Project
Terramar Retail Centers continues to seek a Conditional Use Permit for Fremont Bank to occupy the large corner space. RCPC Land Use Committee met with Fremont Bank and Terramar; committee recommends RCPC not oppose the use. Board to vote at March meeting.
Site group: College & Claremont Safeway site
6310 College Avenue at Claremont
Safeway announced plans to demolish and rebuild its College Avenue and Claremont Avenue store, with a significantly larger footprint including a bakery, pharmacy, and expanded produce section. Community input was being solicited before formal application.
At a well-attended June 21 town hall, Safeway's Todd Paradis outlined tentative plans to rebuild the College and Claremont store. No formal application had yet been filed. Community expressed concern about sushi bars/Starbucks, streetscape, driveways, and sustainability.
Little progress to report since the June 21 community presentation. Safeway's architect is waiting for a traffic study completion and basic store concepts from Safeway before proceeding with conceptual design.
Proposed demolition and replacement of the existing Safeway grocery store at College and Claremont Avenues with a larger new store. In preliminary design stage; traffic study complete; earliest completion estimated at 2010.
Proposed demolition of existing 23,000 sq ft Safeway store and construction of larger replacement store at College and Claremont. Conflicts with C-31 zoning; no formal application yet filed as of December 2007.
Pre-application filed for Safeway rebuild at 6310 College Avenue. Would require variances, CUP, and Design Review. Conflicts with C-31 zoning. No formal application filed yet.
Preliminary application reveals proposed 62,000 sq ft new Safeway store with 219 roof parking spaces, truck-only driveway at Berkeley/Oakland border, and an arcade along College Avenue. Architect to make public presentation.
Safeway proposed to demolish its existing ~23,000 sq ft store and build a new store larger than 50,000 sq ft on the 1.8-acre site incorporating the Union 76 gas station at College and Claremont, with rooftop parking accessed from Claremont Avenue. RCPC gave preliminary feedback on revised plans and emphasized concerns about size, design, and pedestrian compatibility with C-31 zoning.
Safeway underwent a major project redesign; the local architect Kirk Peterson's contract was terminated. The pre-application design submitted to the City was described as a placeholder. A neighborhood group, 'Neighbors Concerned with Safeway/College,' held a public meeting March 18 attended by 100+ residents. New plans were expected within a few months; the proposed 55,000–62,000 sq ft store was virtually unanimously considered too large by meeting attendees.
A sudden development: Safeway terminated its contract with local architect Kirk Peterson. Plans would need to be redone by a new architect, likely delaying release of new plans by at least a month or two. A neighborhood watch group 'Neighbors Concerned with Safeway/College' was continuing to bird-dog the project.
Safeway hired new architect David Blair of MCG Architecture (San Francisco) to complete the redesign. Revised plans were to be posted online June 13 and presented at a public forum co-sponsored by RCPC, CENA, and Councilwoman Brunner at Peralta School auditorium on June 19. Preliminary indications were that the new plans would include small shops fronting College Avenue and concentrate all auto/truck traffic on Claremont Avenue.
Safeway proposed a major rebuild of its College Avenue store, significantly larger than previously presented plans. RCPC's Land Use Committee recommended opposing the project in its current form as too large and incompatible with the neighborhood.
Safeway withdrew its original plans for the College Avenue store rebuild and proposed a stakeholder meeting process instead, initiating a new collaborative planning phase with community groups.
Stakeholder meetings on the Safeway College Avenue rebuild are ongoing. All groups agreed the proposed size is the paramount issue; no conclusions were reached. Safeway provided comparison floor plans for its other stores. A brainstorming meeting on October 1 was followed by a broader stakeholder meeting on October 22 attended by 45 people.
Stakeholder meetings continued on the Safeway College Avenue rebuild. A brainstorming meeting was held October 22 and a next stakeholder meeting scheduled for November 12. Forty-five people attended the October 22 meeting. Safeway's website was provided for further information.
Safeway announced it would not consider rebuilding its College Avenue store at less than 50,000 sq ft with a minimum 150 parking spaces, which stakeholders said would require full-lot coverage with rooftop parking. A community stakeholder process was underway.
Safeway's November announcement that it would not consider a store smaller than 50,000 sq ft stunned stakeholders. The community stakeholder process was ongoing but strained, with community members firmly stating a 50,000 sq ft store was unacceptable given the existing store is about 24,500 sq ft.
