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Tom Lollini / Broadway Terrace I am an architect and urban planner with 30 years of executive leadership experience in community and university planning, design, and development, and an extensive background in public advocacy for sustain- able, afford...

Tom Lollini Garrick Monaghan Beyer

Belt, Eli Kaplan, Star Lightner, Tom Lollini, Zac Unger, Zack Walton Contact the board: chair@rockridge.org For information: info@rockridge.org Photo: Matt Day Studio Ghibli products and plants at Planterday. Contacting the Rockidge News Are there topics you’d like to see covered in ...

By Susan Montauk

Mark Aaronson, Aly Bonde, Andrew Charman, Annette Floystrup, Star Lightner, Tom Lollini, Kirk Peterson, Ken Rich, Zac Unger Contact the board: chair@rockridge.org For information: info@rockridge.org Contacting the Rockidge News Are there community issues you’d like to see covered in the Rockridge News? Have questions about ne...

Star Lightner, Tom Lollini, Kirk Peterson, Ken Rich, Zac Unger Contact the board: chair@rockridge.org For information: info@rockridge.org Contacting The Rockridge News Are there community issues you’d like to see covered in the Rockridge News? Have questions about n...

By Tom Lollini

by Tom Lollini, FAIA, RCPC Land Use Committee Chair Starting July 1, 2026, a new state law (SB 79) requires cities to allow taller, denser apartment buildings near major transit hubs like Rockridge BART. Because Rockridge cannot avoid these changes, Oakl...

By Tom Lollini

Intersections: Land Use, Transportation, Open Space, and the Art of Public Placemaking by Tom Lollini, FAIA, RCPC Land Use Committee Chair

By Tom Lollini

How New State Housing Laws Could Reshape Rockridge’s Future by Tom Lollini, FAIA, RCPC Land Use Committee Chair The California legislature has passed scores of new laws since 2017 with the intent of addressing the state’s housing crisis by accelerating development through a combination of shortening approval time...

Deadline is the 11th of each month for the upcoming newsletter. Tom Lollini, who finished a two-year elected term on the board of the Rockridge Community Planning Council in April, has recently been selected to serve in the 13th (appointed) board seat until April 2026. He will serve as the liaison with the Rockrid...

By Margaret McCarthy

...........................................Vice Chair Garrick Monaghan Beyer........................Secretary Paul McDonnell.......................................Treasurer Mark Aaronson, Gary Barg, Sam Fishman, David Hatfield, Star Lightner, Tom Lollini, Natalie Musick, Brian Stromquist, Robbie Tasker

... assortment of kitchens, both aestheti- cally and in terms of budget, so there’s something for everyone. ● Paul McDonnell.......................................Treasurer Mark Aaronson, Gary Barg, Sam Fishman, David Hatfield, Star Lightner, Tom Lollini, Natalie Musick, Brian Stromquist, Robbie Tasker

...se email kitchentour@rockridge.org to volunteer. ● Garrick Monaghan Beyer........................Secretary Paul McDonnell.......................................Treasurer Mark Aaronson, Gary Barg, Sam Fishman, David Hatfield, Star Lightner, Tom Lollini, Natalie Musick,Brian Stromquist, Robbie Tasker Whether you are planning your own remodel or just like checking out

...s Production Ryan Phillips.........................Editor & Layout Artist Susan Montauk...............Business & Distribution Mgr. RCPC Board of Directors, 2026 Mark Aaronson, Gary Barg, Kristen Belt, Sam Fishman, Jana Good, Star Lightner, Tom Lollini, Paul McDonnell, Garrick Monaghan Beyer, Natalie Musick, Brian Stromquist, Robbie Tasker

Paul McDonnell......................................Treasurer Mark Aaronson, Gary Barg, Kristen Belt, Eli Kaplan, Tom Lollini, Robbie Tasker, Zack Walton, Kim Suczynski Smith. Contact the board: chair@rockridge.org For information: info@rockridge.org Contacting The Rockidge News Are there topics you’d like to see covered in the Rockridge News? Have questions abou...

