Extra

Safeway has released this statement about the settlement with College/Claremont neighbors: 

We are pleased to announce that, on November 8, 2012, representatives of Safeway and a coalition of Rockridge residents representing RCPC, FANS and BPOD participated in a mediation conducted by Oakland City Councilmember Jane Brunner regarding Safeway’s proposed project on College Avenue (the “Project”). At that mediation, the parties reached an agreement in principle to modify the Project. The primary changes to the project would include: 

* Safeway store reduced to 45,500 square feet and placed at street level 

* Sufficient parking on site for Safeway customers and patrons of new small shops. 

* Parking on the roof, accessible via a ramp off College Avenue and a ramp off Claremont Blvd. 

* Re-design of area near College/Claremont intersection to retail only (no sit-down restaurant). Retail shops reduced to 9,500 square feet. 

The parties intend to work toward documenting the terms discussed at the mediation in a final, binding agreement. If such an agreement is reached, RCPC, BPOD and FANs would agree not to object to the revised project and project approvals. In order to allow sufficient time for the Parties to continue their efforts to structure a binding agreement to which all parties are amenable, the Parties have agreed to ask that the Oakland City Council continue to December 18, 2012 the hearing on the Project that currently is scheduled for today, Tuesday, November 13, 2012. While the Oakland City Council may still allow public comment on the project this evening even if the formal hearing is continued to December 18, we prefer that our supporters hold any comments until the hearing that we hope will be held on December 18. Thank you.