TO: ARCHITECTURAL AND PRESERVATION COMMISSION
FROM: BRAD JOHNSON, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
DATE: FEBRUARY 11, 2026
SUBJECT:
Title
EXTENSION OF TIME REQUEST FOR ARCHITECTURAL AND SITE PLAN REVIEW #21-A01, PROPOSED DEMOLITION OF OLDENBORG CENTER LOCATED NEAR THE CENTER OF THE POMONA COLLEGE CAMPUS AND REPLACEMENT WITH A NEW LANGUAGE IMMERSION RESIDENCE HALL AND CENTER FOR GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT. APPLICANT - POMONA COLLEGE
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SUMMARY
The applicant is requesting an extension of time for the previously-approved design review plans for the demolition of Oldenborg Center (“Oldenborg Center”) and replacement with an improved facility to serve as Pomona College’s focal point for language and international studies and house a Language Immersion Residence Hall (LIRH). The site for the project is located 120 feet south of Bridges Auditorium, with the replacement facility occupying approximately the same footprint as the existing building.
The project was originally entitled through the Pomona College 2015 Campus Master Plan (“Master Plan”). On February 14, 2024, the Architectural Commission approved the site plan and architectural designs for the project and included the standard two-year approval timeframe, which is set to expire on February 14, 2026.
Pomona College experienced delays but has been working diligently to make that deadline and submitted construction drawings in late 2025. The plan check process for the large and complex project has taken longer than expected, and it appears the College will miss the deadline by as little as a few weeks or several months, depending on the number of comments provided by the City and Fire Department regarding the second round plan check. To ensure the previous approval does not expire, Pomona College has requested an extension on the project approval timeframe. To ensure the extension provides adequate time for the applicant to secure the building permit, staff is recommending that the Commission approve a one-year extension.
Section 16.300.090.B of the Claremont Municipal Code allows the Architectural and Preservation Commission to grant a time extension beyond the initial approval period when a finding can be made that the applicant could not avoid the delay. The applicant notes that the project has been slowed by the complexity of the project, supply chain disruptions, inflation caused by the Covid-19 Pandemic, and budgeting requirements of the College. Staff has reviewed the applicant’s request and believes a time extension is warranted. Accordingly, staff has prepared a draft resolution for the Architectural and Preservation Commission, which grants the requested extension (Attachment).
The extension is needed in order to allow the applicant the additional time necessary to finalize plan check revisions and complete the building permit issuance process.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommended Action
Staff recommends the Architectural and Preservation Commission:
A. Adopt a RESOLUTION OF THE ARCHITECTURAL AND PRESERVATION COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF CLAREMONT, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING AN EXTENSION OF TIME REQUEST FOR ARCHITECTURAL AND SITE PLAN REVIEW #21-A01, FOR THE PROPOSED DEMOLITION OF OLDENBORG CENTER LOCATED NEAR THE CENTER OF THE POMONA COLLEGE CAMPUS AND REPLACEMENT WITH A NEW LANGUAGE IMMERSION RESIDENCE HALL AND CENTER FOR GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT (LIRH/CGE). APPLICANT - POMONA COLLEGE; and
B. Find this item is exempt from environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
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ALTERNATIVES TO RECOMMENDATION
In addition to the staff recommendation, there are the following alternatives:
A. Continue the item for additional information, granting a temporary extension until a decision on the matter has been made by the Commission.
B. Express intent to deny the extension request, specifically identifying how the request does not demonstrate the required finding of Section 16.300.090.B of the Claremont Municipal Code, find that the applicant could have avoided the delay, and continue the item to the February 25, 2026, meeting for adoption of a denial resolution.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Staff’s review of this project will have no significant financial impact on the City, as the applicant is responsible for all costs associated with the project’s review and approval.
CEQA REVIEW
The LIRH/CGE project was fully analyzed under the Final Environmental Impact Report prepared for the Pomona College 2015 Campus Master Plan (State Clearinghouse #2013101061), which was certified by the City Council on April 12, 2016. In addition, purely administrative activities such as short-term extensions for previously-approved and mitigated projects clearly will not have a significant effect on the environment and are exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) as they are covered by the common-sense exemption described in Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines. Therefore, no further environmental review is required.
PUBLIC NOTICE PROCESS
The agenda and staff report for this item have been posted on the City website and distributed to interested parties. Copies are available on the City website, at the City Hall public counter, the Youth Activity Center, the Alexander Hughes Community Center, and the Claremont Public Library. If you desire a copy, please contact Melissa Sanabria at msanabria@claremontca.gov.
Submitted by: Reviewed by:
Brad Johnson Christopher Veirs
Community Development Director City Planner
Attachments:
A - Draft Resolution Granting Extension
B - February 14, 2024, Architectural Commission Staff Report
C - Architectural Commission Minutes of February 14, 2024
D - Approval Resolution (File #21-A01)