On Wednesday October 29, several stakeholder groups provided their thoughts and vision for Oakland to the Zoning Update Committee. These groups included the Chinatown Chamber of Commerce, Oakland Builders Alliance, Oakland Heritage Alliance, CALM, and East Bay Housing Coalition.
There appear to be two main areas still requiring resolution: 1) what will be the final and permitted building heights along the downtown edge of Lake Merritt and 2) the final implementation strategy for the Fine Grain approach to zoning as the method for accomplishing historic preservation and economic development downtown.
With regard to building height limits, it is fair to say that the process has reached an impasse. The impasse is the result of the City of Oakland's unjustified position to permit buildings of 170 feet and higher in some areas by the Lake. This is in clear contrast to CALM's proposal for 55 foot height limits. Please see the staff report here: October 29, 2008, ZUC Staff Report
CALM's presentation focused entirely on specific General Plan policies and provisions which require the City to maintain and enhance the Gold Coast neighborhood, respect and preserve the historic properties and districts, and to protect important views into and away from downtown. CALM also pointed out that the General Plan directs new high-density housing away from the Gold Coast and Lake area.
It is clear that City staff has not considered the policies and directives of the General Plan in its height recommendations by Lake Merritt. CALM was please to be the first to bring actual General Plan materials into the rezoning process. The entire rezoning process for the CBD was initiated by the City Council in December, 2007, for the express purpose of bringing the Zoning Code into compliance with Oakland's General Plan. CALM will continue to press for limited building heights at Lake Merritt in compliance with Oakland's General Plan.
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