We are nearing key milestones for Phase 1 of the Oakland General Plan Update! In March 2023, we published first drafts of the Environmental Justice (EJ) Element, Safety Element, the Draft Environmental Impact Report (Draft EIR), and Draft Planning Code Amendments to implement the Housing Element's Housing Action Plan.
Since then, we have:
- Conducted 10 public meetings, including study sessions;
- Hosted town halls, focus groups, and workshops;
- Attended community events and Equity Working Group meetings to get community feedback on the draft documents; and
- Reviewed the extensive community feedback we received.
The full Phase 1 General Plan Update (GPU) Package includes:
- Oakland's first Environmental Justice Element
- Safety Element Update
- Planning Code Amendments
- Final Environmental Impact Report (Final EIR).
The Phase 1 GPU Package will be heard next at the Community Economic Development Committee on Tuesday, 9/12/23 at 1:30pm at Oakland City Hall. To comment on the Package, attend any of the upcoming public hearings or email feedback to generalplan@oaklandca.gov.
These Adoption hearings shall conclude Phase 1 of the City of Oakland’s 2045 General Plan Update. Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this process and committed to making Oakland better!
Upcoming Hearings
- Community and Economic Development Committee, Tuesday, September 12, 2023, at 1:30 PM, City Hall Council Chamber (in-person)
- City Council, Tuesday, September 19th, 2023, at 4:00 PM, City Hall Council Chamber (in-person)
- City Council, Tuesday, October 3rd, 2023, at 4:00 PM, City Hall Council Chamber (in-person)
Environmental Justice (EJ) and Safety Elements
EJ Element
Oakland’s first EJ Element serves as the foundation for achieving equity and environmental justice when planning for future growth and development in the City and builds upon Oakland’s current regulatory setting for equity and environmental justice.
Safety Element
The Safety Element aims to protect residents, workers, and visitors from seismic and geologic hazards, fire hazards, hazardous materials, flooding, and other potential hazards that risk life and property. The Element uses an equity lens through its hazards analysis and prioritizes vulnerable communities in the development of its goals, policies, and actions.
Planning Code Amendments
The proposed Planning Code and Zoning Map Amendments encourage different housing types, incentivize affordable housing, reduce constraints on housing development, and protect areas and populations affected by pollution. General Plan Text and Map Amendments include conforming revisions to the Land Use and Transportation Element. The proposed Planning Code and Zoning Map Amendments also implement several key actions proposed in the 2023-2031 Housing Element and are key to maintaining the City’s Housing Element compliance and certification that the California Housing and Community Development Department (State HCD)bestowed in February 2023, the City’s Prohousing Designation, which the State awarded in 2022, the City’s competitive position for state affordable housing grants, and the City’s local land use control.
Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR)
The Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for Phase I of the Oakland 2045 General Plan Update has been prepared pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the State CEQA Guidelines to analyze potential physical environmental impacts of the proposed City of Oakland Planning Code, Zoning and Height Area Maps, and General Plan text and map amendments implementing its 2023-2031 Housing Element, updates to its Safety Element, and its adoption of a new Environmental Justice Element. It also includes written responses to comments received during the public review and comment period and changes to the Draft EIR proposed in response to public comments or initiated by staff.
