Paving Paradise Invasive Plans Meet Growing Opposition

by John Coffey

Neighbors living on the cul-de-sacs of Hickory, Nicol, School, Cordova, and Castillo (off of Fruitvale Avenue) are mounting opposition against the application and architectural plans submitted to the Oakland Planning Department by Telecare Corp. of Alameda.

These plans concern turning the Immaculate Care skilled nursing facility, on the corner of Nicol and Fruitvale, into a 24/7 psychiatric inpatient facility, and call for the demolition of two 1920s or '30s adjacent bungalows. The demolished bungalow lots are to be turned into a large parking area. Additionally, the plans call for a small expansion of the existing structure. At the time of this writing, it is our understanding that Telecare Corp. has entered into purchase contracts with the Immaculate Care facility and two bungalow home owners, and although escrow has not closed on any of them, it is expected to close in the very near future.

The vast majority of the neighbors in the immediate area expressing an opinion believe that these small cul-de-sacs have been, beginning in the 1950s, overly impacted by medical and other facilities, and any further removal of residential housing will be overwhelming. Further, the potential for increased traffic, noise, and disturbances on the already too congested Fruitvale Avenue should be carefully considered.

Another concern of the neighbors is the possibility of further expansion of the facility, either by Telecare Corp. or other future developers, which could include vertical expansion of the existing structure and/or buying further surrounding housing, either as offices or for demolition for additional parking. The purchase of surrounding houses appears to have been the case with Telecare's Gladman facility on 27th Street (two blocks off of Fruitvale), although this has not yet been verified.

While appreciating the need for social programs and housing, the neighbors in opposition feel the Fruitvale district has become saturated with similar facilities, and no more should be allowed to go in, especially on the small cul-de-sac streets.

To their credit, it should be noted that Telecare Corp. has tried to accommodate the neighbors by plan modifications. Ultimately, however, all plans fail to address the major concerns, and the neighbors are asking Telecare Corp. to find a more appropriate location.

The neighbors against this development have hired attorney Leila Moncharsh to help with their opposition, and Councilmember Ignacio De La Fuente's office is aware of the neighborhood concerns through conversations and meetings with council aide Carlos Plazola. Through people working together, and with help from the Dimond Improvement Association, alternative uses for the facility will be considered.

For further information or discussion, please e-mail John Coffey, at John\@tco-sf.com, or Wallace & Betty, at matreuse\@earthlink.net. Please use the subject heading "3003 Fruitvale."