General Plan Update - Draft Land Use Framework

I hope this isn't the answer! but these hubs on the 880.
The bustling Trader Joe’s grocery store in Oakland’s Rockridge neighborhood might, in the next few years, be transformed into a 415-unit senior housing complex.

As first reported by the San Francisco Chronicle, the developer Align Real Estate submitted an application with the city today to replace the 20,000-square-foot grocery store and parking lot with two residential towers.

According to the developer, the apartment complex, split between a 25-story and a 30-story building, would resemble other housing projects developed over the past decade in Oakland near transit hubs like the MacArthur Transit Village, the proposed Lake Merritt BART Transit Village, or downtown Oakland’s Atlas building near the 12th Street BART station.

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According to the developer, the buildings would include 371 independent senior living units, 18 assisted living units, and 26 memory care units. The building would be managed by a nonprofit.

The Trader Joe’s would close and the new apartments would not include any ground-floor retail, but the new homes would be within walking distance of a BART station and College Avenue’s retail corridor, including a nearby Safeway and Market Hall.

The developer’s submission letter to Oakland says their plan qualifies as a “housing development project” under the 2019 Housing Accountability Act, a law authored by former East Bay State Senator Nancy Skinner that streamlined the approval process and gave developers more flexibility.

San Francisco-based Align is pursuing similar projects in other cities where they want to turn old grocery stores into housing. In San Francisco, the company’s proposal to transform the Marina District’s 67-year-old Safeway into a 790-unit apartment complex has been praised by YIMBYs but criticized by some neighborhood groups, the district’s supervisor, and Mayor Daniel Lurie.

The Rockridge Community Planning Council, a nonprofit that advocates for the neighborhood’s quality of life, said today that it doesn’t like the idea of losing the Trader Joe’s.

“The project proponent has stated that they are committed to preserving the ‘vitality of the corridor.’ Trader Joe’s is a vital part of the community,” RCPC said in a statement. “It is the only affordable grocery option in the neighborhood, and it is the first unionized Trader Joe’s in the country. We urge Align Real Estate to pursue a project that respects Rockridge’s scale, provides affordable housing, and retains Trader Joe’s as a foundational, street-level use.”

Other recent plans in Rockridge have also drawn criticism and opposition. A plan announced last year to build a 203-unit apartment building atop the former Red Cross office, just a few blocks from Trader Joe’s, has been met with frowns by some neighbors who say the seven-story edifice would be too tall.

And almost a decade ago, a plan to redevelop the former California College of the Arts campus as 600 homes, including a 19-story building, drew opposition from a neighborhood group who said it was too big and didn’t include enough affordably priced units. The CCA property recently changed hands and is now owned by Vanderbilt University. Vanderbilt hasn’t announced its plans for the site yet.

Rockridge is one of Oakland’s priciest neighborhoods and some of the area’s single-family homes are owned by aging adults. Align Real Estate’s David Balducci told the Chronicle, “By placing senior housing near transit, services and shops, we’re giving older adults the opportunity to age in place with dignity and independence, while also freeing up family homes for the next generation.”

Is this a good plant to put so much development into the most industrial and dangerous area of Oakland??

West Oakland: Look for "low-lying" areas (often shaded green) that may not be directly connected to the Bay but could flood due to drainage issues or rising groundwater.
The 880/98th Ave Interchange: This area near the airport is a major "hot spot" where water is projected to overtop the shoreline relatively early (by 2050 in some scenarios

Is this a good plan to put so much development into the most industrial and dangerous area of Oakland??

West Oakland: Look for "low-lying" areas (often shaded green) that may not be directly connected to the Bay but could flood due to drainage issues or rising groundwater.
The 880/98th Ave Interchange: This area near the airport is a major "hot spot" where water is projected to overtop the shoreline relatively early (by 2050 scenarios)

Is this a good plant to put so much development into the most industrial and dangerous area of Oakland??

West Oakland: Look for "low-lying" areas (often shaded green) that may not be directly connected to the Bay but could flood due to drainage issues or rising groundwater.
The 880/98th Ave Interchange: This area near the airport is a major "hot spot" where water is projected to overtop the shoreline relatively early (by 2050 in some scenarios

No big truck on 580 or 13. Skyrak Engineering Services recently published a demographics study of the I-580 and I-880 corridors in the East Bay. The study is intended to provide policy makers with data to help them decide whether or not to remove the existing truck ban on I-580. The data revealed by the study shows that more people live alongside I-580 than I-880, and that if the truck ban is lifted Caltrans will be exposing almost a quarter million people to truck emissions who are not currently exposed. neighbors along ALL highway and freeway are at risk and need more green infrastructure Choose only Native California keystone plants!

