The Claremont Planning Commission will review an amendment to the Village Expansion Plan Tuesday night, June 19, that would allow the construction of a proposed 50-foot building at Oberlin Avenue and First Street in Village West.

The proposed mixed-use property is vying to take over the vacant Rich Products Corporation building, purchased by the Denley Investments and Management Company at the start of 2011.

The amendment would change the maximum height of buildings from 3 to 4 stories, or from 40 feet to a limit of 50-feet tall, not typically allowed in the city’s mixed-use zones. Originally approved at 45 feet last July, the building to be brought before the commission on Tuesday would graze the height limit, if approved, at 50 feet. Nearby Hotel Casa 425 stands an estimated 40 feet, while with the parking structure adjacent to The Packing House stands 4 stories, approximately 35 feet tall from the ground to the structure’s handrail. The garage’s elevator tower is 56 feet.

With a parking garage a part of the proposed building’s design, some residents were pleased with a potential solution to the Village West’s parking and traffic issues. Others voiced skepticism at a city council meeting held last July.

“It’s not entirely fair to ruin one person’s mountain view just to give another a mountain view, said Jason Ryan, a resident of the nearby Village Walk.

The Planning Commission meeting will begin at 7 p.m. in the City Council Chamber at 225 W. Second St. Public comment is welcome. For the full agenda visit www.ci.claremont.ca.us.

—Beth Hartnett

news@claremont-courier.com