A Message from Upper Broadway Advocates How tall is too tall? What’s right for Rockridge?Context is critical in planning density. For example tall buildings around Hwy 24 and College might not seem out of place, but would 20-story buildings there be acceptable? Likewise, would a 5-7 story building on a single residential lot be okay among a block of 2-story homes?
What about all the cars high-density housing will add to the area’s already difficult parking issues? New zoning laws require far fewer spaces than in the past, sometimes none at all.What about true affordability—housing that’s actually affordable, not just slightly below “market rate”?And what about open space?New laws concerning these issues are currently being finalized, so it’s important to voice your opinion now.Here are three opportunities for you to be part of the conversation: Opportunity #1: Thursday, April 9 — 6:30 – 8PM Community Town Hall with District 1 Councilmember Unger Chapel of the Chimes, 4499 Piedmont Avenue, Oakland“Join Councilmember Unger and City staff for an interactive workshop exploring the General Plan Update’s Draft Land Use Framework. The Framework shows how we can achieve community priorities, like housing and services near transit, improving maintenance of parks and open spaces, and enhancing street safety. There will be light refreshments and interactive activities.“
Please come and bring your questions for Councilmember Unger. We’re very curious to hear what Councilmember Unger has in mind for SB79, the amendment he proposed, and density near BART. We are eager to know what other Rockridge residents think, and we would love to see you there!
RSVP via Eventbrite:https://www.eventbrite.com/e/zac-ungers-april-town-hall-tick..UBA Wants You to Know:On February 24th Councilmeber Unger proposed an amendment to exclude Rockridge from a City Planning initiative to study how to best implement Senate Bill 79’s (SB79) new density zoning. SB79 increases the height limit, permitting 6-9 story buildings along College Ave within 1/2 mile of BART. Unger’s amendment passed March 3rd.For more on SB79 read Tom Lollini’s cover story in April’s Rockridge News. Tom’s overview alerts us to the potential impact of this new law, particularly on the residential areas where developers may be able to build 6-7 story apartments “by right” (i.e. without community input), with minimal parking on formerly single family lots. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/692c67f5c509b901cee30842/t/69d263976bb1496ff2bdbdf8/1775395735927/2026_04.pdfOpportunity #2: Oakland Draft Land Use Framework–> Submit Your Comments Online Before April 23rdPlease weigh in on the City’s Draft Land Use Framework! Access to submit comments is open until April 23rd, so time is running out. https://www.oaklandca.gov/Planning-Building/General-Plan-Nei…Councilmember Unger suggested this method as the way to reshape the “alternative plan” for Rockridge, MacArthur and Ashby BART station transit oriented development areas established via SB79. Opportunity #3: Thursday, April 23 at 7:00 p.m. 2026 RCPC Annual Meeting on Community Vision Plan Rockridge Library, 5366 College Avenue, OaklandPresenting the Rockridge Community Vision Plan (CVP) and Action Groups Agenda: To review the Community Vision Plan and form Action Groups to implement the Vision Plan initiatives. 7:00 – 7:30 p.m. — Mixer to meet your neighbors with light refreshments. 7:30 p.m. — Presentation begins
Because the public RCPC subcommittees (such as the Land Use Committee) were quietly “paused” over the past year, the Community Vision Plan and presumably new Action Groups set up that night may be your best chance to learn what RCPC has been up to, its new priorities, and how and whether the public can participate in RCPC going forward.
Please come and bring your questions about RCPC’s new priorities, the new direction for the Rockridge News, and the Community Vision Plan.
Here is a statement from the outgoing RCPC Chair, Casey Farmer, regarding the changes in RCPC’s new land use priorities: “As I reflect on my service, I’d like to highlight ways we have made meaningful impact and how RCPC has evolved as a neighborhood organization. RCPC continues to focus on transportation and quality of life issues, but has refined its land use advocacy to also include supporting new housing (in addition to our focus on promoting ground floor retail along College Avenue). Advocating for housing is a change from RCPC’s founding which occurred soon after the construction of Highway 24 and BART. RCPC originally focused on retaining the “character” of Rockridge, including craftsman homes, small businesses and a pedestrian-friendly character. Forty years later, with a vast housing crisis now confronting us, RCPC’s advocacy efforts today must reflect new and modified priorities. (Per recent community feedback through the Community Vision Plan, Rockridge residents largely support the creation of new housing.)” Community works best when all our many voices are included. We all want to have some say in how our neighborhood evolves, and to be notified before the bulldozers show up.
We are looking forward to hearing our neighbors’ feedback, and we hope to see you at these events!
