At the April 21, 2022 BPAC meeting, Strategic Planning Manager for the City of Oakland Planning Department, Laura Kaminski, presented on the upcoming General Plan update. The presentation and summary of discussion are below.

The City of Oakland is undertaking a comprehensive General Plan Update process in two phases. Phase I includes the update of the Housing and Safety Elements of the General Plan; creation of the City’s first Environmental Justice Element; associated amendments to other Elements of the General Plan, along with Zoning Code and map updates; Racial Equity Impact Analysis, and an Industrial Land Use Study. Phase I is anticipated to be completed by early 2023.

Phase II includes the update of the Land Use and Transportation Element (LUTE); Open Space, Conservation, and Recreation Element (OSCAR); Noise Element; and the development of a new Infrastructure and Facilities Element. Phase II work also includes zoning updates and CEQA review. The Phase I process will help inform the components of Phase II. Phase II is anticipated to be completed by mid-2025.

The Draft 2023-2031 Housing Element is currently open for public review from May 12, 2022 to June 13, 2022.

Presentation

Summary of discussion

• Commissioner Frank advocated for a transition towards a high-quality autonomous public transit system.
• Commissioner Whipps appreciated that equity is a foundational part of this plan and wants to ensure that community conversations will occur in East Oakland (Districts 5, 6, and 7).
• Ofurhe Ogbinedion noted that the presentation did not include people with a disability, who should be included in the community outreach process.
• The Technical Advisory Committee for the General Plan Update includes BART, AC Transit, OUSD, and the Port of Oakland.