Project
A proposed high-rise mixed-use complex at 5295 College Avenue (near Clifton) is awaiting a tribal response to the California Historic Resources Information Survey (CHRIS) report completed in September 2024. Once the tribal review is complete, the prospective developer will have six months to deliver a completed package to the City of Oakland. The City's Housing Element identifies a realistic capacity of 788 housing units (170 units/acre) on the site.
5295 College Avenue
Application for design review to alter facades of existing buildings and add a second story to the former Holistic Institute at 5295–5313 College Avenue. RCPC recommended denial citing design incompatibility, jarring colors, excessive height adjacent to residences, and automobile-oriented design.
City Planning staff approved revised plans for facade alterations and second-story addition by owner John Allen / ACE Architects, but RCPC Board of Directors appealed to the Planning Commission. RCPC maintained the fundamental design concept was unchanged and still unacceptable, citing visually aggressive design, jarring colors, inappropriate tower height and architectural neon.
Allen Construction (developer Jake Allen) submitted a pre-application to redevelop a multi-building site into a 15-story, 170-foot-tall, 256,000 sq ft mixed-use project with 88 apartments (18 affordable), a 72-room hotel, offices, ground-floor retail, and 110 parking spaces. The project claims ministerial approval eligibility under SB 35/SB 423 and multiple state density bonuses. RCPC has not taken a position but has flagged legal, financial, and physical feasibility concerns. Tribal Consultation is underway, blocking the formal application.
RCPC continues tracking the 5295 College Ave pre-application. The City confirmed Tribal Consultation is underway with no time limit, blocking a formal application. The City also confirmed it will not evaluate Building Code compliance or financial feasibility during Planning review. Multiple letters to the editor continue expressing strong opposition and some support. RCPC will consider taking a formal position at its October meeting.
A proposed 15-story mixed-use building with housing and retail at 5295 College Avenue generated a large volume of letters from the community. Readers debated NIMBYism, housing density, and design compatibility. The RCPC article from September 2024 (referenced) noted the project was likely to change or not be built.
Community letters continued debating the proposed 15-story building at 5295 College Avenue. Letters argued both sides: some opposed it as NIMBY-ism resistance to needed density, others supported a robust multi-family project, and others opposed the height while supporting mid-rise density.
Letters to the editor continued debating the proposed 15-story development at 5295 College Avenue, with writers citing state housing laws SB 330 and SB 423 as enabling the project. Supporters argued the housing crisis necessitates more housing of all types, while opponents framed resistance as protecting neighborhood character.
A proposed high-rise mixed-use complex at 5295 College Avenue (near Clifton) is awaiting a tribal response to the California Historic Resources Information Survey (CHRIS) report completed in September 2024. Once the tribal review is complete, the prospective developer will have six months to deliver a completed package to the City of Oakland. The City's Housing Element identifies a realistic capacity of 788 housing units (170 units/acre) on the site.
“The project claims to qualify for as-of-right ministerial approvals under SB 35 and SB 423, plus multiple State housing density bonuses and waives multiple zoning requirements and objective design standards. Based on several methods of analysis, the project appears to make some assumptions that are neither legally, physically nor financially feasible.”2024_09 - Land Use article by Tom Lollini, RCPC Land Use Committee Chair
“The developer, Allen Construction, proposes a 15-story building, with 88 apartments, 18 of which would be affordable units, and ~43,000 square feet of commercial offices and ground floor retail space”2024_09 - Front page article by RCPC Chair Casey Farmer
“RCPC strongly supports more housing development in Rockridge, both affordable and market rate, but we also recognize that this proposal is unusually tall and dense for its location.”2024_09 - Front page article by RCPC Chair Casey Farmer
“My family and I live two blocks from the proposed 5295 College Ave. development and are thrilled to see this proposal to significantly upgrade the architecture and streetscape at the south end of College Avenue and bring 88 sorely needed residential units (20 percent affordable) to the neighborhood.”2024_10 - Letter from Colin Hughes, Broadway
“On September 11, RCPC received a response from Planning Director William Gilchrist informing us: 'At this time, Tribal Consultation is underway as required by State law. There is no time limit on this process, and the developer cannot apply for project approval until the consultation is complete.'”2024_10 - 5295 College Avenue Update by Tom Lollini, RCPC Land Use Committee Chair