Project
The Oakland City Council delayed its final vote on whether to approve a third extension of zoning permits for Dreyer's College Avenue expansion to February 15. Key council members signaled they would vote against RCPC's appeal.
Site group: Dreyer's / Nestle College Avenue site
5919-5921 College Avenue / Chabot Road / Claremont Avenue
Dreyer's Ice Cream Corporation filed formal plans for a major corporate expansion including a three-story office building on College Avenue, a research and development building on Chabot Avenue, and a four-level parking garage on Claremont Avenue, requiring demolition of three homes on Chabot and two commercial buildings on Claremont.
Dreyer's formally presented expansion plans at a Neighborhood Forum attended by 75+ residents; City called for a full Environmental Impact Report covering traffic, visual, noise, air quality, and land-use impacts.
EIR preparation underway by Environmental Impact Planning Corporation; public hearing estimated for August. City established scoping process with RCPC participation. RCPC Legal Committee submitted response emphasizing Dreyer's non-compliance with Oakland zoning.
Dreyer's revised plans with changes to the parking component (original $2M garage cost too high); company now considering scaled-down parking structure or surface lot. Overall scope of project unchanged. Also exploring joint parking venture with the City.
Dreyer's reported close to filing amended plans and completing the EIR, aiming to begin demolition and construction within six months. Key changes include garage redesigned as surface parking lot and Dreyer's conceding the Chabot corner to retail use.
Dreyer's filed an Environmental Impact Report and amended plans with the City. The four-story garage on Claremont Avenue — previously reported abandoned in favor of surface parking — is back in the plans. City conducting administrative draft review before public release.
Dreyer's tentatively proposed to remove the College Avenue ice cream factory (moving manufacturing to Union City) and replace it with a three-story office/retail complex with 121 surface parking spaces accessed from Claremont Avenue and Chabot Road, requiring demolition of two residential structures on Chabot Road.
After four meetings between Dreyer's and the RCPC Board, the RCPC remained unable to endorse Dreyer's revised expansion plan because of unresolved disputes over demolishing two Chabot Road homes (4 units) to create 22 parking spaces in the R-35 zone. Community supported factory removal but opposed residential land conversion.
Planning Commission approved (Oct 5) a use permit to allow ground floor office use in Dreyer's former retail storefronts for up to two years, overriding RCPC's recommendation for denial. The larger office building project continued through the EIR/planning process.
City Planning Department completed review of the Environmental Impact Report for Dreyer's proposed College Avenue office building. EIR returned to consultant for final revisions; expected public release in late January or early February, starting a 45-day public review period.
Draft EIR nearing release for public comment. Dreyer's flash freezer building dismantled, signaling the company was proceeding with development plans. RCPC's objections remained: conversion of residential Chabot Road parcels to parking, potential bootstrapping of future commercial development, and precedent concerns.
Draft EIR released in late March for 45-day public review ending May 8. Planning Commission scheduled special hearing for May 24 to receive testimony on EIR adequacy and zoning applications. RCPC formed a committee to review and assemble community comments on the EIR. Two resident letters in the issue strongly oppose the project.
Dreyer's proposed a three-story, ~59,000 sq ft office building and parking lot on its existing College Avenue site, requiring demolition of two residential houses on Chabot Road. RCPC submitted 50+ pages of comments attacking the Draft EIR as deficient, misleading, and incomplete.
Planning Commission voted 5-2 to certify the Dreyer's EIR despite staff finding it inadequate for traffic, circulation, and parking analysis. Commission directed staff to prepare findings for project approval at June 28 hearing. RCPC and neighbors strongly opposed; Dreyer's invoked state law requiring action by July 31 or project deemed automatically approved.
Planning Commission approved the Dreyer's project. RCPC immediately appealed to City Council, citing concerns about converting residentially-zoned Chabot Road lots to commercial parking, building mass/bulk out of scale with College Avenue, and traffic impacts. City Council hearing set for July 25.
RCPC filed suit against the City of Oakland on September 1, challenging the City Council's approval of the Dreyer's project. RCPC alleged the EIR was grossly inadequate and use permits were unlawfully issued. RCPC established a Neighborhood Legal Fund with a $20,000 goal.
Dreyer's demolished two Chabot Road houses on December 18 despite RCPC's attempts to halt demolition via TRO and emergency stay, both of which were denied. Most of the nearly two-acre site was cleared. RCPC was seeking a preliminary injunction against new construction pending court hearing on January 19.
Dreyer's construction moving forward. Hazardous materials issue discovered: seven underground fuel tanks were removed in December, with soil contamination found in both tank pits requiring groundwater monitoring. RCPC v. City of Oakland still pending; RCPC continuing to press the suit.
RCPC's lawsuit challenging the Dreyer's project came to an end in October with judgment against RCPC. Superior Court rejected RCPC's arguments and held the EIR was adequate. RCPC Board decided not to pursue further litigation. Dreyer's succeeded in demolishing Chabot Road residences and erecting a 60,000 sq ft office/retail structure.
RCPC's appeal of the Planning Commission's grant of a two-year permit extension for Dreyer's College Avenue expansion project, scheduled for the January 25 City Council meeting. RCPC alleges the Planning Commission recertified the 1996 EIR based on a non-existent review.
The Oakland City Council delayed its final vote on whether to approve a third extension of zoning permits for Dreyer's College Avenue expansion to February 15. Key council members signaled they would vote against RCPC's appeal.
“Dreyer's Ice Cream Corporation representative Rick Graffis confirmed Wednesday, March 12, that the firm has completed its plans for a major development on College, Chabot, and Claremont Avenues and will submit them to the City Planning Department by Friday, March 14.”1986_03 - news report
“the Corporation still proposes a three-story, 41,000 square foot office building fronting on College Avenue, a two-story, 5,400 square foot research and development building on Chabot Avenue, and a four-level garage on Claremont Avenue with parking for 120 employees”1986_03 - news report describing Dreyer's plans
“More than seventy-five interested and skeptical neighborhood residents attended a Neighborhood Forum March 27 to listen to Dreyer's Ice Cream Corporation representatives present the company's plans for a proposed development on College Avenue.”1986_04 - news report
“the City determined that Dreyer's must prepare a full Environmental Impact study”1986_04 - news report on City's EIR requirement
“I don't want their huge monolith dominating our area; their tail wagging our dog.”1986_06 - Neighbor letter to RCPC (Connie Kidder)