Extracted text · highlighting “John Gussman”

Rockridge News

Sponsored by = THE ROCKRIDGE COMMUNITY PLANNING COUNCIL " 5856 COLLEGE AVENUE #130" OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA* 94618

Vol. 4 No. 1 Issue No. 35

April 15, 1989

Circulation: 4,500 Reside

ces; 200 Businesses

New Regulations
For Multi-Bedrooms

The Oakland City Council voted in
March to extend until May 23, 1989 the
emergency moratorium on multi-bed-
room additions or alterations to single-
family houses in order to give further
consideration to zoning amendments
proposed by Planning Director Alvin
James.

THREE ALTERNATIVES

At its March 21, 1989 meeting, Mr.
James presented the Council with three
alternatives. One alternative was to ap-
prove the original staff recommendation
requiring a Major Conditional Use Permit
‘or any dwelling alteration or addition
“~ncreasing the total number of bedrooms
to five or more. The proposal exempted
applicants who owned their house for at
least one year. Non-owner applicants
would have to provide off-street parking
in proportion to the number of “habitable
rooms” (1:3) in the dwelling units, and to
meet other requirements. (See the March
issue of The Rockridge News for further
details.)

The second alternative was to adopt
the zoning amendment as modified by the
Planning Commission at its March 8
public hearing, deleting the homeowner’s
exemption. The Commissioners felt the
use permit requirement should apply to all
property owners wanting to add a fifth
bedroom.

The third alternative was to extend the
moratorium another sixty days.
Discussion TO CONTINUE

At the meeting, RCPC representatives
See Regulations, page 3

Dates Calendar Events Calendar Dates

Dreyer’s Project EIR
Released For Public Review

In late March, the City Planning
Commission released a draft Environ-
mental Impact Report (EIR) for the
Dreyer’s office building project. The
document was prepared by EIP Associ-
ates, a Bay Area environmental consult-
ing firm, under the City’s direction. Many
Neighbors requested copies and are now
reviewing the document. Also, the RCPC
Board has formed a committee which will
be working through the review period to
assemble and integrate comments on the
document. As a guide to Neighbors who
wish to follow or participate in the proc-
ess, we present the following questions
and answers.

Wuart Is An EIR?

EIR stands for “Environmental Impact
Report.” The California Environmental
Quality Act (CEQA) requires that an EIR
be prepared by, or under the direction of,
any state or local public agency which has
the primary responsibility for approving
or carrying out a proposed project which
might have a significant effect on the
environment. In the case of the Dreyer’s
project, the City of Oakland has deter-
mined that the project might have a sig-
nificant effect on the environment, and
that discretionary approvals will be
needed in order for the project to go for-
ward. These discretionary approvals
include the granting of a Major Condi-
tional Use Permit for:

1) accessory parking in an R-35 Single
Family Residential Zone;

2) parking at ground level in a C-31
Special Retail Commercial Zone;

3) an open facility in a C-31 Zone;

4) over 7,500 square feet of commer-
cial space in a C-31 Zone; and,

5) general food sales in a C-31 Zone.
Wuat Is A “SIGNIFICANT EFFECT ON THE
ENVIRONMENT”?

The term “significant effect” refers to
a substantial, or potentially substantial
adverse change to physical conditions
within the area affected by the project, or
to objects of historic or aesthetic impor-
tance within the area.

Significant effects may occur either as
a direct result of a project, or through a
chain of causes and effects. According to
the State CEQA Guidelines, normal ex-
amples of projects which produce signifi-
cant effects include (among others) those
which would disrupt or divide the physi-
cal arrangement of an established com-
munity; cause a substantial increase in
traffic, relative to the existing traffic load
and capacity of the street system; cause a
substantial, demonstrable negative aes-
thetic effect; or interfere with emergency
response plans or emergency evacuation
plans.

Wuat Is THe Purpose Or Tue EIR?

