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oe Rockridge News

Sponsored by * THE ROCKRIDGE COMMUNITY PLANNING COUNCIL © 5856 COLLEGE AVENUE #130* OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA® 94618
Vol. 5 No. 2

Issue No, 48

June 16, 1990

Circulation: J 500 Residences: 200 Businesses

Library Vote
Assessment

District Wins Slot
On Nov Ballot

by Nancy Dutcher

The public hearing on the library
assessment district held at the June 12
City Council meeting concluded with
the hoped-for result of the Council vot-
ing to put the district on the November
ballot. No serious challengers came
forth.

More than thirty-five Rockridge
Neighbors and other supporters — in-
cluding Randy Hamilton, president of
the Claremont Pines Homeowner’s
Association and Jean Astrinsky, Col-

lege Avenue Merchants Association
See “Library,” page 2

Neighbors Take
Hard Look At
BART Proposal —

More than 100 people attended the
BART public hearing at Chabot School
auditorium on May 16 to comment on
the transit agency’s proposed parking
expansion and joint development proj-
ect proposed for the Rockridge station.

Of the twenty-six speakers, twenty-
five were overwhelmingly opposed to
the proposal and one supported it. Pro-
posing a wide range of options that
BART did not present in its literature,

See “BART,” page 2

Now, THAT Was FUNd Raisin’!

by Barbara Anderson

Saturday morning, May 19. The
clock ticked 9:59 a.m. Dozens of deter-
mined early birds strained the “ropes,”
eyes riveted, ready to pounce on some
of the most unbelievable bargains of
the decade. At 10:00 a.m., with an ex-
plosive “Go!” they shot forward, mak-
ing a beeline for the carefully scruti-
nized treasures, which (is it possible?)
some other Neighbors had discarded
only a week before.

Hour after hour, the bargain-hunters
Streamed through the Second Annual
Rockridge Neighborhood Gala Rum-
mage Sale in the Market Hall parking
lot. Fortified with Pasta Shop grilled
Sausages, jazzed by the vigorous
rhythms of The Craig Graham en-
semble, incredulous at the low prices,

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP |”
_.. MEETING AGENDA
Wednesday, June 20, 1990
7:30 p.m.

College Avenue
Presbyterian Church

5951 College Avenue

= Perogies Please!
5800 College Avenue

mu Lawton/Broadway triangle:
Condominium Project

m Report on City parking stan-
dards hearing

they waited patiently in long lines at
the cashier table.

When they weren’t shopping, they
gobbled up the drawing tickets and vied
for ever-climbing silent auction bids on
valuable merchandise donated by local
merchants. Hours later, the many win-
ners smugly considered their good for-
tune.

By 5:00 p.m., with more than
$4,200, net, garnered to replenish the
RCPC coffers, weary Neighbors closed
up shop and congratulated each other
on a job well done.

SpeciaL THANKS:

to all the dozens of Businesses and
Neighbors who donated so generously
to the Sale;

to Anthony and Sara Wilson for the
use of the Market Hall Parking Lot;

to the Wilsons and Del Tomaso Pro-
duce for co-sponsoring, along with
RCPC, the live music; and,

to so many indefatigable Neighbors

including
Andy Kahn Annette Floystrup
Ben Hong Allison Anderson
Tony Diaz Jim Clarke
Liz Maxwell Shelley Poticha
Julie Dewey Shelley's friend
Nancy Dutcher Kathy Walsh
Beth Allen Barney Smits
Theresa Nelson Trish West
Annalee Allen Linda Sensabaugh
Don Kinkead Ray Perman
Brooke Levin Steve Parmeice
Glen Jarvis Lisa Curet

Alisa Metzner Barbara Anderson

Dates Calendar Events Calendar Dates

Wednesdsay June20 7:30 pm
Monday June 25 7:30 Pm
Monday July2 7:30 PM
Wednesday July18 7:30 pm

RCPC Genera! Meeting: See Agenda box above.
RCPC Earthquake Committee. College Avenue Presbyterian Church 5951 College Avenue.
RCPC Board Meeting
RCPC General Meeting. College Avenue Presbyterian Church.