Rockridge Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) SB 79 Site Exclusion Analysis — by Tom Lollini Sites excluded based on zoning under gov. code §65912.161(b)(1)(A) (50% density and residential floor area ratio)

...and next issue you will find bios for each of our new board members. Congrats to those by Robbie Tasker joining us for the first time: Natalie Musick, Brian Stromquist, Sam Fishman, Garrick Monaghan Beyer and to our returning board members Tom Lollini and Kristen Belt! I would also like to thank those who are stepping down from the RCPC board after multiple years of service: Zack Walton, Eli Kaplan, Muhammad Alameldin, Kimberly Suczynski Smith and especially our board chair Casey Farmer...

...r Lightner.........................................Vice Chair Jana Good.............................................Secretary Paul McDonnell......................................Treasurer Mark Aaronson, Gary Barg, Kristen Belt, Eli Kaplan, Tom Lollini, Robbie Tasker, Zack Walton, Kim Suczynski-Smith. Contact the board: chair@rockridge.org For information: info@rockridge.org Contacting The Rockidge News Are there topics you’d like to see covered in

Gary Barg Kristen Belt Eli Kaplan Tom Lollini Zack Walton Kim Suczynski-Smith Karen Ivy Morgan Molvig

Paul McDonnell......................................Treasurer Mark Aaronson, Gary Barg, Kristen Belt, Eli Kaplan, Tom Lollini, Robbie Tasker, Zack Walton, Kim Suczynski-Smith. Contact the board: chair@rockridge.org For information: info@rockridge.org Contacting The Rockidge News Are there topics you’d like to see covered in the Rockridge News? Have questions abou...

..........................Vice Chair Jana Good.............................................Secretary Paul McDonnell......................................Treasurer SUBMITTING BLOGS AND EVENTS Mark Aaronson, Gary Barg, Kristen Belt, Eli Kaplan, Tom Lollini, Robbie Tasker, Zack Walton, Kim Suczynski-Smith, Muhammad Alameldin. BLOGS: • Articles should focus on issues that are important to our community, for example: safety, housing, sustainabil- ity and transportation. • Topics will evolve to ...

............. Vice Chair Jana Good.................................................Secretary Paul McDonnell.......................................Treasurer Mark Aaronson, Muhammad Alameldin, Gary Barg, Kristen Belt, Eli Kaplan, Star Lightner, Tom Lollini, Robbie Tasker, Zack Walton, Kim Suczynski-Smith

...Vice Chair Jana Good...................................................... Secretary Paul McDonnell............................................Treasurer Mark Aaronson, Muhammad Alameldin, Gary Barg, Kristen Belt, Eli Kaplan, Star Lightner, Tom Lollini, Robbie Tasker, Zack Walton, Kim Suczynski-Smith Contact the board: chair@rockridge.org For information: info@rockridge.org Contacting The Rockidge News Are there topics you’d like to see covered in the Rockridge News? Have questions about...

By Don Kinkead

.................................................. Secretary Paul McDonnell............................................Treasurer RCPC’s 40th, see next page Mark Aaronson, Muhammad Alameldin, Gary Barg, Kristen Belt, Eli Kaplan, Star Lightner, Tom Lollini, Kim Suczynski-Smith, Robbie Tasker, Zack Walton

......Chair Kim Suczynski-Smith................................... Secretary Paul McDonnell............................................Treasurer Mark Aaronson, Muhammad Alameldin, Gary Barg, Kristen Belt, Jana Good, Eli Kaplan, Star Lightner, Tom Lollini, Robbie Tasker, Zack Walton Contact the board: chair@rockridge.org For information: info@rockridge.org Contacting the Rockidge News Are there topics you’d like to see covered in the Rockridge News? Have questions about newsletter distribut...

......Chair Kim Suczynski-Smith................................... Secretary Paul McDonnell............................................Treasurer Mark Aaronson, Muhammad Alameldin, Gary Barg, Kristen Belt, Jana Good, Eli Kaplan, Star Lightner, Tom Lollini, Robbie Tasker, Zack Walton Contact the board: chair@rockridge.org For information: info@rockridge.org Contacting the Rockidge News Are there topics you’d like to see covered in the Rockridge News? Have questions about newsletter distribut...

......Chair Kim Suczynski-Smith................................... Secretary Paul McDonnell............................................Treasurer Mark Aaronson, Muhammad Alameldin, Gary Barg, Kristen Belt, Jana Good, Eli Kaplan, Star Lightner, Tom Lollini, Robbie Tasker, Zack Walton Contact the board: chair@rockridge.org For information: info@rockridge.org Contacting the Rockidge News Are there topics you’d like to see covered in the Rockridge News? Have questions about newsletter distribut...

