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The
Claremont-Elmwood Neighborhood Association (CENA) was
formed in 1969. The primary impetus was to expand traffic
management planning started earlier by Emerson School
Neighborhood Association and the Safety Committee of
Emerson School PTA.
Committees went to work on traffic and transit, but
soon other neighborhood concerns became apparent and
CENA began to work on land use, parks and open space,
and social concerns. Funds were raised and consultants
hired to provide CENA with the best possible advice
about how to protect and improve the quality of life
in our neighborhood. Official position papers were created
and approved by the board of directors, and subsequently
published so that everyone would be aware of what CENA
stood for and why we cared. CENA was established as
a non-profit corporation in the State of California
on October 20, 1975.
Current and past presidents are (in alphabetical order):
John Cecil, Fred Collignon, Joe Engbeck, Karen Faircloth,
William Gilbert, Bob Holtzapple, Martha Jones, Dean
Metzger, Phil Polakoff, John Weil, and Doris Willingham.
MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Landmarking Claremont Hotel & Claremont Court Entry
Gates and Pillars: In 2000, the owners of the Claremont
Hotel proposed expansion including 165 additional units
in front of the hotel's main building. The Berkeley/Oakland
Neighbors of the Claremont (BONC) was formed and applied
for City of Oakland landmark status for the property.
The Claremont Hotel was declared a City of Oakland landmark
in 2002 and in 2003 the State Office of Historic Preservation
determined the Claremont Hotel eligible for placement
on the National Register of Historic Places.
CENA, along with the Parish of St. Clements, supported
landmarking the Claremont Court Entry Gates and Pillars,
designed by John Galen Howard in the early 1900's. City
of Berkeley granted landmark status in 2005. This includes
Claremont Court Entry Gates on Claremont Boulevard,
and pillars on Avalon Avenue, Russell Street, Forest
Street and Derby Street.
Claremont Canyon Conservancy: CENA is a Founding
Sponsor of the Claremont Canyon Conservancy, formed
in 2001 as a citizen-based, non-profit organization,
intended to be a catalyst to create and implement with
the major landowners, long-term and adequate stewardship
of the entire watershed of Claremont Canyon. Claremont
Canyon is the largest, relatively undeveloped canyon
on the western slope of the Oakland Hills. The major
landowners are University of California, East Bay Regional
Park District, the City of Oakland and other public
agencies. Claremont Canyon Conservancy's intention is
to reduce wildfire hazards, preserve or restore a healthy
ecosystem, promote education and research, and improve
public access.
Emergency Preparedness: In 1999, CENA developed
a plan for disaster recovery supplies and implemented
it for all neighbors in the Claremont-Elmwood who elected
to participate. The plan provided purchasing at a group
discount emergency drinking water containers, MRE (Meals
Ready to Eat), fire extinguishers, and gas shut-off
valves. CENA was recognized by the City of Berkeley
as one of the best prepared neighborhoods to withstand
a major disaster, such as an earthquake of fire. However,
our level of preparedness needs constant vigilance and
updating to sustain its effectiveness.
University of California Covenants: In the early
1980's the University of California made plans to acquire
the Deaf & Blind School property (now Clark Kerr Campus).
The CENA neighborhood negotiated with UC and agreed
to drop its opposition if UC would limit their use of
the site in legally binding covenants. The covenants,
recorded in Alameda County for the benefit of the neighbors,
limit UC to the uses of the site identified in 1982,
and give restitution for 50 years for every home within
1/4 mile.
Elmwood Commercial District: In 1975, in order
to preserve the unique character of the Elmwood Shopping
District, CENA worked closely with Elmwood Merchants
Association and other neighborhood associations to draft
a zoning ordinance that would limit the size of the
district, the square footage of an individual business
and the number of any one kind of business. Currently,
the zoning ordinance is being updated.
Conference on Curbing the Car: CENA led the effort
for a major conference dedicated to transit improvements
and automobile traffic management strategies. Panel
discussions featured northern California's leading figures
in the transportation field. April, 1972
Landvale Interchange Re-design: CENA led the
fight to block construction of the Landvale Interchange
in 1972. The interchange was subsequently redesigned
to protect Tunnel Road/Ashby Avenue from high-speed
freeway traffic while facilitating freeway to freeway
traffic flow (Highways 13 & 24). The redesigned Landvale
Interchange was completed in 1999.
Claremont Canyon Regional Preserve: In 1970,
CENA persuaded the East Bay Regional Park District to
acquire 80 acres of scenic open space in the hills just
east of the California Schools for the Deaf & Blind
(now Clark Kerr Campus). In 1971, CENA hired a consultant
to develop a plan for acquisition and preservation of
Claremont Canyon. In 1978, CENA helped create Friends
of Claremont Canyon, after a 141 unit subdivision was
proposed to be built on very steep, privately-owned
land in the middle of the canyon. That plan was eventually
blocked. Today, some 500 acres of undeveloped land in
the canyon is owned and protected as permanent open
space by the East Bay Regional Park District and the
University of California.
Citywide Local Transit Study: In 1970, at CENA's
urging, the City of Berkeley agreed to establish a citywide
special task force designed to advise the City Planning
Commission. This led to publication of a city report,
"Getting Around In Berkeley", and to the creation
in 1976 of a Transportation Department and Commission.
Berkeley subsequently obtained a major federal transportation
planning grant and carried out a multi-year Coordinated
Transit Development Project.
Traffic & Transit Study in Southeast Berkeley:
AC Transit and City of Berkeley agreed to participate
with CENA in a study of traffic and transit in southeast
Berkeley in 1969.
Emerson School Neighborhood Circulation Plan: To
provide safety for children near Emerson School, a number
of traffic management devices were installed, including
street closures, diverters, chokers and stop signs.
The circulation plan was implemented in stages between
1969 and 1975.
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