Celebrate Valentine’s Day with an all-star cast featuring Amanda Forsythe, soprano, with Elizabeth Blumenstock, Augusta McKay Lodge, Hanneke van Proosdij, William Skeen & David Tayler. Passion and fireworks from England and Italy in the 17th century.
February 15, 2026 Berkeley 7:30 pm First Congregational Church of Berkeley 2330 Durant Ave
Discount tickets are available for Rockridge Manor residents!
Contact Alana at alanadattilio@netscape.net or 510 394-2573
Hundreds of Oaklanders are signed up to volunteer at 52 community-organized service events across Oakland.
Media Contact: Oakland Public Information Office OaklandPIO@oaklandca.gov
Event Contact: Markus von Euw Service for Peace Bay Area sfpbayarea@gmail.com (510) 427-1605
Oakland, CA– On Monday, January 19, community organizations will host 52 service events across the city for Oakland MLK Day of Service. Volunteers will pick up litter, remove graffiti, weed, plant, and participate in other environmental stewardship projects, with support from Oakland Public Works. More information is available online at www.oaklandca.gov/topics/mlk-day-of-service.
“Vanderbilt is committed to supporting the California College of the Arts as it winds down its activities. The college intends to continue instruction and operations through the 2026–27 academic year, allowing students to progress in and/or complete their programs. Vanderbilt anticipates opening its San Francisco campus for students in the 2027–28 academic year, pending necessary approvals by regulatory bodies and other processes. Additional information about California College of the Arts as an institution will be communicated directly by CCA.”
from CCA President David Howse about CCA’s agreement with Vanderbilt University.
CCA announces an agreement with Vanderbilt University.
Posted January 13, 2026, 10:10 AM
CCA will wind down its current operations and will close by the end of the 2026-2027 academic year. Vanderbilt will then become the owner of the campus and will establish undergraduate and graduate programming, including art and design programs, at the campus. Vanderbilt also plans to operate a CCA Institute at Vanderbilt which will include, among other things, the Wattis Institute of Contemporary Arts, will maintain CCA archival materials, and will serve as a vehicle for CCA alumni engagement. Through these activities, Vanderbilt will honor CCA’s longstanding creative mission and maintain a strong presence for art and design education in the Bay Area.
Johnston’s News, Clues & Rumors:it is uncertain how the Vanderbilt purchase of CCA will affect the closed Oakland campus. Vanderbilt seems interested primarily in opening a campus in San Francisco. The Oakland campus was included in the deal. The option of the developer to build 448 apartments on the Oakland campus is still in force but at this time construction costs make the project unfeasible.
Photo taken by Joe Johnston on the CCA San Francisco campus at the Spring Art Fair on March 9,2024.
REMINDER January 14 in-person PANIL meeting PIEDMONT AVENUE NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENT LEAGUE Panil.org IN-PERSON Meeting Wednesday evening, 6:30 pm One Kelton Court The January General Meeting of the Piedmont Avenue Neighborhood Improvement League will be in-person in the Community Room of One Kelton Court.
As a special kickoff to 2026, we have arranged a gathering where we can discuss our neighborhood priorities with our Oakland City Council member, Zac Unger.
What do you think are the most important issues for this area? Where should we be directing our voices?
Come mingle with your neighbors, share snacks, and join in the discussion of what PANIL’s priorities should be in 2026.
WHEN and WHERE Wednesday evening, January 14th 6:30 to 8:00 pm in the Community Room One Kelton Court. One Kelton Court Enter Kelton Court from Monte Cresta Ave
Zac Unger speaking at the January 14,2026 PANIL meeting. Photo by Joe Johnston.
District One Councilperson Unger was thanked by Johnston for providing Terry Lee, a checker at the 5100 Broadway Safeway, with a City of Oakland Proclamation signed by Mayor Barbara Lee.
Something new has arrived… a hyper-local, independent media platform built by and for our local community that is just getting started. Rockridge Voice is now available for free (or paid, with benefits!) to help you stay current and connected to what’s happening right here in the neighborhood. Discover the stories and everyday heroes that shape our streets, shops, and parks.
We invite you to sign up and stay up to date with new content delivered straight to your inbox every other Sunday. Visit www.RockridgeVoice.com to explore our current articles, and subscribe if you like what you see. Subscribers can comment, share perspectives, and add their voice. Subscribe at one of the paid tiers, and we will post your announcements about upcoming events and happenings (details online).
It’s time for a new media resource—one that represents and highlights diverse voices, opinions, and stories too often overlooked by the current media landscape. We want to hear from you—be part of the conversation. Take this opportunity to join our engaged community of passionate, active, and involved readers who share a love of Rockridge.
Please feel free to share this with friends and neighbors—we’d love to hear from them too.
PIEDMONT AVENUE NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENT LEAGUE 
Rockridge Manor Neighborhood 