There are several condos STAND is watching and resisting. Here are some of the worst we have seen. Community Creek Faces Oblivion, 5132 Telegraph. Global Video store site. Hauser Architects plan a modern-looking, 115 unit, condos over commercial, 6-story, condo (2 stories over what the zoning allows). They claim a CEQA infill exemption. “The Creekside” will cover Temescal Creek, thus preventing it from being daylighted, and shade Frog Park.

This building is twice the density of the already approved “Civic” project next door and doesn’t fit into the architecture of the neighborhood. Hauser Architects is in the midst of Environmental Review & Community Input meetings on this 118 unit, 6 Story Condo & Retail development planned for the Global Video Site. This building is twice the density of the already approved "Civic" project next door and doesn't fit into the architecture of the neighborhood. This project is 2 stories over current zoning and the density us more than 50% above current zoning. There will be excessive shadowing of Frog Park existing housing, & increased traffic congestion projected for a 2-3 block radius.

RCPC has joined us in our opposition, & we are working together to try to bring this project down to a neighborhood-conforming size. No date has been set for City Design Review or Project Approval. To track this one, Dahn Van Laarz: bootlvr@yahoo.com.
Roy Alper, Ron Kriss, Kahn Architects plan a 44 unit, 5-story condo (only 3 allowed on 1/2 of site). They claim a CEQA infill exemption. The project will remove 4 buildings and 3 older rentals (5 units of affordable rentals and 1 architecturally significant building). STAND also believes the modern design will not fit in with its surroundings. The new building will stretch from the corner of 48th and Shattuck to another box by the same developers, Gate 48. It will overwhelm its neighbors – the Omni Club, Casa Bella, and single-story Victorians -- cast the housing in shadows, add to traffic congestion, and inflate land values that fan the interest of developers.

The City and the developers have done NO study of the CUMULATIVE impacts on Temescal with all of the market rate condo projects. For 4801, the Planning Commission allowed only one parking space per unit and waived the developer providing ground floor commercial, ignoring the staff recommendation and the EIR for Oakland's General Plan. And there will be no commercial space, although recommended by Planning staff, community, and the General Plan. Planning Commission approved project and granted 6 variances.

STAND believes this type of development will only diminish the historical character of the community (why people moved here) and result in out-of-control traffic and the loss of parking, views, sunlight, affordable housing and commercial spaces. Gate 48, now completed has unsold units rented out. On this one, after appealing all the way to the City Council, STAND decided to go to court and challenge the City's granting of excessive variances, and reliance of the "CEQA infill exemption" to shoehorn in one project after another. We raised a significant amount of money, but lost the first round in Superior Court. We have until the end of July to appeal. To track this one, Robert Brokl, broklcrofts@earthlink.net

Kahn Design of Berkeley & Developer Tom Anthony have proposed a 5+ story 15 unit Market-Rate Condo project with no retail on the site of the Telegraph Vet Hospital. Their design calls for 2 towers atop a concrete parking structure for up to 36 cars; the front tower rising to 58 feet, the rear to 48 feet. These would be the tallest buildings north of Hwy 24 on telegraph by far, shading neighboring affordable rentals & single-family homes thru much of the year. The buildings would also loom over Idora Park & block views of the bay from BART & Hwy 24. Current Zoning, if followed, would limit the structure to 40 feet at the front, 30 feet in the rear, & encourage retail space along Telegraph.

The project & all variances received an administrative approval from the Planning Department in October, over the objections of 35 neighbors. The approval went so far as to declare this project as a precedent for 5-6+ story buildings the length of Upper Telegraph, overriding existing Zoning. An appeal to the full Planning Commission was spearheaded by STAND member Dahn Van Laarz. Now, this 5 story 15 unit market-rate condo project sits approved & un-built after a contentious battle by STAND & project neighbors.

Planning approved the project last Oct. over the objections of large numbers of neighbors even though is was 18-20 feet over zoning height limits, would severely shade neighboring affordable housing ,and sets a precedent for taller buildings on Upper Telegraph. STAND & Neighbors appealed to the Planning Commission & lost, even though Commissioners voiced misgivings. A CEQA suit was filed in March, & due to unfavorable rulings on parallel suits, was settled in May. STAND prevailed in getting many shading issues mitigated and in forcing a number of design changes to lessen the building's visible bulk. To track this one, contact Dahn Van Laarz: bootlvr@yahoo.com Co-Housing with High Density Does Not Ensure Diversity, 5244 Telegraph Roy Alper, Ron Kriss, Tom Dolan Architects plan a 33 unit, 5-story (zoning allows only 4) project with ground floor commercial on Telegraph & Claremont. They claim a CEQA Infill Exemption. STAND is concerned that the building is too tall (over 45’) and too dense. Plus, 2 Victorians, 5 affordable housing units and the historic Kingfish bar will be removed. There will also be a parking impact because the site offers reduced parking. STAND applauds co-operative living but is concerned that the units may revert to condos later. Design Review approved it with minor changes. They claim a CEQA infill exemption. Kingfish Pub, NoCoHo, and STAND all lose on this one, 5244 Telegraph STAND took the fight over this one all the way to the City Council. Same developers--Kriss, Alper, Zimski--as 4801 Shattuck. This project is 5 stories, 33 units. The Kingfish Pub, Victorian cottages and 7 units of rent-controlled housing will be demolished.

This project was sold to the commission as co-housing. After our appeal was denied at the City Council, lo and behold the co-housers are revealed to be out of the deal, unable to afford the readjusted construction costs. Who would have guessed? Except that STAND suggested this was the likely scenario from the get-go. Full expose "NoCoho at the Kingfish: Anatomy of a Deception" in the May 29-June 4, 2008 Berkeley Daily planet, www.berkeleydailyplanet.com. /To track this one, Robert Brokl, broklcrofts@earthlink.net Community Fights for Equality, Dogtown Developers & Banta Architects plan a 32 unit, 5-story building adjacent to single family housing. Traffic patterns, light and height are a concern. They claim a CEQA infill exemption. The community and planning staff fought hard to get meaningful commercial space designed into the project but lost. The Planning Commission approved the project but the neighbors have appealed to the City Council.