Extracted text · highlighting “Planning Commission”

® Broadwa
@ Acelan

Page 4 — From The Zoning Counter: Applications for variances, hearings.

® Blood Bank/Medical Insurance Expansion
® Yoshi's Liquor License

Shell Station
izza Rustica, College Avenue

The

Rockridge News

Sponsored by * Tae Rockripcr COMMUNITY PLANNING COUNCIL * 5856 COLLEGE AVENUE #130" OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA *® 94618

cubulid 15H! Re lene

Why Is RCPC Suing The City Of Oakland?

The RCPC Board released
the following statement
when the suit was filed:

On Friday, September 1, RCPC filed
suit against the City of Oakland,

Weare suing because we are alarmed
by the City’s response to the Dreyer's
project. We see il as a serious threat to
the future of sound neighborhorhood
planning. Dreyer’s convinced the
Council that to put any meaningful con-
ditions on this project would discourage
business investment in Oakland. But it
is really the future of residential neigh-
borhoods — not business investment
which is at stake.

Progect Woutp Transrorm AREA

This project, as approved by the
City, would transform the Rockridge
neighborhood. Our main street, College
Avenue, is zoned primarily for neigh-
borhood serving businesses, The zon
ing does not envision a building any-
where near the size and design proposed
by Dreyer’s. This project would com-
pletely dominate College Avenuc, It
paves the way for Rockndge — which
already has severe traffic congestion —
to become a regional office building
hub.

Our City's planners and traffic engi
neers both warned in June that the ef-
fects of this project had not been prop
erly addressed. The Planning Director
recommended then that the Environ.
mental Impact Report not be certified.

Counci, IcNorkn Concerns
The City Council ignored all this.

The Council also ignored the commu-
hity’s reasonable concern about com-

mercial encroachment into residential
zones, and the future character of the
College Avenue retail shopping district.
They ignored issues critical to the future
of Rockridge and other residential
neighborhoods in Oakland.

We have not taken our decision
lightly. There are other major commu-
nity issues which also need our atten-

From The RCPC Suit

“Plaintiff Rockridge Community Plan-
ning Council seeks to compel Respondent,
the City of Oakland, to meet its statutory
obligalions to prepare an adequate envi-
ronmental impact report (“EIR”) which
fully discloses the project's adverse im
pacts and identifies alternatives and miti-
gation measures by which to avoid or re
duce those impacts. Lacking an adequate
EIR, the City was not in a position to make
sound or justifiable decisions regarding
the Dreyer's project.

“RCPC also seeks to compel the City
to adhere to us General Plan and toning
Policies, which are intended to protect
residential districts with neighborkood-
serving businesses, like Rockridge, from
massive commercial projects that drasti
cally alter and detract from their charac-
ter or livability.”

tion, We would have wished this matter
to be resolved some other way. Because
of statements by councilmembers, we
held out hope during August that the
City would do something to address the
community's concems

It became clear by the end of August
that the City leaders had no such intent.
The community was left with no choice,

except a legal remedy.
Issurs Cannot Br Ionorep

The issues at stake in this project are
too important to be ignored. Other
major development projects will want
and are now seeking—the same kind of
special treatment that Dreyer’s ob-
tained,

Already, only one month after the
Dreyer's decision, the neighborhood is
faced with major new development
projects which raise the very same
environmental concerns.

CEQA Stanparps Are IMPporTANT

By approving the Dreyer’s project,
the City has shown that it is not serious
about meeting the standards of the
California Environmental Quality Act,
or of its own zoning ordinances. The
City must be shown that these standards
do matter. Citizens must be able to
expect that the City will do proper EIRs
in the future. Citizens must be able to
believe that they are well served by the
planning process.

Neicuaornoop Sureort

We are proceeding with the encour-
agement and pledges of financial sup
port from many neighbors in Rockridge
and elsewhere in Oakland

We are confident that, in the end, we
will prevail.

