Extracted text · highlighting “Andrea Gabriel”

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The

Vol. 2 No. 6 Issuc No. 18 October 16, 1987

Neighborhood Questionnaire
Library Branch Opens;

Poll Seeks New Library Ideas

The temporary Rockridge Branch Library is in place and
functioning. Oakland Library staff will now turn their full atten-
tion to planning and creating the final form of the new library.

Proposed uses of a public building/parking complex planned
for the Art Stone property on College Avenue and discussed in
a draft proposal issued by The Bay Area Partnership (Rockridge
News No. 17, September, 1987) include space for a new branch
library and other public uses, but library details need to be
developed.

What features should the new library offer?

Inserted in this issue of the News is a survey form designed
by RCPC Library Committee members and library staff to obtain
your ideas for the new branch. Please fill it out, then mail it back
or return it to the current Branch before December 1.

Completed surveys will be an important tool for the City staff
and planners to use in shaping the final form the library will take,
so be sure to fill yours out. Additional copies are available at the
Rockridge Branch Library at College Avenue and Birch Court.
If you have already filled out a survey, please do not fill out
another, but pass this one on to someone else. You may duplicate
this for other members of your household.

Library Opening Celebration!

Come celebrate the opening of the Rockridge Branch
Library on its temporary site at College Avenue and Birch
Court. There’ll be cookies, coffee and punch for all on

Saturday November 7, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Library Committee and RCPC Board members will be

on hand to welcome you and share the latest news of plans
for the future new Rockridge Branch Library, and to
gather your ideas. (If you can donate cookies, please call

Nancy Dutcher, 653-6018.)

Sponsored by the ROCKRIDGE COMMUNITY PLANNING COUNCIL,

Rockridge News

6225 Ross Street, Oakland California
Circulation: 4,500 Residences; 200 Businesses

When City Planning
Comes Home To Roost

The Planning Process At Street Level

Zoning Ordinances and City Plans exist to maintain a pleasant
consistency in urban areas but not to stifle individuality.
Every so often, a resident or a developer will propose a
project that is upsetting in scope or design to other residents.
In her interview with Planning Commission Chair Doug
Jones in this issue, Andrea Gabriel uses a fictitious barn on
Chabot Road to illustrate the process a project goes through at
the Planning Commission level. But what do you do if your
neighbor wants to build a barn in his backyard and you DON’T
want chickens serenading you while you sunbathe on the patio?
STEP 1: Talk with the applicant/neighbor.
Call your neighbor, invite him over for a chat.
¢ Try to persuade him to locate the barn in amore Suitable (to you)

area of the lot.

STEP 2: Get the facts.

°Call the Oakland City Planning Department, Zoning Section:
273-3911.

e Find out what kind of application your neighbor needs to put up
that barn (e.g., Major or Minor Conditional Use Permit, Major
or Minor Variance, Design Review, or Environmental Review).
Find out if a public hearing on the application is to be sched-
uled or whether the City Planning staff will make the decision
“in-house.”

°Go down to City Hall, Zoning, 2nd floor, and request a photo-
copy of your neighbor’s application.

STEP 3: Talk with your other neighbors.

¢Talk with your neighbors and other interested persons (e.g.
merchants) on your block.

*Talk with your RCPC Rockridge News distribution block cap-
tain. Find out what their views are on the barn. Let them know

See Planning, page 2

Dates Calendar Events Calendar Dates

— a ee

City Hall, Room 115. Regular meeting. |
College Avenue Presbyterian Church Sanctuary. |

City Hall, Room 115. Regular meeting.

Temporary Rockridge Branch Library, College/Birch Ct. Story page I.
Temescal Branch Library, 52nd Street and Claremont Avenue. Page 2.

1:30pm Planning Commission Mtg.
7:30pm RCPC General Meeting
1:30 pm Planning Commission Mtg.

11 am -3 Library Opening Party
7:30 pm Upper Telegraph Coalition

«Wednesday Oct 2I
¢ Wednesday Oct 21
«Wednesday Nov4

« Wednesday Nov7
* Wednesday Novil

> -

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————.

