Brain-Dead Oakland Planning Commission Approves Hulk-Like Building For Adams Point Between Euclid and Bellevue

Adams Pointers, your population is about to increase by one big apartment complex right on Grand Avenue. Read it and weep. Or just kick out the planning commission. Hmmm.....Maybe a citywide initiative taking planning commssion appointment powers away from the City Council? Good idea!

City approves Grand Ave. condo complex
Developers have made few concessions after proposal was previously
rejected by committee
By Eric Kurhi
STAFF WRITER - CONTRA COSTA TIMES

A large condominium unit slated for Grand Avenue won approval from city planners, despite the fact the developers made few concessions after being rejected by a committee earlier this year.

The project, which is expected to be appealed to the City Council, would fill out a block of Grand between Bellevue and Euclid avenues with a six-story, 74-unit building. The building would take up a front lot and snake to a back lot between existing buildings.

The plan's opponents were surprised to see it resurface, unchanged, just months after the city's Design Review Committee called it unacceptable and told the developers to go back to the drawing board.

"They didn't do anything to try to mitigate its impacts on the neighborhood," said Nancy Reiser, who lives nearby.

Meritage, the developer, did provide an alternative plan that would make part of the project rise to nine stories.

Planning commission chairman Colland Jang, who voted against the project both Wednesday night and when it went to committee in February, said most of his colleagues felt the building fit in with the city's general plan, which allows for taller, denser buildings on large corridors such as Grand.

"The sentiment was that even though the design is not very distinctive, it met with the intent (of the general plan)," Jang said.

Planners did advise a design modification to a proposed tower on the structure.

"I would like to see the tower just go away," said Jang. "It's out of place ... I'd much prefer it to be a background building, one that doesn't stare at me."

Surrounding buildings in the Adams Point neighborhood vary in height, but much of the area is zoned with a 40-foot limit. Sections of the proposed building would have been 75 feet tall. However, it lies on two differently zoned plots, one of which does not have such a height requirement.

Commissioner Michael Lighty, who abstained from the vote, said a better process was needed for such a development.

"They have a right to build something of this size, and variances wouldn't substantially change its impact," he said. "But when
developers have a group of neighbors who don't like the building, they should engage in a redesign process.

"Residents would have to accept that the project will be bigger than they'd like, and the developer would have to make sufficient concessions while still keeping the project profitable."

The city's case planner could not immediately be reached for comment, nor could the project manager at Meritage Homes.

Commissioners Anne Mudge, Mark McClure, Suzie Lee and Doug Boxer OK'd the plan, with the condition that it goes back to staff for some design refinement.

Jang said he saw little point in sending it back to design review.

"The fundamental changes we wanted, the developer was not willing to do," he said. "I kind of wanted to get a vote to see if a majority of commissioners thought the design as it stands is approvable, and they did."

Reported Sexual Assault In Adams Point June 7th at 8 AM

This was from the Adams Point Yahoo! Message Board:

Concerned Citizens especially in the Adams Point 14x area, today 7 Jun 06 at 8:00 AM., there was a sexual assault and robbery on Orange St. A woman walking on Orange was taken to the rear of 243 Orange St. where she was robbed and sexually assaulted.

The man is described as a Male, Black, 20-25yrs, 5'2" to 5'4" in height, dark complexion w/ short natural hair wearing white T-shirt and blue jeans. He was a lone man on foot and fled in an unknown direction. The suspect was first seen at 29th St and Harrison.

Please be aware, be careful and watch out for each other.


Jill Encinias

Problems Solving Officer

Tribune Article Points To Racial Divisions In Oakland Voting

Well, I could have told you this. To me the election revealed just how backward Oakland can be at times.

Oakland voters show division
By Paul T. Rosynsky and Momo Chang, STAFF WRITERS

OAKLAND — A smiling Jeffrey Miller walked briskly, sample ballot in hand, to the front door of his precinct at the Redwood Heights Community Center on Tuesday afternoon.

Miller, 54, said he is excited to finally vote in a mayoral contest that has at least three qualified candidates on the ballot.
"I have great respect for (Ron) Dellums, but he has been away for a while," Miller said. "De La Fuente has been more involved and, I think, can get things done."

Although Miller chose De La Fuente, his thoughts on one of the closest mayoral contests in recent history illustrated how many of the voters interviewed Tuesday were divided among De La Fuente, Dellums and Nancy Nadel.

Although split, the voters made their choice with conviction.

"I just can't stand De La Fuente, he's obnoxious," said Mildred Riggs, a longtime Oakland resident. "We know what Dellums has done, we know that he did a good job."

While candidates spent the last several months explaining their platforms, it usually came down to who voters believed could get the job done.

Those siding with Dellums talked of his years in Congress and his ability to negotiate complicated deals as a reason he would move Oakland forward.

"Dellums brings a lot to the table, he has infinite wisdom," said Abdul Galis, 55. "He has the political and business acumen. He has the vision to help Oakland get to the next level and the ability to deliver on that vision."

Those choosing De La Fuente talked of his experience at City Hall as the deciding factor in their vote. Many said they decided against Dellums because his vision seemed too broad and difficult to accomplish.

"Dellums is a great man, he is great at rhetoric," said Ken Murakoshi, 54. "But Oakland doesn't need rhetoric, it needs action."

Although the street survey was limited and unscientific, some general trends emerged. African Americans tended to side more with Dellums, Latinos and whites more with De La Fuente.

And those who approved of Mayor Jerry Brown's administration generally favored De La Fuente, while those who did not tended to supported Dellums.

In Oakland, the choice for governor and state attorney general was not as tough. For governor, Oakland seemed to be Phil Angelides country. And for state attorney general, it was Jerry Brown — the city's current mayor — all the way.

Like several people, Pablo Manga, a 33-year-old attorney, said he voted to make Brown the state's next attorney general because he likes his track record.

"I think he did well in his past offices and can be counted on to continue to serve the public well," he said.

Jim Nichols, 42, said he likes that Brown cares about local and state politics despite his national presence.

"He gets a lot done," Nichols said.

Others said they voted for Brown simply because of his name recognition — exactly why others said they voted against him.

Although Angelides seemed more popular in Oakland, neither he nor opponent Steve Westly stirred much passion, partly because of the political mudslinging.

"I would like to think that our elected officials are more than just products," said Elle Johnson, who voted for Angelides.
Staff writer Susan McDonough contributed to this report.