...ross the street from Blue Bottle Coffee, plans have been approved for a six-story apartment complex at 4207 Broadway. After an 8-year challenging journey through the City’s planning process, the six- story, 64-foot-tall, roughly 160,000 by Tom Lollini, FAIA, RCPC Land Use Committee Chair Since February of this year, the Land Use Committee has deferred its monthly meetings to allow the Rockridge Community Planning Council (RCPC) and the Land Use

...od Park, North Oakland Regional Sports Center, Lake Temes- cal, and the East Bay Regional Park District are available, none of them are within the boundaries of our neigh- borhood, and most require a car or special permission to access. by Tom Lollini, RCPC’s Land Use Committee Chair A Looking for Opportunities As our presently underserved neighborhood grows by 15 percent or more through future development as envisioned in Oakland’s 2023 Housing Element, where might we look for rec-

By Don Kinkead

...nce the unique character of the Rockridge neighborhood; promote the health, safety and quality of life of its residents; furnish a forum for community involvement; and provide leadership and representation of neighborhood interests. Photo: Tom Lollini Please join us on April 27 at 4pm for coffee and a strategy workshop at the College Avenue Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Avenue. Participants will be invited to evaluate the ideas gener- ated from the meetings, pop-ups, and surveys and...

By Don Kinkead

.................. Vice-Chair Kim Suczynski-Smith................................... Secretary Louisa Bukiet.................................................Treasurer Mark Aaronson, Muhammad Alameldin, Kristen Belt, Eli Kaplan, Star Lightner, Tom Lollini, Zack Walton through our survey, which you can access via the QR code on the front page, or at www.Rockridge.org. n Contact the board: chair@rockridge.org For information: info@rockridge.org Contacting the Rockidge News Are there topics yo...

By Don Kinkead

Louisa Bukiet.................................................Treasurer Get Involved: Attend An Event or Pop-Up Mark Aaronson, Muhammad Alameldin, Kristen Belt, Eli Kaplan, Star Lightner, Tom Lollini, Zack Walton RCPC is excited by the energy that was brought to the first meeting, and we appreciate our neighbors’ thought- ful comments. We encourage the community to get involved. Join a Steering Committee: We rec- ognize that many in ou...

...ge.org for more information and examples of the organization’s impact. Email Chair@Rockridge.org to learn more about the election process and how to participate. n Mark Aaronson, Muhammad Alameldin, Kristen Belt, Eli Kaplan, Star Lightner, Tom Lollini, Zack Walton What is the Scope of RCPC? Contact the board: chair@rockridge.org For information: info@rockridge.org We’re your official neighborhood association focused on land use, development, transportation, public amenities, and quality...

...s, play structures, or provide other activities? Could a portion of Temescal Creek be day- lighted to bring it back to life? Could sidewalk kiosks beneath the freeways enliven the passage from one side to the other along College Avenue? by Tom Lollini, FAIA, RCPC Land Use Committee Chair In the coming year, as Phase 2 of Oakland’s General Plan Update process develops approaches to the future of land use, transportation, open space, recreation, and infra-

...low: RCPC RCPC Wednesday, February 19 7:30pm-9pm Meeting will be held on Zoom. For details, email landuse@rockridge.org RCPC to Hold Joint Land Use and Transportation Committee Meeting Topic: Oakland General Plan Update/Phase 2 (GPU2) — by Tom Lollini, RCPC Land Use Committee Chair As presently scheduled, the Oak- land Planning Department anticipates releasing Draft Land Use Alternatives sometime this spring and adopting Phase 2 Elements in the fall of 2026. There are four Elements in G...

...air Kim Suczynski-Smith................................... Secretary Louisa Bukiet.................................................Treasurer Photo by Anna L. Marks Mark Aaronson, Muhammad Alameldin, Kristen Belt, Eli Kaplan, Star Lightner, Tom Lollini, Zack Walton Contact the board: chair@rockridge.org For information: info@rockridge.org In 2015, owner Lise Dale fell in love with the Bittersweet Café while working for the owner, and took it over when they wanted to move on — relaunching...