— —- — -

Page 2

The Rockridge News

October 16, 1987

Se

———

— ——

Planning, from page l

the facts and applicable laws.

STEP 4: Invite the applicant to a block meeting.

«Invite all interested parties to a block meeting.

«Try compromise.

‘Write letter(s) individually or as a group to the Planning
Commission, 1 City Hall Plaza, Oakland, CA 94612, referring to
the application and explaining your position(s).

- If appropriate, draft a petition stating your position, gather sig-

natures, and send a photocopy of the petition to the Planning
Commission.

STEP 5: Attend the public hearing.

* Attend the public hearing if there is one (City Hall, Room 115,
every other Wednesday beginning at 1:30 PM. Find out which
agenda item.)

* Request that you be notified in writing of the staff’s decision if
no hearing will be held.

*If the decision does not meet your approval, you may appeal
either a Planning Commission decision or an administrative de-
cision by the Planning Staff within a 10-day period.

Because those affected are best equipped to be their own ad-
vocates, it is essential that the Neighbors affected by a disturbing
proposal be responsible for gathering the facts and getting the
folks out in support of their position. Also, RCPC Board
members are available at any time to discuss specific proposals,
Strategy, and planning/zoning matters. (See list of Board
Members and telephone numbers on page 3 in this issue.)

Next month: RCPC’s role in the planning process.

This article is proposed as part of a Neighborhood Action Package
being prepared for distribution by RCPC to anyone interested in partici-
pate in the planning process. If you are interested in helping in any way,
please call Barbara Anderson at 655-3499.

Do you have your copy of the
Rockridge Urban Studio Report
yet? They are available,
handsomely bound and covered, at

Laser Copy, 5856 College Avenue
at nominal cost. Laser Copy has prepared
the reports as a service to the community.

Get yours while they are still available!

RE-MODELING AND REPAIRS
SENSITIVE RESTORATIONS AND PAINTING
ENERGY CONSERVATION STATEGIES

Call ALEX ST. CLAIR at 547-1697

ADVANCED BUILDING
and Energy Services

In Rockridge since 1980
Bonded and Insured Lic. # 485180

Specific Plan Development

Council Extends lelegraph
Avenue Moratorium

Oakland City Councilmembers approved an extension of the
moratorium on use permits for fast food restaurants and automo.
bile dealerships on Telegraph Avenue between 38th Street ang
Alcatraz at their October 6 meeting. | |

First agreed to by the Council in April of this year, the mora-
torium was requested by the Upper Telegraph Coalition (U,T.C.)
to give the Neighborhood and merchant groups time to develop
elements of a Specific Plan for Telegraph Avenue.

The group’s overall goal is to strengthen planning and guide
development of the upper Telegraph corridor.

Granting this thirty day extension, the Council said it is
looking forward to U.T.C. demonstrating that the group is pre-
pared to move ahead with a Specific Plan.

Upper Telegraph Coalition meetings are held the second
Wednesday of each month, 7:30 p.m., at the Temescal Branch
Library meeting room, Telegraph Avenue at 52nd Street.

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428-1234

Rockridge Branch Library Survey
Oakianp Punic Liprary/RCPC Lisrary Commrrree

————

———

The Rockridge Branch of the Oakland Public Library will be temporarily housed at the corner of College Avenue and Birch
Court on the grounds of Claremont Middle School. A permanent site must be found, possibly on the old Art Stone property at the
comer of College and Manila Avenues. The Rockridge Community Planning Council’s (RCPC) Library Committee is working with
the Oakland Public Library and City of Oakland staffs to find the best possible site for a new library. As this will be a library for the
| Rockridge community, it is vital to determine the library needs of the community. We ask for your help; please answer the follow-

ing questions, writing any additional comments at the end of the survey.

