The Draft EIR on the Chabot Golf Course development is out. Copies of the document can be obtained from the Community and Economic Development Agency, Lynn Warner, Manager, (510) 238-6168. The 45-day public review period has already begun. During this period members of the public can make written comments and challenges to the Draft EIR before it goes to the Planning Department for certification. According to veterans of similar struggles with Oakland City offices, written responses to this report can be effective.

The first public forum for the Draft EIR for the golf course was on Wednesday February 28th at the Oakland Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission. There were about l00 people there, including 7 members of Berkeley Oakland Neighbors fo the Claremont (BONC). Presentations included KSL's golf course developer and club house architect; a financial advisory for the city; and Mr. Chester, the current manager of the club. About 30 people commented. Approximately 4 were for the project and the rest were against it.

Wong of the Advisory Commission made a motion that the Commission vote in favor of the project, was seconded by Webb. They voted 3-2 (with 3 abstaining) against the KSL plan. Members of BONC believe the Advisory Commission probably has no real power over the final outcome and say those who are against the development are very worried about cronie-ism between Mr. Chester, the current club manager, Oakland City Manager Bobb and Parks and Recreation Manager Matthews.

Information from a report by Ama Torrance, Wendy Markel and Helen Barber, members of BONC. Check the BONC website for further details.

Golf Course Focus of Jane Brunner's May 6 2000 Meeting

While Ted Axe and Dave Robbins, a vice president of development at KSL, denied any link between the privatization of Lake Chabot Golf Course by KSL and KSL's proposed expansion of the Claremont, KSL's own figures disagree. Their proposed fee structure for the golf course gives Claremont guests a discount. Oakland residents would also get a discount (more than double the current fees), but only if there's room for them after others, including Claremont guests, play. Also, research indicates that Mr. Axe was hired by KSL specifically because of his experience at Grenelefe Golf and Tennis Resort [see "New owners take an Axe to venerable Claremont Resort," bizjournals.com 8/31/98]

Golfers at Jane Brunner's meeting were very angry about the privatizaion, and feel they will lose access to the golf course. City manager Robert Bobb treated the golfers of Oakland with open contempt, telling them, "things are going to change whether you like it or not." He actually laughed at their distress, and while we have striven for objectivity, we must say he should be glad he doesn't answer directly to the voters. In our years of experience with politics on both the local and national level, we have rarely seen such a display of arrogance.

Several speakers and Jane Brunner expressed concerns that the golf course deal violated open process. Robert Bobb said the city did not have to have open bidding, as the current concessionaire for Lake Chabot had recommended KSL. Speakers pointed out that this was the same man who brought Oakland the disastrous Raiders deal.

In this writer's opinion, there was a feeling of consensus among audience members unusual in Oakland or Berkeley. The consensus was that the people of Oakland are being treated shabbily, that the whole KSL expansion with the Claremont and Lake Chabot was a backroom deal. We are losing our previous optimism about working with KSL (see April).

Robbins said KSL will present its DraftEIR to the Oakland City Council later this month. [UPDATE: Draft EIR presented one year later than originally planned!] There will be a 45 day public comment period. They also need a major conditional use permit. There will be a public meeting about this in June. (See Timeline.)