The project at 6230 Claremont continues to move forward. City staff declared the application complete on April 21, 2026, which officially started the “shot clock” for a formal zoning consistency determination.
Rockridge Neighbors for Sensible Housing (RNSH) believes the application contains several errors and faulty assumptions regarding Oakland zoning laws. Specifically, the Development and Density Bonus Supplemental Form appears to contain internal inconsistencies, deviations from the site's recorded square footage, and misrepresentations of governing standards.
We believe these errors lead to inflated calculations for allowable density and density bonus units. Furthermore, we have significant concerns regarding the placement of specific program elements on the ground floor and the impact of the various waivers requested by the developer. To date, our Change.org petition has gathered 1,565 signatures from neighbors who share these concerns.
To address these issues, we are seeking a meeting with William Gilchrist, the Director of Planning and Building, and the project’s assigned planner to review these inconsistencies in detail.
Navigating complex city zoning laws as private citizens has been a significant challenge. Following a meeting with Ellis Partners, it became clear that the developer remains immovable on the issues of height and massing. Consequently, we felt it was essential to hire professional advocacy to protect our neighborhood’s interests.
We are pleased to announce that we have retained Sabrina Venskus of Venskus & Associates. The firm is highly recommended for its expertise in housing rights, environmental law, and government transparency. Their reputation for meticulous advocacy and a compassionate approach makes them the ideal partner to represent us against a "Goliath" developer like Ellis Partners. To further support these efforts, we have also formally established a nonprofit organization.
Next Steps: Planning Commission Meeting Our next critical milestone is the Planning Commission meeting on May 20 at 3PM. Because the Commission has canceled nearly all meetings since late March, our attendance on the 20th is imperative. Additionally, City staff will be presenting the General Plan, making this a vital session for staying informed about the future of our community. Please join us and make your voice heard.
In addition, we are collaborating with the Upper Broadway Advocates on an educational forum on housing. Please save the date: June 13 from 2-4pm, location TBA.
Leila Gough
Rockridge resident