Part of the purpose of the EIR is to
make sure that both the public agency —
in this case, the City of Oakland — and
the general public are informed about the
potential significant environmental ef-

See EIR, page 2

Apr 19
Apr 19

1:30 pm

— Wednesday
| 7:30 pm

Wednesday

Cw Copies OF THE EIR WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE GENERAL MEETING.

| Wednesday May17 7:30pm

Planning Commission
RCPC General Meeting

RCPC General Meeting

City Hall, Room 115. Regular meeting. Wilson Associates.
Dreyer’s EIR; Multi-Bedroom Housing;

Grove Street Campus development proposal.

College Avenue Presbyterian Church, 5951 College Avenue.

The Rockridge News

April 15, 1989

> HEARING ON DREYER’S
DULED FOR May 24TH

The Planning Commission tentatively
has scheduled a special meeting at City
Hall, Room 115, on Wednesday evening,
May 24, 1989, at 7:30 pm to hear public
comment regarding the proposed Dreyer’s
office/retail project on College Avenue.

The Commission first will hear com-
ments on the adequacy of the Draft Envi-
ronmental Impact Review Report. The
second order of business is to hear public
comments regarding the Dreyer’s project
zoning applications for major conditional
use permits and design review.

EIR

from page I

fects of proposed projects. Also, the law
requires that public agencies identify
ways in which environmental impacts can
be avoided or significantly reduced; that
they prevent significant avoidable im-
pacts to the environment, by adopting
feasible mitigation measures or alterna-
tives to the project; and, where agencies
approve projects leading to significant
environmental effects, that they disclose
why they have done so.

Wuat Does AN EIR Contain?

Under the State CEQA guidelines,
various components are required in every
EIR. The EIR must describe the project;
the existing environment; the impacts of
the project and mitigation measures; and
alternatives to the proposed action. It
must also describe cumulative impacts
which may result from the project; any
significant environmental effects which
cannot be avoided if the proposal is imple-
mented; any significant irreversible envi-
ronmental changes which would be in-
volved if the proposed project is imple-
mented; the growth inducing impact of
the proposed project; and, effects not
found to be significant.

Wuat Haprens Once Tue Drarr EIR
Has BEEN IssueD?

The City Planning Commission has
set a 45-day public review period on the
Dreyer’s EIR, which expires May 8,
1989. Comments may be submitted in
writing to the Commission at any time
during the review period. Also, the
Commission will hold a special public
hearing on the draft EIR at the end of the
public review period. The public hear-
ing is tentatively scheduled for May 24,

at City Hall, Room 115, at 7:30 pm
(Check the May RN for more details.).
The hearing will be for the specific pur-
pose of receiving testimony from Neigh-
bors and other interested parties.

Throughout the public review, the
main issue is whether the draft EIR suffi-
ciently identifies and analyzes the pos-
sible effects of the project on the environ-
ment, and how those effects might be
avoided or mitigated.

Later, the Planning Department will
prepare a final EIR. This consists of the
draft EIR together with: a list of persons,
organizations, and agencies who have
commented; a summary of the comments
received; the Planning Department’s re-
sponses; and any other information which
the Department decides to add.

After the final EIR is published, the
project application will formally come
before the Planning Commission. Before
the Commission can approve the project,
it must certify that it has reviewed and
considered the EIR, and that the EIR
conforms with CEQA, the State CEQA
Guidelines, and the City’s adopted proce-
dures. If the Commission rejects or de-
clines to act on the final EIR, an appeal
may be taken to the City Council, whose
decision is final.

If the Planning Commission accepts
the EIR and approves the project, it must
adopt a finding, supported by substantial
evidence, that each significant effect iden-
tified in the EIR has been avoided or
substantially lessened. This may be
achieved by:

* changing the project;

* imposing conditions on the ap-

proval of the project;

* adopting plans or ordinances to
control a broader class of projects
to avoid the environmental
impact; or,

* choosing an alternative way of
meeting the same need that would
be met by the project.