Please return this survey to the address on the back or put it in the box in the Rockridge Library by November 30, 1987.

| Thank you for your help. Questions? Call Ms. K. Ouye, Administrative Librarian for Branch Libraries: 273-3511.

—

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5. How many items do you borrow on an average visit?

| 1. How often do you visit a library?
| a. Which branch do you use most frequently?

6. Why do you use the Rockridge Library?
(check as many reasons as apply)

b. What other libraries or Oakland Public Library

| branches do you use? 2) Close to home (J Closeto work (J Close to school

C) Easy parking (J Close to shopping

2. When do you usually use the Rockridge Branch Library? 7
CJ Good public transport [J For children’s hours

Day(s) of the week
Time of day (J Other
7. Do you combine a library visit with other shopping/
_
3. a. the ee are ae a a ja anda’
ues., Thurs., Fri., Sat. — 10:00 — 5:30;
Wed — 12:30 - 8:00; closed Sun & Mon) LI Yes I No
CO Yes DO No 8. How do you get to the Rockridge Library?

O walk O Car QO Bicycle O) Bus LJ BART

9. Do you live in the Rockridge area?
J Yes J No

If No, what area or city do you live in?

If No, what changes would you like?

4. How much time do you usually spend in the library?

2. Are you now attending high school or college?

1. How many people are there in your household?
How many use the Rockridge Library? CD Yes [} No
How many have library cards? If Yes, what school?

How many children are: pre-school age

school age (K-6) re ee : :
(grad en in your home:
es 7-12) 3. Isa language other than English spo y
J No

How many people are: 18 to 40 ) Yes
40 to 60 If Yes, what language? |

over 60

Turn sheet over to give your suggestions for the new library.

How many people are retired?

TT

C. What features should the new library have? _

—_— a

——

1. List types of books that you would like to see in the new 4. The library at 5701 College Avenue had 1,731 square

ill have at least 3,500 s f

Rockridge Library, in order of choice, such as: travel, art, feet. mene rae hope ; we quare feet,
science, history, large print, best sellers, fiction, children’s Should the new |

books, etc. J a larger children’s room?

l. 7 & (J a magazine, newspaper reading area?

3. 4. (J study carrels, desks for individual studying?

2. Which of the following library services would you use if J parking?

they were available in the proposed new library? meeting room for people?
—! Tapes, records QO Materials for the visually handicapped ©) outside reading/sitting arta
I Children’s programs (©) Consumer information ©) public restrooms
1 Copy machine _J Employment information tounge chairs?

1 Others (list) 5. Other suggestions:

l, 2: 1. yh
3. 4. 3. 4.

3. What improvements in the services, books, activities, etc.
would you like in a new Rockridge Library?
List in order of importance.

l, 2.
3. 4,

Thank you for your help and time!
Please be sure to return to the Library
at 5803 Birch Court by November 30, 1987.

{ be /

fold for mailing

Stamp

Oakland Public Library/RCPC Library Survey
Rockridge Branch Library

5803 Birch Court

Oakland, CA 94618

———

_October 16, 1987

The Rockridge News

Page 3

The RockripGe CoMMUNITY PIANNING
Councii (RCPC) is a Neighborhood plan-
ning association recognized by the City of
Oakland. The general purpose of the
association is to promote community
involvement in Neighorhood planning
and zoning, traffic control, area develop-
ment, and in combatting community de-
terioraton; and to serve as a liaison be-
tween the community and the Oakland
Planning Commission. RCPC monitors
local activity related to planning, environ-
mental issues, real estate development,
transportation and other services and
shares its findings with Rockridge Neigh-
bors. Its members communicate regu-
larly with the City Planning Department,
the Planning Commission and the City

Council, as well as with other
Neighborhood groups.

Organized by Residents

RCPC was organized by residents in
the early 1970’s in response to concerns
about our Neighborhood environment.
RCPC is a volunteer organization. Any
person residing in Rockridge is automati-
cally amember. As there are no member-
ship dues, the organization solicits dona-
tions (see coupon below) and puts on
occasional fundraisers.

