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Berkeley and Oakland residents oppose Claremont Hotel expansion, urge attendance at meeting on Wednesday

Saturday July 02, 2016 - 10:45:00 AM
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Will this condo project be built on the site of the historic Claremont Hotel? This photo illustration is a composite of two images: (1) the developer’s perspective rendering of the proposed condominiums (at planned size and location) overlaid onto (2) a view of the hotel and surroundings, visualized with Google Earth. The perspective rendering (of the condos only) was submitted to the Oakland Planning Department on 25Feb16 by Hart Howerton and Levy Design Partners for Signature Development, contractor with the Fairmont chain and the Richard Blum group, new owners of the Claremont Hotel. In the photo illustration, the rendering was scaled and positioned according to diagrams and scale provided in the same filing. The rendering used (from sheet AR601 of Conditional Use Permit application PLN#16-053) is the only street view of the condo complex that had been submitted to Planning up to 29Jun16. Image of hotel and surroundings are compliments Google and Landsat, visualized using Google Earth. Illustration by Bryan Grziwok.
Will this condo project be built on the site of the historic Claremont Hotel? This photo illustration is a composite of two images: (1) the developer’s perspective rendering of the proposed condominiums (at planned size and location) overlaid onto (2) a view of the hotel and surroundings, visualized with Google Earth. The perspective rendering (of the condos only) was submitted to the Oakland Planning Department on 25Feb16 by Hart Howerton and Levy Design Partners for Signature Development, contractor with the Fairmont chain and the Richard Blum group, new owners of the Claremont Hotel. In the photo illustration, the rendering was scaled and positioned according to diagrams and scale provided in the same filing. The rendering used (from sheet AR601 of Conditional Use Permit application PLN#16-053) is the only street view of the condo complex that had been submitted to Planning up to 29Jun16. Image of hotel and surroundings are compliments Google and Landsat, visualized using Google Earth. Illustration by Bryan Grziwok.

NACPEX (Neighbors Against Claremont Expansion), the group of Berkeley and Oakland residents which has been organized to oppose a proposed condominium development on the site of the historic Claremont Hotel, situated on the border between the two cities, is urging citizens of both to attend a meeting in Oakland on Wednesday to voice their concerns about the project. 

A July 1 letter from NACPEX asks supporters to attend next week’s meeting of the Oakland Planning Commission, which will set the scope of the Environmental Impact Report which must be done on the project, both because of its magnitude and its impact on the historic hotel site. All of the public's questions and concerns voiced in the hearing or in letters must be addressed in the Environmental Impact Report (ER16-010). 

The hearing is scheduled on Wednesday, July 6th, at 6:00 pm, before the City Planning Commission in the Sgt. Dunakin Hearing Room #1, Oakland City Hall, 1 Frank Ogawa Plaza. 

Opponents are asked to write a letter to express their concerns and ask any questions. Letters must be received by 4 pm, July 6th, or at the July 6th meeting. Reference case number ER16-010 and address to "Clevenger, Ann" AClevenger@oaklandnet.com and cc: nacpex@gmail.com. 

NACPEX organizers cite these concerns about the project, among others: 

“Planned development: 43 condominium units atop a multi-level underground parking structure and two single-family homes, significant expansion of athletic facilities (incl. raised tennis courts atop parking, stadium seating, competition pool, & enlarged event area). An overall addition of 30 parking spaces for an expansion of up to 250 more club memberships. 

“Community concerns: degradation of iconic historic hotel building and hallmark views; additional noise & light pollution in peaceful neighboring residential districts in Berkeley and Oakland; exacerbation of traffic congestion with serious consequences in an emergency; life-threatening seismic concerns due to the proposed condominium location directly atop the Hayward Fault; negative impact on wildlife, water sources, & adjacent natural areas." 

Much more information about the project and the problems it will create can be found on this website: www.stopclaremontcondos.org.