No big truck on 580 or 13. Skyrak Engineering Services recently published a demographics study of the I-580 and I-880 corridors in the East Bay. The study is intended to provide policy makers with data to help them decide whether or not to remove the existing truck ban on I-580. The data revealed by the study shows that more people live alongside I-580 than I-880, and that if the truck ban is lifted Caltrans will be exposing almost a quarter million people to truck emissions who are not currently exposed. neighbors along ALL highway and freeway are at risk and need more green infrastructure Choose only Native California keystone plants!

No big truck on 580 or 13. Skyrak Engineering Services recently published a demographics study of the I-580 and I-880 corridors in the East Bay. The study is intended to provide policy makers with data to help them decide whether or not to remove the existing truck ban on I-580. The data revealed by the study shows that more people live alongside I-580 than I-880, and that if the truck ban is lifted Caltrans will be exposing almost a quarter million people to truck emissions who are not currently exposed. neighbors along ALL highway and freeway are at risk and need more green infrastructure Choose only Native California keystone plants!

The nearby neighborhoods are already impacted by freeway pollution and noise. base on this plan I see why you want the trucks on the 580 and 24 now.

No big truck on 580 or 13. Skyrak Engineering Services recently published a demographics study of the I-580 and I-880 corridors in the East Bay. The study is intended to provide policy makers with data to help them decide whether or not to remove the existing truck ban on I-580. The data revealed by the study shows that more people live alongside I-580 than I-880, and that if the truck ban is lifted Caltrans will be exposing almost a quarter million people to truck emissions who are not currently exposed. neighbors along ALL highway and freeway are at risk and need more green infrastructure Choose only Native California keystone plants!

It would be nice if the lake really looked like this, still.

move the bus route out of the residential neighborhood.

please Plant Native California Keystone Trees for street trees. Trees provide so many benefits to the well-being of a community.

Coast Live Oak (Quercus agrifolia):
Keystone Value: Supports approximately 275 species of butterflies and moths.
Street Use: It is the most widely planted native oak in California urban landscapes. It is evergreen and highly drought-tolerant once established.
Site Needs: Typically requires larger sidewalk basins for full crown development.

Blue Oak (Quercus douglasii):
Keystone Value: Endemic to California; provides food and shelter for birds, bats, and insects.
Street Use: Known for its upright growth habit and compact size, it is a proven street tree in cities like Palo Alto.
Site Needs: Extremely drought-tolerant and tough, making it ideal for the West Coast.

Hollyleaf Cherry (Prunus ilicifolia):
Keystone Value: Supports 117 lepidoptera species and provides berries for local birds.
Street Use: A great option for narrower parkways where a smaller, water-saving evergreen tree is needed.
Site Needs: Can be grown as a large shrub or trained into a small tree.

California Sycamore (Platanus racemosa):
Keystone Value: Host plant for the Western Tiger Swallowtail butterfly.
Street Use: Commonly used in medians and large sidewalk cut-outs, though it often requires a wider space due to its massive trunk girth.

There should be more grants and support for local artists!

Please plant natives, they require little maintenance, and please also maintain your existing parks and open spaces. Weeds and dead plants burn!

No big truck on 580 or 13. Skyrak Engineering Services recently published a demographics study of the I-580 and I-880 corridors in the East Bay. The study is intended to provide policy makers with data to help them decide whether or not to remove the existing truck ban on I-580. The data revealed by the study shows that more people live alongside I-580 than I-880, and that if the truck ban is lifted Caltrans will be exposing almost a quarter million people to truck emissions who are not currently exposed. neighbors along ALL highway and freeway are at risk and need more green infrastructure Choose only Native California keystone plants!

As we seek to expand the tree canopy, let us please remember that trees are a fundamental part of our ecosystem. As such, emphasizing native trees over non-natives is more beneficial for all creatures, human and more-than-human, alike. Oakland's current list of approved street trees is comprised of less than 10% of natives. Native trees require less water and maintenance, and fewer nutrients. Many are keystone species, which provide habitat and food for increasingly endangered insects and birds.

Growth of these industries requires public safety and sanitation, as well as other city services. We need to create the community where we want to live to attract those industries. We cannot accept violent crime and crimes against women and girls as status quo.

There is no federally recognized tribe in Oakland. Please place emphasis on serving current residents.

It is key that the City starts managing the urban street trees, instead of leaving it to each homeowner.

A bus stop appeared Aug 2025 to my great surprise even though I wrote to the city council member, and ACTransit.

Well, it's here now, and people waiting for the bus now sit on MY FRONT YARD, RETAINING WALL, and LEAVE GARBAGE!!! My neighborhood also LOST TWO PARKING SPACES FOR ELDERLY WHO NEED TO GET AROUND FOR MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS, SHOPPING, AND LAUNDRY SERVICE.