Board of Directors

RCPC is led by an eleven member
Board of Directors, including one voting
director appointed by the College Avenue
Merchants Association (CAMA). Direc-
tors serve for two years, but five at a time
are elected by the General Membership at
the Annual Meeting.

Yes!

1%
. -
.

The Rockridge Community
Planning Council, In Brief

Newsletter

RCPC sponsors the monthly publica-
tion and free distribution of The Rock-
ridge News. This publication reaches
4,500 residents and 200 businesses,
thanks to the volunteer efforts of more
than 120 residents who serve as district
and block captains throughout our Neigh-
borhood. The News is wholly supported
by donations from residents (see coupon
below) and advertisements from local
businesses and local residents.

Telephone Don Kinkead at 655-7474
if you are not receiving this newsletter at
your home or business, and/or if you are
available to assist with distribution.

General Meetings

RCPC meets monthly on the third
Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at the College
Avenue Presbyterian Church (next to
Dreyer’s). All meetings are open to all
residents and business owners. Everyone
is encouraged to attend and join in the
discussion.

For more information, please call
RCPC Chairperson Barbara Anderson,
655-3499 or any of the RCPC Board

members:
Marc Beyeler (464-4172)
Nancy Dutcher (653-6018)
Annette Floystrup (652-6794)
John Gussman (654-9269)
Don Kinkead (655-7474

Ray Perman (658-0536)
Richard Smith (981-6076)
Eddie Zeidan (CAMA, 428-9256)

= oe ee ee eee

RCPC Registration — Donation Form

Enroll Me as a Registered Member of the Rockridge Community Planning Council!
I have enclosed a check payable to RCPC for my tax-deducuble donation for a year’s registration
and other support areas I have checked off:

Suggested minimum; $10 per category

acs is tll‘ wn ms ee Ub as ‘a es el We tad en ts Yd

Letters To

The News

Dear Editor and Rockridge Neighbors:
Residents and merchants near
McNally’s Bar on College Avenue have
circulated a petition toask RCPC to help us
cope with the late-night noise and property |
damage that frequently occurs here.

We’re not out to “get” the bar, or its
owner. We aren’t trying to shut the place
down. All we want is some late-night
peace and quiet, and to be free from the
fear of property (and personal) damage.

The real problems occur late at night,
when a lot of young, inexperienced drink-
ers leave the bar at once and feel a need to
flaunt their machismo.

The results include broken windows,
destroyed pay phones, damage to parking
meters and street signs, and other acts of
vandalism.

We’d like to hear from others in the

| area who wantto participate in discussions

with the owner to help keep the peace, or
from other people who have helped solve
similar problems elsewhere.

Please write in care of The Rockridge
Community Planning Council, 6225 Ross
Street, Oakland, CA 94618.

—A Concemed Neighbor

(Name withheld by request.)

We Want To Hear From You!

Send Letters and Comments on
Neighborhood issues to The Rock-
ridge News, clo Don Kinkead, 5626
Oak Grove Avenue, Oakland 94618

‘\

Name:
A Adresé’ $ Registration Donation Don Kinkead
Ber 3 ; 5626 Oak Grove Avenue
 City/zip: $ Rockridge News Donation Oakland, CA 94618
- Phone: $ Legal Fund Donation

Thank you!

eer EES ee — ——

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—— ——_— — —

—————

————
——

Page 4

~The Rockridge News" cam

October 16, 1987

— $e - ee

eS

Strong Progress Toward
Rockridge Specific Plan

Development of the Rockridge Area Specific Plan (RASP)
continues to move ahead strongly, according to RCPC Board
member Kerry O’Banion.

The first of a long and rich list of ideas, issues, suggestions
and concerns on land use, parking circulation, housing and open
space was recorded at brainstorming sessions held at the July and
September RCPC General Meetings, and will soon be refined
into a coherent set of goals for the future of Rockridge, he said.

