Project
Competing proposals for a vacant 17,400 sq ft triangular lot (former Shell gas station, closed 2013) at College and Claremont avenues, owned by two private parties. Proposals range from a community park/beer garden/open space activation (Laurie Williams, Andrew Krulewitz) to a 4-to-6-story mixed-use residential/retail building (David Garcia). Site is on Oakland's housing element as a priority site and requires environmental remediation to residential standards.
6039 College Avenue at Claremont Avenue
Shell Oil proposed to install new signs and lights at its College and Claremont station that the RCPC Land Use Committee found more appropriate for a freeway off-ramp than a residential district. RCPC met with Shell representatives and was making progress seeking modifications. A new Commercial Design Task Force was being formed to develop comprehensive sign and commercial design guidelines within six months.
The Shell gas station at College and Claremont closed due to a steep rent increase, and a permit was issued for demolition and removal of the underground gasoline storage tank. Unofficial sources indicate the owner intends to propose a three-story mixed-use building with residential on upper floors and office or commercial use at street level.
Excavation of Shell station gas tanks is underway. The Planning Department says nothing is on file for a replacement building. County Assessor records show the property owner is Montrose Investment Co. of Houston, TX. A commercial/residential building is rumored.
Six redwood trees at the former Shell station site at College and Claremont were individually red-tagged for assessment and possible removal. After community opposition, the property owner has put the tree removal permit on hold for a year. However, the owner is proceeding with soil testing, a necessary step toward developing the property.
A privately owned triangular vacant parcel at College and Claremont is held by two owners who have formed a jointly-owned LLC to develop it. RCPC Land Use Chair reports it will likely be a 3-4 story building with commercial space on the ground floor, residential units above, and resident parking below. Development was delayed due to former gas station underground storage tank contamination requiring investigation before excavation.
RCPC launched a petition demanding Shell Oil clean up its leaking underground storage tank at the vacant lot at Claremont and College (former gas station). The Alameda County Department of Environmental Health is reviewing Shell's request to close the cleanup case without full remediation. The City of Oakland has designated the site as a potential housing site in the 2023 Housing Element and it is zoned for mixed-use development. RCPC argues Shell must remediate before any development can occur.
Follow-up on the Shell Oil cleanup petition: RCPC reports more than 1,000 signatures, dozens of emails to leaders, 500 postcards mailed, and an official RCPC letter sent. The community awaits Alameda County Dept. of Environmental Health's response to public comments. A letter to the editor proposed converting the site to a park ('Rockridge Triangle Park Dream'), and the July/Aug letter advocating for dense housing at BART was referenced as context for the broader housing debate.
The former gas station at the corner of College and Claremont Avenues is identified as a housing opportunity site in RCPC's CVP. A letter to the editor notes it comprises two separately owned parcels (complicating redevelopment) and has a toxic plume from an underground gasoline storage tank including benzene, toluene, xylenes, and MTBE not yet cleared for residential use.
USF architecture students designed conceptual affordable senior housing proposals for the vacant triangular lot at Claremont and College, zoned S-14 for housing production. Designs ranged from 47 to 62 one-bedroom units with varying amounts of public open space; no specific developer or intent to build was announced.
Competing proposals for a vacant 17,400 sq ft triangular lot (former Shell gas station, closed 2013) at College and Claremont avenues, owned by two private parties. Proposals range from a community park/beer garden/open space activation (Laurie Williams, Andrew Krulewitz) to a 4-to-6-story mixed-use residential/retail building (David Garcia). Site is on Oakland's housing element as a priority site and requires environmental remediation to residential standards.
“The Alameda County Department of Environmental Health is reviewing Shell's request to close the case on their leaking underground storage tank in the middle of our neighborhood. Because the site has no current plans for development, they want to get off the hook for remediating the soil.”2023_07 - RCPC front-page petition notice
“However, the City of Oakland has designated the vacant lot as a potential housing site in the 2023 Housing Element and the site is already zoned for mixed-use development.”2023_07 - RCPC front-page petition notice
“Let's hold them accountable to the neighborhood.”2023_07 - RCPC petition call to action
“For some years now, I have been thinking about how wonderful it would be to have a park at the vacant Claremont/College triangle — a former Shell gas station, and nearly a half-acre parcel. We have so few public open spaces to gather and relax in Rockridge.”2023_09 - Letter to the Editor, Laurie Williams, Auburn Avenue
“More than 1,000 signatures on our petition, dozens of emails sent to our leaders, 500 postcards mailed in, plus an official letter from RCPC.”2023_09 - RCPC Chair Casey Farmer, front-page 'Thank you, Rockridge' notice