Printed on recycled paper

June 16, 1996

Page 2 The Rockridge News

lth Hour Library Proposal

BART

from page I

speakers suggested the agency should
explore better feeder service with AC
Transit, redesign the lots for more effi-
cient usage, consider shuttle buses from
satellite lots, install pay or token park-
ing at the lot, specify carpool spaces,
and other alternatives to the present
proposal.

Many speakers emphasized that
BART should make some policy deci-
sions regarding their role as a transit
agency before proceeding with devel-
opment schemes.

RCPC submitted a formal response
to BART critical of the process to date
and citing the community’s lack of
confidence in BART's ability or inter-
est in listening to the community.

City of Oakiand Planning Director
Alvin James also responded to BART’s
proposal. In a letter dated May 29,
James stated, “The EIR should be the
worst Case scenario, in order to ensure
an adequate level of environmental
analysis and mitigation. This only ap-
pears to be alternative 3, which includes
825 new parking spaces, while the pro-
posed project would only include 425
new parking spaces.” The City states
that the only definite proposal by BART
is for the additional parking. While the
EIR is to cover joint development, it
(joint development) will require further
environmental review. The City feels it
would be the lead agency for that re-
view and would require detailed eleva-
tion drawings and materials samples.

According to BART, the draft EIR

will be released mid-summer.

Comments and questions should be di-
rected to Michele Jacobson, BART Plan-
ning, 464-6148.

Library

from page l

(CAMA) Chair — turned out in support
of the proposal. Mark Cohen, Rock-
ridge resident, and Library Committee
co-chair Andy Young were among
twenty-five speakers prepared to ad-
dress the Council. No speakers were
called, however, because there was no
opposition. In conversation after the
meeting, Young stressed the impor-
tance of the timeliness of being on the

Allen declared at the May 8 City Co : |
‘Rockridge library pr t he could provide a “free” library if he were

the College and Manila Avenues site with a
submitted a proposal to the city which

the Rockridge library project tha
allowed to develop the balance of

private development. On June 7, Allen
would include the following on the approx
3 underground levels

Parking structure

uncil meeting considering

imately 1/2 acre site:
73,500 square feet

200+ parking spaces

Retail use

Residential use
selling at prices from

$85,000 to $175,000
Library 2 stories
Total 3 stories

After initial analysis of the propos

report to the Council that it was unclear wheth

3 spaces

28 condominiums .
91-two bedroom units
7 one-bedroom ums

13,633 square feet
24,000 square feet

9,000 square feet
120,133 square feet

al, the City Manager’s office stated in a staff

er a commercial project in conjunc-

tion with the library would be feasible, and that Allen’s proposal is not “free” since
it would require additional Off-Street Parking or General funds, as well as a bond

issue and Proposition 85 funds.

City staff will continue to examine this propo

are submitted in the future.

Condominiums
Proposed For Lawton,

Broadway Corner Lot

A four-unit residential condomin-
ium project has been proposed for the
vacant lot at the corner of Lawton and
Broadway by Al Knoll of Enterprises,
Inc.

Architect Robert C. Davidson will
describe the project and be available to
answer questions at the June 20 RCPC
General Meeting, 7:30 p.m., College
Avenue Presbyterian Church, 5951
College Avenue.

November ballot to be in the best pos-
sible position to apply for Proposition
85 (state library funding act) funds.

The next challenge will be to get a
two-thirds “yes” vote in November by
residents of the assessment district. A
meeting will be held Tuesday, June
19, 7:30 p.m. at the College Avenue
Presbyterian Church, 5951 College
Avenue, to gather ideas for running the
election campaign. All library support-
ers are urged to attend and to share
thoughts and enthusiasm.

The election committee will have
several sub-committees including fund
raising, publicity, endorsements and a

general steering committee.
Cali Nancy Dutcher (653-6018) or Andy
Young (653-7686) for more information.

sal and will look at any others that

RCPC Board Vacancy
Remains Open

The vacant Board position an-
nounced in the May Rockridge News is
still open.

Persons interested in filling this po-
sition through January 1991 should sub-
mit a letter of interest to RCPC Chair
Brooke A. Levin no later than June 29,
1990 (or sent by certified mail no later
than June 26).

Candidates must be at least 18 years
of age and must reside within the RCPC

boundaries.
Mail to: RCPC
Attn.: Brooke Levin, Chair
5856 College Avenue #130

Oakland, CA 94618.
For further information, call Brooke

Levin at 653-7527.