However, if the Commission is unable
to find that all significant effects have
been reduced or eliminated, it can still
approve the project if it finds that:

¢ the changes necessary to avoid or
lessen any remaining effects are
within the responsibility of another
agency and have been, or can and
should be, adopted by that agency;
or,

* any remaining effects are unavoid-

+ We are planning to record the proceedings
of the May 24th public hearing on the
Dreyer’s EIR. The video and audio tapes
would be available for anyone to borrow.
RCPC will provide the blank tapes, but we
need technical assistance: if you have an
audio cassette recorder with remote mi-
crophone, and/or a video cam recorder
with tripod, the technical skills, and the
time to donate on May 24th, please contact
John Gussman, Chair, RCPC Dreyer’s
Project Committee, 655-8817.
* Carpooling and Rideshare coordinator
needed: call Barbara Anderson,
655-3499.

able, and expected benefits from the
project, which have been specifically
identified, outweigh the policy of re-
ducing or avoiding the significant en-
vironmental impacts of the project
(“overriding considerations”).

* * * KK *

RCPC encourages all interested or af-
fected Neighbors to become involved in the
public comment process on the Dreyer's proj-
ect proposal. Address your comments in
writing to the Planning Commission, an
please, also, send a copy of your letter or
RCPC. If you prefer, you may make sugges-
tions for RCPC's formal comments on the
draft EIR by writing to RCPC directly:

Oakland City Planning Commission
One City Hall Plaza

City Hall, 6th Floor

Oakland, CA 94612

Rockridge Community Planning Council
Attn: Dreyer’s EIR Review

5856 College Avenue #130

Oakland, CA 94618

Guys And Dolls At Tech

The streets of Broadway come alive at
Oakland Technical High SChool in Frank
Loesser’s Guys and Dolls, presented Fri-
day and Saturday, April 21st and 22nd.
The ever popular musical smash features
on of theater’s greatest scores, including
the hits “Luck Be A Lady”, “A Bushel
And A Peck”, and others.

Performances begin at 7:30 pm in the
Oakland Tech auditorium, 4351 Broad-
way at 42nd Street.

Tickets are $4 at the door, or $3 inv
advance. For more information, contact
Mr. Andy Hamner or Ms. Betty Jones at
658-5300.
April 15, 1989

The Rockridge News

Page 3

(

((

CLEAN RockrIDGE Pick Up AREAS

AREA Tras# Pick Up
AREA III SHAFTER I SuB-AREA

AREA IV SHAFTER II SuB-AREA

DaTE CoNnTACT
April 29, 1989 Mrs. Gity Baxter 652-8419
May 6, 1989 = Mr. Richard Benson 652-2127

Talking Trash In Rockridge

Suddenly, in Rockridge, “taking out
the garbage” has a whole new meaning
for a bunch of hard working wanna-be
dust busters!

On two gloriously sunny Spring Sat-
urdays, a gang of intrepid Neighbors
gathered their gloves and trusses to ride
around town picking up bags of yard clip-
pings and lawn trimmings in the Second
Annual Clean Rockridge Trash Fest.

Cruising through areas north of the
Grove Shafter Freeway, the low riding
bag people scooped up a total of 96 cubic
yards (that’s YARDS, son) of trash!

Areas south of the freeway will have
their chance to top that figure on the
scheduled pick up days noted above.

This is your opportunity to get to know
your neighbors and your neighborhood
from a unique vantage point.

Check the map to see when your sec-
tion will be collected, then call to volun-
teer a few hours of your time helping keep
things clean!