Safeway appeared to abandon the community stakeholder process and announced it would proceed on its own to unveil its building plans. The community remained opposed to the scale of the proposed rebuild.
Safeway hired Ken Lowney (the architect who designed the Whole Foods store in the Broadway Cadillac building) as its third architect in a row to design the proposed new store. Community members maintained that design quality did not address the fundamental issue of store size.
Safeway announced plans to rebuild its College Avenue store as a 50,000 sq ft grocery plus small shops. RCPC opposed the project as oversized and likely to cause major traffic problems. A public meeting was scheduled for April 29 at the Claremont Hotel.
Safeway presented its latest plans at an April 29 public meeting, still calling for a 50,000 sq ft store with small shops. RCPC remained firmly opposed, and local architects presented a compilation of community concerns to Safeway's new architect rather than an alternative plan.
Safeway filed its formal application with the City for a new store complex including a second-story Safeway of just under 50,000 sq ft on top of parking and 11,000 sq ft of small shops along College Avenue. Stakeholder groups formed the FANs (Friends And Neighbors of College Avenue) coalition to pressure Safeway to revise its proposal.
Safeway submitted its completed application including a subdivision map to make the small shops into condominiums. The City was preparing an initial study of potential environmental effects and the Planning Commission would hold a scoping hearing for the project's EIR later in the summer.
Safeway's separate proposal to rebuild its College Avenue store is in a holding pattern pending receipt of the EIR scoping document from Safeway's environmental consultant, expected no sooner than September 2009. A traffic study cannot begin until school starts.
The environmental consultant working on this project is nearly finished with the initial study of environmental effects. The City has not yet committed to preparing an EIR but the site's size and congested traffic conditions make one very likely.
Over 60 residents packed a City Hall Planning Commission EIR scoping hearing. The city's Initial Study concluded only traffic, air quality, and noise needed study, but speakers were nearly unanimous in demanding additional environmental topics be included. Commissioners added only pedestrian/bicycle safety and consideration of a ULTRA mixed-use alternative. Community groups considering fundraising for potential legal challenge.
Safeway proposes to replace its existing store with a new 50,000 sq ft store on the second floor plus 11,000 sq ft of ground-floor retail and a 174-space underground parking garage, totaling approximately 61,000 sq ft of retail. A Draft EIR is being prepared.
The Draft EIR for the 61,000 sq ft Safeway redevelopment is being prepared and is expected to be released around April for a 45-day public review period.
The Draft EIR for the Safeway project is expected to be released in late March or early April, starting the 45-day public review period. Community members are being alerted to watch for the DEIR.
The former Emil Villa's restaurant site is being leased to CSAA as a new Oakland office. The change of use does not require city zoning approval because the site is zoned C-30.
Safeway proposes to replace the existing 23,000 sq ft store and adjacent '76' gas station at Claremont/College with a new 61,000 sq ft shopping center. The Draft Environmental Impact Report is pending. RCPC obtained a $10,000 matching grant from the Rose Foundation to fund expert review of the DEIR. FANS (Friends and Neighbors of College Avenue) is leading opposition.
The Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) for Safeway's 62,000 sq ft College Avenue project is expected to be released in the coming weeks. RCPC and FANS are organizing to review the DEIR using the Rose Foundation grant funds.
DEIR for the 62,000 sq ft College Avenue Safeway project is expected within 1-2 months. RCPC received a $10,000 grant from the Rose Foundation to fund independent expert review of the DEIR. FANS is also organizing.
DEIR released for the 62,000 sq ft College Avenue Safeway project that would nearly triple the current 22,500 sq ft store. The 45-day public comment period has begun. RCPC is hiring professional consultants using the Rose Foundation matching grant to review the DEIR's adequacy.
Community fundraising drive underway to meet the $10,000 matching grant requirement for hiring DEIR review consultants. As of October, donations had begun coming in. The DEIR for the 62,000 sq ft project that would nearly triple the current 22,500 sq ft store is still in preparation by the City.
DEIR delayed until December at earliest. RCPC had received $6,500 of the needed $10,000 in matching donations. RCPC retained consultants for air and water quality, traffic, and toxic materials review. Design review hearing by Planning Commission expected after DEIR release.