Mr. O’Banion, chair of the RCPC RASP Committee, stressed
the importance and urgency of community-wide participation in
this idea gathering process before developing goals to work
toward: “The ideas gathered now will be the foundation upon
which the Rockridge Specific Plan is based”.

When the goals are defined, specific objectives will be devel-
oped for each goal. The Specific Plan will be drafted to achieve
those objectives.

To ensure that your ideas and concerns are included in the
RASP process, attend the RCPC General Meeting Wednesday,
October 21, 7:30 p.m. at the College Avenue Presbyterian
Church.

If you cannot attend, please take a moment to fill out the
Burning Issue coupon below. Mail it (6225 Ross Street) , send
it along with a Neighbor to the meeting or drop it off at Chimes

Grocery (5642 College Avenue) or Laser Copy (5856 College
Avenue).

Re-AeS*P S*U*:R*eVeEryY

BURNING ISSUE(S)

I feel any Specific Plan for Rockridge should definitely
address the following issues (Note — be as general or as
specific as you like, and feel free to attach additional

pages!):

(Optional)
Name:

Address:
Phone:

—

Mail completed form to 6225 Ross Street, send it along with a
Neighbor to the General Meeting or drop it off at Chimes Grocery

(5642 College Avenue) or Laser Copy (5856 College Avenue).

——— a

Claremont PTA Seeks Donations

Donations of goods and services from the Rockridge com-
munity are requested by the Claremont Middle School PTA to be
offered at a silent auction fundraiser in mid-November.

This silent auction and wine-and-cheese tasting party is
Claremont Middle School’s main fundraiser and you can help!

Items welcomed by the PTA include: gift certificates for
services such as plumbing, legal advice, gardening and counsel-
ing; and baked goods, unused wedding presents, and other white

elephants.
Because of academic improvements, the school has lost

$70,000 in State aid. Auction proceeds will help the PTA pro-
vide books, sports equipment, audio-visual equipment and
computer supplies for the school.

Call Ms. Linda Cohen (654-8911) or Ms. Jean Circiello

(654-4186) to arrange your donation and for more information.

THE CENTER OF ARTISTIC COUNSELING

5425 College Avenue
Oakland, CA 94618

Short-term counseling for people
encountering difficulty in their

artistic discipline.

All aspects of the artistic process
addressed.

(415) 654-4462

Margret Elson — Director

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Ideal for writing, counseling.

Call: 654-4462, or 655-8389

| ae Vee eas |

D G E

AAARKET
HALL

Invites You
to a

HARVEST OPEN HOUSE
Saturday, Oct. 31st.
pumpkin carvings
tastings
demonstrations

trick, treats and costumes
Neen

With this ad 10% Discount on
purchases in each store. Good Only

Sat. Oct. 31st & Sun Nov. Ist
LL
Thanks For Shopping With Us!

Oliveto Cafe

Bloomies
Pasta Shop Paul Marcus Wines
E. G. Kroeger Rockridge Fish Market

Grace Baking Country Fresh Produce

Market Hall, feel free to walk up

the Shafter stairway between 12-4 pm

and look around on Sat. Oct. 31st

5655 COLLEGE AVE.

The Rockridge News

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ee etal
- «© meee’ 2 ~—— BD — Of! =a —_——_— -« — — -

— TT

RASP Funding Keport

RCPC has submitted two grant applications to the Oakland
Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) for funds
to support the Neighborhood's development of a Specific Plan.

- A request for $8,500 was submitted in July 87 and is pending.
The project — “Building Community Consensus in the College
Avenue/Rockridge Area” — is designed to enhance citizen involve-
ment in the planning process.

- A request for $47,000 from the 14th Year CDBG program to
fund the Rockridge Area Specific Plan and to develop an implem-
entation program. The North Oakland Community Development
District Board recommended funding 50% of the request. Further
reviews are scheduled for this request.

RCPC is currently in the process of seeking funding from other

local sources, private foundations, and corporations. If you have
ideas or suggestions for RASP funding, contact Brooke Levin,

RCPC Boardmember, 653-7522 (eves).

