On July 11, 2000, the Berkeley City Council passed Councilmember Polly Armstrong's request that the city manager monitor and review any documents submitted by the Claremont regarding its expansion plans. This was a consent item and passed without discussion. The text of the item, as emailed by Polly Armstrong's office, follows:

From:

Councilmember Polly Armstrong

Subject:

REQUEST THAT THE CITY MONITOR AND REVIEW PLANS FOR THE CLAREMONT HOTEL EXPANSION

RECOMMENDATION:

That the Council ask the City Manager to direct staff to review and monitor any plans or permit requests or environmental documents submitted by the Claremont Hotel for their proposed expansion and inform us of any opportunities that exist for the City to ensure that the impacts on residents are avoided or mitigated.

BACKGROUND:

The Claremont Hotel is considering a significant expansion, potentially 165 additional rooms, (including condominiums) and a 3-level parking structure. The existing grounds of the Claremont Hotel provide what little park-like area survives in this southeast portion of Berkeley. Covering this green space, increasing the density with its attendant traffic increase, and altering the historic setting and nature of the property provides a distinct threat to the Claremont-Elmwood neighborhood. Our options for controlling these plans are limited because the entire hotel and its grounds are located within the Oakland city limits. Unfortunately, the impacts will be felt most severely by Berkeley residents.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:

Unknown

CONTACT PERSON:

Councilmember Polly Armstrong: 644-6401

During the April 26th. meeting at the Claremont, Ted Axe, the Claremont's general manager, admitted he wanted to add 165 new rooms, possibly including timeshares and a 3 level parking facility. This is a 60% increase in the number of guest rooms, adding 3 rooms for every five they have now. At the May 26th. meeting, Axe said he was considering condominiums, not timeshares. Condominiums are residences, not guest rooms. [Previously, the Claremont said it wanted only 90 rooms (see April website).]

Axe said construction would take place over the next 5 to 10 years. Axe said he is looking at maximum development of 22 acres and maximum profits for KSL, which owns the Claremont. Axe said there would be minimal impact on traffic, views, and the neighborhood.

The Claremont's management is hoping to expand the hotel in two phases. The initial phase has begun with 16 million dollars worth of renovations to the main building and a 1.5 million dollar seismic retrofit. Over the summer, the main entrance on Tunnel Rd. will get an entrance monument and median strip. In October the Spa will be moved closer to the proposed 90 rooms. This will also increase the amount of space alloted to the Club. Both the Spa and Club will double in size.

Next would be the 90 room wing built into the hillside. A parking deck would be put where a tennis court is now on the Domingo side (near Peet's), with a new tennis court on top of it. This would be two stories high. During the second phase, a campus-like area with 75 large suites or condominiums would be built. Another pool might be added, according to Axe. Berkeley neighbors say the pool would be covered under the permanent noise injunction they won several years ago. More levels of parking topped with tennis courts would replace the current tennis courts, until all 6 tennis courts would be above a three story parking facility. The Claremont would now have 400 parking spaces. With valet parking, they could park 1500 cars.

At some point, according to Axe, they may put an entrance on Claremont Ave. (there's already an unused curb cut) with a deceleration lane for cars to stack up. Parking places on Claremont Ave. would be eliminated, although anyone who wants to pay what the Claremont charges could park in the new parking garage.

To give a better idea of when all this could take place, we have developed an unofficial timeline based on information from the Claremont and KSL.

In July, Ted Axe indicated to members of an informal neighborhood group that the expansion may be done as many small projects rather than the 2 phase construction he presented at previous public meetings. He continues to emphasize that nothing is official.

The Chronicle did a story on brush clearing and a story on the expansion [see "Claremont Resort Neighbors Clip Clearing program," by Debra Levi Holtz, SF Chronicle, 08/09/00 and "Growing Pains", Debra Levi Holtz, SF Chronicle, 08/11/00]. The Claremont is now saying the new guest wing would be 86 rooms rather than 90, and that it wants to put in 75 time share villas, rather than condominiums. Both KTVU and the "Growing Pains article mentioned pines and ivy, but not the native oaks growing in the area where the guest room wing would go. Native oaks are protected by law. Even if the Claremont has scaled back the project to spare the oaks, construction can damage the roots and kill the trees. For more on oaks, see article.

This is the most important part of the expansion project. Before any new construction, the Claremont must prepare an Environmental Impact Report (EIR). This will be started sometime after Labor Day, according to Axe. After it is submitted to the City of Oakland, there will be a public comment period, after which permits may be granted. The whole EIR process may take as little as 4 to 6 months.