Better call soon, though — the truck has
room for just a few riders at a time.

ay

Regulations, from page 1

supported the original staff proposal in-
cluding the homeowner’s exemption.
However, after several Council members
expressed reservations about the concept
of the homeowner’s exemption, the
Council voted for the third alternative,
extending the moratorium. Representa-
tives from other neighborhood groups, in-
cluding Shepherd Canyon Homeowners,
Montclair, Piedmont Pines, Adams Point
and Merriewood-Forest Park, expressed
interest in joining together to discuss the
issues further. The City Council will
reconsider the proposed regulations on
April 25, 1989 at the next meeting of the
City Council Committee on Public
Safety/Public Works, Capital Improve-
ments, Land Use, and Environmental
Concerns chaired by Carter Gilmore.
ANOTHER ALTERNATIVE: 6+ BEDROOMS

At its April meeting, the RCPC Board
reaffirmed support for the original staff
recommendation (with the homeowner’s
exemption). However, it was observed
that the homeowner’s exemption may not
be a politically viable concept citywide.
Therefore, the Directors are proposing for
discussion an alternative zoning amend-
ment which would require that the Major
Conditional Use Permit be required for
additions or alterations of six or more
bedrooms. It was felt that the higher
“triggering” number (six rather than five
bedrooms) would be more realistic for the
housing stock in Rockridge.

Neighbors are encouraged to join in
the discussion which will continue at the
RCPC General Membership meeting on
Wednesday, April 19, at 7:30 pm: come
share your point of view.

Decorating your home with an authentic
oriental rug is an adventure of a lifetime!

ARMEN GALLERY OF ORIENTAL RUGS

Rugs and Kilims for the home

RCPC Committee List

Listed below are standing committees of the
Rockridge Community Planning Council
with their respective Chairs and Co-Chairs.
Please call any of the individuals listed if
you have questions or problems with what’s
going on:

CommITTEE Caatr/Co-Caairs

Cxean RockripGEGity Baxter (652-8419)

6015 Colle nu Desicn Review Glen Jarvis (654-5953)

Be Avenue Liprary Marc Beyeler (654-6787)

(Near Claremont Avenue) Nancy Dutcher (653-6018)

RASP Michael Peltz (658-2713)

415 * 655 * 0167 Rocxripce News Don Kinkead (655-7474)

TRAFFIC Bill Manley (658-2419)

OPEN TUESDAY- SUNDAY 11-6 PM David Remke (6539312)
ZONING John Gussman (655-8817)

Brooke Levin (653-7522)

Page 4

The Rockridge News April 15, 1989

From The
Zoning Counter

Tuirp Story REQUESTED
5819 Lawton Avenue
File No. V 89-105
The applicant is seeking a Minor
Variance to construct a third story addi-
tion to an existing nonconforming two-
unit residential structure. Any interested
person may comment on the application;
written comments must be submitted to
Alvin D. James, Planning Director, 1 City
Hall Plaza, Oakland, CA 94612 by April
19, 1989. There is no public hearing on
the application; the decision will be made
by the Planning Director, and it is appeal-
able to the Planning Commission. The
RCPC Board of Directors recommended
denial of the application because the
required findings for the variance are
absent.
Sd Sg Sd a
BARNEY’S RESTAURANT
5819 College Avenue
File No. CM 89-73
The Planning Commission at their
April 5, 1989 meeting granted a major
conditional use permit for a full service
restaurant.
° ¢ ° Sd
GRACE BAKING AND
Cactus TAQUERIA
5525 College Avenue
File No. CMD 88-520
The applicant, Wilson Associates, has
requested a use permit to allow a bakery
and restaurant at the above addres, cur-
rently leased by Major Details. The
bakery would occupy one-third of the
store frontage and the 50-seat restaurant
would occupy two-thirds. The RCPC
Board of Directors has recommended
approval of the application subject to
specific conditions regulating loading,
odor control, litter control, signage, and
hours of operation. The proposed restau-
rant would have four sidewalk tables.
There will be a public hearing on the
application before the Planning Commis-
sion on April 19, 1989, 1:30 pm, City Hall,
Room 115.

< ft f

North Oakland Challenge To
Campus Demolition Plans

The proposed razing of the entire former Merritt College campus building at Martin”
Luther King, Jr., Way and 55th Street is being challenged by the North Oakland Com-
mittee for Reasonable Growth, a committee formed by area residents.

