Laurel District Association News

by Helen Wyman

Update on Proposed Development at High and MacArthur AMG, a tax-credit investor/subsidized-housing corporation, has purchased the development rights to the empty lot at the corner of MacArthur Blvd. and High Street. Earlier this year AMG proposed to build a 65-ft., six-story, subsidized senior-housing complex, with 1,800 sq.ft. of retail and the majority of the property a ground-floor parking lot. That proposal needed major variances for both the height (limited to 35 ft., per zoning) and the use (retail only, with no ground-floor parking). Since the proposal was not in keeping with any of our zoning, the Laurel District Association (LDA) asked a land-use attorney to address the concerns about the variances at the meeting of the design-review committee of the Oakland Planning Commission. The committee sent the proposal back to the planning department of Oakland with the request that the developer submit a proposal addressing the concerns that LDA had regarding the use and the height. AMG returned with a proposal presented to the LDA by way of District 4 Councilmember Quan's office. The proposal now has a height request of 55 ft. and five stories, 3,000 sq.ft. of retail use, and the rest of the property allocated to ground-floor parking. AMG has asked that we consider these modifications and seeks LDA approval. One of the goals of the LDA Land Use Committee in 2007 is to determine a set of guidelines for developers who wish to invest in the Laurel. Sponsor a Planter in the Laurel The LDA is offering a wonderful opportunity to sponsor a large container planter. For $500 you can choose to honor a special person, business, or organization with a bronze plaque that will be placed on a custom-designed knockout section on the planter. The LDA has hired Paul Ferguson to maintain the planters. Paul is also a Laurel resident. He was one of the volunteers who came out for the planter installation project in November. Paul is currently studying horticulture at Merritt College. If you would like to learn more about sponsoring a planter, please call Helen Wyman, LDA Executive Director, at 301-3122. New Businesses on the Boulevard Laurel Caf?, 4008 MacArthur, 482-1229 The Laurel Caf? is an Internet caf? that serves coffee, pastries, and grilled panini. They have six computers available for rent by the minute. Butta Qutz Barber Salon, 4156 MacArthur, 698-4125 Butta Qutz is a full-service barber shop and salon. Men, women, and children are welcome. New Maintenance Person The LDA has hired Laurel resident Derick Gibbs to perform general maintenance and street cleaning in the business district. Derick works 30 hours in the district sweeping leaves, removing litter, watering the planters, and reporting graffiti, blight, and broken meters to the city. Upcoming Event in the Laurel There will be a Chinese New Year celebration and lion dance on Saturday, February 24, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Lion dancers will visit the businesses along MacArthur Blvd. between 35th Avenue and High Street. The LDA invites people interested in our activities to visit our Web site, laureldistrictassociation.org.