DEIR delayed further to December or January. RCPC fundraising at $7,500 of needed $10,000 matching goal. RCPC retained consultants to review air and water quality, traffic, and toxic materials impacts. Concerned also about potential economic impact on College Avenue's retail district.
DEIR expected released in late February, with a design review hearing shortly thereafter. RCPC has retained consultants to review air and water quality, traffic, and toxic materials impacts using the Rose Foundation matching grant. Donations still being accepted.
A separate Safeway redevelopment proposal at the corner of College and Claremont Avenues. The Land Use Committee reported no news or change to report this month.
Oakland planning staff continuing to review and revise an administrative draft EIR for this 62,000 sq ft project, which would replace Safeway's current 22,500 sq ft store. Public release expected a couple of months away. RCPC working with FANS to review the EIR.
DEIR expected in April after 45-day public comment period, per planner Peterson Vollman.
College Avenue Safeway DEIR still delayed with no timeline from the planner. Both Safeway projects listed as agenda items at the May Town Hall.
Safeway proposed a major expansion/redesign of its College Avenue shopping center at College and Claremont Avenues. Plans went before the Planning Commission Design Review Committee in December 2010; an environmental review (DEIR) was expected to be released for public comment by July or August 2011.
Letters to the editor in the July issue expressed strong community opposition to the Safeway College Ave expansion plans, showing the project remained a prominent and contested topic as the DEIR process moved forward.
The DEIR was released over the July 4th weekend and drew two packed public hearings on July 20 and August 3. The public comment period closed August 16. RCPC filed a five-page comment letter describing the DEIR as inadequate.
A design review hearing was scheduled for October 12 at Oakland City Hall. RCPC's editorial stated the project exceeded allowable zoning by approximately ten times and formally opposed the current design.
Safeway proposed a major redevelopment of its College Avenue shopping center, including demolition and reconstruction. The Design Review Committee heard extensive public comment, the majority negative, and clashed with Safeway representatives over project size and design. RCPC secured $10,000 from the Rose Foundation plus a $10,000 community match to fund an independent EIR review.
The administrative draft of the final EIR (approximately 2,000 pages) came back from consultants in late 2011 and was under city staff review. Holiday furlough days slowed progress. No public hearings were expected in January 2012.
The administrative draft of the Final EIR returned from consultants. City staff were reviewing the approximately 2,000-page document before preparing the actual Final EIR for public release.
No new procedural milestones reported. City staff continued work on the approximately 2,000-page Final EIR. The project remained the same 62,000 sq ft proposal (note: scale reported as 62,000 sq ft in this issue vs. 51,000 sq ft in earlier issues, possibly reflecting a revised or more complete accounting).
Safeway proposes to replace its current 22,500 sq ft store with a 62,000 sq ft shopping center. City staff and consultants are reviewing the roughly 2,000-page administrative draft of comment and response documents for the Draft EIR. RCPC has retained legal counsel to advise it.
RCPC has retained a CEQA attorney (Michael Graf) to advise it during the remaining portion of the administrative process. The city planner expects to release the Final EIR to the public sometime this summer for Planning Commission certification.
The Final EIR is expected to be released in early July, with the Planning Commission to consider certification and project approval later that month. RCPC has established a Rockridge Legal Defense Fund anticipating possible court action. City planner shows no inclination to delay the hearing until fall.
After years of discussion, Safeway's proposal is headed for a showdown at the Planning Commission on July 25. The Final EIR was released July 6. The July Town Hall meeting (July 12) will focus on the project and how residents can be most effective in voicing their opinions. RCPC's request to postpone the public hearing until September was ignored.
Oakland Planning Commission unanimously approved Safeway's 62,000 sq ft shopping center redevelopment at College and Claremont Avenues; RCPC and Berkeley residents filed a formal appeal to the Oakland City Council, citing traffic, parking, air quality, toxics, and visual impacts and inconsistency with zoning.
City Council appeal hearing tentatively set for October 16; if council rejects the appeal, RCPC warned the next step would be litigation; letters to editor show divided community opinion on the project.
Council hearing was postponed from October 16 to November 13; RCPC established a litigation advisory committee and hired a CEQA attorney; community petition drive underway; letters to editor continued active debate.
A settlement was reached after a 13-hour mediation led by outgoing Councilmember Jane Brunner; RCPC, BPOD, and Friends and Neighbors of College Avenue endorsed the accord; Safeway agreed to move the store back to ground level with rooftop parking, eliminate the full-service restaurant, and contribute $300,000 for mitigation.