At the March RCPC General Meeting, NOCRG representatives described efforts to
preserve portions of the building as part of a larger shopping center/office complex rather
than see the structure replaced entirely. To win Neighborhood support, the group is con-
ducting a petition drive, passing out leaflets, and working to inform neighbors.

According to Mr. Robert Brokl of the Committee, the structure, designed by Charles
W. Dickey — architect of the Claremont Hotel, Liberty House rotunda, etc. — has played
a significant role in the history of the neighborhood in its various uses as University High
School, Merritt Business College, and Merritt College.

Supporters of the effort to preserve the building say recent seismic and structural in-
formation indicates the existing building could be renovated at a cost far below new
construction.

For additional information, call Mssrs. Robert Brokl and Alfred Crofts at 655-3841,
or Ms. Cecilia Kilmartin at 653-2321.

Representatives of North Oakland Redevelopment Associates (NORA), developer of
the proposed project, will speak at the April RCPC General Meeting, to be held at 7:30
po, April 19 at College Avenue Presbyterian Church, 5951 College Avenue.

Bike Path Planned Bike Rodeo At Chabot

Plans to improve highways 13 and 24
may include a bicycle and pedestrian path
from Broadway Terrace to the top of
Tunnel Road at Caldecott Lane, accord-
ing to the Alameda County Transporta-
tion Authority.

The RCPC Board wrote to the County
last week to support the plan and asking
for notification of future public hearings
on the path.

Add your comments! Write to:

Mr. Albert J. Gallardo, Executive Director,
Alameda County Transportation Authority,
1401 Lakeside Drive, Suite 1103, Oakland,
CA 94612.

FINE GEMS

CUSTOM DESIGN

REPAIRS
ESTATE JEWELRY

5482 COLLEGE AVENUE
- OAKLAND
TUES.-SAT. 10:30-5
415/547-7181

Chabot Elementary School will host a
bike rodeo May 6, 1989 from 10:00 AM to
2:00 pm. Sponsored by the Chabot School

PTA Dad’s Club and Hank and Frankwy

Bicycles to encourage bicycle fun and
safety, the rodeo will include an obstacle
course, bike care clinic, safety challenge
quiz and visits by local bicycling experts.
All grade school children are welcome.
Participants will receive a certificate.
Admission is free.

Chabot School is at 6686 Chabot Road
in Oakland. For further information, call
420-0576 or 658-2869.

April 15, 1989

The Rockridge News

Page 5

Chabot Canyon
Racquet Club Rallies
For Club Ownership

Seeking to preserve Chabot Canyon as
recreational open space, Chabot Canyon
Racquet Club members have negotiated a
formal agreement with Rockridge devel-
oper Tony Wilson and current Club
owners to purchase and operate the Club.

According to the agreement, Mr.
Wilson will withdraw his plans for hous-
ing on the Club site and the Club will
continue operation as a membership
owned non-profit organization.

Initiation fees paid by members will
be used to purchase the property. Portions
of the fees will be refundable, depending
on the size eventual membership.

To comply fully with the agreement,
the group must sell 150 memberships by
April 30, 1989. As of March 25, more
than 110 memberships had been pur-
chased. For further information about the
new Club’s operations or to join, call Mr.
Robert Kwok at 624-0262 or Mr. John
Chalik at 652-6312.

Wanted To Rent: Garage.
Single or Double Garage for
Storage of Infrequently Used

Classic Automobile(s).
Call 655-8473 Anytime

Task Force Analyzes Historic
Landmark Designation Process

When you think of Oakland, do you
think of distinctive architecture? When
visitors come to town, do they ask to see
our outstanding landmarks?

Not everyone is aware that Oakland
currently has more than 100 landmarks
and five historic districts. Some of the
best known examples include the Tribune
Tower, the Paramount Theatre, and the
Camron-Stanford House. Creating a
policy which best promotes our architec-
tural heritage — the mandate of the His-
toric Preservation Taskforce — will help
retain Oakland’s distinctiveness.

