Deeply Rooted in Oakland Partnership
Credit: Favianna Rodriguez
August 18, 2023
To: Mayor Thao & Councilmembers Bas, Fife, Gallo, Jenkins, Kalb, Kaplan, Ramachandran, Reid
From: Deeply Rooted in Oakland Partnership
Re: EJ, Safety and Zoning Code Recommendations for a Racially Just & Inclusive Oakland We write as the Deeply Rooted in Oakland Partnership, a collaboration of multiracial community institutions,1 selected through a historic City RFP process to conduct community engagement on Oakland’s General Plan. We are united in a collective vision of creating a racially equitable, sustainable, and culturally-thriving Oakland by ensuring that the priorities of Oakland’s low income residents are uplifted in the City’s planning efforts. To date, we have engaged with 9,620+ residents who have been part of 70+ community events and multimedia outreach on the Oakland General Plan.2 In addition, Deeply Rooted’s 11 Youth Fellows3 have been deeply involved in the outreach process. We have also convened an Equity Working Group,4 consisting of 17 Oakland residents representing flatland communities of color, to guide the City’s planning process.
City Planning leaders, especially Director William Gilchrist and Project Lead Lakshmi Rajagopalan, have been model partners. However, there is more to be done to ensure the City’s Environmental Justice (EJ) and Safety Elements and Zoning Code meet the needs and priorities of the community.
This memo provides our elected officials with concrete community recommendations essential to the survival and thriving of Oakland’s low income communities of color.
I. ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE & SAFETY COMMUNITY RECOMMENDATIONS As you know, Oakland has led the nation in climate justice. Former Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums, when in Congress, sponsored the first federal climate change legislation. The Dellums Administration 4 Equity Working Group Members - Arthur Shanks, Bethsaida Ruiz, Cathy Eberhardt, David Peters, Esther Goolsby, Gyssell Perez, Iris Quach, Keta Price, Liana Molina, Liz Suk, Naru Kwina, Nayeli Bernal (until September 2022), Nora Smith, Priscilla Hoang, Reinaldi Gilder, Sandra Ue, and Shina Robinson. 3 Deeply Rooted Youth Fellowship: https://www.deeplyrooted510.org/youthfellows 2 Deeply Rooted Community Outreach effort - https://www.deeplyrooted510.org/communityoutreach 1 Deeply Rooted Partners - EastSide Arts Alliance, Black Arts Movement Business District CDC, Black Cultural Zone, Communities United for Restorative Youth Justice (CURYJ), House/Full of Black Women, Just Cities, Lao Family Community Development, Inc, Malonga Arts Residents Association, Oakland Asian Cultural Center, The Unity Council, The Village, Urban Strategies Council, and West Oakland Environmental Indicators Project. 1 ATTACHMENT E
DeeplyRootedinOaklandPartnership
alsoworkedwithEllaBakerCentertocreatetheOaklandGreenJobsCorp,oneofthefirstprogramsinthenationtointegratefightingpovertywithfightingclimatechange.However, Oakland’sflatlandcommunitiesaresufferingdisproportionatelyfromcurrentandfutureclimatechangethreats,includingwildfireandindustrialpollutionimpactstoairquality, urbanheat,sealevelrise,flooding,andexposuretotoxicsfromrisinggroundwater. TheEJandSafetyElementsareaboutthelifeanddeathofOakland’smostvulnerableresidentswhohaveendureddecadesofracistplanningandeconomicexclusion.
WearepleasedtosharethattheCityPlanningDepartmenthasincorporated39EJandSafetypolicyideasandstrategiesfromtheDeeplyRootedcommunityengagementprocess, 5 including:● ConductingParticipatoryActionResearchwiththosemostvulnerabletoclimatecrisesandenvironmentalinjustices.● AspartoftheLUTEupdateinPhase2,theCitywillexploregrocerystorelocationsatwalkabledistancesinallneighborhoodsandensurethatfoodaccessibilityimprovementsareconvenientforelders,youth,anddifferently-abledpeopleandareculturallyappropriateforBlackandBrowncommunities.● Pursuingresourcestobuildmoreresiliencehubsforfrontlinecommunitiesandcreateanddistributeeducationmaterialsregardingaccesstoandutilizationofresiliencehubs.● Committingtocreateemergencypreparednessworkshopstobuildresidentpreparedness.● Implementationofpoliciesandactions.TheCityhasagreedtoprovideabiennialreportontheprogressonclimateactionsidentifiedinthe2030ECAPandactionsidentifiedintheEnvironmentalJusticeElement.Staffresponsestothesefeedbackareavailablehere.
However, thereare36impactfulstrategiessuggestedthroughcommunityoutreachthathavenotbeenincluded,suchasthefollowing:1. RacialEquity/HumanHealth/SocioeconomicImpactsAnalysisofallmarketrateprojects.WhiletheCityhascommittedtostudyingtheseimpactsfor“largermarketratedevelopmentprojectsinneighborhoodsundergoingdisplacementorvulnerabletodisplacement”(Action3.4.2),theyshouldstudytheimpactofallmarketratehousingprojectsondisplacement,health,andhomelessnessbyconductingaRacialEquity/HumanHealth/SocioeconomicImpactsAnalysisbeforeprovidingpermitsorzoningchanges.2. Engageresidentsasexpertsintheircommunities.Residentsarealreadyengagedintheworkaroundresilience,foodsecurity, andlocaldata.AspartoftheCity’splanto engageresidentsandcommunityorganizationstoco-implementaspectsoftheEnvironmentalJustice 5 Commentletterscanbefoundhere:https://cao-94612.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/Combined-Comment-Letters-on-Safety-and-EJ-Elements-for-website.pdfThefollowinglinksleadtoredlineversionsoftheSafetyElement:https://www.google.com/url?q=https://cao-94612.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/Safety-Hearing-Draft-Redline-7.25.23.pdf&sa=D&source=docs&ust=1692399254371178&usg=AOvVaw1hNd5hc05oYwI2b6ZhMlbqandEnvironmentalJusticeElement:https://www.google.com/url?q=https://cao-94612.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/EJ-Hearing-Draft-Redline-7.31.23.pdf&sa=D&source=docs&ust=1692399254371243&usg=AOvVaw0hlQGrIub5jGQQfKvLzRY3 2 DeeplyRootedinOaklandPartnership
andSafetyelement,westronglyrecommendthattheCityconsiderscompensatingresidentsworkinginalonger-termcapacityfortheirinvolvement.