Tech Hi Program Builds Winners

A new pre-engineering program at Oakland Technical High
School garnered more than twenty awards at recent state and
county fairs. The awards honor excellence in preparing engineer-
ing drawings created by students in descriptive geometry and
physics classes. Many of the award winners are Rockridge Area
students.

The pre-engineering program, the only one of its kind at the
high school level in Oakland, “is intended to provide a com-
petitive advantage to Oakland students in math and science due to
the stiff competition in entrance to today’s engineering schools”,
according to Tech principal Dennis Chaconas.

The best of show award was won by John Szeto, a 1967
graduate of Tech, at the Alameda County Fair, while the best of
class awards were won by Veronica Yank, Mary Leung, and Chris
Campbell. Their projects also won second place awards in the
California State Fair.

First place winners at the County Fair were Kerry Tang, Nina
Lindsay, Ann Collins, Min Liu, Helen Trieu, Kong Suaw, Chris
Campbell, and Cuong Huynh. Second place awards went to Mai
Hua, Hoa Khuu, Mary Leung, Charlie Newens, Josh Kahn, Manh
Rattanamongkho, Derick Yu, and Stefan Gulassa. Third place
went to James Szeto, Quyen Tran, Anjanette Hurt, and Cahn To.

RicHarD H. Mocensen, D.D.S., INC.
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October 16, 1987

City: Doug Jones

Page 6 The Rockridge News

Of General Interest:

City: Marge Gibson Haskell

Priorities and Projects

I have been asked about my priorities and directions

for the next four years. The following projects are those
which I presently believe will receive much of my atten-
oon.
The Specific Plan for College Avenue and Rockridge
must be completed in order to create meaningful consen-
sus in the Rockridge Community and so that projects
proposed can be evaluated in light of overall community
directions. Similarly, Telegraph Avenue will need a
workable plan in order to avoid ad hoc decisions as to
the propriety of particular uses.

The proposed Martin Luther King Plaza (the old
Merritt College Campus on Martin Luther King, Jr.,
Way) needs to be developed for shopping, housing,
community services, office space and, above all, it must
cease to bu used as the Community dump. The San
Pablo Association is defining its community needs and
with the City’s help, it will be able to work to set its
priorities. The North Oakland Hills area will need
assistance in the implementation of its Specific Plan.

Projects such as these cut through the rhetoric that
City Hall ignores the neighborhoods in that they will
enable neighborhoods to speak with a clear coherent
voice concerning their very specific requirements.

Another interest is of a City-wide nature. I believe
that the encouragement and development of Arts and
Culture must be a high priority for this city. Instead of
worrying about our “image”, we must do something
concrete about it which is, we support and assist arts
organization and individual artists who contribute much
to the quality of life in Oakland. I believe we must
produce a cultural plan that will increase public partici-
pation, develop new marketing and funding programs
and create an environment to stimulate Oakland's arts
and culture; and thus, support a strong, diverse city life.

These are my pet projects.

Let me know what you think.

RCPC and The Rockridge News present these columns to
assist regular communication from local officials. Give some

thought to what you read here, then give a call:

Marge Gibson-Haskell — 273-3266
City Council District 1

Doug Jones — 273-3941
Chair, Oakland Planning Commission

Chair, Planning Commission
An Interview By Andrea Gabriel

O.K.... so you want to build that bam behind your house on
Chabot Road. What’s the first thing you do? Check the zoning
ordinances. If you’re zoned for a barn, fine — that’s half the
battle. If not, then...there’s always trying to convince the
Oakland Planning Commission to give you a variance to exist-
ing zoning laws.

