November 20, 2010
Dear Safeway Neighbors:
This week the Oakland Planning Commission conducted the first hearing
on the proposed rebuild of the Safeway at College and Claremont. This meeting was a scoping session designed to discuss
what items will be studied in the Environmental Impact Report.
Safeway’s architect, Ken Lowney, made a presentation to the Planning
Commission of the slides and drawings you may have seen on this website. The hearing room was full
of neighbors and other interested parties such as bicycle and pedestrian advocates. The Commissioners heard from about
21 speakers whose comments ranged from questioning the purpose of the rebuild to challenging the zoning conformity and asking
for alternative projects to be studied (including one with senior housing). An architect representing a group of neighborhood
architects presented a plan that made a small addition to the store while extending the parking area to cover most of the
lot including the gas station parcel. Many conveyed concerns over traffic, zoning, parking, air quality, conformity
with C-31 zoning, environmental sustainability, and pedestrian/bike safety.
The Planning Commission agreed with the Staff
position that the EIR will study transportation and traffic, noise, and air quality. In addition, the Planning Commissioners
requested that the EIR study the possible addition of housing, impact of the driveway on 63rd, parking lot usages
as well as bicycle and pedestrian impacts. The EIR consultant, working up the direction of the planning department,
will now study these issues and issue a comprehensive report in about six months. There will be another planning commission
meeting scheduled when the draft report is released.
Commissioners will continue to receive written public comment until December
1st. In the mean time, please feel free to direct your comments or questions about the project to me. We
have posted 4 informational handouts that Safeway gave commissioners on our website. Please continue to check the website
for updates. You can also read more about what happened at the meeting by going to http://oaklandliving.wordpress.com/
Thanks for your continuing interest in the rebuilding of this
Safeway store.
Sincerely,
The Safeway Team!
The following handouts were given to staff and the Planning Commission at the hearing:
November 5, 2009
Dear Safeway Neighbors:
The transaction between Safeway and the 76 Service Station was completed on November 3, 2009.
A temporary fence is being constructed around the property to prevent loitering and trash from being dropped off and creating
a public nuisance. We are also currently considering temporary commercial uses that may be possible, such as an
auto repair tenant without gas, that could rent the site until the site is ready to be redeveloped. We will continue
to update the community via this website on that possibly as they become available.
The EIR scoping session is scheduled for November 18, 2009. Please mark your calendars
for this date if you wish to attend. The link for the Initial Study is below.
Sincerely,
Your Safeway Team!