PleaseseeTable1belowforthefulllistofcommunityrecommendationsontheEJandSafetyElementsandthestatusoftheirinclusionintheCity’sdraftElements.
II.COMMUNITYRECOMMENDATIONSONHOUSINGSITESOVERLAYZONE
CITYPLANNINGPROPOSAL:TofacilitatetheproductionofhousingonsitestheCityidentifiedtomeetitsRegionalHousingNeedsAllocation(RHNA),theCityPlanningDepartmenthasproposedtheHousingSitesOverlay(S-14)Zone.TheS-14ZoneseekstoensurethatsiteswithintheproposedS-14ZonearedevelopedwithresidentialusesandthatprojectsthatcontributetomeetingOakland’sneedsforlowerincomehousingreceiveByRightApproval(seeProposedS-14HousingSitesCombiningZone).
Tocomplywithstatelawrequirements,theCitywillallowby-rightdevelopmentforprojectswithatleast20percentoftheunitsaffordabletolowerincomesonPriorHousingElementsites.TheHousingSitesOverlaywillgofurtherbygrantingbyrightresidentialapprovaltoaprojectifitisproposedonaparcelincludedintheHousingSitesInventoryandisnotaPriorHousingElementSitesparcel;ifitproposesatleastasmanylower-andmoderate-incomeunitsasshownintheHousingSitesInventory;iftheprojectoverallproposesatleastasmanytotalunitsasdescribedastheRealisticCapacityfortheparcel;andifitsatisfiesatleastoneofthefollowingconditions:A.Atleasttwentypercent(20%)ofthetotalhousingunitsarerestrictedtoverylowincomehouseholds;B.Atleasttwenty-fivepercent(25%)ofthetotalhousingunitsarerestrictedtoanycombinationofverylow-andlower-incomehousehold;C.Atleastfortypercent(40%)ofthetotalhousingunitsarerestrictedtoanycombinationofverylow-,low-,andmoderate-incomehouseholds.
Aprojectwillnotbeeligibleforbyrightresidentialapprovalunderthisproposaliftheprojectproposesdevelopmentinphasesorproposesmorethan100,000squarefeetoffloorarea,unless100%ofthehousingunitsotherthanmanager’sunitsarerestrictedtoverylow-,low-andmoderateincomeresidents.
COMMUNITYCONCERNS:DeeplyRootedmembershaveexpressedseriousconcernsaboutthisproposal.
First,byexemptingproposedprojectsfromcommunitynoticeoropportunitytobeheard,thisproposalwouldeffectivelysilenceallcommunities,particularlylowincomecommunitiesofcoloroncriticalissuessuchasmarketforcedisplacementandenvironmentalinjustice.Thisoutcomedoesnotappeartoalignwiththeintentionsofnewstateandfederallawonensuringmeaningfulcommunity 3 DeeplyRootedinOaklandPartnership
engagementof“underserved”or“disadvantaged”communities,includingSB1000andPresidentBiden’snewExecutiveOrder14096onEnvironmentalJustice,whichstatesthat:
“[A]dvancingenvironmentaljusticewillrequireinvestinginandsupportingculturallyvibrant,sustainable,andresilientcommunitiesinwhicheverypersonhassafe,clean,andaffordableoptionsforhousing,energy, andtransportation….Pursuingtheseandotherobjectivesintegraltoadvancingenvironmentaljusticecansuccessfullyoccuronlythroughmeaningfulengagementandcollaborationwithunderservedandoverburdenedcommunitiestoaddresstheadverseconditionstheyexperienceandensuretheydonotfaceadditionaldisproportionateburdensorunderinvestment.”[ExecutiveOrder14096].
Atthestatelevel,SB1000requiresthatgeneralplanscontain:
“Anenvironmentaljusticeelement…that…identif[ies]objectivesandpoliciestopromotecivilengagementinthepublicdecisionmakingprocess; [and]identif[ies]objectivesandpoliciesthatprioritizeimprovementsandprogramsthataddresstheneedsofdisadvantagedcommunities.”[CaliforniaGovernmentCode,Section65302h].
Eliminatingcommunityengagementoflow-incomecommunitiesofcolorinthepublicdecision-makingprocesswouldnotadvancetheseprinciplesandopensthedoortotheperpetuationofharmscreatedbyracisthistoricalpracticessuchasredliningand“blight”clearance.
Second,allowingbyrightdevelopmentinlow-incomecommunitiesofcoloralsorisksexacerbatingcurrentuntenableracializeddisplacement.AccordingtoUSCensusData,Oakland’sBlackpopulationhasdeclinedby33%from2000to2020,withalossofover46,000people.Datafromthe2020AlamedaAnalysisofImpedimentstoFairHousingChoiceshowthat28%ofHispanicand25%ofBlackAlamedaCountysurveyrespondentsreportedbeingdisplacedinthepastfiveyears,with56%ofthosesayingtheprimaryreasonfortheirdisplacementwasrentsbecomingunaffordable.[AlamedaCountyAnalysisofImpedimentstoFairHousingChoice,V-39].ItalsoreportsdisplacementofAsian,Hispanic,orBlackresidentsbywhiteresidentsinnearlyeverypartofOakland,andattributesmuchofOakland’shousingsegregationtothelocationandavailabilityofaffordablehousing.EverypartofOaklandwiththeexceptionofthehillsandtheareassurroundingPiedmontwereratedbyUCBerkeley’sUrbanDisplacementProjectasexperiencingorvulnerabletosomelevelofdisplacementorgentrification.[UrbanDisplacementProject].Ifnewhousingdevelopmentsdonotmeettheneedsofexistingresidentsinboththequantityandaffordabilityofdesignatedaffordablehousingunits,risingneighborhoodrentswillleadtomarketforcedisplacementandreinforcethistrend.
