Project
City Council gave final approval to Phase I of the citywide zoning ordinance revision at the March 15 meeting. Replaces zoning dating back in some cases to the 1950s. Property owners along northern Broadway (MacArthur to 51st) complained about due process but Council ultimately approved. Next phase will address parking requirements, density bonus ordinance, and overlay districts.
College Avenue and Telegraph Avenue commercial corridors
Councilmember Jane Brunner and the Oakland Planning Department initiated a zoning update process for Telegraph corridor and lower Claremont Avenue, proposing upzoning to C-30, new SD-TEM overlay zones, and building heights of 45-55 feet. The draft went before the Zoning Update Commission in June.
The city's Zoning Update Committee heard the proposed Temescal/lower Rockridge zoning changes on June 20. The ZUC delayed its recommendations and scheduled an August 15 follow-up meeting to allow additional community input. RCPC opposed C-30 upzoning for Claremont.
The Zoning Update Committee agreed on August 18 to forward planning staff recommendations to the full Planning Commission, but could not agree on building height limitations. At RCPC's urging, the ZUC agreed to leave existing C-28 zoning in place on Claremont.
City planning staff is still clarifying its recommendations after the ZUC hearing. The ZUC voted to forward the issue to the full Planning Commission with some unresolved issues, including building height limitations. RCPC is waiting for the staff report and a second hearing date.
Proposed rezoning of the Lower Temescal and Telegraph Corridor from C-28 to C-30 with NCMU (Neighborhood Center Mixed Use) designation. Planning Commission hearing scheduled for January 16, 2008; EIR to follow.
The City's zoning update process was preparing detailed regulations for the CN-1 zone, intended to replace the C-31 zone applying to College Avenue and the C-27 zone applying to Montclair Village. The new zone would incorporate all important C-31 provisions and continue to protect ground-floor retail on College. The next technical advisory group meeting was in August.
Oakland's citywide zoning update process is advancing, with a final Technical Advisory Group meeting in December to review height limit and development intensity maps. Community criticism of the opaque process is prominent. Proposed changes could allow height increases along Telegraph Avenue and Broadway below 51st Street, and three-story residences in R-40 zones. College Avenue and Broadway would be rezoned to a new CN-1 category.
Oakland proposes a citywide zoning update affecting commercial areas including College Avenue, proposing a CN-1 commercial zone with no building size cap. The Planning Commission is conducting public hearings. RCPC is pushing for 'fine tuning' to protect Rockridge's retail character.
Planning Commission public hearing on citywide zoning scheduled for October 13. Proposed changes to text and zoning maps include higher densities along major commercial corridors and height increases up to 60 feet along Telegraph Avenue. RCPC pushing for modifications to protect Rockridge residential areas.
Planning Commission approved citywide zoning revisions December 15 and sent them to City Council. Rockridge's zoning largely left unchanged but Telegraph Avenue proposed for heights up to 60 feet through Temescal. RCPC pushing City Council to modify height limits to protect adjoining residential areas.
Planning Commission approved citywide zoning December 15 and sent to City Council. RCPC hopes to convince Council and Councilmember Brunner to modify 60-foot height limits proposed for Telegraph Avenue to protect adjoining historic residential areas.
Oakland's citywide zoning ordinance update affecting Rockridge. The CED Committee approved revisions proposed by Councilmember Jane Brunner lowering height limits on upper Telegraph Ave (north of SR-24) and 5200 block of Broadway from 60 ft to 45 ft, and dropping eastern portions of Birch Court/Chabot Road from upzoning back to RM-1. Approved by CED Committee, forwarded to full Council; first reading held March 1, second/final adoption scheduled March 15.
City Council gave final approval to Phase I of the citywide zoning ordinance revision at the March 15 meeting. Replaces zoning dating back in some cases to the 1950s. Property owners along northern Broadway (MacArthur to 51st) complained about due process but Council ultimately approved. Next phase will address parking requirements, density bonus ordinance, and overlay districts.
“Councilmember Jane Brunner and the Oakland Planning Department initiated a community planning process to update zoning along the Telegraph corridor and bring it into compliance with the General Plan.”2007_06 - Article by Ronnie Spitzer, RCPC Chair
“RCPC Chairwoman Ronnie Spitzer expressed concern about the proposed height, developer bonuses, and rezoning Claremont from C-28 to C-30. RCPC objects to C-30 because it does not provide for neighborhood-oriented commercial facilities, allows for an excessive increase in building height, and does not set an appropriate image for future developments along Claremont, which the organization views as a gateway to Rockridge.”2007_07 - Impressive Community Showing at City's Zoning Meeting, July issue
“The council eventually voted to keep Brunner's compromise height map.”2011_04 - Rezoning article continuation, p. 13
“After Tussle, Council OKs Phase I Rezoning”2011_04 - Front-page article headline
“At RCPC's urging, they agreed to leave the existing C-28 in place on Claremont and possibly use the General Plan Neigborhood Center Mixed Use (NCMU) designation for this area of Claremont.”2007_09 - Planning & Project Review Committee: Local Project Updates, September issue