Safeway's redesigned College Avenue Shopping Center project was unanimously approved by Oakland City Council on December 18, 2012, following a settlement negotiated between Safeway and neighborhood groups RCPC, FANS, and BPOD. The approved project is about 10% smaller than what the Planning Commission had approved in July, includes a pedestrian plaza at 63rd Street, reduced parking from 175 to 148 spaces, and no full-service restaurant.
Safeway is converting approved settlement plans into working construction drawings. The settlement agreement calls for periodic meetings between Safeway and community groups during construction preparations. First group of drawings released; construction expected to begin towards the end of 2013 and last about a year.
The new College Avenue Safeway store is described in a profile of Stuart Flashman as moving toward demolition of the current store by fall and construction by year-end 2013, following a settlement agreement with community groups.
The College Avenue Safeway project, modified by a settlement agreement between Safeway and community groups in Rockridge and Elmwood, is moving toward closing and demolition of the current store that summer, with rebuilding to follow.
The College Avenue Safeway store is closing July 8 with demolition shortly after and construction beginning early fall 2013. A Letter to the Editor opposes the auto-oriented design of the shopping center.
Demolition of the old College Avenue Safeway store is complete and construction of the new store has begun; however, Safeway violated its settlement agreement by submitting a building permit application without first meeting with community groups to discuss major design changes.
Negotiations continue between Safeway and the three community groups over design changes Safeway made after city approval. Some changes were acceptable but several are problematic, including the building height. Another meeting is planned for early October.
Safeway remains obstinate on building height, with current plans still several feet higher than city-approved plans. Safeway has submitted a building permit application for the retail shops building. Negotiations continue.
A two-and-a-half hour negotiating session on November 1 resulted in a compromise on building height: the final height is still 2.5 feet taller than city-approved plans but community groups achieved concessions. Construction has been stalled pending final agreement finalization; it is now a race between construction crews and winter rains.
Negotiations between Safeway and the three community groups continue over Safeway's major changes to the city-approved plans. Safeway has a construction contract for the foundation to begin early January and construction of the retail shops building to begin in early spring. RCPC is hopeful agreement is reached so construction can begin as scheduled.
Construction resumed on the new College Avenue Safeway store after the city halted work until Safeway and RCPC/neighborhood groups agreed to monthly meetings on construction progress. Foundation work and concrete pouring underway.
Construction continues on the new College Avenue Safeway store. Regular updates being provided by AJE consultants. Near-term work includes removing dirt, forming store walls, pouring concrete footings and walls. New parking restrictions going into effect on Claremont and College. Concern raised about potential corporate sale of Safeway and impact on the project.
Concrete trucks have poured the walls forming the ramp from College Avenue to the parking deck on top of the store. Crews will next pour walls on the Claremont side, then construct footings for the store's height. Some Saturday workdays approved by city. Safeway still targeting mid-fall 2014 opening. Safeway-funded Residential Parking Permit (RPP) program being organized for nearby streets.
Precast columns and roof structure arrived on-site and being erected with a large crane. Once roof is in place, parking deck waterproofing begins. Underground utilities being laid inside the store; construction beginning on loading dock with concrete footings and walls. Retail shops construction commencing. Joint trench utility work beginning in surrounding streets.
Construction of the new Safeway store at College and Claremont Avenues is actively underway. Concrete is being poured for the store floor, loading dock, and elevator. Safeway has submitted a Master Sign Program application for 335 square feet of signage, nearly 90% illuminated at night.
Construction continues on the new Safeway store. Demolition of surrounding buildings is underway. A proposed major sewer line in the middle of College Avenue that could be highly disruptive is being contested. Projected opening date is mid-November 2014. Safeway's sign program was modified and the result, while imperfect, is better than the initial proposal.
Construction at the new Safeway is at a 'fevered pitch.' October involves completing street improvements, finishing the plaza and entrance, building out retail spaces interiors, paving the rooftop parking deck, and finishing the loading dock. Grand opening projected before Thanksgiving. Confirmed tenants include 1st United Services Credit Union, a dry cleaner, Philz Coffee, Starbucks, and Wells Fargo inside the Safeway store.