The Taskforce’s purpose is to develop
recommendations regarding the preserva-
tion of Oakland buildings warranting
protection from change or demolition.
Work of the group has centered on the
City’s current landmark designation proc-
ess.

Presently, the Landmarks Preserva-
tion Advisory Board, composed of five
Mayoral appointees, evaluates potential
landmark buildings. Their recommenda-
tions are approved by the Planning
Commission with final designation made
by the City Council.

Once a building is declared a land-
mark, it is subject to design review.

Exterior changes an owner may want to
make must be approved by the Landmarks
Board. Current City policy doesn’t pro-
hibit demolition by the building’s owner,
but demolition is subject to significant
delay to allow time to find alternative
solutions (such as moving the structure).
Because of these restrictions to their
property, some owners are opposed to
landmark designation. An example of
this is the Claremont Hotel.

Strengthening building protections
and addressing building owners’ concerns
are goals of the Taskforce in its review of
the current process. How buildings are
evaluated and how the evaluations could
trigger different levels of protection are
topics the group is studying. Owner in-
centives are also being considered.
Taskforce recommendations will be sub-
mitted to the City Council by June 30,
1989.

Rockridge resident Mr. Frederick
Hertz is Chair of the Taskforce.

Ms. Annalee Allen is the RCPC repre-
sentative.

— Annalee Allen

Rockridge Neighbors’ comments and
opinions on the landmarks process are wel-
come. Call Annalee Allen at 654-6791.

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REALTY
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Principal Brokers: Harold (Hal) Feiger and Rockridge resident Brett Weinstein.

Page 6 The Rockridge News April 15, 1989

In My View...

Comments by Marge Gibson-Haskell
City Council, District 1

I. Whither our Gourmet Ghetto?

Who would have thought in the early 1970’s, when we
were worried about preserving any retail on College Avenue,
that today we would have such totally different concerns?

Now we worry about whether McDonald’s might locate on
College. We prepare for sharp waistline expansion in the name
of frozen desserts, and we have become resigned to gustatory
delights ranging from great bagels to fresh fish.

Ihave been asked whether we should do anything to restrict
this explosive growth. My initial reaction was that it was too
much, too fast. However, food related commerce is Oakland’s
largest economic sector, and it appears that College Avenue is
simply mirroring what is happening generally in Oakland.

The question is, ““Who should have to decide if there should
be one, two or three sellers of fresh fish?” I am not certain that
any public body should be placed in that role. Presumably,
market mechanisms will handle this issue. If you don’t agree
or if you have a workable scheme, let me know.

II. City Politics and Rockridge

I have been chastised in the past by readers for making this
column too political. In recent months I have tried to look at
a broader community focus. Nevertheless, we need to recog-
nize that the City is about to embark on a Mayor’s election, an
intensely political time. Politics that pits neighbor against
neighbor and continues divisiveness after an election will not
work for Rockridge over the long haul. We should remember
the goal to promote a City that can come back together after
the election and still be able to achieve a consensus.

Il. Public Transit and Parking Facilities?

Response to my column on permit parking has been heavy
and varied. The last paragraph of a letter from a Manoa Street
resident is illustrative of the neighborhood’s concerns: “I ask
you consider the needs of the permanent residents of Rock-
ridge and to support more public transportation and private
parking facilities for local businesses.” I agree. Now we have
to work on how to accomplish these ends.

IV. Rockridge Spring Cleaning

On Saturday, April 1, I participated in the Rockridge trash
pick up. It was a pleasure to see all the yellow and block bags
waiting to be picked up. Congratulations for a job well done
to Gity Baxter who coordinated the whole project for the
Rockridge area, and to everyone who rode the truck.

If you wish to comment on this or other items, call me or
my assistant Bill Lowe at 273-3266. Also, please remember
that if you write to a City Department and wish the matter
followed up by me sometime in the future, please send me a
copy of the correspondence c/o Office of the City Council, One
City Hall Plaza, Oakland, CA 94612.

