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Planning Commission approves alcohol sales at Raimondi Park concessions for Oakland Ballers
Summary
The Oakland Planning Commission unanimously approved a conditional use permit to allow alcoholic beverage sales at three concession locations at Raimondi Park used by the Oakland Ballers, with sales limited to concession areas and time windows and revenue routed to a park-specific fund, the commission was told.
The Oakland Planning Commission on March 18 approved a conditional use permit to allow alcoholic beverage sales at three concession locations at Raimondi Park used by the Oakland Ballers.
Planner Corey Alvin told the commission the request would regulate existing beverage sales under a CUP tied to the team’s license agreement with the city. “The item before you is a conditional use permit (CUP) request to establish alcoholic beverage sales as part of the Oakland Ballers concession sales at Raimondi Park,” Alvin said, adding that sales would occur only in specified concession areas and would begin one hour before games and end before the top of the eighth inning; sales for other events would follow similar event‑time limits.
Staff recommended approval, saying the CUP is consistent with the General Plan and the West Oakland Specific Plan and would help revitalize the park while creating local employment and lease and tax revenue. Laura Geist, general manager of the Oakland Ballers, described more than $3 million in improvements the team has made to the park and said the change would help the organization better manage food and beverage offerings and invest further in amenities. “We cannot be happier to have Raimondi Park as our long term home for the Oakland Ballers,” Geist said.
Commissioners asked whether the proposal would allow all liquor or only beer and wine; the applicant confirmed it would cover all alcohol types under the license being sought. A commissioner asked how city revenue from the arrangement is handled; staff read a real estate group explanation that the city does not take direct food and beverage sales revenue but receives base rent, a $0.50 ticket surcharge and 3% of advertising revenue. Staff said base rent and advertising receipts are deposited into a park‑specific revolving fund (Fund 1820) and other amounts support economic and workforce development staff who assist parks partnerships.
Support for the Ballers came from nearby business owner Joe Ernst, who said the team has been a strong park steward. After discussion, Commissioner Alex Randolph moved to affirm staff findings and approve the CUP subject to the attached conditions; Vice Chair Natalie Sandoval seconded. The commission voted unanimously to approve the permit. The staff memo and conditions will govern how alcohol sales operate at the concessions; the decision is appealable to the City Council within 10 days.
The approved CUP applies only to the concession areas identified in staff attachments and runs concurrent with the team’s license agreement; when the license agreement terminates, staff said, the CUP would terminate as well.
