Berkeley's Zoning Adjustments Board on Thursday, Nov. 5, unanimously approved a permit to demolish the former Oxford Elementary School buildings at 1130 Oxford St., clearing a step toward 31 townhomes on the hillside site, The Daily Californian reported.
The project
The city staff report describes two buildings to be torn down: a three-story, 27,100-square-foot classroom building and a 5,500-square-foot circular multipurpose building. The 1.3-acre site would be split into eight lots for 31 townhomes under the state's Starter Home Revitalization Act (SB 684 and SB 1123). Staff found the work statutorily exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act.
Oxford Elementary moved out in 2020 after a 2019 report found an earthquake could trigger a dangerous landslide. Developer Panoramic Interests bought the property, and owner Patrick Kennedy told the Daily Cal he expects to break ground in the first half of 2027, with homes ready in 2028.
Neighbors push back
As of Nov. 5, the city had received 82 letters opposing the project and four in support. A neighborhood group, the Oxford Hillside Safety Alliance, cites wildfire, seismic and landslide risks and limited evacuation access. Its organizer, Dennis Fantin, said the group plans to appeal the decision and to speak at December's Planning Commission meeting.
City staff noted the Berkeley Fire Department did not raise concerns about emergency access and that new buildings would need a project-specific landslide evaluation. Kennedy called the criticism "misguided opposition."