Laurel District Association News

by Helen Wyman

The Laurel District Association (LDA) joined with representatives of the Laurel community to make a formal presentation to the Planning Commission's Design Review committee regarding the proposed six-story senior apartment building for the former Laurel Liquors site at High and MacArthur. LDA Community Outreach Committee chair Lease Wong of Komodo Toys said she "felt really good to be part of the neighborhood that day." More than 37 people form the community showed up at the hearing. One community member spoke in favor of the development. Several others ceded their time so that 13 speakers could present their concerns in an organized manner and provide needed context. Before the hearing but after meeting with community members and providing feedback to the developer, AMG, the LDA sought the advice of a land-use attorney. The attorney also testified and wrote a letter detailing how granting variances for six stories would be legally problematic. There is also the question of satisfying state requirements about environmental impacts (known as CEQA). Particular CEQA impacts are traffic noise, air quality, and soil contamination. The attorney also indicated that the nonretail use may require more than a conditional-use permit, since there is case law that prohibits cities from "spot rezoning" by conditionally permitting residential use in a commercial zone. Currently, this property is zoned commercial, and the small amount of retail space allotted by the developer would not likely pass the legal test. At the end of the hearing, the Design Review committee directed AMG to meet with the community to resolve the major fundamental issues. The LDA will continue to monitor this development through its Land Use Committee chair, Maureen Dorsey of Oakland Veterinary Hospital, and Lease Wong. The LDA sponsored a Halloween event for youngsters and merchants by encouraging our business owners to provide candy, prizes, coupons, etc. to trick-or-treaters who picked up their free Halloween bags at Komodo Toys. The next holiday event will be in December, with Photos with Santa, date and place to be announced. We encourage all potential participants to start making their lists and checking them twice. The LDA Public Rights of Way Committee (PROW) is busy with the next phase to our streetscape improvements: purchasing and placing large terra cotta planters along MacArthur Blvd. This will be in two phases. The intent is to beautify and enhance the significant investment that the City of Oakland has made in our district. Councilmember Quan has committed funds to LDA to help offset the cost of the permits and planters, and we will be soliciting donations from businesses and individuals who wish to "sponsor" a planter. The pots will have recessed areas where a bronze plaque with the donor's name may be placed. The LDA would like to especially thank Laurel Village Association member John Frando, who has made this project a reality. Joanne Wong is the PROW committee chair who is coordinating the process. Any questions about the planter project can be directed to Helen Wyman, 301-3122.