By Don Kinkead

...ut what they throw away, and as the organization continues to grow, so too does its impact… one forgotten curbside find at a time. n Stooping Club, from front page Mark Aaronson, Muhammad Alameldin, Kristen Belt, Eli Kaplan, Star Lightner, Tom Lollini, Zac Unger, Zack Walton operates worldwide, including new branches opening as far away as Ethi-

... are continuing to pursue entitle- ments, and we hope to complete the entitlements process by the end of 2024. However, we will not be com- mencing construction until market conditions improve. We aim to break ground once that occurs.”n by Tom Lollini, FAIA, RCPC Board Member and Land Use Committee Chair The City of Oakland is seeking your input on Phase 2 of the Gen- eral Plan Update. The Oakland Gen- eral Plan Update (GPU) is an exciting chance for everyone in Oakland to help plan the...

.................. Vice-Chair Kim Suczynski-Smith................................... Secretary Louisa Bukiet.................................................Treasurer Mark Aaronson, Muhammad Alameldin, Kristen Belt, Eli Kaplan, Star Lightner, Tom Lollini, Zac Unger, Zack Walton infrastructure bonds with a 55 percent vote. This measure removes a systemic barrier that has for too long blocked communities’ ability to meet their affordable housing and infrastruc- ture needs. Prop 5 empowers lo...

... and the developer cannot apply for project approval until the consultation is complete. The applicant will then need to submit a development application before the City can address the RCPC Land Use Committee 5295 College Avenue Update by Tom Lollini, RCPC Land Use Committee Chair Since its initial pre-application submittal in June, Rockridge Community Planning Council (RCPC) has been tracking this pro- posed project closely. In late July, the RCPC sent an inquiry to the Oakland City P...

.................. Vice-Chair Kim Suczynski-Smith................................... Secretary Louisa Bukiet.................................................Treasurer Mark Aaronson, Muhammad Alameldin, Kristen Belt, Eli Kaplan, Star Lightner, Tom Lollini, Zac Unger, Zack Walton Contact the board: chair@rockridge.org For information: info@rockridge.org Urgent Call for Docents Lastly, the RCPC Kitchen Tour committee still needs MANY more volunteer docents for the Sunday, October 13th Kitchen...

.................. Vice-Chair Kim Suczynski-Smith................................... Secretary Louisa Bukiet.................................................Treasurer Mark Aaronson, Muhammad Alameldin, Kristen Belt, Eli Kaplan, Star Lightner, Tom Lollini, Zac Unger, Zack Walton Contact the board: chair@rockridge.org For information: info@rockridge.org Contacting the Rockidge News Are there topics you’d like to see covered in the

........... Vice-Chair Kim S. Smith................................................. Secretary Louisa Bukiet.................................................Treasurer Mark Aaronson, Muhammad Alameldin, Kristen Belt, Eli Kaplan, Star Lightner, Tom Lollini, Zac Unger, Zack Walton, Contact the board: chair@rockridge.org For information: info@rockridge.org Contacting the Rockidge News Are there topics you’d like to see covered in the Rockridge News? Have questions about newsletter distribution...

........... Vice-Chair Kim S. Smith................................................. Secretary Louisa Bukiet.................................................Treasurer Mark Aaronson, Muhammad Alameldin, Kristen Belt, Eli Kaplan, Star Lightner, Tom Lollini, Zac Unger, Zach Walton, Contact the board: chair@rockridge.org For information: info@rockridge.org Contacting the Rockidge News Are there topics you’d like to see covered in the Rockridge News? Have questions about newsletter distribution...

By Annette Floystrup

............ Vice-Chair Ben Friedman................................................ Secretary Louisa Bukiet.................................................Treasurer Mark Aaronson, Aly Bonde, Andrew Charman, Annette Floystrup, Star Lightner, Tom Lollini, Kirk Peterson, Ken Rich, Zac Unger Contact the board: chair@rockridge.org For information: info@rockridge.org Contacting the Rockidge News Are there community issues you’d like to see covered in the Rockridge News? Have questions

............ Vice-Chair Ben Friedman................................................ Secretary Louisa Bukiet.................................................Treasurer Mark Aaronson, Aly Bonde, Andrew Charman, Annette Floystrup, Star Lightner, Tom Lollini, Kirk Peterson, Ken Rich, Zac Unger Contact the board: chair@rockridge.org For information: info@rockridge.org Contacting the Rockidge News Are there community issues you’d like to see covered in the Rockridge News? Have questions about ne...