Opening of the new Safeway has been delayed to mid-December due to city-required infrastructure improvements (storm drains, water pipes, sewer pipes, fire hydrants, street lights, traffic lights, ADA ramps) and delays from EBMUD and PG&E. Street and sidewalk work is nearly complete. Some retail tenants still unconfirmed.
Construction of the new Safeway building is nearing completion but opening is delayed to mid-January; retail building construction lags further and is not expected to open before late January. An oak tree planting and new traffic signal are part of the project.
Construction has slowed due to weather, utility coordination challenges, and a city-imposed stop-work order after Safeway violated the holiday moratorium on street work. The store opening is now delayed to at least February. Safeway is accused of continuing to violate city rules by working on College Avenue after the stop-work order.
The College Avenue Safeway opened January 15, 2015, to mixed community reaction. The store is described as beautiful and bright, a vast improvement over the old location, though critics call it too big for the neighborhood. Several use permit and settlement agreement conditions remain unmet; community groups and the city are assembling lists of outstanding items.
The Safeway store is now open and operating, but the retail building construction and street and sidewalk changes are still in progress. City staff and neighborhood groups including RCPC are assembling lists of outstanding compliance issues for a meeting anticipated in early March. Letters to the editor are sharply critical of impacts on local businesses and traffic.
RCPC and allied community groups submitted a punch list of settlement violations to Safeway and new retail building owner Terramar in February 2015; a mid-March meeting was held but tensions remained. Key unresolved issues include a non-functional parking deck space display and missing signage protecting the Claremont casual carpool area. Demolition of the CVS building and construction of the new Safeway store were delayed to late spring or summer.
RCPC and allied groups continue to negotiate with Safeway and Terramar over the new College Avenue center. The parking deck space monitor continues to display incorrect numbers, violating the settlement agreement. A new residential permit parking area around Safeway is soon to be approved by the City Council.
The electronic parking deck sign remains non-functional in violation of both the settlement agreement and City conditions of approval. Demolition of the CVS building (and probably the retail building to its west) appears likely to happen in June, with construction of the new Safeway expected to start some time in the summer.
The parking deck space availability sign remains nonfunctional. RCPC and the other two community groups have now sent Safeway and Terramar formal notice of violations of the settlement agreement, and are considering court action if issues are not resolved. Traffic problems are also cropping up at nearby intersections.
The College Avenue Safeway has been open for nine months but serious issues linger, particularly the electronic parking space monitor on the rooftop deck not working properly, and unclear parking signage.
The electronic parking monitor on the Safeway rooftop deck is now working 'sort of' after earlier malfunctions. RCPC is beginning to evaluate traffic pattern changes caused by the project; residents report concerns about early-morning truck deliveries and trash on Claremont Avenue.
The retail building adjacent to the College Avenue Safeway opened in early 2015. Terramar Retail Centers, new owner, has a large unleased 'point' space at the southern tip of the building. Parking deck signage issues remain unresolved.
Terramar Retail Centers proposes to lease the large 'point' space at the southern tip of the retail building to Fremont Bank. The site's CN-1 zoning requires a Conditional Use Permit. RCPC is gathering community input; Terramar and Fremont Bank representatives to present plans at Land Use Committee meeting.
Terramar Retail Centers continues to seek a Conditional Use Permit for Fremont Bank to occupy the large corner space. RCPC Land Use Committee met with Fremont Bank and Terramar; committee recommends RCPC not oppose the use. Board to vote at March meeting.
“Safeway is beginning conversations with neighbors and planning officials about its plans to demolish and rebuild two stores in the Rockridge area, one at the intersection of College and Claremont avenues”2007_06 - Opening of front-page article by Elizabeth Jewel
“The size of the new College and Claremont store will be increased significantly to house a bakery, pharmacy and a much larger produce section, as well as other services and products.”2007_06 - Article quoting Todd Paradis, Safeway real estate manager
“Safeway Rebuild: Preliminary application reveals proposed 62,000 sq ft store with 219 roof parking spaces, truck-only driveway at Berkeley/Oakland border, and arcade along College. Architect to make public presentation.”2008_02 - Project Updates section, Feb 2008
“Boardmembers emphasized RCPC concerns about the size and design of the proposed store and parking lot and agreed that parking would be a difficult problem to solve.”2008_03 - Rockridge Issues report, page 3
“"This thing terrifies me," said Patrick Ansari, owner of The Meadows flower shop on College, directly across from Safeway.”2008_03 - Local business owner at February Town Hall