Outsized Buildings Coming to Rockridge: Who’s Responsible?
There’s a housing crisis in California. It’s overwhelmingly a crisis of affordability—working people of moderate income can’
Land Use
34 articles
Before the Labels: The Historical Context of Neighborhood Zoning
For the past five years, whenever high-density housing has been proposed in Rockridge and neighbors have pushed back with
Building High-Density Housing in Rockridge
What is the history of building high-density housing in Rockridge? Has the neighborhood continually rejected high-density housing and
Opposition to Proposed Senior Housing Development
Subject: Trader Joe’s Site College Avenue — 26-Story and 23-Story Towers Due to Severe Seismic, Structural, and Life-
Putting Housing’s Racial Legacy in Context
Who gets to call a neighborhood home has never been simply a matter of personal choice. Across the United States,
Let’s Be Reasonable
Dear Editor: I am writing about 6230 Claremont Avenue, which is two blocks from my home. Let me be clear:
Built to Withstand the Quake—But What About the Residents?
This letter was sent to Oakland City District 1 Councilmember Zach Unger, Mayor Barbara Lee, Oakland Planning Commission members, and
State Housing Law: What a Tangled Web
As readers of the Rockridge Voice may know, I and others have previously expressed our concerns about the two massive
6230 Claremont — Enough is Enough!
Two months ago, the Rockridge Voice published my article arguing that Ellis Partners and Spirit Living Group were asking for
Councilmember Zac Unger Holds Town Hall on Impact of New Laws on Local Development
For a third time in two months, Rockridge residents gathered to address concerns about the two luxury senior housing projects, one with two huge towers, that are being proposed for the neighborhood.
Re: Garofoli’s Grossly Inaccurate Column about Rockridge
Dear Editor: It is sad and tragic that Joe Garofoli’s Sunday SF Chronicle column (July 19, 2026) grossly misrepresents
YIMBY Movement—Locally Funded or National Campaign?
Dear Editor: As Oakland continues to debate major housing proposals, residents deserve to understand not only the projects themselves but
Extending Benefits Beyond Housing
Cities need stronger rent regulations because land is finite. Simply building more housing will not, by itself, guarantee long-term
New State Land Use Laws Sideline Community Input—Now What?
Oakland’s Planning Department is developing, for City Council approval, a new General Plan for how land will be used
What Was That?!
At the previous town hall meeting, residents were told that the two towers were being erected to provide affordable housing
Re: Proposed Development at 6230 Claremont Avenue
I am writing in opposition to the Senior Housing Project proposed for 6230 Claremont Avenue. My objections are based on
Petition Calls for Changes to Proposed Trader Joe’s Towers in Rockridge
A new petition on Change.org is calling for major changes to the proposed redevelopment of the Trader Joe’s
New Housing Proposals Leave Many Questions Unanswered
Fifty years ago, Rockridge neighbors proactively petitioned Oakland to create a new neighborhood-oriented commercial zone and residential zones that
Ellis Partners Hold Meeting on Trees, Attendees Wanted More
Ellis Partners, the developer of the proposed senior housing project at 6230 Claremont, held a community meeting at the Rockridge
Rockridge Forum Draws Huge Crowd Over Proposed Senior Housing Developments
Talk about community… More and more chairs had to be added to the auditorium at Claremont Middle School when approximately
Unacceptable Conditions for Neighbors and Pedestrians
Dear Editor, I wrote to William Gilchrist, Director of Planning and Building Development, on April 17, 2026, to express my
Two Upcoming Community Meetings About Claremont & TJ’s Two Towers
As community interest in the proposed development at 6230 Claremont continues to grow, residents should be aware of both the
Maximum Allowable Units: Getting the Math Right
I live on Auburn Avenue—6230 Claremont Avenue, the abandoned former site of the Red Cross Blood Bank, is right
The Fight Over High-Rise Buildings in Rockridge
The recent proposals to build high-rise (often defined as 12 or more stories) and mid-rise (5–12 stories)
June 18: Meeting with Ellis Partners
Thursday, June 18, 6:30pm–7:30pm Although this meeting is formally scheduled around site design and tree removal requirements,
May Is Affordable Housing Month, Will Any Be Built in Rockridge?
The proposal to construct two high-rise senior housing towers at the Trader Joe’s site has sparked widespread debate,
May 19 Update: 6230 Claremont Development Project
The project at 6230 Claremont continues to move forward. City staff declared the application complete on April 21, 2026, which
Questioning the Cost of High-Rise Development
I have lived in Rockridge for 47 years. When my husband and I first moved here, the space now occupied
Time to Stand Up
Central planners don’t have a good record historically. Try as they might, they just lack the information the rest
Rockridge Residents Push Back on Housing Plans at Community Meeting
We attended the annual meeting of the Rockridge Community Planning Council (RCPC) on April 23. The concerns of many attendees