As we have stated before, Dreyer's
is capable of building an acceptable
Project in Rockridge. RCPC has pro
posed reasonable solutions to the park-
ing, design and bulk issues, and com
mercial encroachment problems. Nei-
ther the City nor Dreyer’s has taken
these issues seriously. Until they do so,
we will continue to oppose this project.

Page 2

The Rockridge News

September 16, 1989

East Oakland
Neighbors Sue
On City Decision

Apparently responding to a law suit
challenging the recent approval of a 14
unit apartment building on an East
Oakland lot zoned only for 10 units, the
City Council has scheduled another
public hearing on September 19 to re-
consider the project.

The suit, brought by members of the
Brooklyn Neighborhood Preservation
Association, was filed after the Council
voted February 28 to reverse the Plan-
ning Commission's denial of the vari-
ances requested by the developers.

Neighbors in the area expect the
Council might either decide that the
criteria necessary for a variance exist or
entertain the developer's alternative pro-
posal to erect the same building modi-
fied to contain ten units, including five
bedroom/three bath apariments. The
latter action would also be improper and
premature, Association members say,
since the developer has not applied for
the conditional use permit needed for a
len unit structure,

BNPA = spokesperson Marina
Carlson, citing Section 9604 of the
Zoning Regulations, said that the Coun-
cil could not lawfully determine that the
site, a level rectangular lot, has any
“unique physical or topographic condi-
tion” that justifies the graming of a
major variance.

The lot — currently zoned R-50,
Medium Density Residential Zone — is
located in the Brooklyn/San Antonio
neighborhood at the comer of Sth Ave-
nue and East [Sih Street and was for-
merly the location of a funeral home.
The developer is Ted Dang/Eastlake
Associates.

The BNPA litigation is scheduled for
trial on November 17.

— From information provided by members

of the Brooklyn Neighborkood
Preservation Association

City Takes Bold

Approach To

Revise Design Review Process

Developers, architects, neighbor-
hood leaders, and City Planning Depart-
ment staff have been working together
over the last few months in a unique
endeavor to create a design review proc-
ess that would affect the more than 2,000
building permit applications submitted
annually to the City,

Presently, for most alterations to
properties under five units, owners can
apply for separate permits for clectncal,
foundation, or plumbing work and not
have the total project reviewed. This
process frequently leads to buildings
that are incompatible in use and/or de
sign with the rest of the neighborhood.
The design review program being devel-
oped would bring these kinds of projects
under review.

In a slide show in July contributed to
by the Brooklyn Neighborhood Preser-
vation Association, Planning Director
Alvin James showed extreme examples
of the kinds of buildings that design
review could prevent. The Brooklyn
area of Oakland has been especially hard

St. Albert’s Priory Hosts

The fifth annual St. Albert's Priory
Wine Auction and Tasting will be held
on Sunday, September 24, 1989, from
1:30 to 4:30 pm at the Dominican House
of Studies, 5890 Birch Court. The event
is a fund raiser for the Dominican Edu-
cational Fund. Tickets, which include a
commemorative glass, entertainment,
hors d oeuvres, and wine tasting are
$15. Admission and donations are tax
deductible.

Wineries hosting the pouring include
Christian Brothers, Lolonis, Louis M.
Martin, Korbel Champagne Cellars,
Robert Keenan Winery, Revere Winery,
Silver Oak Wine Cellars, Ernest & Julio
Gallo, Baldinelli Vineyards, and Peju

Dates Calendar Events Calendar Dates

Tuesday Sept 19 7:30PM City Council

Wednesday Sept20 1:30 em Planning Commission
7:30 PM RCPC General Meeting

Wednesday OctI8 7:30em RCPC General Meeting

hit by incompatible projects.

Atan August meeting of the design
review planning group, proposals devel-
oped by concemed neighborhoods were
presented for consideration by Planning
Department staff. The City's proposal
involves a two-tier process: 1) a quick
yes/no checklist related to compatibility
with existing nearby development; and,
2) a review under the existing general
design review process which includes a
public noticing component, If there are
disagreements between applicants and
city staff in interpreting checklist items,
the case would be go to a professional
advisory commitice for recommenda-
tions.