Finally, DeeplyRootedmembersworrythatwithoutcommunityreview, Cityprocessesmeanttoprotectthemfromdisplacementarevague,inadequate,andunaccountable.TheEquitableClimateActionPlanConsistencyChecklistsimplyasksthedeveloperiftheprojectwould“reduceorpreventthedirectdisplacementofresidentsandessentialbusinesses”;itdoesnotrequiredevelopersto 4 DeeplyRootedinOaklandPartnership
preventdisplacement,describetheirmethodsforresearchingormitigatingdisplacement,orconductcommunityengagementanddoesnotaddressmarket-forcedisplacementatall.Furthermore,theConditionsofApprovalfrequentlyrequirespecificmitigationmeasuresonly“iffeasible.”Withoutcommunityengagement,theonlyperspectivepresentedtocitystaffindecidingwhatisfeasiblewillbethatofdevelopers,notthecommunitymemberswhowillbeimpacted.Byrightdevelopmentcanalsoleadtoworseoverallprojectsduetothelackofcommunityinput,alienatethecommunitiesthey’reostensiblymeanttoserve,andperpetuatehistoricaldistrustofgovernment.
COMMUNITYRECOMMENDATIONS:DeeplyRootedpartnersproposethefollowingfourchangestotheHousingSitesZoningOverlaytoensurethatlow-incomecommunitiesofcolordonotsuffermarketforcedisplacementduetoby-rightdevelopmentthatdoesn’tmeettheaffordabilityneedsoftheneighborhood.
1. ComplywiththeCity’sRacialEquityImpactAssessment(REIA)recommendationsontheproposedHousingSitesOverlayZoneproposal,whicharesimilartotheDeeplyRootedrecommendations.ThebelowlanguageisfromtheCity’sREIAoftheHousingSitesOverlayZoneproposal. 6 WeunderstandthatCitystaffconsideredthebelowrecommendations,conductedoutreachwithaffordablehousingdevelopers,consultedwithotherjurisdictions,anddeemedthebelowREIArecommendationsasnotfeasible.
Consideradoptingby-rightdevelopmentinaccordancewithobjectiveandhumandesignstandardsforhousingdevelopmentson6thcyclesitesthat:(a)includeatleast30percentdeeplyaffordablehousinginhighresourceareasand(2)includeatleast50percentaffordablehousinginlowresourceareas.
TheCity’sisproposingby-rightresidentialapprovalforprojectsproposedonsitesnotincludedintheprevioushousingelementsitesiftheprojectproposesasmanylower-andmoderate-incomeunitsasshownintheHousingSitesInventory,theprojectoverallproposesatleastasmanytotalunitsasdescribedastheRealisticCapacityfortheparcel,andtheprojectsatisfiesatleastoneofthefollowingconditions:A.Atleasttwentypercent(20%)ofthetotalhousingunitsarerestrictedtoverylowincomehouseholds;B.Atleasttwenty-fivepercent(25%)ofthetotalhousingunitsarerestrictedtoanycombinationofverylow-andlower-incomehousehold;C.Atleastfortypercent(40%)ofthetotalhousingunitsarerestrictedtoanycombinationofverylow-,low-,andmoderate-incomehouseholds. 6 ImplementingActionstoAdvanceREIAinPhase1oftheOakland2045GeneralPlanUpdate2023-2031HousingElementHousingActionPlan,3.4.10,page5;https://cao-94612.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/Analysis-of-Actions-to-Advance-REIA.pdf 5 DeeplyRootedinOaklandPartnership
2. IntegratetheCity’scommitmentintheHousingElementtostudythepotentialdisplacementofmarketratehousingprojectsinOakland’slowincomecommunitiesofcolor, whichshouldincludethebestpracticeprocessforconductingaREIAasestablishedbytheGovernmentAllianceofRace&EquityandRaceForward, suchasthefollowingsteps. ➔ EngagingStakeholders:Havestakeholdersfromdifferentracial/ethnicgroups–especiallythosemostadverselyaffected–beeninformed,meaningfullyinvolvedandauthenticallyrepresentedinthedevelopmentofthisproposal?➔ Identifying&DocumentingRacialInequities:Whichracial/ethnicgroupsarecurrentlymostadvantagedandmostdisadvantagedbytheissuesthisproposalseekstoaddress?Howaretheyaffecteddifferently?Whatquantitativeandqualitativeevidenceofinequalityexists?Whatevidenceismissingorneeded?➔ ConsideringAdverseImpacts:Whatadverseimpactsorunintendedconsequencescouldresultfromthispolicy?Whichracial/ethnicgroupscouldbenegativelyaffected?Whatblocksandneighborhoodsaremostimpacted?Howcouldadverseimpactsbepreventedorminimized?➔ ExaminingAlternativesorImprovements:Aretherebetterwaystoreduceracialdisparitiesandadvanceracialequity?Whatprovisionsinthispolicycouldbechangedoraddedtoensurepositiveimpactsonracialequityandinclusion? Indeed,theCityPlanningDirectorin2005,inresponsetocommunityconcernsaboutmarketforcedisplacementimpacts,commissionedanimpactanalysisoftheWestOaklandWoodStreetProject,whichfoundthattheProjectwouldresultinwinners(currenthomeownerswhosepropertyvalueswouldincrease)andlosers(lowincometenantswhoserentswouldlikelyincreaseduetothescaleofthenewmarketratehousing).Armedwiththisinformation,theCityCouncilrequiredaffordablehousingtobeincludedintheproject.AcopyoftheWoodStreetreportcanbefoundat: https://www.deeplyrooted510.org/
3. Exemptflatlandlow-incomecommunitiesofcolorundergoingdisplacement,includingWestOakland,NorthOakland,EastOakland,andChinatownfrom“byright”development.
AccordingtoapreliminaryJustCitiesanalysis,theproposedexemptionforlow-incomecommunitiesofcolorconfrontingracializeddisplacementandharmwouldaffect24sitesincludedinthesixthcyclehousingelementsitesinventory(SeeTables2&3,pages18-19).Thesesitescombinedcouldyieldover2,000newhousingunitsinlowincomecommunitiesundergoingseveredisplacementconditions.However, undertheCity’sproposal,80%ofthesenewhousingunitswouldbemarketrateunits,unaffordabletocurrentlowerincomeresidentsindesperateneedofaffordablehousing,exacerbatingcurrentmarketforcedisplacementconditions. 6 DeeplyRootedinOaklandPartnership
Inaddition,theseover2,000newhousingunitscontributeabout12%ofthetotalunitsinthefullHousingSitesInventoryandabout49%ofsitesthatwouldbesubjecttotheOverlayZone. 7 Subjecttocommunityreview, developmentcouldstilloccurinthesesitesandOaklandcouldstillmeetitsRHNAgoalsbybuildingmixed-incomehousinginhigher-resourceneighborhoodswithouttheriskofdisplacingvulnerableresidents.ToaddressOakland’shousingshortageandsegregation,theCityshouldallowby-rightdevelopmentasproposedinhigh-resourceareasandimplementDeeplyRootedrecommendationstoensurethatnewconstructionindisplacement-proneareasdoesnotdisplacecurrentresidents.