Annual Kales Avenue
Block-Long Garage Sale

Saturday, 6/16 Sunday, 6/17 10-4

Come to this neat garage sale put on
by 20 families selling good stuff.

®

@

ey QUALITY (ee 6S

= . FAMILY DAY CARE

SPeeeseeeeoeeveeneeeeees
CYNTHIA or NICOLE

652-4127

ee ele

June 16, 1990

The Rockridge News

Page 3

From THE
ZONING COUNTER

5804 Cotiece Avenug (at Bircn
Court)

The new building at the corner of
Birch Court and College is the site of a
Proposed delicatessen, ‘“Perogies,
Please!” The City of Oakland requires
4 restaurant to obtain a major condi-
tional use permit. The applicant will
make a presentation of the proposed use
at the RCPC General Meeting Wednes-
day, June 20, 7:30 p.m., College Ave-
nue Presbyterian Church, 5951 College
Avenue.

Hours of Operation; Parking

The restaurant would have 20 to 30
seats. An estimated 30 per cent of the
business would be take-out. The hours
of operation would be from 7 a.m. to 8
p.m., Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to
& p.m. Saturday, and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday. The owner plans to apply for a
beer and wine license for on-premises
consumption. No live music is planned.

The underground parking required
when the building plans were originally
reviewed and approved were based on
requirements for retail use. At that
time, the developer’s plans did not in-
clude restaurant uses in the building.
Since then, the developer has elected to
lease to the food establishment men-
tioned above. However, the parking

|
|] $s «CNEIGHBORHOOD LEGAL FUND | 79 the RCPC General

Rocxripce Community PLANNING CoUNCIL
-NEIGHBORHOOD LeGaL FuND DoNaTION FOr

Enclosed is my check payable to the RCPC Neighborhood Legal Fund to help
cover expenses in the RCPC vs. City of Oakland suit (Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream,
| inc. project approval). I understand this is a tax-deductible donation.

currently permitted does not comply
with the requirements for a restaurant.
An additional use permit to allow for
valet or attendant parking will be nec-
essary. It is estimated that up to 35 cars
could park in the lot with that arrange-

ment.
A public hearing will be held before

the Planning Commission on June 27 at
6:30 p.m., Lakeside Garden Center, 666
Bellevue Avenue.

Drevers EIR Surr Court DATE

The hearing on the merits of the
RCPC suit was scheduled for June 15,
too late to include word of the outcome
in this issue of the Rockridge News.
Regardless of the outcome, money 1s
still needed to meet legal costs. Please
use the coupon on below to make your
tax-deductible donation to the RCPC
Neighborhood Legal Fund. All contri-
butions are welcome.

It looks as if it’s going to be a
good summer: we’ve had a lot of sun,
some rain and a successful fund-rais-
ing gala garage sale. Time now to
round out the vacation planning, pack
the bags and get underway.

Check your list. Have you done
everything? Put out the cat. Turn off
the oven. Send check to RCPC Legal
Fund. Whoa! The check!

Darn it. There’s always one more

*

1
1
r
.
.

(Of course, donations

Fund are also welcome!)

Name: _ ___ __ _ —

| Mail to:

— — | Rockridge Community
City/Zip: Planning Council

5856 College Avenue #130

| Phone: Z ___. | Oakland, CA 94618

| Thank you for your support! }

A ee es es es ese es ee eee ee ee eee eee ee ee

One More Thing Before You Go

City Reviews
Parking Standards

Public opinion concerning the ade-
quacy of the current parking standards
in the Oakland Zoning Regulations was
heard by the Planning Commission in a
hearing held June 13.

At the hearing, RCPC requested that
the commission form a task force or
committee to work on a comprehensive
revision of the ordinance. Specific
concerns included: parking require-
ments as they relate to a change in use,
i.e., retail to restaurant; use of required
parking, i.e., public spaces vs. private,
gate-controlled pay spaces; potential of
in-lieu fees in cases where there is a
parking shortfall, and a general review
of standards for residential and com-
mercial parking as they relate to actual

demand.

thing to do when you're getting ready
to go somewhere.