Complete copies of the Draft Over-
view Design Review may be obtained
from the City Planning Office.

The City Council will hear further
comments from the public on this issue
at its September 19 meeting.

— Janet Calkins and Don Kinkead
Reprinted with permission from
The MacArthur Metro

Wine Auction And Tasting

Province, California wines, some rarely
offered for auction, as well as selections
from private collections will be amongst
the vaned vintages available for bid.
Denis Kelly will be the auctioneer.

Send your check payable to St.
Albert's Wine Auction to St. Albert's
Priory, 5890 Birch Court, Oakland, CA
94618. Ticket orders received by Sep-
tember 15 will be mailed and all others
will be held at the door.

Storage Space Available
in garage...
Claremont-Rockridge area.

Call 547-8070.
(Not suitable for automobiles.)

RASP Contract; Design Review; Brooklyn Neighborhood

City Hall, Room 115: Aceland/Pizza Rustica

College Avenue Presbyterian Church, 5951 College Avenue
MIEC/Blood Bank Building Expansion, Yoshi's; Aceland/Pizza Rustica
College Avene Prestyyterian Church, 3951 College Avenue

—
September 16, 1989

The Rockridge News Page 3

RCPC Considers By-Law
Changes, Board Vacancy

The RCPC Board of Directors has been reviewing
the organization’s By-Laws to be sure they are up to
date, meet legal requirements, and serve the organiza-
tion’s current need.

The Board recently adopted a series of technical
amendments and is considering other changes. Certain
changes approved by the Board must be ratified by the
General Membership. These changes will be consid-
ered at the October and November General Meetings.

The currently proposed amendments which would
require ratification would:

1) provide that only natural persons (not entities)
are eligible for membership; and,

2) eliminate proxy voting.

The text of the proposed changes, and a copy of the
By-Laws will be available at the Rockridge Branch
Library. Written comments from the Neighborhood are
welcome. Please send them c/o RCPC, 5856 College
Avenue, Box 130, Oakland, CA 94618.

Boarp MEMBERSHIP

RCPC Boardmember Michael Peltz announced his
resignation from the Board effective September 11
because of increased professional responsibilities.

Persons interested in filling this Board vacancy
through January, 1990, shoudl submit a letter of interest
to RCPC.

CAMA’s new RCPC Board representative is Peter
Eng of College Avenue 24-hour mailboxes.

CAMA Presents Annual
Fall Harvest Festival

The College Avenue Merchants Association is pre-
senting its Annual Fall Harvest Festival to be held Sat-
urday, September 30, 1989, from 12 to 4 pm on College
Avenue between Broadway and Alcatraz Avenues.

Special Events include:

Sidewalk Sales, Raffles, Contests, Free Cable Car

Shuttle, Food, Music, Fun for the whole family!

Many merchants will also feature special sale
prices for this event.

For additional information:

8 Call Bill Chung 653-1567

RCPC Establishes Legal Fund

Goal:
$20,000.

Neighborhood
fey Legal Fund [Ri

GCE GARE SH
AGAR AAA SHER GAS HS
AGASHEAHARHEAE ARTE AEAG
AGARHER GARTER GARTER EASELS

Building Rockridge’s Future
With A Donation From Every Reader
Of The Rockridge News

In spite of strong citizen support from Rockridge and Neigh-
borhoods city-wide, the City completely disregarded the facts and
community concerns surrounding the Dreyer’s project. RCPC and
Rockridge lost at the City Council. What next? Rockridge Neigh-
bors overwhelmingly said, “Don’t give up!” and “Yes!” to legal
action. Our challenge will be very costly, estimated at $20,000,
even with substantial pro bono assistance. We need all the help
you can give — your time, effort and money!