This spring and summer is a crucial time for public involvement. The EIR must detail the new construction's effect on the environment. For example, every tree that is removed affects the microclimate, air quality, and wildlife habitat. The Claremont plans to remove a mature grove of pines [ Update: this writer saw approximately 24 very large, mixed conifers, 2 smaller pines with a sickly appearance, and 2 oaks in the area to be developed.], a native oak and a landscape area for its 90 room addition. The arbor area will become a third swimming pool. Axe said the trees would be replaced, (including the mature trees destroyed last summer)but saplings have a different effect on the environment than mature trees.

Earthmovers will be brought in to carve up the hillside below the Terrace Bar. The 90 room wing is planned for the hillside below the hotel and would be connected by elevators. The EIR should detail how this will affect the stability of the hillside and the homes above it.

Earthmovers will also excavate the land under the Claremont's 6 tennis courts. The Claremont proposes a 3 level parking facility beneath new tennis courts, increasing its total number of parking spaces to 400. With valet parking included at no extra charge, the Claremont could have 1500 cars parked at once. This would be a major environmental change and seriously affect our air quality.

On Fri., Aug. 4, the Claremont began removing overgrown ivy and brush from the land along the path to Alvarado Rd., behind the Hotel. This followed the annual cleanup of the land along the path (a water easement owned by EBMUD) and the Alvarado Pl. side of the property between the fence and the street, performed as usual by the East Bay Conservation Corp. The brush removal was ordered by the Oakland Fire Dept.

On Tues., Aug. 8, Fire Marshall Camille Rodgers, Ted Axe, and contractor Arthur Young spoke to neighbors about the brush removal. Rodgers said the fire dept. had tried to get the Claremont to abate the hazardous conditions for several years without success. She said Axe was more cooperative than the previous management. She explained why brush and deadwood must be cleared in the fire zone.

Neighbors were upset that the parking lot was no longer screened from view. Ivy has been completely removed from portions of the fence, giving pedestrians and neighboring homes an unobstructed view of the parking lot. Neighbors complained of the increased noise from the parking lot, glare from the sun on cars, microclimate degradation, and aesthetics. One pointed out that Cecile Brunner roses, part of the original gardens, were in the path of destruction. Some rose bushes appear to have been cut. One neighbor also called the Chronicle, which ran an article the next day ["Claremont Resort Neighbors Clip Clearing program," by Debra Levi Holtz, SF Chronicle, 08/09/00.]

Axe said he was willing to work with the neighbors on their concerns. He said he is willing to put a temporary "green screen" on bare portions of the fence. He reached a compromise with neighbors on the spot, regarding the amount of greenery removed.

Ted Axe was hired for two reasons**. One was to develop the Claremont's public areas and grounds. When his hiring was announced, KSL sad it wanted to change its public areas and grounds, including the replanting of some of the original landscape features. [See "New owners take an Axe to venerable Claremont Resort"bizjournals.com, 8/31/98]

The sudden desire to cooperate with the fire dept., after years of stonewalling by current and previous management, confirms this. KSL has been very upfront about its plans for the Claremont. They want to maximize development and profit. A previously unattractive area, littered with beer bottles and tires, will be landscaped into a lovely garden. Neighbors will have something nice to look at on their way to Peet's. This might soften opposition to removing the gardens and grove of trees which currently stand in the way of the proposed 90 room wing.

On Oct. 18th. an alert neighbor met a member of the Claremont's management team and Camille Rodgers walking the Claremont grounds, discussing what still needed to be cut in the woods bordering Alvarado Pl. There will be more brush clearing and cutting done in that area in order to comply with the Oakland Fire Dept. Last time, everyone was taken by surprise by the brush clearing. We suggest you contact the Claremont if you need specific details.

*A "fire ladder" is a low-hanging branch or a vine which fire can use to climb up into the trees. Ivy climbing a support wire, up a utility pole, and over a tree branch is a fire ladder. There are several of these fire ladders on the Claremont grounds.

**The second reason Axe was hired? His previous job was with Grenelefe Golf and Tennis Resort, in Orlando, Florida. Grenelefe features condominiums, which KSL wants to build at the Claremont. For more on the Claremont and golf, see article on KSL's privatization of Oakland's municipal golf course.

Claremont Expansion Discussed at CENA Meeting

The Claremont-Elmwood Neighborhood Association (CENA) invited Ted Axe to its May 24 general membership meeting to discuss the proposed expansion. Daniel Lieberman, a developer and neighbor, and Elizabeth Kibbey, also a neighbor, shared the stage. An unidentified neighbor, not connected with this website or Elizabeth Kibbey and Prof. Michael Smith's e list, printed and distributed copies of this webpage, along with a map of the expansion project. Axe said they both seemed fairly accurate. He pointed out 3 or 4 things he considered inaccurate, and we have updated accordingly (see Corrections, below). Axe said he was considering 75 condominiums rather than timeshares, [Ed. note: We stand by our original report.] which raises different issues.