ROCKRIDGE MONTESSORI
CHILDREN’S HOUSE

Helping your child
excel in a warm and nurturing

environment
e

NOW ENROLLING
Full Day Program 7:30am to 6:30pm
Ages 2-4

652-7021

MARKET BAL

ROCKRIDGE MARKET HALL
8 exceptional merchants, 7 days a week.
5655 College Avenue at BART : Oakland - Free Parking

April 15, 1989

The Rockridge News

Letters To The News .

Two Neighbors Respond To Dreyer’s EIR

Editor's Note: The recent release of the Dreyer’s Project EIR prompted
these two letters to The Rockridge News. The News received no other
letters, either supporting or opposing the project.

Editor:

This is a copy of a letter I sent to the Oakland Planning
Commission concerning Dreyer’s’ expansion plans.

Dear Mr. James:

After reviewing the EIR draft on Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream
proposed office project, I am opposed to this project as presented
in the report for the following reasons.

1. The proposed project does not comply with the goals of
Oakland’s General Plan. As stated on page 4-3 of the draft,
guidelines which apply to this project are:

a.) “to conserve existing neighborhoods...” The report states,
however, “the scale of this project is larger than any of the
surrounding land uses,” p.4-10.

b.) “to strengthen the City’s non-residential tax base.” How-
ever, on page 1-21 the report states, “There would be a decrease
in property value created by the project of $735,820. This rep-
resents a decrease in revenue to the city.”

c.) “the City will give substantial weight to the opinions of the
local citizens.” I am a Rockridge homeowner paying substantial
property taxes as are many of my neighbors who are also opposed
to this project. I notice on page 1-22 of the report it states, “The
proposed project would generate a net gain in revenue annually
of approximately $5,840 for the City of Oakland.” I personally
pay nearly half that much in property taxes!

2. The proposed project requires four major conditional use
permits to change current zoning, which I believe should not be
granted for these reasons.

a.) Accessory parking in an R-35 zone, (Section 7011). This
permit is asking the removal of two residences to be replaced with
a parking lot. This should never be granted. The report agrees,
“the project as proposed, would remove two existing unoccupied
housing units, which would not comply with Oakland’s policy to
conserve housing and preserve existing neighborhoods,” p. 4-10.

b.) Open facility in a C-31 Zone (Section 4481(a)). This
defeats the purpose of C-31 zoning by removing pedestrian
oriented retail.

c.) Parking at ground level in a C-31 Zone (Section 4482).
Allowing a parking lot along pedestrian sidewalk again defeats
the purpose of C-31 zoning. The C-31 zoning is largely respon-
sible for making the Rockridge area a gem in Oakland’s crown.
Granting the above two Use Permits would negate the very
zoning that helped create a fine neighborhood. This is not in the
best interest of Rockridge or the City of Oakland.

d.) Over 7,500 sq. ft. of commercial space in a C-31 Zone
(Section 4483). The report states total footage for the project is
59,108. By subtracting the 10,000 sq. ft. of proposed retail space
(which the report notes will have more than one use) there is still
over 49,000 sq. ft. remaining that does have but one use—com-
mercial office space in a C-31 Zone. That is 41,500 sq. ft. more
than current zoning allows. This should not be granted.

The City of Oakland and the Rockridge area have so much to

Editor:

The release of the Draft Environmental Impact Report on the
Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream Project signals the final round in the
neighborhood’s efforts to prevent Dreyer’s self-serving expan-
sion into the residential zone in Rockridge. Four years ago when
the project was first proposed, Rockridge residents and mer-
chants responded with strong opposition. The original plan
involved the construction of an office, manufacturing, and Re-
search & Development ‘campus’ in Rockridge. Over the past
years, Dreyer’s needs have changed - the factory has been closed
in order to consolidate manufacturing in the new Union City plant
- and the current plan includes only an indulgent corporate office
space, as well as the required street level retail use.