Oakland’s Planning Commission is composed of seven
members — each appointed by the Mayor and approved by the
City Council to serve a four-year term. As Chairman of that
Commission, one of Doug Jones’ tasks is to make sure that
Commission meetings run smoothly. “I don’t know if you’ve
ever been to a Planning Commission meeting,” says Mr. Jones,
“but they can be very emotional when the issue directly affects
people’s property.” Mr. Jones, who succeeded José Arce as
Chairman, has been a member of the Commission for over five
years. His knowledge of land use planning comes through his
experience in real estate development and investment for Pa-

cific Bell.
According to Mr. Jones, the general purpose of the Commis-

sion is to “make sure the City develops in a coordinated manner
in the best interest of all citizens — to maintain continuity and
conformity within communities”. To that end, the Commission
concerns itself with three critical areas — zoning, design review
and environmental impact studies. Zoning ordinances — voted
into law by the City Council upon the recommendation of the
Commission — define the character and intensity of land uses
within a specified area. The design review process considers
how the proposed facility will look and fit in the existing sur-
rounding community. Environmental impact reports are when
communities can get involved. EIR’s are done by an outside
consultant in cooperation with the developer and the Commis-
sion staff. During this process, the Commission examines the
EIR to make sure it is complete in areas of environmental
impact. If incomplete or inadequate, the Commission recom-
mends changes or alterations. When completed, the EIR goes
to the community for review by groups and individuals.

So how does this apply to the barn you want to build? If your
lot is not zoned for a building of that type or use, you file a
request for a zoning variance with the Commission staff. The
Zoning Ordinance specifies whether a proposed use requires a
Major or a Minor Variance. Minor Variances are handled by
the Planning Commission staff, but Major Variance applica-
tions are heard by the Commission in public hearings in the
Commission chambers at City Hall. Mr. Jones says that if the
Commission knows that the hearing might be controversial or
length, special meetings will be held in the affected Neighbor-
hoods, affording residents the fullest opportunity to present their
point of view. In either case, the community and recognized
community organizations are notified of the hearing where all
sides of the issue can be aired. After hearing testimony from

(continued top of next column)

oa Vb he,

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————————SSS ES. —$—$—__ — = =
October 16, 1987 The Rockridge News _ se Page ] _

mi Jones”, continued from previous page.
the applicant and the community, and after reviewing the Plan-
ning Staff report and recommendations, the Commission makes
its recommendations. A Commission decision can be appealed
to the City Council which may uphold or reverse the recommen-
dation. Although City Council members might be more respon-
sive to the people they represent, the Planning Commission — an
appointed body — is not bound by such restrictions. Although
Commission members are appointed by the Mayor, Mr. Jones is
firm in stating his feeling that the Commission is impartial: “I
don’t think that the Commission represents a particular bent.” In
fact, he says, the Council and Commission are often at odds over
proposed construction.

But back to the barn. If the barn is within zoning regulations
or if a variance is applied for and granted, the next step is
securing a building permit. Next, the Fire Marshall and the
Office of Public Works (streets and street access) must check to
see that all safety regulations are met. When safety regulations
are satisfied, the application is signed off and a fee paid. During
particular phases of construction, city inspectors examine the
construction and surprise inspections can occur at any time.
When construction is complete, a final inspection is required
before occupancy clearance is granted. Time to move in those
goats and llamas.

While it is a good guess that nobody in Rockridge is planning
to build living quarters for chickens and cows, the area has seen
tremendous commercial construction along College Avenue
since the early 1980’s. Doug Jones is enthusiastic about the
Rockridge Area Specific Plan (RASP) now underway in the
Neighborhood, and stresses the importance of community in-
volvement in producing “guidelines” for future development and
design, because they are guidelines the Planning Commission
takes seriously.

While the idea for a community “master plan” is not new,
RASP — pinpointing specific problems and solutions to specific
regions in the Neighborhood — is unique to Rockridge. The study
will be closely examined by the Commission to see if it is
balanced. And balance is important to the Chairman of the Plan-
ning Commission: “There has to be proper balance between
growth and no growth. The City will become stagnated if there

is no growth, but it must be growth that respects the interest of

the environmentalist, growth that provides open space and
growth that provides a tax base so that our City can thrive.”

