No Major Design Changes for the 6230 Claremont Project
Author: Mark Aaronson, RCPC Board
Date: June 6, 2026
Summary: The developers of an 85-foot, 203-unit senior residence at 6230 Claremont Avenue are awaiting the City's zoning-compliance determination, due June 22, which will set the basis for how many units the site can support and whether design revisions follow.
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A plan to build an 85-foot-tall senior residence facility with 203 rental units on Claremont Avenue across from Safeway is moving forward without major design changes, sparking continued debate among Rockridge neighbors who want a less high and bulky building.
The developers of the proposed facility, which will have independent, assisted, and memory care units, will hold a public meeting about the project on Thursday, June 18, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., at the Rockridge Branch of the Oakland Public Library. Although not a formal "public hearing," Oakland planning staff will be in attendance to answer questions.
At a meeting with the Rockridge Community Planning Council (RCPC) Consultation Committee on May 13, the developers–Ellis Partners and Spirit Living Group–indicated that they are not considering any changes to their current plan regarding the number of units and height.
They are considering introducing step-backs along Auburn Avenue by increasing the units on the mezzanine floor. They are also considering changes to setbacks, access to the underground garage, and the placement of utility and underground auto exhaust machinery, all to minimize impacts on adjacent neighbors.
The developers will not submit revised plans until Planning staff have completed their zoning compliance review. The deadline to complete this review is June 22.
In their application, the developers claim that the project complies with Oakland's CN-I Mixed Use zoning category. A crucial issue for this residential housing project is whether this zoning requires ground-floor public retail space.
This determination sets the basis for calculating the maximum number of residential units allowable on the site. If the project complies with the zoning, the developers will be in a strong position to request and obtain waivers from local zoning requirements for physical features such as height, step-backs, and setbacks. If the project is not in compliance, they will likely revise their design plans and waiver requests accordingly.
Additionally, the project is presently undergoing environmental review. Planning staff have an Administrative Draft of a CEQA Exemption Memorandum, by Environmental Science Associates, which evaluates the project's eligibility for exemption as a Project Consistent with a Community Plan, General Plan or Zoning and for Streamlining Review as an Infill Project. Staff review is likely to take until the end of August. It is unclear whether the public will have access to any environmental review documents before then.
For this project, the Planning Director decides whether to approve or deny the project application. He must provide public notice of his decision 17 days before it becomes final. His decision is appealable to the Planning Commission. A best guess is that the decision will be forthcoming in September.
The principal purposes of the RCPC Consultation Committee are to be responsive to the range of neighborhood views on the project's impact and to seek modifications to the project design through direct discussions with the developers.
The seven-member Committee includes individuals associated with Rockridge Neighbors for Sensible Housing (RNSH), which is a separate organization led by residents whose homes are very near the project site. Other Committee members have backgrounds in architecture, low-income housing, and law. RNSH has retained a lawyer to assist in its advocacy efforts.
RCPC has not yet taken a position on the project and is awaiting further talks with the developers.