Shoulda waited 24 hours to do a development wrap-up, because
next week's planning commission agenda has dropped. It's pretty lengthy and substantive, though not much that's novel.
1.
A minor zoning text amendment which changes community homes in residential zoned areas from conditional to special exception. I believe this is a loosening of zoning. I'm a bit confused why this wasn't packaged with the series of amendments to comply with the Fair Housing Act, since it's related to the various changes around assisted living and multi-suite residential. Maybe the process uncovered changes that needed to be made here as well.
2. The Commission is reviewing two different Hudson Companies residential projects in North Oakland -
The Parker (directly adjacent to The Julian, which is still in construction), and
the residential conversion of 450 Melwood. At 166 and 42 units respectively, it's pretty remarkable how much added density has been dropped onto this block in a short period of time. These aren't really new presentations though (OPDC was given materials months ago) so I won't belabor the actual plans, save to note that the Julian/Parker configuration is pretty much the ideal density levels for North Oakland.
3. Next week, the commission is having an initial briefing on the p
roposed city-wide ADU changes and
eliminations of parking minimums. I looked through the planned legislation, and it appears that surface parking lots are limited to 75 spaces in EMI-zoned areas, 25 spaces across most RIV areas, and prohibited not only in downtown/the North Shore, but large portions of Oakland as well (which will likely grow over time, since the UC-zoned areas are going to be extended to North Oakland and perhaps the three TOD zones.
Also,
the October 17 ZBA is now online. There's really nothing worth reviewing, but I'd note it for completeness's sake.