We need 200 donations of $100
or 1,000 donations of $20
or 2,000 donations of $10

Your support is essential to the success of the cause: to keep
City leaders accountable and to ensure they apply the rules fairly
to everyone. Contact the Fundraising Committee with your sug-
gestions and for more information:

Liz Maxwell 654-5741 Steve Parmeleee 653-6020 (eve)
Julie Dewey 654-7136 Kathy Walsh 653-8594

Please make your checks payable to the
RCPC Neighborhood Legal Fund.

(RockripcE COMMUNITY PLANNING CoUNCIL DONATION Form)

Enroll Me as a Supporting Donor

Yes!

Name:
Address
LJs
| City/Zip:
| Phone [_ $

I have enclosed a check payable to RCPC for my tax-deductible donation. I have
indicated below how I wish my contribution to be allocated:

[Js

to the Rockridge Community Planning Council!

(__ Mailto
NEIGHBORHOOD LEGAL FuND Rockridge Community

Planning Council
5856 College Avenue #130
Oakland, CA 94618

Thank you!

GENERAL DONATION

RockrwcE News DonaTION

Page 4

The Rockridge News

September 16, 1989

In the last month or so, a spate of pending and new requests for use permits, design review
and other zoning actions have been submitted for review. Three of the applications described
below will be presented and discussed at the RCPC General Meeting on September 20, 1989,
7:30 pm, at the College Avenue Presbyterian Church.

5755 Broapway at Tart
SHELL STATION (CVMD 89-271)

The applicant requested approval for
an expansion of the interior of the exist-
ing Shell Station. The proposed project
would involve removal of interior walls
to “enlarge the cashier’s area,” but,
according to the applicant, no shelving
or other display equipment would be
installed in the enlarged area, and no
items would be stocked for sale. Given
(1) the past history of the site and the
several unsuccessful efforts by the
applicant to develop a mini-mart at this
location, and (2) the continuing concern
of neighbors nearby the site that this
non-conforming activity not be ex-
panded, enlarged or changed in use,
RCPC proposed that conditions be
adopted as part of any approval that
would prohibit:

* an exterior transaction window and
loud speakers;

* shelving or display equipment in
the expansion area;

+ the sale of retail non-gas products
in the expansion area; and,

* any increase in the current level of
non-gas retail sales.

At the Planning Commission meet-
ing of September 6, 1989, the applica-
tion for the Major Variance was with-
drawn. The City will now re-notice the
project under Design Review proce-
dures.

Send all comments to Planning Di-
rector Alvin D. James, 1 City Hall Plaza,
Oakland, CA 94612.

(— >
Rusty Miller

Certified Massage Therapist
Rosen Method Bodywork

A gentle precisely attentive bodywork

which facilitates and supports

* the release of physical & emotional
pain

¢ the process of transformation

¢ becoming aware of the inner self —
to then, come from the inside out

To schedule appts. and for additional
information:
(415) 653-9113

5299 COLLEGE AVENUE
ACELAND/Pizza Rustica (CMD 89-339)

The Planning Commission will hold
a public hearing on this application on
September 20, 1989, 1:30 pm, City Hall,
Room 115.

The project requires two approvals:

1) Design Review for a second dome,
similar to the new dome at the front of
the building. The proposed second
dome, located at the rear, adjacent to the
parking area, would be encircled with
neon lighting.

2) Major Conditional Use Permit for
a Pizza restaurant, serving beer and
wine, open from 7:30 am to 2 am. The
proposed new restaurant would house
Pizza Rustica, now operating out of a
smaller storefront on the same property.
The new facility would include approxi-
mately 2,400 square feet inside plus
outside seating.

The applicant has been invited to the
RCPC General Membership meeting
scheduled September 20, 7:30 pm at the
College Avenue Presbyterian Church,
to discuss the project. Send comments
on this application to the Planning Com-
mission, 1 City Hall Plaza, Oakland,
CA 94612.

6250 CLAREMONT AVENUE
MEDICAL INSURANCE EXCHANGE OF
CALiForNIA (ER 89-42)

An office building and parking ga-
tage is proposed for the open parking lot
currently between the existing Blood
Bank and the MIEC buildings. The
proposal is for a 24,000 square foot
garage structure including a basement
and three above-grade levels for 52 cars.
The third floor (fourth level) would
house 6,000 s.f. of offices.

