberg, Alternate

I have lived in the Rockridge Area for the past five
years. Neighborhoods always change, but when Dreyer’s
Corporation proposed their expansion, I decided to get
involved as much as possible to help preserve the character of
the Neighborhood.

It is important that residents know as much as possible
about zoning laws and local politics to be able to exercise
their rights to the fullest.
— J City/zip:

The Rockridge News

December 13, 1986

Page 3

Council Decision

Restaurant Partners To
Meet With RCPC

At the recommendation of the City Council, proponents
of the College Avenue Fish Co. restaurant agreed to meet
with the RCPC Board and the Neighborhood at the December
General Meeting (Wednesday, December 17, 7:30 p.m.) to
discuss changes in the restaurant plans. They also agreed to
submit their revised plans to the Planning Commission for
additional hearing.

Meeting in regular session Tuesday, December 9, the
Council heard Mr. Art Napala and Mr. Delett G. Paul’s appeal
of the Planning Commission denial of their application for
the Major Conditional Use Permit necessary to open the
restaurant on College Avenue.

The proponents based their appeal on the deletion of the
outside deck of the restaurant- a change developed just prior to
the meeting — and on the fact they felt they had not been fully
heard by RCPC.

After testimony from the restaurant proponents and from
RCPC representatives Mr. Ray Perman and Ms. Karen
Paulsell, the Council, on motion of Vice-Mayor Marge
Gibson, recommended another Planning Commission hearing.
Mayor Lionel Wilson suggested the proponents make “all
reasonable attempts to work with RCPC to work out a
rational solution” before the hearing.

Articles in the September and November issues of the
Rockridge News discussed the proposal and the strong
Neighborhood opposition generated by concern about increased
traffic and parking problems, cooking odors, and invasion of
Neighbor’s privacy.

Neighbors concerned about the proposal should plan to
attend the General Meeting.

Visiting German Architect With Family
Seeks Housesitting Situation
For January and/or February ’87
In Rockridge/North Oakland Area

— 655-3499 —

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We're Glad You Were Here! )

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RCPC EXTENDS ITS THANKS
TO OUTGOING 1985-1986

BOARD MEMBERS:
Jack Brown Bonneau Dickson Sue Parker
and especially to
(_ NINAROBINGON, Chairperson —_)
for her hard work, leadership, and

commitment to the Rockridge Community.

NN A
Council Votes Funds For
Parking Lot Property

The Oakland City Council approved funds in November
for the purchase of the Art Stone property on College Avenue
for development as a City parking lot.

In recent weeks, Boardmembers of the College Avenue
Merchants Association (CAMA) and RCPC have met with
Vice-Mayor Marge Gibson and Director of Public Works
John Soderling to discuss the form a parking lot would take
on the site. All parties support the concept of combining

arking with other public non-auto related uses such as a park,
ibrary, small commercial stand, etc.

The Bay Area Partnership will be working with
Neighbors, CAMA, RCPC, and the City to solicit
community opinion and to coordinate development of the
Project.

Joint ventures with individual College Avenue
merchants at other locations are also under consideration as a
part of the parking solution.

According to City officials, Wilson Associates and
Dreyer’s Corporation are discussing broadly the possibilities
of developing parking on their properties in participation with
the City.

; C RCPC Registration — Donation Form »)

est
: T have checked off:
I Name:

I Address:

Wetone:

Enroll Me as a Registered Member of the Rockridge Community Planning Council!
T have enclosed a check for my tax-deductible donation for a year’s registration and other support areas

Suggested minimum; $10 per category

Lhe
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Registration Donation Don Kinkead

: : 5626 Oak Grove Avenue
Rockridge News Donation Qakland, CA 94618
Legal Fund Donation Thank you!
The Rockridge News December 13, 1986 Page 4

More Support For New
Demolition Rules

The City Council Committee on Public Works &
Capital Improvements, Land Use, Environmental Concerns
met on November 13 to discuss changes in the existin;
demolition ordinance and to hear public comment. RC
Board Member Annette Floystrup Ci aoe RCPC and, at
their request, Mosswood Neighborhood, 38th Street
Association, Adams Point and the Hill Area coalition (7
groups including Redwood Heights).

Changes in the demolition ordinance were supported at
the hearing by the Legal Aid Society, Piedmont Avenue
Neighborhood and the above-named Neighborhood groups.

Representatives of the Oakland Board of Realtors,
California Association of General Contractors, the Apartment
House Owners Association and Ramsey—Bass Development
opposed any changes in the existing law, and requested
abolition of the demolition ordinance.

RCPC’s request for a quadrupling of the proposed
penalties has been taken under advisement by the Committee,
and the City Attomey’s Office is examining the feasibility of
making demolition without a permit a misdemeanor. Mr.
Alvin James, Planning Director, was enthusiastic about the
new law. In general there seems to be strong committee and
staff support for the proposed changes and stiffened penalties.

Brooklyn, Dimond and Fruitvale Neighborhoods will be
sending letters of support for the quadrupled penalties plus
misdemeanor status to their Council representatives.

At its November 25 meeting the City Council Spores
the drafting of a temporary demolition moratorium ordinance
for Adams Point. This moratorium will remain in effect until
the new city-wide demolition ordinance becomes final.

Shell Abandons Further
Mini—Market Action

(Confronted with strong Neighborhood opposition and
lack of Planning Commission approval for its mini-market
plans at the Broadway/Taft Shell station, Shell Oil formally
withdrew its application from the City planning process.

Citing economic conditions as also contributing to the
decision to withdraw the application, Shell marketing
representative Mr. Gary Schocky said the firm has no current
plans to change materially the station’s operation. ‘“We’ll
intensify our current sales effort,” he said, “but we won’t do a
mini-market in the near future.”

Mr. Ted Radosevich, a Neighbor instrumental in
organizing resistance to the market plan, lauded the work done
by more than twenty-five Neighbors who circulated petitions,
posted flyers, and made phone calls to spread the word about
Shell’s project. “Organized Neighborhood opposition con-
vinced the Cityand Shell Oil that this proposal was
inappropriate for this location and was not wanted by
residents,” he said.

Block Captain needed for 5800 — 5900 Keith
between McMillan and Broadway.
About 45 flyers once a month.

Call Bobbie Kinkead — 655-5608

The Clock Building

Berkeley Building Plans Draw
Conflicting Responses

Rockridge Area residents Jack and Susan Ripsteen held
an open house December 7 at the lot they own at the corner of
College and Alcatraz Avenues to present to Berkeley and
Oakland Neighbors plans for the retail/office building they
propose to build at that location.

The Ripsteens also discussed their plans with Rockridge
residents at the November RCPC General Meeting.

Current plans call for retail space at street level, office
space on a see back second floor, and parking at the rear of the
structure, hidden from the street. The building, to be called
the Clock Building, is designed around a Campanile-like
clock tower facing the center of the intersection.

Response to the proposal was mixed, according to

le attending the open house. Some residents like the

building and feel it would be a good addition to the ery

Avenue business scene. Others are against it because of the

tential for extra traffic. Still others feel the lot should be

‘or parking only, or perhaps a park. Petitions for and against
the project are being circulated.

The Lewiston Group, representing the Neighborhood
one block east of College, circulated a petition opposing the
plans and met Thursday to formulate a group response.

The Board of Adjustments of the City of Berkeley will
formally hear the proposal for the first time at its meeting
January 12, 1987. According to the Board secretary, the

roposal can be approved at that time or scheduled for other
earings.

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