Planning Commission Approves Apartment Plan for Rich Products Site

The Claremont Planning Commission voted unanimously to approve an ammendment to the Village Expansion Plan this week that would allow an apartment building on Oberlin Avenue and First Street in Village West to include a fourth story and reach a 50-foot height limit, one more story and 10 more feet than was originally agreed upon in July.

Chris Veirs, a senior planner with the city who presented the amendment to the commission, said the added story was needed to make the entire project worthwhile financially.

The original expansion plan limited buildings in the mixed-use area to a 40-foot height limit.

The project by the  Denley Investment and Management Company calls for the construction of new apartments, offices and live-work spaces around the old site of the Rich Products packing plant. The plant itself would be retooled for more office and living space.

Despite the commission's approval of the amendment, current residents voiced a flurry of concerns about the project at Tuesday's meeting.

Among those concerns was the fact that some residents said they were never notified of the project in the first place.

Gwen Carr, a 34-year Claremont resident who called herself a "town advocate," lives near the proposed construction site. She said the first she had heard of the project was in an article in The Clarmemont Courier.

"It's kind of sneaky that it came in a back-door way. It was approved for three floors, and now you want to go another floor up," Carr said.

Other residents who attended the meeting also expressed that the dialogue between themselves and the developer had been limited at best.

Visibly angry, Commissioner Robert Tener admonished members of the city staff who were present, ordering them to ensure that all nearby residents were informed of the project ahead of time.

"This commission of the city of Claremont does not behave in a sneaky way," Tener said. "My heart is sore over this."

Residents have also been concerned, according to The Courier, that the added floor would obstruct their view of the San Gabriel Mountains.

However, Viers' presentation appeared to show that, despite adding another floor, the new building would obstruct the view of the mountains, regardless.

Others voiced their concerns over bringing even more businesses into the Claremont Village while many shops remained closed during the recession. Some residents suggested that the Rich Products site be repurposed for recreational spaces instead.

The commission's recommendation will go before the city council before the plan is finally approved.