Do it now, while it’s fresh in your
mind. You can use the handy coupon

at the bottom of the page.
Even though the fund ratser was a

success, RCPC legal costs continue to
mount. Your donation is important
and is needed now.
Thank you. Enjoy your summer!
— Don Kinkead, Treasurer

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 Cuam/Co-Cnrairs

Crean Rockrmes Gity Baxter 652-8419
Desicn REVIEW Bill Dutcher 653-6018
Glen Jarvis 654-5953
EarRTHQUAKE Prep Drew Shagrin 653-7376
Alisa Metzner 652-6620
Barbara Anderson 655-3499
Nancy Dutcher 653-6018
Andy Young 653-7686
RASP Shelley Poticha 655-7463
Andréa Walhof 420-1593
Rocxripce News Don Kinkead 655-7474
SAfETY Beth Allen 652-3965
TRaFFic Open
David Reinke
John Gussman
Andréa Walhof

FUNDRAISING
LrsraRY

653-5312
655-8817
420-1593

ZONING

June 16, 1999

Pest __tneRostrtgeNews____—__— ing?

Rockridge’s Opera
Piccola Wants Variety
Of Volunteers

Rockridge’s resident opera com-
pany, Opera Piccola, needs volunteers,
The growing non-profit repertory en-
semble invites a carpenter and an artist
to create innovative portable scenic
backdrops. The company also seeks
persons of all backgrounds who are in-
terested in education and the arts to join
its Board of Directors for the coming
season: July 1990 through June 1991.

Opera Piccola offers concerts and
chamber concerts to audiences of all
ages throughout the Bay Area. The
company ts known for its audience par-
ticipation, multi-cultural themes, lively
theatrics, and programs for persons who
would not otherwise get to see live
music and theatre.

Contact Artistic Director Susannah
Wood about opportunities to work with

Opera Piccola at 658-0967.
ae Yard Sale
5815 Ivanhoe (off Chabot)
Furniture, rugs, books, dishes,
jewelry, some antiques.
Sat., 6/23, Sun., 6/24, 10 - 4

(No previews, please)

College Avenue Bowl

by Kate Crawford
n movie theaters, VCRS and Tummy TVs, College
ment set on the Avenue between a bay
lley, owned by George and Jenny Gee,
t Rockridge residents. Before the
d by long-time owners Rosaire

In this day of multi-scree ;
Bowl is an snechroniatl of family entertain
and a laundromat. The eight-lane bowling a
has been in the neighborhood longer than mos ;
Gees bought the alley in 1980, 1t was manag

“Rosie” len Duval.
ee aie passed away cight years ago, bought the bowling alley in

ulated many fond memories ag

ly four decades, the Duvals accum mori
in eile the lanes. Their son, Richard, who ae Callen bow of
bowling more than the competition, shared in the long history the 040 bot ; and
treasures memories of his father’s photographs of women in ing in

their bloomers.”
What to many has become a community i
t place to socialize, may be in jeoparcy. ¢
comment, rumors abound that the Gees are planning to se ine wand be cane
nouncement to bowlers several weeks ago that league bowling

for this winter and next summer seems {0 confirm the rumors, but only time wil]

tell whether the alley will be maintained by new owners OF racine enn

Neighborhood bowler Thomas Morris was shocked wnene ¢ - . See
announced the suspension of league bowling. Morris is as anieeen soos raul
pect of the lively neighborhood recreation spot being _ raat Soul ual pt ns
of bowling alleys in the area such as Broadway Lanes, Berkeley one :
mont Lanes as the result of costly gentrification +o is, a cost {0 ; e neig or
hood spirit: “The atmosphere of College Bow! can't be found in 36-lane bowling
acm who wants to continue sharing his hobby of bowling with his children,
is concerned that many in Rockridge will “give up bowling because they don’t
know what the alternative is.” Richard Duval echoes this concern. He feels a few
people might travel the longer distance to Golden Gate Lanes or Albany Bowl, but
most would quit altogether because “they just want to go to a local place.

institution, a piece of history and just a
Although Jenny Gee declined to

WHY PAY 6%
To SELL Your HoMeE?