In addition, PUT a covered shelter with SEATING in place by the bus stop sign so they are protected from sun, rain, dripping tree goo.

It's not just equitable parks but equitable access to biodiversity and nature.

We need to daylight creeks. Trees need to be planted at a much higher rate and there needs to be sufficient maintenance to protect the trees and native planting that the city is undertaking

We need to add a value about Oakland remaining resilient in the face of climate change. Our city needs to be planned with climate resilience in mind, and that includes access to natural land and preserving biodiversity in the city.

All remaining undeveloped land should remain undeveloped. We must protect not only public access to nature, but also natural areas that all of our native plants, animals, insects, etc. need to survive

What are the current tree removal and replacement policies for any construction permits.

Many cities around the world like Portland OR and Singapore have strict rules to replace any removed trees with trees additional trees or equivalent trunk diameter. This ensures the tree cover in the city is always increasing, leading to documented health, economic, and climate benefits.

I would like the city to consider adopting stronger tree replacement policies in their permitting.

How many of these town halls been held at libraries? I had not heard of the process. Libraries would be a natural place to engage the public.

Libraries are natural places for community murals and art works. They would provide synergistic venues for sustainable security and maintenance.

Libraries serve to support arts, educational and career development resources. They should be at the center of this planning process, rather than glossed over. Public building should be planned with senior centers, arts centers, recreation centers and parks in proximity to allow for sustainable maintenance and security.

Libraries serve as community gathering spaces, educational and arts resources aas well as resiliency centers. Please emphasize libraries and plan appropriate public spaces, including senior centers, arts and park spaces in proximity. This will help naturally sustainable civic building. The proximity will mean ease of maintenance and security.

The local communities are working hard to get more and better libraries— West Oakland, at Hoover-Durant and the Piedmont Ave Library, for example. This plan needs to focus on sustainable development in existing neighborhoods and cultural areas, beginning with public libraries that serve the community, create opportiunities and help define neighborhoods.

I agree that we need more affordable housing so Oakland residents can afford to stay in Oakland; I worry that the concurrent development of our remaining natural areas in the hills into luxury housing for wealthy individuals will attract wealthy outsiders who will then cause gentrification in Oakland. We should not be approving any more sprawling luxury housing developments at all, especially in undeveloped natural areas, which are already almost gone in Oakland. We should be creating a city with more access to natural beauty and affordable housing for the majority of Oakland's residents. We should not allow developers to profit off of destroying the last of our natural ecosystems to create housing that will house a small number of high-income people at the expense of everyone who already calls Oakland home.

All remaining natural areas in Oakland should be protected (most are currently zoned for low-density housing development that will only house a small number of high-income residents) and turned into publicly accessible nature parks. All City and commercial landscaping should be planted only with locally native plant communities. We can bring nature back into the places we've developed, and access to nature should be equitable for everyone, not just people with enough wealth to live near undeveloped natural areas.

I think this is great, but I'm troubled by the lack of mention of biodiversity in the plans for accessible green space. The wealthier residents of Oakland prefer to live in places near natural areas because of how much the presence of birds and other wildlife improves quality of life (and there's a lot of research showing this is consistently true for people worldwide) and the rest of us only have easy access to green spaces with non-native vegetation that doesn't support nearly as much wildlife as native vegetation and natural habitats. This is a major equity issue that will get worse if Oakland's remaining pockets of natural areas are destroyed for development and vegetated with non-native plants, like most green spaces in our city. Access to nature shouldn't be exclusive to the wealthy; all of our urban green spaces should be planted with native plant communities to support biodiversity everywhere in Oakland so everyone can benefit from it, and all remaining undeveloped parcels in Oakland should be protected from development and turned into publicly-accessible natural areas.

We should protect undeveloped parcels of land and turn them into publicly accessible natural parks. The focus should be on preserving Oakland's natural landscape, native plants, and biodiversity. Lawn grass is not helpful to the public. Wealthy developers should not be permitted to destroy more of Oakland's environment and valuable wildlife for million dollar mansions. This does nothing for the general public and only serves to harm the community. Fines just equate to selling our land to the highest bidder with the biggest wallets - we need real protections that actually prevent the way Matthew Bernard and Lynn Warner destroyed the land.

In creating these tech and research districts, I hope the City takes into account including local residents, youth, students in being able to participate in these spaces and to create career opportunities. Too often, local residents are pushed away by tech workers inflating prices of housing due to the disparate income

Is there further definitions or guidelines that will guide what vacant or underused land entails? Who will be making the decisions and assessments of what is vacant or underused land?

We need more green space in Oakland not more mansions. Please listen. We have five voters living in our home and we all do not agreed with cutting down these trees and deforesting green areas