The City is preparing an Environ-
mental Assessment pursuant to the
California Environmental Quality Act.
Staff will recommend the required ex-
tent of environmental review (Negative
Declaration or Environmental Impact
Report).

An RCPC Zoning committee meet-
ing was held in August with the appli-
cant, neighbors and RCPC Board

members. Discussion focussed on areas
of concern including noise, land use,
and traffic impacts.

In addition, there was concern about
the “piecemeal approach” to develop-
ment of the site. Neighbors proposed
that the applicant submit a master plan
for the entire property owned by MIEC
and the Blood Bank.

Approximately 50% of the proposed
development would be located on prop-
erty now owned by the Blood Bank.
This area would be transferred to MIEC
ownership. As part of this process,
MIEC will seek a lot line adjustment.

The applicant will be present at the
RCPC General Meeting on September
20, 1989 to present the proposal.

No public hearing has been set by
the City.

6030 CLAREMONT AVENUE
Yosut’s RESTAURANT AND NiGuT Spot
ABC License “Type 47” FoR FULL
Service RESTAURANT

The applicant is requesting an Alco-
holic Beverage License for the portion
of Yoshi’s known as the “Night Spot.”
Notice of the application will be mailed

to all property owners within 100 feet of

Yoshi’s. Yoshi’s is also required to
mail a notice to all property owners
within a 500 foot radius.

ABC will review the application for
compliance with zoning and health
codes. The applicant has stated that this
request would also require Planning
Commission approval because of unre-
solved parking issues.

The applicant will make a presenta-
tion at the RCPC General Meeting on
September 20, 1989 at 7:30 pm.

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 Cuair/Co-Cuairs
Ciean RockripceE Gity Baxter 652-8419
Desicn REVIEW Glen Jarvis 654-5953
LIBRARY Marc Beyeler 654-6787

Nancy Dutcher 653-6018
RASP Andréa Walhof 420-1593
Rockripce News Don Kinkead 655-7474
TRaFFic Bill Manley 658-2419
David Reinke 653-5312
ZONING John Gussman 655-8817
Brooke Levin 653-7522

September 16, 1989

The Rockridge News

Page 5

Neighborhood Highlights

Rockridge Neighbors Work For Home Alert

Is the crime rate on your street in-
creasing or decreasing?

If you had to stop and think before
answering that question, you are proba-
bly a good candidate for the Home Alert
program. Andif you didn’t have a ready
answer, chances are your neighbors
wouldn’t have one, either. They would
also be good Home Alert candidates.

Home Alert is a police sponsored
program that can help make you and
your neighbors alert to the potential for
crime in your neighborhood and knowI-
edgeable about ways to prevent or
minimize it.

Carol Nelson and Kathleen Whitlow
are two Rockridge Neighbors actively
involved in expanding this crime aware-
ness program.

Carol and her family have lived in
Rockridge for four years. Before mov-
ing here, they lived in another Bay Area
city for four years where their house
was robbed three times.

Kathleen got involved after she and
her neighbors witnessed a burglary in
progress without realizing anything was
amiss.

Carol and Kathleen are charter mem-

bers of the Beat 13 Crime Resistance
Planning Committee formed a year ago
with a combined State grant and match-
ing City funds. Because of its success
over the past year, the program recently
received funding for another year. The
Committee, consisting of six Rockridge
residents, is charged with developing
crime prevention strategies and expand-
ing the Home Alert program in Beat 13,
the police patrol designation for Rock-
ridge.

Should you get involved in Home
Alert? It takes no money and not much
time, according to Carol. “The program
is manageable in terms of the time
required by any one individual. They
generally deal just with their own
block.”