( Enjoy Your Meal In Our Garden Patio

Or Order To Go

IDIZZer1a

e Calzone ¢« Pizza * Salads °
e Wine & Beer °

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Gu glielmo

5 p.m. —- 10 p.m.

. 5461 College Avenue 653-2911 ,

Rockridge Residents Map
East Bay’s Tasty Take-Outs

Good news for hungry people who hate to cook but don’t

want to starve!
Rockridge residents Mr. Kerry O’Banion and Ms. Margie

Gelb have put together a book titled “Dinner to Go”, the first and
only guide book to the best take-home food in the East Bay.

Published as a means to raise funds for Park Day School -—
which receives all proceeds from the its sale— the book also
provides a way to eat out at home.

Not only are restaurants discussed in the book, but directions
to them are fully mapped! Mobile food enthusiasts can follow
a map once a week for nearly a year and sample a different
restaurant’s fare each time. Rockridge residents will find many
local favorites as well as the finest take-home food in nine other
East Bay neighborhoods (no fast-food franchises, thank you).

Mr. O’Banion, author of “Dinner to Go”, spent a year ferret-
ing out the best of the East Bay take-out foods. Patricia Unter-
man, restaurant critic for the San Francisco Chronicle, found the
book to be “lively...well researched. ..looks like a real best seller
to me!”

Rockridge residents can find the book locally for $5.95 plus
tax at Such A Business and certain Rockridge restaurants. Books
can also be purchased directly from the school. Send a check for
$6.37 to Park Day School, 368 42nd Street, Oakland, CA 94609

with your name and address. There is no charge for mailing.

Active Neighbors...

Congratulations and thanks to these Neighbors for their
recent work in behalf of Rockridge and the City:

© SYLVIA DE TRINIDAD —
Installed on the Board of Directors of the North

Oakland Community Development Commission.

e Mara Durry —
Represented RCPC at an information booth at the

Preservation Fair in September.

Ti Bacio Ristorante

offers

\ Dinner for 2 to go
gers Spaghetti Bolognese

(fresh tomatoes & ground turkey)
Tossed Green Salad

< Extraordinary Garlic Bread
Special * $9.95/
CALL AHEAD for your TO GO ORDER

20% Off Menu Prices On Other To Go Entrees

5301 College Avenue (at Clifton) « Oakland * 428-1703
e with this coupon * Expires November 13, 1987

iA

4
Pan

a

The Rockridge News

October 16, 1987

Page &

College Avenue Presbyterian
Church To Collect Used Eyeglasses

During October and November members of College Avenue
Presbyterian Church will be going door to door in the Neighbor-
hood to collect unwanted prescription glasses. These glasses will

Got something planned you'd like to have
The Rockridge News tell about?
Call Don Kinkead at 655-7474 or write to
5626 Oak Grove Avenue,

Oakland 94618 (of course!) and let us know.
November issue deadline is November Sth.

be given to Medical Group Missions, Christian doctors and vol-

Compuserve number 76527, 35

unteers who provide eye care to needy people in Central and
South America. An important part of their service is fitting people

with used prescription glasses donated by concerned individuals
in the U.S. If the church members miss connecting with you, they
ask that you call the church at 658-3665.

On Sunday, October 25 at 6 p.m., Dr. Byron Chong from the
Medical Group Missions will have a 20-minute slide presentation
that shows the clinics set up in Central and South America. It will
show how the used eyeglasses are given to people. Join the
members of College Avenue Presbyterian Church in the sanctuary
at 6 p.m. to learn more about Medical Group Missions.

—Matt DuPlessis

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Happy Halloween!

Trick or Treat

Attention all kids...
Stop by in costume for your

candy treat after 7 p.m.

on Halloween!

For those of you who get to
pass out the treats at home,
we've got supplies of:

Candy (loose and bagged)
Snacks

Pumpkins

Candles

And for all your party planning for
the Holiday Season, come in for:

Champagne Wine
Liquor Beer
Beverages Mixers
Snacks Gift Packs

See you soon, Goblins!

ea
~~.

“eer © OR OS Oe
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