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Claremont commission grants Pomona College extension for Oldenburg Center project
Summary
The commission unanimously granted Pomona College an extension of time to pursue demolition and replacement of the Oldenburg Center, citing permitting delays and supply‑chain issues; the project is part of the college master plan and was previously covered by a full EIR.
The Claremont Architectural and Preservation Commission unanimously approved an extension of time for Pomona College’s plan for the Oldenburg Center, allowing the college additional time to pull building permits for the proposed demolition and replacement with a language immersion residence hall and center for global engagement.
City Planner Chris Veers said the design approval is part of Pomona College’s approved master plan, which was analyzed in a full environmental impact report, and explained the college has not yet been able to obtain building permits because of supply‑chain delays, COVID‑era inflation and ongoing plan‑check steps. "They are very close to being able to pull initial building permits on this," Veers said, urging the commission to grant an extension as an abundance of caution.
The project was described in staff materials as a large, roughly 100,000‑square‑foot complex combining dormitory rooms, offices and a large luncheon/colloquium space tied to language immersion programming. No public speakers came forward during the hearing, and commissioners who participated said they supported the extension given the project’s complexity and the college’s near‑term plan‑check progress.
Commissioner Perry moved to adopt a resolution approving the extension and finding the item exempt from CEQA; a second was offered and the motion carried unanimously. The college has 10 days to appeal the decision.
Staff noted the college has been in plan check since December and that grant of the extension preserves the commission’s prior design approval while the college completes permitting steps.