What can you expect when you sign
up for Home Alert? Police from the
Community Services Division will meet
with interested neighbors to discuss
home and personal security. They will
discuss an identification program for
valuables that can help ensure their
return if they ever are stolen. When 70
percent of the neighbors on a block have
participated in the identification pro-

gram, Neighborhood Watch signs are
put up on the street and Home Alert
window stickers are given to residents.
The signs and stickers deter potential
criminals because they know residents
are on the alert.

The Police Department also presents
a City-wide Block Captain workshop
where can compare notes with other
Block Captains. Captains learn how to
network with their neighbors, how to
build their Home Alert program, and
about trends in drug use and actions to
combat it.

Crime prevention is not the only
benefit of the Home Alert program. In
addition to the satisfactions of commu-
nity service, Carol found a greater
neighborhood camaraderie and wider
friendships. “I’ve found it’s real easy to
talk to my neighbors, now. Plus, I have
more of a sense of security in my own
neighborhood.” Kathleen says she was
able to breathe real meaning into her
favorite bumper sticker, “Think glob-
ally, act locally.”

Call Dorlista Dawson of the Com-
munity Services Division at 273-3066
to join the Home Alert program.

ADVOCATES

437 Alcatraz Avenue, Oakland CA 94609

WHY PAY 6%
To SELL Your Home?

Even 5% is unnecessary, because in most cases,

REALTY ADVOCATES CHARGES ONLY 4%

and provides the same full service as the higher priced companies. All our listings go in the Multiple
Listing Service (MLS), and we hold Open Houses, broker's tours, advertise, and most importantly,
vigorously advocate our client's best interests.
Call for a copy of our informational brochure. We are also happy to provide a free
written estimate of your home's value in today's market.

call 428-0757
REALTY

")

Page 6 The Rockridge News September 16, 1989

BART To Meet With
RASP Steering Committee

BART Director Sue Hone and BART Joint Development
specialist Terry Marjorum will discuss the transportation
agency’s commercial development and second deck plans for
the Rockridge Station in a meeting with the Rockridge Area
Specific Plan (RASP) steering committee Monday, Septem-
ber 18, at 7 pm in the College Avenue Presbyterian Church.

Plan to attend this meeting.

Call Andréa Walhof at 420-1593 for further information.

In My View...
Comments by Marge Gibson-Haskell

City Council, District 1

PERMIT PARKING BROUHAHA

I am becoming increasingly concerned about rather
strong conflicts on certain Rockridge streets — specifically
Birch Court and Ocean View — over the issue of permit
parking.

In my wildest dreams I did not view this as an issue
pitting neighbor against neighbor with allegations of fake
signatures, vacant units and disguised commercial uses, but
it appears to be coming down to this kind of thing.

Please, everyone, a little flexibility and common sense
would be appreciated. Above all, please don’t beat up on
our city staff who are really only trying to do their job.
PERMIT PARKING AND THE BART Lot*

Downtown, permit parking is viewed as having taken the
burden of transient parking off of the shoulders of Rock-
ridge residents. However, the clamor for additional parking
at the Rockridge station is increasing from other Oakland
residents who live in areas that are uneconomic for bus
service.

This is a difficult issue because it pits the needs of
Oakland residents against each other. Possibly, if this lot
became a paid parking lot, it would cause people to seri-
ously consider whether other transit alternatives really
could be used. Thus, we would be certain that only those
who had to use their cars to get to BART would be doing
so.

Whether these parking demands and appropriate levels
of development for Rockridge can be balanced will be a
planning challenge for the forthcoming year.

THE SPEcIFIC PLAN*

Speaking of planning, funds to continue the Specific
Plan effort begun last year are under siege. The matter is
scheduled for hearing before the City Council on September
19. Attendance at this meeting is needed from those who
believe that Rockridge should be able to create a meaning-
ful plan for its future.

If you have comments on any of the above or other
issues, please call my office at 273-3266.
* See meeting announcement at top of page. — Ed.

Neighbors Seek City Ruling
On Manufacturing Activities

Residents in the neighborhood near 59th & Telegraph are —

concerned that a business in the Commercial zone near their
homes is manufacturing steel security guards in a retail
commercial zone.

