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Oakland planning commission unanimously approves two development options for Brooklyn Basin Parcel H
Summary
The Oakland Planning Commission on March 5 unanimously approved two final development permits for Parcel H at Brooklyn Basin: a shovel‑ready, 83‑unit townhome‑first option and an alternate option that includes a 23‑story tower with 260 units. Commissioners pressed the developer and staff to address shuttle service, park completion and enforcement of development‑agreement commitments.
The Oakland Planning Commission voted unanimously March 5 to approve two separate final development permits (FDPs) for Parcel H of the Brooklyn Basin planned unit development, clearing both a lower‑rise, townhome‑first option and a taller tower alternative while directing staff to report back on transit mitigation and enforcement questions.
Staff planner Christopher Tan told the commission the Brooklyn Basin PUD — originally approved in 2006 and amended in 2023 to allow up to 3,700 units — establishes maximum densities, phasing and design guidelines. He said the two applications before the commission are separate case files and therefore required two hearings.
The developer’s lower‑density Option 1 would proceed in two phases: phase 1, a five‑story building of 83 units with roughly 2,660 square feet of retail/community space; phase 2, a seven‑story mixed‑use building with about 137 residential units and roughly 3,633 square feet of retail. Patrick Van Ness of Signature Development Group said the townhome‑first project is "fully financed" and "shovel ready." The applicant said phase‑1 building permit submittals are targeted for late summer 2025 with first sales expected in 2028 and an approximate 20‑month construction period for phase 1.
Option 2 keeps the same phase‑1 townhomes but proposes a 23‑story tower in phase 2 with 260 units (studios, one‑ and two‑bedrooms) and about 3,545 square feet of retail. The applicant said tower entitlements would strengthen the case to lenders if financing becomes available.
Commissioners and staff highlighted several points of public interest and regulatory detail. Christopher Tan explained that AB 2097, the state law limiting local parking requirements near high‑quality transit, means the Brooklyn Basin PUD footprint is mapped as within the one‑half‑mile transit radius, so parking is not being required by the city; the developer is proposing parking voluntarily. As Tan put it, "the developer is proposing to provide parking, but a variance is not required technically under this request." The two options include different parking plans: Option 1 shows roughly 211 parking spaces split across garages for the overall project as presented by the applicant; Option 2 lists about 249 parking spaces for the tower alternative.
Public commenters urged stronger enforcement and clarity on transit mitigations and park commitments. Brooklyn Basin resident John Klein said shuttle service is unreliable and has a multi‑hour mid‑day gap, observing that "there is no shuttle service in the middle part of the day between 10AM and 3PM." Naomi Schiff, speaking for nearby residents and open‑space advocates, urged that the city "explicitly clarify that regardless of changes elsewhere in the project, the city must enforce the development agreements concerning Estuary Park" including the promised transfer of Parcel N to the city as open space.
City Attorney Brian Mulry addressed a related legal question about AB 2097’s measurement, saying the statute’s half‑mile is measured from the development project to a major transit stop rather than from an individual parcel, and staff’s GIS layer maps Brooklyn Basin generally within the zone.
Staff also described a recent 2023 modification to the development agreement that included a $9,000,000 commitment from the developer to the city’s affordable housing fund and additional local‑hire and training benefits; impact fees for units above the original baseline are subject to current fees that include an affordable‑housing component.
Commissioners expressed repeated concern about the Brooklyn Basin shuttle, park completion timelines and the need for clear enforcement. Staff replied that park FDPs already exist for the project and said the developer (ZOHP/Signature Development Group) has obligations to complete those parks; the developer said delays on phase‑2 park funding relate to timing on a bond sale that requires city participation. Staff confirmed they have received shuttle complaints and will pursue enforcement follow‑up and report back verbally to the commission in two weeks with a summary of complaints, enforcement status and the city’s interpretation of compliance requirements.
Votes at a glance
- Brooklyn Basin Parcel H Option 1 (FDP — townhome + 7‑story phase 2): Motion moved by Commissioner Alex Randolph, seconded by Vice Chair Natalie Sandoval; vote: unanimous approval; decision is appealable to City Council within 10 days.
- Brooklyn Basin Parcel H Option 2 (FDP — townhome + 23‑story tower): Motion moved by Vice Chair Natalie Sandoval, seconded and carried; vote: unanimous approval; decision is appealable to City Council within 10 days.
What happens next
Both approvals are appealable to City Council within 10 days of the commission decision. Staff will provide a verbal report at the next hearing (two weeks) summarizing shuttle complaints and enforcement activity and clarifying the city’s interpretation of the applicable compliance requirements and transit‑mitigation triggers.