4. UsethepolicytoolofInclusionaryZoningrequirementstomeettheCity’simportantgoalofmixed-incomehousing,ratherthan“byrightdevelopment.”OthercitiesincludingSanFranciscoandBerkeleyhaveinclusionaryzoningpoliciesthatrequireprivatemarketratedeveloperstoincludelowerincomeunitsintheirhousingproject.Oakland’scurrentpolicyisstructuredasa“housingimpactfee,”ratherthananinclusionaryzoningrequirement.ThiswouldrequiretheCityCounciltoadoptnewInclusionaryZoninglegislation.
5. Increasetheaffordableunitproportionrequiredforbyrightdevelopmentto50%,anddefineaffordabilitybyneighborhoodAMIinsteadofregionalAMItoensure“affordable”unitsareactuallyaffordabletoexistingresidents.AsimilarrecommendationwasmadebasedontheCity’sracialequityimpactanalysisoftheHousingElement:“Consideradoptingby-rightdevelopmentinaccordancewithobjectiveandhumandesignstandardsforhousingdevelopmentson6thcyclesitesthat:(a)includeatleast30percentdeeplyaffordablehousinginhigh-resourceareasand(2)includeatleast50percentaffordablehousinginlow-resourcearea.” III.SUMMARYOFDATASOURCES
Table1:CommunityEngagementFeedbackonEJ&SafetyElements
CommunityPrioritiesforEJ&Safety InclusionStatusinCityEJ&SafetyElements Minimizeairpollution
Implementationofpoliciesandactions.TheCityhasagreedtoprovideabiennialreportontheprogressonclimateactionsidentifiedinthe2030ECAPandactionsidentifiedintheEnvironmentalJusticeElement.
YesEJ-A.40
7 Being“subjectto”theproposedHousingSitesOverlayZoneusesthefollowingcriteria:privateownership;notusedinpriorhousingelements;10+unitsitecapacity;andnotprojectedtocontain100%affordableunits,whichwouldmakethedevelopmentseligibleforby-rightdevelopmentintheseparateAffordableHousingOverlayZone. 7 DeeplyRootedinOaklandPartnership
AddPolicy/ActionitemsunderGoal1to:Createfreshair/breathingcentersforunhousedpeopleandlow-incomecommunitiesProvideresidentswholiveclosetofreewaysandinotherpollutedconditionswithfreeand/orreducedfeecomprehensivehealthcareservicesEncouragehydrogen-poweredbusesEncourageuseofsolarenergyandcreatemorenon-smokingareas.
No
Non-smokingareas-OMCTitle8,Chapter8.30Solarenergy-ECAP
ConsiderstrategiestoreducetrucktrafficonInterstate980andotherhighwayssurroundingEJCommunities(removingInterstate980,allowingtrucksonotherhighways)addlanguageunderEJ-1.2TruckEmissionsandPollutionExposure YesEJ-7.11
AddlanguagetoEJ-1.17Datainformedefforts:EnsuretheCityofOaklandprovidesaccessto(hyperlocal)neighborhooddatasothatresidentscanevaluatetheCityofOakland'spolicies.
PartiallyYes
AddlanguagetoEJ-1.17Datainformedefforts:CreateaParticipatoryActionResearchprojectwiththosewhoaremostvulnerabletoclimatecrisesandenvironmentalinjustices.Examplescanincludelocalairmonitoringbyprovidingairmonitoringtoolstotestquickly.
YesEJ8.3
AddlanguageunderActionsEJA.4:SpecifythenatureofthejobsandaddarequirementtohirelocalOaklanders.
No
Co-developanordinancewithEJCBO’sandlow-incomeEJcommunityresidentstoprioritizeidentificationandclosureofexistingpollutingindustrieslocatedinornearresidentialareas.(REIA)AddlanguageunderEJA.5 No
EngagewithWOCAP,BCZandCDCtoprovidefeedbackonprioritizationandimplementationofvegetativebufferprojects,includingthosebetweenindustriallandandsensitivelanduses,asidentifiedinspecificplansandcommunityplans.EJ-A.6ReducingPollutionExposureandImprovingAirQuality No
Minimizewaterpollution
AddPolicy/ActionunderGoal2toprovidecleanwatertounhousedpeople:Payforequipmenttomakeitpossibletogetwaterfromfirehydrants.TheCityofOaklandshouldtakethisoninsteadofsmallnonprofits.HumanServicesneedstoprovidebottledwater.TheMobileAssistanceCommunityRespondersofOakland(MACRO)Programprovideswatertounhousedfolksbutcannotmeetcurrentdemands.
NoOutofscopeofGeneralplan
AddlanguageunderGoal2to:InvolveAlamedaCountyHealthDepartmentandCountySupervisorsOfficeinthedevelopmentandimplementationofPolicies/Actions.TheCityofOaklandofOaklanddoesnothaveaPublicHealthdepartmentandneedstohearthelatestonpublichealthorientedpolicies.
PartiallyYesEJ6.5
AddlanguageunderGoal2to:AddmoreinformationonPortofOakland’splansaroundwastewaterandconcerningcleanwaterandhowtheCityofOaklandofOaklandcanfurthersupporttheseefforts.
YesPortofOakland’splansInformationhasbeenaddedinPage
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3-10
AddlanguageunderGoal2to:Createagreenjobsprogramaspartofstewardship.Theprogramsshouldofferanopportunitytohirelocalpeopleandhelpwithskillstraining.AndasREIAmentioned,shouldhavemorecollaborationwithEJCBOsandlow-incomeEJcommunityresidentsandbusinesses.
