The Oakland City Council meets tomorrow at 1:30 p.m. Here are some of the items on the meeting agenda:
Parklets forever? Parklets, pop-ups, and other mobile food vending on outdoor private spaces and public right-of-ways could become permanent under an ordinance before the council. The Flex Streets program, which helped businesses survive during the pandemic by making it easier to sell outdoors, is set to end on March 31 but would become permanent if the council adopts the ordinance. Fees would resume July 1, 2023, with a fee exemption for businesses that meet equity criteria. See this Oaklandside story for more details. City staff will also update the council on the city’s Slow Streets initiative.
Ballpark EIR: After approving the environmental impact report for the $12 billion Howard Terminal ballpark and mixed-use development proposal earlier this month, the council needs to vote a second time to approve the documents that spell out potential impacts to traffic, air quality, and noise levels, among other considerations. The council voted 6-2 to certify the 3,500-page report on Feb. 17.
New East Oakland roundabout: The city plans to construct a new roundabout at the five-legged intersection of MacArthur Boulevard, Foothill Boulevard, and Superior Avenue near the San Leandro border and Interstate 580. Council must decide whether or not to approve a traffic-calming measure designed to improve safety for drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists.
East 12th St. parcel: A group of developers wants to purchase public land at E. 12th Street and Second Avenue to potentially build a mixed-use housing project. Council is yet again considering amending its development agreement—for the sixth time—to extend it for nine months at the request of the developers, which are UrbanCore and EBALDC. You can read more about the apartment tower project, which has been intensely debated for years, here.
Homeless intervention: At the request of council members Nikki Fortunato Bas and Carroll Fife, the council will hear a report on money spent so far this fiscal year on homeless intervention sites, which are shelter villages for unhoused people on city-owned land. The sites are located at Third and Peralta streets and E. 12th Street and Second Avenue.
The agenda for Tuesday’s meeting can be found here. And here’s a helpful guide to watching and speaking at council meetings.