Unchanged from the original, however, is Dreyer’s desire to
expand into the residential neighborhood. Dreyer’s proposes to
convert several residences on Chabot Road, as well as several
formerly-residential buildings on Claremont Avenue, to an ex-
cessively huge parking lot. The only basis I see for this aspect
of the plan is avarice - to convert relatively inexpensive residen-
tial property (which Dreyer’s had purchased several years ago in
hopes of developing its ‘campus’) to expensive commercial
property which can be resold at a profit. Today’s parking lot will
be tomorrow’s office building. The neighborhood should not be
made to pay the price of Dreyer’s poor judgement in its real estate
investments.

The approval process is a political one, and this issue will
ultimately be decided by the Oakland City Council. In this
process, Dreyer’s will rely on its many friends in City govern-
ment. Asa resident of Chabot Road, as a resident of Rockridge,
I ask your assistance - to make it known to the Planning Com-
missioners and to the City Council that we cannot permit
Dreyer’s to run roughshod over existing zoning protections, to
alter the use and appearance of our neighborhood, all in the name
of Dreyer’s corporate profit. Over the next months there will be
several public hearings on the project, some sponsored by RCPC
and some through City offices. The City must hear from us if we
are to maintain the residential and retail character of Rockridge.

— Jack Nunberg

lose and so little to gain by this project as it now exists. I suggest
Dreyer’s actively involve the neighborhood, and in a spirit of
compromise, draw up a plan that retains the intent of current
zoning and that would be agreeable with the City, the neighbor-
hood (perhaps through RCPC) and Dreyer’s.

I found the report to be very biased in favor of the project at
the expense of the neighborhood and its existing zoning laws.
These zoning laws exist for the very reason they are now being
tested by this project: to preserve existing neighborhoods in the
interest of its citizens. Therefore, I urge you to review the
Dreyer’s Office Project as a representative of my neighborhood
and my city and not a representative for the Dreyer’s corporation.

Thank you very much for representing my concerns regarding
this project.

— Greg Young
Page 8 The Rockridge News April 15, 1989

Rockridge Soccer Signup Time

It’s signup time for the Fall season for kids who want to play
on one of the Rockridge Soccer Club teams. RSC is an all-
volunteer club dedicated to teaching kids soccer and organizing

CAMA invites all our neighbors to join in the annual Spring

team competition. There are no tryouts — everybody plays! Festival on May 6, 1989, from 12 to 4 pM. —
Teams are organized in four age levels, starting with Under 8’s Festivities include:

for six and seven year olds, Under 10’s, Under 12’s, and Under A Free Cable Car Shuttle

14’s. Teams are all boys, all girls, and mixed. Last year almost Clowns

300 youngsters played, about a quarter of them girls. Jugglers
Practices are one night a week after school, and games are on Facepainters

Saturdays starting in September for a ten week season. Cost is Musicians

$25, plus a uniform cost of $15. Sidewalk Sales from local merchants

Interested parents should contact Club Registrar Vikki King at
547-2448 who can provide more details. We would like applica-
tions in by May 4, so call now!

Balloons
and More!
This years’ event promises to be one of the most successful
ever. Plan to bring your children, your friends, and yourselves!
For more information, please call Eddie Zeidan 428-9256.

Saturday, May 6, 12 — 4 pM at the
CAMA Spring Festival:
Chimes will give away

FREE POPCORN!
Chimes is celebrating our
24th Anniversary. Please stop by
between May 1st and 6th and sign up

The Full Service Copy Center
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STATIONERY * WORD PROCESSING Other prizes include Gift Certificates
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and video rentals.
Thank you, Rockridge,
for 24 years of patronage!
Laurice Eddie Renee Matthew

( New Sunday Hours! *

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The Rockridge News is published monthly in Oakland
except in August and is sponsored by The Rockridge
Community Planning Council.

Got something planned you'd like to have The Rockridge
il about? Call Don Kinkead at 655-7474 or write to
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