Even 5% is unnecessary, because in most cases,

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Call for a copy of our informational brochure. We are also happy to provide a free

ADVOCATES

i
437 Alcatraz Avenue, Oakland CA

written estimate of your home's value in today's market.

call 428-0757
REALTY

June 16, 1990

The Rockridge News

Page 5

Ready For The Next One? Earthquake
Preparedness Group Stresses Planning

by Alisa Metzner

The October 17 earthquake and re-
cent shakes from the Concord/Danville
fault prove we can no longer deny the
likelihood of a major quake on the
Hayward fault. To deal with the inevi-
table damage, we must organize and
prepare ourselves individually and as a
community — our survival will depend
on it!

To this end, a group of neighbors
met in May at the College Avenue Pres-
byterian Church. With excellent meet-
ing facilitation volunteered by Lynn
Kearny, the group identified and ranked
these committee goals:

¢ Educate the community about

major quake safety preparations;

¢ Help specific groups such as indi-

vidual block groups, various
schools and daycare centers, and
businesses in the commercial cor-
ridor with preparations:

¢ Facilitate training in first aid, fire-

fighting, and search and rescue

¢ Prepare shelters and first aid sta-

tions

Jim Worlund of the Oakland City
Manager’s Office of Emergency Serv-
ices described materials and training for
family and personal survival, organiz-
ing the community and first aid, fire
suppression and search and rescue are
available through his office. While not
everyone is expected to participate in
all of the training, everyone in the
community should be trained in family
and personal survival.

Existing Home Alert groups will be
contacted to schedule the survival train-
ing. If you do not have a neighborhood
home alert group, contact the Home
Alert office of the Oakland Police De-
partment at 273-3066 to get informa-

lion or to schedule training. A group
should include 15 to 20 households.

Perhaps the biggest task in prepar-
edness is getting each of us to take the
threat of a major earthquake seriously.
According to the Office of Emergency
Services, we must be prepared to be cut
off from all services into the commu-
nity for three to five days. This means
everyone must be part of the plan, know
how it will be implemented and who is
responsible for what. For example, af-
ter a major quake, we must all know
that if we are NOT in need of assistance
we should hang a shect outside the
house so that the search and rescue
teams Can move on to where they are
needed.

While efforts continue to organize a
community-wide plan, each of us must
make our individual plans. Begin sim-
ply by strapping and securing water
heaters, replacing rigid gas lines with
flexible ones and have simple gas shut-
off wrenches. Each home should also
stock water and earthquake supplies.

There is much to be done, but if we
prepare together, we can survive to-
gether. If you have a home alert group,
call 273-3066 and schedule survival
training. If you do not have a home
alert group, organize one now.

In either case, join the RCPC Earth-
quake Preparedness Committee. Call-
ing Drew Shagrin at 653-7376 or Alisa
Metzner at 652-6620. Everyone is wel-
come to attend the Committee’s next
meeting on Monday, June 25 at 7:30 in
the Sunday School room of the College
Avenue Presbyterian Church, 5951

College Avenue.

(This is the first of a series of articles
that will provide specific information on
how to prepare for a quake, what to expect
in a quake, etc.)

Claremont Day Nurseries

Offers a high-quality exciting program for children
2 yrs. through 6 yrs. at an affordable price.

~en $396 full time tuition (snacks and hot lunch incl.)

» Ge. -
Day Nursery

e emphasis on science and art

e classes avallable in dance and language

e professional and caring staff

5830 College
Oakland, CA 94618
658-5208

2845 Woolsey St.
Berkeley, CA 94707
654-2511

7 a.m.-6 p.m.

e serving the community for over 30 years
¢ 3 convenient locations
e part-time schedules available

1550 Oakview Ave.
Kensington, CA 94706
526-1010

BI PACIFIC
UNION

RESIDENTIAL BROKERAGI

SNS

OR ae

Don Coelho

Don is now a partner
in our Montclair’
Piedmont office. We
welcome his 15
successful years of
dedicated service to
his clients in the local

marketplace.

“Exceeding Expectations”

339-6460

1900 MOUNTAIN BLVD.
Oakland, California 94611

NJ
=.

Page 6

in My View...