No
AddlanguageunderGoal2to:Morespecificdataontypesofplantsandtreessurroundingneighborhoods,freewaysandconstructionsites.
YesEJ7.15
AddlanguageunderGoal2to:Createaprogramtocapturewaterandactasanemissionsfilter.Dedicatefundingtoimplementation.CreateaprogramtotestwaterqualityinEJcommunitieswithsupportfromEJorganization.
Commentsforwardedto EBMUD
AddanactionorpolicyunderGoal2to:Alleviateconcernsofleadcontaminationintapwater.Addafundingprogramtoreplaceleadpipesformostimpactedcommunities.
Commentsforwardedto EBMUD.PleaseseeEMBUDLeadtestingprogram Providecleanwatertoresidentsinencampmentswhodon'thaveaccesstorunningwaterandwaterpurifiers.AddlanguagetoEJ2.1CleanWaterPrograms No
Trash/WasteManagement/illegaldumping
AddmorecontextundertheGoal3onillegaldumpingisnotdonebyOaklandresidents,butbybusinessesandisfocusedinunder-resourcedcommunitiessurroundedbyindustrialbusinesses,freeways,rail,portandrecycling.
YesSubsectionIllegalDumpingundersection3.1IssuesandDisparitieshasbeenupdatedwithadditionalcontext AddPolicy/ActionunderEJGoal3toincreasewell-payingjobsforneighborhoodcleanup YesEJA.15
AddPolicy/ActionunderEJGoal3BuildmorepublicbathroomsforunhousedpeopleanddistributethemequitablyacrossOakland.
YesEJ6.6
AddPolicy/ActionunderEJGoal3:IntroduceprogramsforCulturalinfrastructureandstreetbeautification(communityartandmurals,andgreenspaces)Ensuresafedumpingwiththefollowinglanguageonputtingdumpstersinneighborhoodsespeciallynearunhousedcommunities.Addaprogramtoplacedumpsterswithseparatesectionsforhazardousmaterial.Theseshouldbeplacedonunusedopenlotstoensuresafedumping.Theprogramshouldannouncepickupsaheadoftime.Relocatelandfills/junkyardsawayfromresidentialareasandhousing No
9 DeeplyRootedinOaklandPartnership
Evaluatecontaminatedsoilincludinggroundwaterandrelatedcleanupplans.(WOEIP) YesSAF4.4 AddlanguagetoEJ3.2torequireallownersofvacantpropertiestoberesponsibleformaintainingandkeepingthepropertyclean.
YesEJ3.2
AddlanguagetoEJ3.4Illegaldumpingenforcement:DonotinvolveOaklandPoliceDepartmentduringPublicWorksduties.toincreasepatrollingbeyond9-5pmtoidentifyillegaldumping.Dedicatemoreresourcestoincreaseenforcementofficersandstaffhoursfordumpingfromindustrialzones.(WOEIPandWOCAP) YesEJ3.4
RaiseawarenessandincreasefrequencyofCityofOakland’sBulkPickupandOaktownPROUDstudentsprograminEJCommunitiesandprioritizelocalhiringofresidentsfromtheneighborhoodonclean-upteamsaddlanguagetopolicyEJ.A.15 PartiallyYesEJ3.5
EnsureSafe&SecureHousing
Addpolicy/actionunderGoal4:Provideaffordablehousingforallresidents.
YesHousingElementandGoal4inEJelement
Addpolicy/actionunderGoal4:Supplyresidentswithemergencyequipment,water,andfoodfortheirhome.Supportresidentsthroughfundingandassistancetoacquiresolarpanels.
No
HealthyFoodAccess
Addpolicy/actionitemGoal5:Zoningrestrictionsagainstfoodservices(withexceptionsoflargeretaillocations)inmostneighborhoods.
YesAddressedinPhase1codeamendments
Addpolicy/actionitemGoal5:Conductastudyontheclosuresofgrocerystores,andassesshowgrocerystorescansurviveforlongertimeperiodsEngagewithHOPECollaborativeandOaklandFoodPolicyCounciltoprovidefeedbackonhealthyfoodaccesspolicies.
AddlanguageunderGoal5tocallout:CommunitygardensandhealthygrocerystoresasindicatorsofgentrificationhistoricallyandrecentshutdownofseveralEastandWestOaklandfoodbanks.Createaprogramtoensuregrocerystoressellproductsataffordableprices.
No
AddlanguagetoEJ-5.5EntrepreneurshipandFoodInnovation:Supportindividualresidentsinsmall-scaleagricultureanddistribution,througheducationandfinancialassistance.Createprogramstotrainyouthaschefsandfoodbusinessentrepreneurs.Implementthe-regulationsforstreetvending,tomaketheindustrymoreequitableandaccessibletoall.Donotusepoliceforceorcriminalizationtoenforcestreetvendingregulations.Reallocatethisenforcementfundingasgrantstosupportsmallbusinesses.
PartiallyYesEJ5.5
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Ensureallfoodprovidersacceptfoodstamps.AddlanguagetoEJ-5.6FoodAssistancePrograms PartiallyYes
AddlanguageEJ5.8EducationandAwarenessto:Createprogramstoteachplantmedicineandfacilitatewellnessactivities.Additionally,provideaccesstonutritionaleducationandcookingclasses,withanemphasisonculturalandancestralrecipes.Createanddistributemoreeducationaroundhealthyfoods,especiallydirectedatyouth.
