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Oakland Planning Commission denies major variance to expand self-storage at 1205 Franklin Street
Summary
On Oct. 15, 2025, the Oakland Planning Commission voted 3-2 to deny Tidewater Capital’s request to convert about 7,000–7,500 square feet of upper‑floor office space at 1205 Franklin St. to self/mini storage, after staff said the proposal conflicted with the Downtown Oakland Specific Plan and lacked a required unique hardship.
The Oakland Planning Commission voted 3-2 on Oct. 15 to deny a major variance request that would have allowed Tidewater Capital to convert roughly 7,000–7,500 square feet of second- and third-floor office space at 1205 Franklin Street into self or mini storage.
Heather Klein of the City of Oakland Bureau of Planning told commissioners staff reviewed the proposal and found it inconsistent with adopted plans for downtown. “The proposal does not meet the general plan policies, objectives, [the Downtown Oakland Specific Plan] or the required major variance findings,” Klein said, recommending denial unless commissioners identified specific findings staff had erred on.
The applicant argued the building’s existing operation…
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