Project
The Dreyer's building has two large vacant retail spaces (Cotton & Co and Galvin's). RCPC is actively opposing non-retail uses for these spaces to preserve the retail character of College Avenue.
Site group: Dreyer's / Nestle College Avenue site
5915 College Ave (Dreyer's Building)
Red Oak Realty (along with Edward Jones) proposed to lease ground-floor space in the Dreyer's Building on College Avenue, raising RCPC concerns about its long-standing policy opposing non-retail ground-floor uses on College Avenue. The Land Use Committee recommended not opposing Edward Jones but took no position on Red Oak; board decisions were pending at press time.
The Red Oak Realty ground-floor lease proposal at the Dreyer's Building remained unresolved at RCPC, with the issue described as controversial due to RCPC's long-standing opposition to non-retail uses at street level on College Avenue.
RCPC board voted unanimously to oppose Red Oak Realty's plans to occupy ground-floor retail space on College Avenue and adopted a broader policy opposing non-retail ground-floor uses along College Avenue.
Red Oak Realty applied for a conditional use permit to relocate its office from Broadway/Pleasant Valley Road to the corner ground-floor retail space at College Avenue and Chabot Road in the Dreyer's Building. RCPC formally objected, citing the importance of retail use at that location.
Red Oak Realty applied to convert the former Cotton & Company retail space in the Dreyer's building from ground-floor retail to office use. RCPC voted to oppose the application, citing threats to the C-31 retail zone and pedestrian retail continuity.
Red Oak Realty's application to convert the Cotton & Company retail space to office was set for hearing on June 3 at the Planning Commission. RCPC circulated a petition to College Avenue merchants and continued discussions seeking a mutually acceptable solution keeping the space in retail use.
Red Oak Realty's application was pulled from the June 3 Planning Commission agenda because Dreyer's reconsidered and decided not to rent to Red Oak Realty, making the use permit application moot. RCPC credited letters from residents and the merchant petition. RCPC would work with Dreyer's to find a retail tenant.
The Dreyer's building has two large vacant retail spaces (Cotton & Co and Galvin's). RCPC is actively opposing non-retail uses for these spaces to preserve the retail character of College Avenue.
“Opposing the Red Oak Realty application to take over the Cotton & Company space makes sense for the neighborhood long-term, and I'm glad that the RCPC board voted its opposition recently.”2009_04 - Letter to editor from Theresa Nelson, May 2009 (referring to April vote)
“RCPC asks you, Rockridge News readers and others who shop on College Avenue, to help by urging merchants you patronize to oppose this dangerous application.”2009_04 - Land Use Committee report, April 2009
“Putting this large non-retail use into that key location is likely to seriously damage the continuity for the pedestrian shopper.”2009_04 - Land Use Committee report, April 2009
“RCPC is still in discussion with Red Oak to see if it's possible to identify a mutually acceptable solution that would keep the College Avenue frontage in retail use. RCPC has also circulated a petition to College Avenue merchants in support of keeping ground floor College Avenue space in retail use.”2009_05 - Land Use Committee report, May 2009
“Plan to attend the June 3 commission hearing and let the commissioners know that Rockridge residents want to protect our successful retail district.”2009_05 - Land Use Committee report, May 2009