PartiallyYes
Providemorefreecommunityfridges.AddlanguagetoEJ5.9FoodRecoveryProgram Yes Ensurefreefoodproviders/deliverershaveastandardforthequalityoffoodbeingprovided.Foodshouldnotbebruisedornearexpiration.Incentivizelocalgroceriesandrestaurantstodonateitems,inordertopreventfoodwaste.Also,includesmallgrocersinthefoodrecoveryprogram.AddlanguagetoEJ5.9FoodRecoveryProgram PartiallyYes
Include/calloutliquorstoresandcornerstorestostockhealthyfoods.AddlanguagetoEJA-20 Yes
Providegrocerystoresatwalkabledistancesinallneighborhoods.Ensurethatfoodaccessibilityimprovementsarealsoconvenientforelders,youth,differentlyabledpeopleandareculturallyappropriateforBlackandBrowncommunities.AddlanguagetoEJA-21 Yes
Supportmoreculturalfoodproviders.Addlanguage toEJA-23 Yes MeaningfulEngagement
Addapolicy/actionrecommendationunderGoal9Fundcapacitybuildingundercommunityengagement.Capacitybuildingshouldincludeexperteducationaltrainingsothatresidentsknowthebestpracticesrelatedtoanypolicyoractionsandcanmakeinformeddecisions.Fundatrust-buildingprogramwiththevariousanddistinctcommunities.Theprogramshouldincludereport-backandcontactinformationflyers,aportaltotracktheprogressofcommunityrequests,andeducationalmaterialtoensuretransparencyontheCityprocessandresponsibility.Fundadeeplisteningsessionprogrambeforeplanninganynewprojectsorinterventions.BuildmoretimeforcommunityengagementinCityledprojectsandprograms.Provideavenuesforformerlyincarceratedpeopletoparticipateas"ambassadors'similartoOaklandChinatown,tohaveajob&paycheck,agoalofpositivelyinteractingwiththecommunity,andmostimportantly,workingtogetheronacommongoalwhichisdevelopingaplantoopenatransitioncenter.MentionresponsibleagenciesanddepartmentstoconductengagementandmaintainpartnershipswithCBOsandcommunities.
No
DevelopoutreachandengagementstrategiesforparticularpopulationsasRacialequityimpactanalysis(REIA)recommends. AddlanguagetopolicyEJ-8.2Sustainedengagement Yes
CreatingSpacestostayphysicallyactive(parks,bikepaths,sidewalks) AddlanguagetoGoal7: No
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Plantmorenativeflowers,treesandplantstoenhancetheenvironmentforpollinatorsandoptimizeirrigationsystemsforthem.
Addpolicy/actionitemstoGoal7:Studysidewalklightingandcreateaplantoensuresidewalksarelitallthetime.Enhanceaccesstowaterfrontsasrecreationalareas.Providepublictransportationsafeandfreeforall.Createmorepublicspaceswhereit’slegaltositandlaydown.BuildmorerecreationalspaceslikeskatingfacilitiesBuildaccessibleopenspacesneartheshorelineunder No
Supportlocalplantgrowthwhichcreatesahealthyenvironmentforinsects.AddlanguagetoEJ7.14UrbanForest No
Addaction/policyunderEJ-7.16UrbanGreening:PromotecompostprogramstorevitalizethesoilSupportIndigenousandBIPOCledstewardshipprogramscreatejobsbyplantingtreesinneighborhoods.
No
PrioritizeEJcommunitiesinCommunityInput.AddlanguagetoEJ-7.15CommunityInput Yes
Creatingneighborhoodswhichareaccessiblebybiking/walkingin15min.AddlanguagetoEJ7.2AccessibleNeighborhoods No
Changelandusetoaddmoreeyesonthestreettomakethestreetssafer.AddlanguagetoEJ-A.26 No
Createopengyms,playgroundsforyouth,areasdesignatedareasfor-skateboarding,recreationareasforpets,andrugbyfieldsinparks.AddlanguagetoEJ-7.10ParksProgramming PartiallyYes
RepairsidewalksespeciallyrepairstreetswithpotholesandstreetsinEastOakland.AddlanguagetoEJ7.7EquitablePavingpolicy No
AddlanguagetoEJ7.5BicycleandPedestrianFriendlyDesign:Createbikelaneinfrastructureforworkersandnotonlycaterstorecreationalcyclists.Createaprogramtoreducecrimeonsidewalks.Programtoprovideunhousedresidentswithfreeaccesstobikes.
No
Createadatadrivenandsystematicapproachtoeliminatealltrafficfatalitiesandsevereinjuries.Thisapproachneedstointegrateengagement.EJ-7.4SafeOaklandStreets Yes
Increaseaccesstoculturalcenters,libraries,childcarecenters,healthcarefacilities,andotherbasicamenitiessuchasPG&E&EBMUD Addpolicy/actionunderGoal6to:Createspacesforpeoplewithdisabilities,spacesformoreintergenerationalconversationsbetweenyouthandelders.IntegratestrategiesfromtheOaklandCulturalPlan-BelonginginOakland:ACulturalDevelopmentPlanEngagewiththecommunitytoupdateculturalassetmaps.AddtheFigure2.9Cultural No
12 DeeplyRootedinOaklandPartnership
AssetMapfromEnvironmentalJusticeandRacialEquityBaselineunderGoal6.
Createmorespacesandactivitiesforcreativelearning. Yes
Providecounselingprogramsandrehab&recoveryprogramstounhousedpeople.Increasementalhealthfacilitiesandemergencyresponseinareasthatarenotsurveilledbythepolice.
PartiallyYesNewPoliciesEJ-8.12andSAF-7.3andnewActionEJ-A.39havebeenadded(seeEJElementpages9-15and9-16andSafetyElementpage5-8) Createaprogramtoassistresidentsonaccessingbasicamenitiesandpaybills.AddlanguagetoEJ6.5PublicServiceCoordination No
AddlanguagetoEJ6.1PublicFacilitiesDistribution:CreateaCulturalCenterdedicatedtospecificcultures,includingforIndigenousGuatemalanresidents.Additionally,createsaprogramtofundforservicesthatfulfillsocialneedsandcreateopportunitiesforresidentstolearnabouttheirhistories.EngagewithESAAtoprovidefeedbackonbeneficialcivicandculturalfacilitiesandprioritizingnewfacilitiesandcreativespacesintraditionallyunderservedareas.
No
Mitigateearthquake
Addapolicy/actionitemunderGoal1:Requiringnewdevelopmentstouseelectricityratherthangastomitigategas-relatedhazards.Createalistofpotentialsites/areasaffectedbyEarthquakeinEJcommunitiesandlowincomecommunitiesofcolorandaprogramtoreachouttothemwithassistance.Clarifyearthquakesafedevelopment requirementssuchassetbacks,freewayentrances,bufferzonesaspartofLUTE.SpecifyhighriskzonessuchasWestOakland.Createaprogramtoengagearchitects/planners/engineerstoeducateresidentsonEarthquakesafeconstruction.(WOEIP)CreatingatourofthedifferentneighborhoodsinOakland/TheHills/Mostaffluentneighborhoods.Whatisthedifferencebetweenequityhere?DensityisusedasasolutionintheFlatlands.(WOEIP)Conductafeasibilitystudyontearingdownthe980freewayProvidematerialresourcessuchasencampmentimprovementsandcreatingmorehousingforunhousedpeople.
