If you thought the two skyscrapers proposed for College Avenue were going away, you were mistaken. The project to build two high-rises at the site of Trader Joe’s is proceeding. The applicant has paid the required fees, and the 30-day process to review the completeness of the application began on October 29.
Below is the timeline provided by the Planning Department, outlining the review process mandated by Assembly Bill (AB) 130, which was signed into law by the Governor on June 30, 2025 (local Assemblymember Buffy Wicks (D-Oakland) introduced AB 609, whose housing and CEQA reform provisions were incorporated into AB 130.).
Although there will be an opportunity for the public to comment to the Planning Department, there will be NO public hearing. The timeline will also depend on how long it takes the developer to respond to city comments.
Planning Department Timeline:
- Once payment is made, Planning staff will have 30 days to review the project and determine if it is "complete" (i.e., whether all of the required submittal items listed on city application forms have been provided).
- Once staff determines that the application is complete, staff will have 60 days to make a zoning consistency determination (i.e., identify any and all relevant zoning and design standards with which the project may or may not comply).
- Once staff determines that the application is consistent with relevant zoning standards, the city will have 30 days to approve or disapprove the project. This application will be administratively reviewed and processed in accordance with Planning Code Section 17.136.040.C.
What This Means?
There will not be a public hearing held by the Planning Department prior to the staff's decision.
- The Regular Design Review (ODS) process includes a mandatory 17-day public notice period during which notice signs will be posted at the site, and property owners and occupants within 300' of the site will be mailed notices with staff and applicant contact information so they can provide public input.
- At this time, staff can also provide a courtesy email notice to the Rockridge Community Planning Council (RCPC), Rockridge Neighbors for Sensible Housing (RNSH), and Upper Broadway Advocates (UBA).
- During and after this public notice period, staff will evaluate public input for consideration in the review and processing of the application, consistent with the above Code section and as required by AB 130.
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