Hundreds Turn Out to Weigh In on Pending Senior Residence Proposals for 6230 Claremont Ave & Trader Joe’s Site

By Mark Aaronson and Paul McDonnell, RCPC Board Members

Rockridge residents turned out in force for two community meetings in June to weigh in on two proposed senior housing proposals.

On June 13, more than 300 Rockridge residents attended a community meeting convened by Upper Broadway Advocates (UBA) and Rockridge Neighbors for Sensible Housing (RNSH) at Claremont Middle School. 

Attendees included District 1 City Council Member Zac Unger and Rockridge Community Planning Council (RCPC) board members.

The two projects include a Residential Care Facility for the Elderly at 6230 Claremont Ave., which is 85 feet high and will have a mix of 203 independent living (IL), assisted living (AL), and memory care (MC) rental units. 

The second is two high-rise towers (one 31 stories, the other 25 stories) on the current Trader Joe’s site on College Avenue, which will be a buy-in Continuing Care Retirement Community with 415 mostly IL units and some AL and MC units. 

Neither project has, nor is it required to have, affordable, below-market-rate units. 

There were three main speakers at the June 13 community meeting. Jack Gerson, an RNSH member, explained how a series of state laws beginning in 1979 limits the discretion of local officials in reviewing housing projects. State legislation now permits; developers to request waivers for features such as height and step-backs, and these can be denied only if there are adverse health or safety impacts. 

Javier Arizmendi, an architect and RNSH member, provided a critique of the proposed 6230 Claremont project, primarily regarding its height, bulk, and relationship to its surroundings. 

Myrna Walton, a UBA member, stated that California Assembly Member Buffy Wicks, a Rockridge resident, sees the need for clarifying amendments to recent state legislation that promotes affordable and market-rate housing development; such legislation would not affect Oakland’s review of the 6230 Claremont and Trader Joe’s projects. 

The 6230 Claremont project is entering its final stage of review by the Oakland Planning Department. A public meeting initiated by the developers, Ellis Partners and Spirit Living Group, was held on June 18 at the Rockridge Public Library. Although not a formal “public hearing,” members of the Planning staff were present to answer questions.

An overflow crowd packed the Community Meeting Room with project skeptics and supporters. The program included a brief overview of the project, including the tree removal and replacement, and a question-and-answer period. 

Patrick Flynn, Ellis Partners’ community liaison, shared that the tree removal is intended to replace Eucalyptus trees to reduce fire danger and wind damage, and to remove other trees (many diseased) to accommodate the proposed layout. A total of 27 trees will be replaced by 35 new mature trees. 

The City review is being conducted on the project as originally submitted in late fall.   Changes reflecting community concerns and some updates in the architectural design will be made after June 22, the deadline for the City to complete its zoning compliance review.

Close to 20 participants asked questions and made comments. People questioned the project's demand, financial viability, impact on traffic and parking, and the scope of the environmental review.  A number of participants also expressed support for the project, citing the need for additional housing. 

The expectation is that Oakland Planning Director William Gilchrist will post notice of his decision on the 6230 Claremont project application in September. 

Align, the developer of the project at the Trader Joe’s site, filed a preliminary application with the Oakland Planning Department on April 16. The proposed design does not include retaining Trader Joe’s.  

Given the project's location, this filing initiates a consultation process with California Native American tribes, which must be completed within 75 days. Then, there is likely to be an expedited review of the project, as it has been filed as a by-right development.

Under state law, a by-right project is subject to ministerial review, which means it can bypass lengthy discretionary review and California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) processes. If that is the case, a final decision on the project will probably be made within a year. During this period, Align can revise its design plans.