No
Specifytheprogramstominimizeseismicallyrelatedstructuralhazards.AddlanguageinSAF-1.2StructuralHazards No
Createapre-projectassessmentandapprovalprocessforbuildingsinhazardouszones.Additionallycreateaprogramtoeducateresidentsonsciencebehindskyscrapers,andthestatusofconstructingsoft-storystructures.Addlanguage toSAF-1.2StructuralHazards No
Provideassistancetoretrofitoldresidentialbuildingsthataregrandfatheredin.Also,includeminoritycontractorsinthelistforretrofittingcontractors.Cityshouldprovidesubsidiesifresidentshireminoritycontractors.AddlanguageunderactionSAF-A.6 No
13 DeeplyRootedinOaklandPartnership
ProtectionfromFlooding/Sealevelrise
Addpolicy/actionunderGoal3to:Createaprocesstomaintainstormdrainsduringheavyrainstoavoidcloggingbytrash.Addtrainingandeducationonsinkholeawarenesstoexistingtrainingprograms.Createasupportnetworkthatenablescommunitymemberstotemporarilyshelterneighborsdisplacedbydisaster.PrioritizefloodmitigationstrategiesinWestOakland.
No
Accountforthetechnologybarrierwheninformingunhousedpeopleaboutincomingfloods.AddlanguagetoSAF-A.12 No
Addapolicy/actionunderGoal4to:Proactivelyestablishafundtorespondtoimmediateneedsoffrontlinecommunities.Thisfundshouldbeusedtoprovideimmediaterelief,aswellaslongtermreconstructionfinance.Additionally,createasystemfordonationstobedistributeddirectlyandimmediatelytopeopleimpactedbydisasters.Removebansonrainwatercatchment.Createaprogramforoutreachandeducationofsafepracticesofrainwatercatchment.
No
IntegratestudiesrelatedtocontaminatedsoilandSealevelrise.Additionally,exploreHemptocleanupcontaminatedsoil.Addapolicy/actionunderGoal4 Yes
OrganizeSeaLevelRisepreparednessworkshopsaroundataccessiblefacilities,likepubliclibraries.PartnerwithCBOsthathaveestablishedworkaroundSeaLevelRise,suchasWOEIP,toconducttheseworkshops.AddlanguageSAF4.1SeaLevelRiseandCommunityEngagement No
Developconstructionguidelinesthatdecreasetheusageofconcreteinpublicspaces,andalternativelyusegreeninfrastructuretomitigateeffectsofSeaLevelRise.AddlanguagetoSAF-4.3NewDevelopmentandSeaLevelRise No
EmphasizeurgencyofSeaLevelRiseandtheneedofSeaLevelRiseGuidelines.AddlanguagetoSAF-4.3NewDevelopmentandSeaLevelRise No
MapSumppumpsinallneighborhoods.AddlanguagetoSAF-4.2CurrentDevelopmentandSeaLevelRise.Additionally,addlanguagetoSAF-4.1SeaLevelRiseandCommunityEngagementtocreatetransparentandaccessibleinformationalmaterialsonwheresump-pumpsarelocatedinallneighborhoods.
Yes
Publicsafetyfromairporthazards
Addpolicy/actiontoGoal6to:GuaranteejobscreatedbytheexpansionoftheOaklandairporttoprioritizelocalresidentsforhiring.
NotcontrolledbytheCity
Createeducationmaterialandoutreachprogramsonhazardscausedbyairportoperation.
ExploreinNoiseelement
14 DeeplyRootedinOaklandPartnership
Mitigatenoiseimpactfromproximitytotheairport.
Publicsafety
Adoptacompassion-centeredapproachinallCityoperationsandprojectsbynotinvolvingthepoliceforceinallenforcementefforts,andpracticingrestorativejustice No
AddlanguageunderGoal7to:Includestrongerlanguageonneedforequity,usingpublichealthdata,inclusionofvulnerablepopulationsinthesedecisionsandoutcomes.Furtherdevelopreimaginingpublicsafetytaskforcerecommendations.Addcommunityprocessestofurtherdevelopandimplementpublicsafetypoliciesinthisplan.Legallyprotectformerlyincarceratedresidentsfromdiscrimination.ThecommunitymembersreferredtoAtlanta,GeorgiaprogramtoprotectformerlyincarceratedpeopleasProtectedClassRedirectfundingtowardssupportingalternativestopolicingandaffordablehousing,jobs,healthyfood,etc.IncludetheOfficeofAttorneyGeneralfromtheCaliforniaDepartmentofJusticeandOaklandPoliceDepartment.Increasegreenspaces,healthclinics,healthygrocerystores,andothercommunityspaces,ensuringthatjobhiringemphasizesre-entryemploymentforformerlyincarceratedapplicants.Additionally,Allpublicjobsshouldrequireconsideration/employmentofformerlyincarceratedpeople.Createneighborhood-basedwatchpatrolsinallneighborhoods.
No
Repairandmaintaininfrastructuresuchasoverheadelectricalwiring,raingutters,anddieselgeneratorusageforemergenciesandmaintainemergencyexitroutesfreeofpotholes.Regulationsshouldbethroughpermitting,businesslicenses,andregularchecks.
YesThisisincludedaspartofSAF-8.1,SAF-8.5,andEJ-7.7
Increasefundingandsupportforcommunity-basedviolencepreventionprograms.Additionally,protectthesecrimepreventionprogramsandCBOfrombudgetcuts.Rather,reallocatefundingincreasesthatOPDisreceivingtocommunitypartnersandresources.Ensurethatcollaborationwiththecommunityisongoing.AddlanguagetoSAF-7.1ReimaginingPublicSafety Yes
EmergencyPreparedness,Response&Recovery
Addapolicy/actionunderGoal8Createspecificemergencyresponsestrategiesforcommunitiesundergoingdifferentadversities(suchasunhousedandundocumentedcommunities).Createastrategythatutilizesvacantlands/parksasreliefsitesincertaindisasters,wheredisplacedresidentscanaccesschargingstations,counseling,andotherbasicneeds.ExplorethispolicyrecommendationintheOSCAR/LUTEelement.