They feel zoning officials have improperly reversed an
earlier ruling prohibiting this activity at the locksmith and se-
curity device business.

The neighbors want a precise legal interpretation of zoning
regulations from the Planning Department governing “acces-
sory activities.” They feel business owners and neighborhood
residents throughout the City need to know what zoning regu-
lations specifically permit in retail/commercial zones.

The Planning Commission will hear the matter at its
meeting on September 20, 1989 at 1:30 pm. For additional in-
formation, call Henry Johnson at 655-4464.

Potato Pie
Pre-School/Day Care

* Quality Teachers / 6:1 ratio
¢ Spacious, Nurturing Home & Play Yard
¢ Lightly Structured, Individualized Program
¢ Multi-Ethnic Enrollment & Learning Materials
* Across from Chabot School

658-9579

FIRST FEDERAL

SAVINGS & LOAN ASSOCIATION OF SAN RAFAEL

Serving the Bay Area for 26 Years.
Member of College Avenue Merchants Association

Personal Services Available:

+ Safe Deposit Boxes: Travelers Checks
+ Notary Public + Competitive Rates
+ Money Orders + Convenient Hours

Hours of Service:

Monday through Thursday 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m
Friday 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m

First Federal
Savings and Loan Association of San Rafael

6058 College Avenue + Oakland, California 94618
(415) 652-9500

Thomas Smith, Branch Manager

September 16, 1989

— Tasteless Caption

Editor:

Your caption to the [photo of the] car
over the railing at College Square was
totally tasteless. This is NOT funny. I
trust you will receive other comments to
this effect.

The problems with parking and traf-
fic and the attendant pollution and ever-
present danger of accidents in Rock-
ridge is a terribly serious one. It has
been a disappointment to me that RCPC
has taken a stance of almost endless en-
couragement of retail as long as it “fits

”

in.” The high quality of life we once

FAVE

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Handcrafted In Our Shop

Custom Designing « Wedding Sets
Fine Diamonds ¢ Colored Gemstones
Estate Jewelry ¢ Appraisals ¢ Repairs

5482 College Ave., Oakland
(Near Rockridge Bart)

The Rockridge News

etters To The News

Page 7

had will never be recaptured. I think
you ought to print an apology in your
next issue for the insensitive caption to
this photo.

— Nina Rosen

Ms. Rosen's point about the serious-
ness of traffic and parking problems in
Rockridge is well taken. The caption
was worded to emphasize that serious-
ness in an ironic and dramatic way.

The Rockridge News regrets that any
reader found offense in the caption se-
lected for the photograph on the front
page of the July issue. No other written
comments were received concerning the

ARMEN GALLERY

Oriental Rugs & Kilims

Discover the Traditional Art

of the Persian Weavers

Caucasian Kazak
3°3"x4'1" c. 1900

¢ 6015 College Ave. ¢

Area Sizes to Room Sizes

Open: Tues.- Sun. 11-6 pm

Oakland © 655-0167 e

Photo or the caption. Verbal responses
heard by the editor were mixed between
those who shared Ms. Rosen’ s indigna-
tion and those who did not.

— Editor

No Yoshi Liquor License

Editor:

Yoshi’s has applied for a premise-
to-premise transfer of its liquor li-
cense—the same move that was denied
in December, 1986, by Administrative
Law Judge Michael Cohn in a hearing
involving the ABC, the neighborhood
and Yoshi’s.

I for one spent an enormous amount
of time seeking some relief for the
neighborhood from boisterous, loud and
occasionally violent activity that
erupted during the time Yoshi’s (ille-
gally) served liquor in the nightclub area
itself. I do not want a return to the
situation that prevailed then. I hope
enough of you feel the same way so that
the denial...will continue to prevail.

