Planners put faith in mini -city

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Mar 17, 2006 | by Paul T. Rosynsky, STAFF WRITER

OAKLAND -- If area residents have their way, the Oak to Ninth development will have lots of affordable homes, a new school, off- leash dog parks, open spaces with access to the Oakland Estuary and a preserved historic port terminal.

That seemed to be the consensus of those who spoke in a four- hour meeting Wednesday before the Oakland Planning Commission, called to hear residents' concerns about the proposed housing development.

Pleasanton-based Signature Properties wants to build the 3,100- unit housing project, which would transform the city's waterfront from a dirty industrial tract to a vibrant community, almost a mini- city.

While most agreed the project is needed, how much the developer should give back to the community remained an issue throughout and after the meeting.

But a majority of commissioners said they felt the developer had done enough and voted to recommend approval of the project, expected to take more than

20 years to complete.

"Right now, it is an industrial wasteland, and we are going to end up with 20 acres of parkland," Commissioner Douglas Boxer said. "I feel like (the developer) has moved a long way toward meeting community concerns." It now will be up to the City Council to decide the project's fate when it meets later this month.

Many who turned out for the meeting Wednesday were not completely satisfied with what Signature Properties President Michael Ghielmetti promised to do for the city.

His promise to set aside up to 20 percent of the housing space for affordable units fell short of the demand for 25 percent.

And his proposal to commit 20 acres to parkland did not meet previous plans that called for 30 acres, many said.

Nor was Signature's decision to demolish 90 percent of the Ninth Avenue Terminal welcomed by those who cherish the city's past.

Only Planning Commissioner Michael Lighty agreed with critics, saying the developer might be able to do more. Lighty, who abstained from voting, wanted the decision postponed so the Planning Commission could review the results of an independent study, currently being drafted, that will analyze the project's finances.

It will be easier to determine how much the developer can contribute if the commission knows how much of a profit he could make, Lighty said.

"That independent review could shed some light on the issues," he said. "There are elements of the project that do provide benefits. ... But I felt like we could play a role in improving it."

The City Council will hold a workshop on the Oak to Ninth development at 6:30 p.m. March 28 in the City Council Chambers.