No
Expandtrainingprogramsandcommunityeducationmaterialsinordertobuildcapacitytocreateinterdependenceamongresidentsincaseofanemergency.CrossreferenceandaddlanguageunderpolicySAF-8.9CommunityTrainingandAwareness Yes
AddlanguagetoSAF-8.9CommunityTrainingandAwareness:Createaseriesoftrainingthatequipresidentswithsurvivalskillsfordifferentdisasters.
PartiallyYes
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Additionally,conductregularemergencypreparednessdrillsinthecommunityandprovidefamilieswithnaturaldisasterplansandfreeemergencykits.Introduceneighborhood/blockkitssimilartoCityofBerkeley’sprogram.Hostaseriesofemergencypreparednessworkshopsthatincludethevoicesofresidentswhohavesurvivedpastdisasters.Additionally,utilizetheexpertiseofunhousedpeoplewhohaveextensiveexperiencelivingoutsideofphysicalhousingwhichwillbearealityincaseofadisaster.Implementaplantotranslatealltheemergencyrelatedmaterialfornon-Englishspeakers.
Createevacuationstrategiesforallparticularlylow-incomepeople,theunhoused,andpeoplelivinginhouseboats.AddlanguagetoSAF-8.16PriorityRouteCoordination Yes
AddlanguagetoSAF-A.36Createatleast8resiliencehubswithinEastOakland.Ensurethatdesignatedresiliencehubsareseismicallyretrofitted.(no)Equippublicschoolstoserveasresiliencehubsinthecaseofdisasters.
PartiallyYes
Createanddistributeeducationmaterialsregardingaccessandutilizationofresiliencehubs.AddlanguagetoSAF-8.10PublicFacilitiesforResilience&Relief Yes
Supportandequipdecentralizedfacilities,alongwithpublicfacilities,toserveasresiliencehubsinthecaseofdisasters.AddlanguagetoSAF-A.36 Yes
PartnerandadditionallyfinanciallycompensateCBOsalreadydoingemergencypreparednesswork,toexpandtheiroutreachandrecruitmentcapacity.AddlanguageunderactionSAF-A.41 No
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Table2:HousingSitesOverlayZonePolicyParcels
ParcelsInformation
Parcels
PotentialLow-incomeUnits
PotentialModerateIncomeUnits
PotentialAbove-ModerateIncomeUnits
TotalUnitsAllParcelsFromHousingSitesInventory(HSI) 498 7189 4167 7553 18,909AllHSIParcelsNotUsedInPreviousHousingElements 348 6492 1215 5413 13,120AllPrivatelyOwnedHSIParcelsNotInPreviousHousingElements 308 3014 885 4451 8,350AllPrivatelyOwnedHSIParcelsNotInPreviousHousingElementsWith10+UnitCapacity 90 2947 843 4177 7,967AllPrivatelyOwnedHSIParcelsNotInPreviousHousingElementsWith10+UnitCapacity,Projected<90%AffordableUnits 46 316 258 4172 4,746 Table2showsthefiltersappliedtotheparcelscontainedintheHousingSitesInventory(TableC-26intheHousingElement)tocontainonlyparcelsrelevanttothediscussionoftheHousingSitesOverlayZoneproposal.First,weeliminatedallparcelsusedinprevioushousingelementstoweedoutsitesineligiblefortheproposedzone.Nextweeliminatedallpublicly-ownedland,sincetheproposalisintendedasanincentiveforprivatedevelopers.Wetheneliminatedparcelswithfewerthan10unitsastoosmallfortheproposaltoprovidesufficientincentivefortheinclusionofaffordableunits.Wefinishedbyeliminatingallparcelswhichwereprojectedtocontain90%ormoreaffordableunits,asthesewouldalreadyqualifyforby-rightdevelopmentiftheywereabletoachieve100%affordability. 17 DeeplyRootedinOaklandPartnership
Table3:PotentialUnitsSubjecttoBy-RightDevelopmentintheHousingSitesOverlayZonePolicybyNeighborhoodArea Parcels
PotentialLow-incomeUnits
PotentialModerateIncomeUnits
PotentialAbove-ModerateIncomeUnits
TotalUnitsChinatownParcels* 1 0 16 16 32Downtown/LakeMerritt/WaterfrontParcels 11 24 126 1076 1226EastOaklandParcels* 5 168 14 553 735EastLake/SanAntonio/FruitvaleParcels* 2 0 0 234 234Hills/MillsParcels 10 44 6 595 645NorthOaklandParcels* 8 54 7 469 530Piedmont/Claremont/RockridgeParcels 1 0 51 459 510WestOaklandParcels* 8 26 38 755 819*TotalInDeeplyRootedProposedExemption 24 248 75 2027 2350TotalInOtherNeighborhoods 22 68 183 2145 2396AllParcelsSubjectedtoHousingSitesOverlayZonePolicy 46 316 258 4172 4746ProposedExemptionasPercentageofUnitsSubjecttoHousingSitesOverlayZoning 52.2% 78.5% 29.1% 48.6% 49.5%ProposedExemptionasPercentageofAllUnitsinHousingSitesInventory 4.8% 3.4% 1.8% 26.8% 12.4% Table3showsthenumberofunitsprojectedtobeproducedineachregionofOakland.Wedefinedthegeographicalregionsasfollow:EastOaklandiscomposedoftheneighborhoodssouthandwestofMacarthurBoulevardandHighStreet,excludingMaxwellPark;EastLake/SanAntonio/FruitvaleiscomposedoftheneighborhoodssouthofParkBlvd,northofHighStreet,andeastofthe580;NorthOaklandiscomposedoftheneighborhoodseastofthe24andTelegraphAvenueandnorthofthe580,plusMosswood;andWestOaklandiscomposedoftheneighborhoodsboundedbythe880,980,and580freeways.ThesearetheareasweproposeexemptingfromtheHousingSitesOverlayZoneproposal.WealsoshowthetotalnumberofparcelsandprojectedunitsweproposeexemptingfromtheproposalasapercentageofthetotalnumberthatwouldbesubjectedtotheHousingSitesOverlayZoneproposalandasatotalofallparcelsincludedintheHousingSitesInventory. 18