What you can do: file a protest with
the ABC citing the disruption of your
residential peace and quiet should liq-
uor once again flow in the nightclub
area. Mention the trend at large public
gatherings to confine the liquor...away
from the central-public arena (e.g., ball
games). Mention that Yoshi’s Restau-
rant already enjoys a wine and beer
license; it is the nightclub that is seek-
ing liquor service. Nightclub patrons
can at the moment enjoy alcoholic
beverages with dinner or at the present
lounge area.

Nothing has changed to cause the
license to be extended to the cabaret. If
we allow this to occur through disinter-
est, we will be sorry. Please. Let’s get
our protests in before the September 30
deadline.

— Michael Senturia
Claremont Avenue

Babysitter To Share

We have a nice sitter for our 7
month old son (8 am-6pm; Mo., Tu.,
Th. & Fr.).

We would like to share child care
with another infant of similar age.

Please call Roseanne or Ray Per-
man: 652-6523 or 658-0536 (eves).

Page 8 The Rockridge News September 16, 1989
Rockridge Rallies With Rummage

Our neighborhood can help send “untouchable” India chil-
dren to school, feed the poor and homeless in downtown
Oakland, and help an East Oakland shelter provide temporary
housing. Donate your good quality, saleable rummage to the
Third Annual College Avenue Presbyterian Church Rummage
Sale. Your unwanted items can help support these and other
ministries the church supports. The sale will be Saturday, Sep-
tember 30, in the Church gym, 5951 College Avenue.

To donate items for the rummage sale, first call 655-4519.
Then, on Saturday, September 23, by 9:30 am, place your
donated items at your curb. The Church will come by, pick up
your goods, and give you a receipt for your donation.

Thank you for your help and support! New At Chimes
Valley of the Moon Wines
750 ml On Sale this month
Chardonnay Sonoma Valley '87 $ 5.49
White Zin Estate Bottled ‘87 $ 5.49
White Private Stock 2/$5.99 $ 3.89
Red Private Stock 2/$5.99 $ 3.89
: New Videos at Chimes
The Full Service Copy Center Rain Man Starring Dustin Hoffman and
SE Tom Cruise
DESKTOP PUBLISHING Wizard of Oz Including never-before-leased
, footage
Cocoon 2 Starring: Don Maneche
Bi Starring Forest Whitack
FAX & TELEX SERVICES ird ih ee eau er
EEE Coming Soon Starring Arriving
HIGH QUALITY COPIES COMPUTER CLASSES ences ig rt i
+ LASER COPYING & CONSULTING pousins wed Danson on
+ BINDERY SERVICES * COMPUTER/GRAPHIC ‘amor :
+ BUSINESS CARDS & DESIGN The Dream Michael Keaton 10/5
STATIONERY * WORD PROCESSING Lawrence of Arabia Peter O’Toole 10/19
+ UPS SHIPMENTS + BUSINESS, OFFICE & Lean On Me Morgan Freeman 9/27
+ PRIVATE MAIL BOXES COMPUTER SUPPLIES Major League Tom Berenger 10/5
Who Framed Roger Rabbit
654-6504 Bob Hoskins 10/12
Working Girl Melanie Griffith 10/5
5856 College Avenue M-Th Bam-9pm See You At The CAMA Harvest Festival!
Oakland, CA 94618 Fri 8am-8pm (New Sunday Hours! )
(1 Block to Rockridge BART) Sat 9am-7pm
FAX: 415-654-1133 Sun 10am-6pm 7 AM to Midnight... Monday-Friday
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK 9 AM to Midnight Saturday
9AMto9PM: Sunday
5642 College Avenue At Rockridge BART
428-9256

\\|.. Specials good with this ad only. One coupon per customer!
household. Expires in 30 days unless otherwise stated. This ad
| supersedes all others. Prices subject to change without notice.

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

FEATURING Got something planned you'd like to have The Rockridge
GRAFFE FFEE News tell about? Call Don Kinkead at 655-7474 or write to ;—
5405 College EO COFF * ES 5626 Oak Grove Avenue, Oakland 94618 (of course!) and let

Open M-F 8-6 « Sat & Sun 8-4 us know.

October issue deadline is October 8th.