3.4 20-0547 Subject: 3455 And 3461 Champion Street DDA Amendment
From: Economic And Workforce Development Department
Recommendation: Conduct A Public Hearing And Upon Conclusion Adopt An Ordinance To Authorize A First Amendment To The Disposition And Development Agreement Between The City Of Oakland And Champion Street, LLC, For The Property Located At 3455 And 3461 Champion Street, To 1) Modify The Project Schedule To Extend (A) The Outside Date For Completion Of Construction To June 30, 2021, And (B) The Outside Date The Restaurant Will Open To July 30, 2021, 2) Modify The Restaurant Closing Time From 11:00 P.M. To 10:00 P.M., 3) Delete Provision Requiring Submittal To The City Of Proposed Change Of Hours Of Operation With Supporting Documentation, And 4) To Make The Determination That Project Is Exempt From The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
On behalf of neighbors negatively affected by this development, we urge you to vote down the proposal at today's City Council meeting to amend the DDA for developing the 3455 and 3461 Champion Street property into Bombera Bar & Grill. Also, as outlined in the Agenda Report, we urge the City to exercise its reversion rights, repurchase the property, and do the development right this time. Developers Dominica Rice and her husband Carlos Salomon have missed every deadline in the 2017 DDA by as much as 14 months, have broken public promises to engage meaningfully with neighbors, have violated several laws (including closing a public street to hold a private party for their daughter and grossly violating the COVID-19 Alameda County Shelter in Place ban on commercial construction for over 6 weeks), lied to City officials/staff, and have disrespected and been abusive to neighbors. City staff and officials (including Councilmember Thao) have buried their heads in the sand regarding these violations because they are "invested" in the developers. Therefore, we are appealing to the City Council to show some integrity and pull the plug on this development. Neighbors can provide overwhelming evidence why this project should not go forward. The City Council should, at least, table this item until they can make an informed vote.
On behalf of neighbors negatively affected by this development, we urge you to vote down the proposal at today's City Council meeting to amend the DDA for developing the 3455 and 3461 Champion Street property into Bombera Bar & Grill. Also, as outlined in the Agenda Report, we urge the City to exercise its reversion rights, repurchase the property, and do the development right this time. Developers Dominica Rice and her husband Carlos Salomon have missed every deadline in the 2017 DDA by as much as 14 months, have broken public promises to engage meaningfully with neighbors, have violated several laws (including closing a public street to hold a private party for their daughter and grossly violating the COVID-19 Alameda County Shelter in Place ban on commercial construction for over 6 weeks), lied to City officials/staff, and have disrespected and been abusive to neighbors. City staff and officials (including Councilmember Thao) have buried their heads in the sand regarding these violations because they are "invested" in the developers. Therefore, we are appealing to the City Council to show some integrity and pull the plug on this development. Neighbors can provide overwhelming evidence why this project should not go forward. The City Council should, at least, table this item until they can make an informed vote.
Sincerely,
Dave Karoly and Carla Jimenez