In response to persistent questioning,Axe said the EIR would not be started or finished before Labor Day. He also said the new wing would cost about 15 million dollars, and the rest of the proposed construction 15-20 million dollars. Axe continued to emphasize that the plans are very preliminary and have not been approved by KSL yet. If his plans are approved by KSL, Axe said he would hold a series of community meetings.

The CENA meeting had about 200 participants, including Berkeley Mayor Shirley Dean. When Kibbey asked how many had been to the Claremont in the past 6 months, nearly everyone raised their hands. This was to prove to Axe that the Claremont is a vital part of our community, and that its neighbors are its core users. Other issues raised icncluded continuing problems with traffic and congestion due to the new traffic light, night construction at the Claremont [Axe said it would stop], and environmental concerns.

Due to time constraints, a small group of concerned neighbors joined the aforementioned speakers in a smaller conference room, allowing the general meeting to move on with its agenda. In just 2 weeks, an e list of people concerned about the Claremont expansion has grown to more than 200 people. Axe promised to meet with this group on a regular basis.

The Claremont is known for its beautiful trees and landscaping. It has expanded many times over its long history, adding buildings and parking lots, decreasing its trees and gardens. In 1997 the Claremont built a 6 million dollar wing, with 40 deluxe rooms. This brought the total number of guest rooms up to 279. They also significantly increased the size of the spa and health club area. [Information from the Claremont's website.]

During the road work, a row of mature shade trees and a large area of shrubbery and landscaping were destroyed. To date, the area has not replanted. While pedestrians feel safer with the traffic signal, a previously pleasant walk is now hot and unpleasant. The sun glares off the roofs of cars in the parking lot (previously screened by shrubbery). There is nothing but dirt and gravel on the ground. There is no shade. This is called an urban heat island. At the April 26th meeting, Ted Axe said the Claremont will replant the area sometime this summer. However, there will be a large entrance monument, and saplings rather than mature speciments.

Plants and trees are aesthetically pleasing. More importantly, they reduce pollution, lower the temperature in the summer, and emit oxygen. Each mature shade tree gave enough oxygen for a family of four.* At this point, we do not know how many trees or how much landscaping KSL intends to remove in its next expansion.

*Information on trees and urban heat islands from The San Francisco Examiner, East Bay Edition, Thurs. 4/13/00.

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 proposed changes, 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. 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.)

In 1998 the Claremont Resort and Spa was purchased by KSL Recreation Corp. KSL owns some of the largest resorts in the world. It is currently in negotiations with the City of Oakland to develop the Lake Chabot Municipal Golf Course. This multimillion dollar deal has been hotly contested by both neighbors and golfers, whose fees would skyrocket under the proposed contract (see April website). KSL is in turn owned by KKR and Co. The K in both companies stands for Kravis. Henry Kravis is world famous for inventing the leveraged buyout in the 1980s. KKR has approximately 58.5 billion dollars in assets. It owns about 30 national and multinational corporations, including Safeway.

KKR also owns Zhone Technologies, a communications equipment startup company based in Oakland. With 500 million dollars in startup capital, they have the largest equity financing ever raised by a communications equipment startup.

In Feb., Mayor Jerry Brown attended the groundbreaking ceremony for Zhone's new campus. [Z hone press release2/2/00] Zhone is putting up 4 multistory buildings with 300,000 square feet, for up to 1500 employees, with space for manufacturing as well as offices. Brown had nothing but praise for Zhone, which has apparently donated technology to public recreation centers and schools in Oakland.

[Information from KKR and Zhone websites]

First, study the situation yourself. Contact a neighborhood organization, listed in Contacts. If you have questions or concerns, go to our contacts list, or e mail us. If you have an opinion on the matter, write a letter to the editor and again, use our contacts list to contact the Claremont and your local elected officials. You can express your opinion, ask questions, or share information on our Yahoo! Club/

Berkeley residents have expressed great frustration, as the Claremont is officially in Oakland. Polly Armstrong has been very receptive and helpful to her constituents. You can contact her and/or your neighborhood's city councilmember. Both Berkeley and Oakland residents can also contact Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson, who attended Jane Brunner's May 6th. meeting. Berkeley Mayor Shirley Dean also attended the meeting. Berkeley residents can attend Jane Brunner's open meetings in North Oakland. Everyone is free to speak and to ask questions at the open meetings. Both Berkeley and Oakland residents can read the EIR, comment on it, and challenge it if necessary.