Contacts for the Next Zoning Update Committee

For a number of years, it has been apparent to many Oakland residents and Lake-users that building height limits are needed along the edge of Lake Merritt. Because the City of Oakland is currently rezoning the edge of the Lake, now is the time to accomplish this. Tribune Article

On July 16, 2008, the Zoning Update Committee (ZUC) will again discuss rezoning in the Central Business District (CBD). As you know, the Coalition of Advocates for Lake Merritt (CALM) is spear-heading an effort to rezone the edge of Lake Merritt for lower building heights. We are asking for heights to be limited to 55' or 5/6 floors within 300' of Lakeside Drive along the length of Lakeside Drive from 14th Street at the Fire Alarm site to Snow Park. This area is also known as the Gold Coast neighborhood.

WE ARE ASKING EVERYONE WHO SUPPORTS LIMITING BUILDING HEIGHTS AT LAKE MERRITT TO NOW PLEASE EXPRESS THIS TO THE ZONING UPDATE COMMITTEE.

Following are some of the important reasons why CALM is making the proposal for height limits:

-Tall buildings are often out of context with many of the historic buildings in the Gold Coast neighborhood.

-Allowing new tall buildings will encourage the destruction and replacement of lower, historic buildings.

-Views looking toward and away from Lake Merritt are obstructed by tall buildings and create a "wall" at the edge of the Lake.

-Sunlight and solar access are blocked by tall buildings, which also degrade the open space of park lands surrounding the Lake or next to tall buildings.

Below is the contact information for each ZUC member and also for Neil Gray, the City of Oakland planner who works directly on the rezoning.

DOUGLAS BOXER (Chair)
Phone: (510)286-2937, Fax: (510)835-0415
Email: dboxer@gmail.com

MICHAEL COLBRUNO (Vice-Chair)
Phone: (510)835-5900; Fax:(510)663-4662
Email: michaelcolbruno@clearchannel.com

ANNE E. MUDGE
Phone (415) 392-4200; Fax: (415) 392-4250
Email: amudge@coxcastle.com

Neil Gray, Planner III
City of Oakland
Phone: (510)238-3878
Email: NGray@oaklandnet.com

CALM is asking everyone to call, write or email each member of the ZUC and Mr. Gray. This is one of the most important steps to take in getting the height limits: we must let the ZUC and the City know who we are and know what we want for this area of the Lake.

We suggest that you include any or all of the points mentioned above or you may copy from the following short statement (which is from CALM's petition). Of course, feel free to express your own thoughts on the subject to the ZUC as well:

"The Gold Coast is a diverse urban community with an abundance of culturally-significant buildings two to six stories in height which should be preserved and enhanced. High-rise buildings in close proximity to the Lake will have severe and damaging impacts on the character of this community and will also degrade the natural environment and open space of Lake Merritt and its adjacent park lands."

"I/we urge the Zoning Update Committee to adopt CALM's proposal to limit building heights within 300' of Lakeside Drive at Lake Merritt to no more than 55' or 5-6 stories."

Whatever you do in this regard, whether you call, write, or email, will be greatly appreciated.

Finally, CALM is planning a short community meeting on Saturday July 12 in the Lake area to get to know each other and to share information and contacts for the rezoning effort. We will let you know the time and location as soon as possible but please reserve a little time that day, if you can.