...riedman................................................ Secretary Louisa Bukiet.................................................Treasurer Trash Cans, see next page Mark Aaronson, Aly Bonde, Andrew Charman, Annette Floystrup, Star Lightner, Tom Lollini, Kirk Peterson, Ken Rich, Zac Unger Land Use Committee Meeting Contact the board: chair@rockridge.org For information: info@rockridge.org The Rockridge community is encouraged to participate in LUC meetings where elements of the General Pl...

............ Vice-Chair Ben Friedman................................................ Secretary Louisa Bukiet.................................................Treasurer Mark Aaronson, Aly Bonde, Andrew Charman, Annette Floystrup, Star Lightner, Tom Lollini, Kirk Peterson, Ken Rich, Zac Unger Contact the board: chair@rockridge.org For information: info@rockridge.org

.................... Secretary Louisa Bukiet.................................................Treasurer Love Again Fabrics / 6030 College Avenue Shops, from front page Mark Aaronson, Aly Bonde, Andrew Charman, Annette Floystrup, Star Lightner, Tom Lollini, Kirk Peterson, Ken Rich, Zac Unger Murasaki Futon and Fine Bedding / 6050 College Contact the board: chair@rockridge.org For information: info@rockridge.org

............ Vice-Chair Ben Friedman................................................ Secretary Louisa Bukiet.................................................Treasurer Mark Aaronson, Aly Bonde, Andrew Charman, Annette Floystrup, Star Lightner, Tom Lollini, Kirk Peterson, Ken Rich, Zac Unger Contact the board: chair@rockridge.org For information: info@rockridge.org Rockridge Community Planning Council’s Land Use Committee Meeting Contacting the Rockidge News Are there community issues you’d ...

By Jody Colley

Ben Friedman................................................ Secretary Louisa Bukiet.................................................Treasurer Mark Aaronson, Aly Bonde, Andrew Charman, Annette Floystrup, Star Lightner, Tom Lollini, Kirk Peterson, Ken Rich, Zac Unger Contact the board: chair@rockridge.org For information: info@rockridge.org Contacting the Rockidge News Are there community issues you’d like to see covered in the Rockridge News? Have questions about ne...

By Carol Kasparek

...................... Vice-Chair Aly Bonde...................................................... Secretary Louisa Bukiet.................................................Treasurer Mark Aaronson, Ben Friedman, Annette Floystrup, Star Lightner, Tom Lollini, Kirk Peterson, Ken Rich, Zac Unger Contact the board: chair@rockridge.org For information: info@rockridge.org Contacting the Rockidge News Are there community issues you’d like to see covered in the Rockridge News? Have questions about ne...

By Ben Friedman

RCPC: MAY TOWN HALL Rooms for Rent? How to Home Share by Ben Friedman, RCPC Board Member and Election Officer C Louisa Bukiet, Star Lightner, Ken Rich, and Zac Unger. Tom Lollini is new to the board. Bios of this year’s slate of RCPC members appear below. The next election will occur in the spring of 2024, at which time all interested residents will again be encouraged to run for the board. ongratulations to the ne...

...................... Vice-Chair Aly Bonde...................................................... Secretary Louisa Bukiet.................................................Treasurer Mark Aaronson, Ben Friedman, Annette Floystrup, Star Lightner, Tom Lollini, Kirk Peterson, Ken Rich, Zac Unger Contact the board: chair@rockridge.org For information: info@rockridge.org Contacting The Rockridge News Are there community issues you’d like to see covered in the Rockridge News? Have questions about n...

By Casey Farmer

are:   Mark Aaronson, Louisa Bukiet, Star Lightner, Ken Rich, Zac Unger, and Tom Lollini. As authorized under the bylaws in the case of an uncontested election, project. He has co-developed a free online calculator tool that enables any member of the public to assess housing development costs, in which they can include afforda...

instead do something useful? Many of the neighbors you represent would appreciate that sensible approach. Dear Editor, I think Thomas Lollini’s article in January 2026 about solving the College & Claremont intersection was very illuminating and... right on! Years ago we had the “pleasure” of experiencing Tokoyo’s Shibuya Cross- ing, by chance. Initially we were quite intimidated. Bu...