, 1990
The Rockridge News June 16, 199

For Lease

College Avenue Retail Space
Existing Restaurant Space 1,700 sq. feet

Comments by Marge Gibson-Haskell
City Council, District 1

An Assessment Pays Off Retail Space 7,000 sq. feet

($1/sq. ft.)
It's that time of the year again, the beginning of sum- .
wood Commercial Real Estate
mer and City budget time. Although the process may Call Eliwoo

seem tedious, the City’s policy budget is Oakland’s way 658-7918
_of putting its money where its priorities are.

Over the last few years, Oakland, like many other :
municipalities, was faced with the Hobson’s choice of Wanted: Parking Attendant
cutting public safety or deferring maintenance on recrea- Are you retired or semi-retired? We are looking
tional facilities, parks and street lighting. for a parking attendant for the 5800 College
_ In June 1989, the City Council created the Landscap- Avenue building. The position involves:
ing and Lighting Assessment District (LLAD) in lieu of e Parking cars

the Municipal Services Tax (Measure M) to pay for street
lighting and landscaping services. Funds for LLAD are
generated by property tax assessments on residential and
commercial units, and tree permit and tree planting fees.
A low-income homeowner’s exemption is available. Each

¢ General light maintenance
The work schedule will be determined; salary is
negotiable. Applicants must have a valid Cali-
fornia driver’s license and be insurable.

year the LLAD’s activities are reviewed in a public hear- Apply by mau tO; a
ing and the next year’s assessment rate and funding pri- 700 Emerson Street

_orities are set. This year’s hearing is on June 19,

In its first year of operation the LLAD generated ap-

proximately $13.5 million and accomplished significant
improvements. For example:

* Park Services trimmed over 6,000 street trees and ideas 4 Sweats

initiated weekend litter pickup in 21 major parks. It com-
pleted 1,320 feet of fuelbreak and prepared a vegetation
management plan for Joaquin Miller Park:

* Electrical Services Division upgraded over 2,000
street lights and installed new street and underground
lighting systems;

¢ Office of Public Works repaired sidewalks, curbs
and streets damaged by tree roots:

° Municipal Buildings Department deferred a number
of maintenance items because of the October earthquake,
but routine maintenance of the City’s recreational facili-

lies, including swimming pools, is rapidly coming back
on schedule.

Significant projects are proposed for the 1990-91 fis-
cal year: planting an additional 5,000 street trees; com-
pletion of the fuelbreak and commencement of the vegeta-
tion maintenance in Joaquin Miller Park; equipment pur-
chase to implement a ballfield maintenance program; in-
Stallation of 225 new residential street lights; upgrading
of ornamental street lights on collector streets; construc-
tion of underground systems for three new areas, costs for

which are shared by the City, PG&E and the property
owners.

The LLAD proposes to hire an inspector to implement
fully the Tree Preservation Ordinance and to provide more
timely graffiti removal from and painting of street light
poles.

If you are interested in more details on the LLAD, call
the City Clerk at 273-3611 for a copy of the proposed
budget and attend the June 19 public hearing.

Your questions and comments are invited. Write me at 505
14th Street, Room 642, Oakland 94612 or call me or my assis- 9407 Coliege Ave (nr. Hudson) Oakland 601-4434

tant Winkie Campbell-Notar at 273-3266. 1877 Solano Ave (next to Oaks Theatre) Berkeley 524-9944

Palo Alto, CA 94301

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Jume 16, 1990

The Rockridge News

Page 7

fn Letters: Readers Write About The BART Station Proposal

mM BART: Mitigate Current Problems

Editor:
Concerning the Rockridge BART development and parking

expansion proposals, I would like to see the following:

MITIGATE CURRENT PROBLEMS Stemming from the original de-
sign and construction. BART and Caltrans cut College Avenue
and the residential neighborhood in half with a large gray nonde-
script overpass — a kind of no man's land — that sandwiches a
BART station between elevated freeways. The only connections
are up some narrow stairs to the underbelly of this station. Not
only is this ugly, it is also noisy — the noise is often deafening at
the station platform levei and can be heard for miles. The original
construction removed many homes and the surrounding mature
landscape. Many mature street trees were removed along Miles
under great protest from neighbors. Traffic has increased dramati-
cally, and often pedestrians — especially children and older folks
— are at great risk crossing the street.

Some suggestions for mitigating impacts:

BART Ptaza The portion of College Avenue, street and side-
walks, between Shafter and Miles should be redesigned as a
large open plaza, similar to a town square, that we can look at
and say “That is beautifull!” In the past, great cities have
created beautiful public works, thinking to the future and the
impact on generations to come.

Pustic Ust Or Pustic Lanps IF BART and Caltrans land is to
be developed by others, development should be public faciti-
ties such as a Post Office, police station, an alternate library
site, public parking for the commercial district (this could be
funded from the city’s parking fund), open space, park/play-
ground, etc. There is enough commercially zoned land along
College Avenue now for private development.

LanpscaPe Add landscaping materials until the freeway and
BART can no longer be seen from the surrounding residences.
This could also include restoring old creek beds and establish-
ing a pedestrian/bike path to Lake Temescal.

Noise Perhaps add sound absorbing baffles at the roadway level.
The freeway and BART would be better neighbors if they were
underground.

RESIDENTIAL Housing of any kind should not be constructed on
BART or Caltrans property until noise and pollution are re-
duced to a level permitting residents to comfortably leave win-
dows open and sit outside on a deck or in a garden. All
housing shall have access to the sun and not be in the shadow
of the freeway.

Trarric AND PotLuTion During morning commute hours (6 to
9am), restrict all BART parking to multiple occupant vehicles
{two people or more). Add lockers that can be rented to store
bikes (bikes left out are vandalized or stolen). Coordinate
schedules with AC Transit, etc.

Trust BART/Caltrans actions of the past have caused an atmos-
phere of distrust. After the original construction was complete,
the neighborhood’s initial reaction was to organize RCPC. Early
RCPC actions created the new R-35 and C-31 zones that have
been very successful. At this time, communication with the
community by these agencies is very important to clarify is-
sues as early as possible. — Glen Jarvis, Benvenue Avenue

M@ Let BART Stick To Rapid Transit

Open Letter To Sue Hone, BART Director, and BART

After attending the May 16 meeting between repre-
sentatives of BART and the Rockridge community, I
was very troubled: BART has NOT given the commu-
nity information that wil! allow it to join BART in sup-
port of any development plan for the Rockridge station.

BART representatives seemed displeased when resi-
dents did not limit themselves to offering pointers on
preparing an Environmental Impact Report and instead
questioned the validity of the development proposals.
But BART's agenda for the meeting utterly failed to ad-
dress community concerns about the apparent lack of
any rationale for the development, concerns which had
little to do with the details of an EIR (BART has a legal
obligation to prepare a professional EIR, suggestions
from the community or not). Two development propos-
als, both including commercial development, had been
announced prior to the meeting, and a third (“additional
parking only” — why was this proposed last?) was an-
nounced at the meeting. So the scope and nature of the
project were very much at issue. What did BART want?
And WHY? Discussion at the meeting offered no con-
crete information on the benefits or monetary costs of
any of the proposed alternatives.

The costs, in terms of the environmental impact, are
easily perceived. Proposed alternatives for develop-
ment would all impact the environment negatively: less
open space (even if only additional parking, since it
would eliminate sight lines across the parking lots),
more vehicle exhaust, more noise, increased pedestrian
hazard. But do these proposals provide a clear benefit
to the transit system and larger community, once envi-
ronmental and monetary costs have been weighed?

Most Rockridge residents support mass transit as a
way to reduce reliance on private vehicles and the re-
sulting traffic congestion in urban areas. Over 90% of
cars parking in the Rockridge BART lot arrive carrying
onty one person, the driver. Do 425+ new riders justify
the expense, monetary and environmental, of construc-
tion 425 new parking spaces? Aren’t there alternative
means, such as better coordination with AC Transit,
encouragement of van pools, etc., that would quickly
provide an equal number of new riders without spending
lots of taxpayers’ money and harming the neighborhood
environment?Many fine suggestions for low-cost, inno-
vative approaches to increasing BART use were offered
by residents at the meeting.

Let BART attend to the business it is supposed to be
in — mass transit — not commercial and residential de-
velopment. Let BART do its job right, spare us any
more meetings whose sole purpose ts empty public rela-
tions, and present a plan that actually furthers mass
transportation at a sensible cost. Then the Rockridge

community will be glad to support it.
— Mary Lamprech, Presley Way

Page 8 The Rockridge News pune 10,1970;

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