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Committee upholds staff, denies appeal over Asilomar Drive revisions
Summary
Oakland’s Residential Appeals Committee voted 2-0 on April 15, 2026 to deny an appeal of a zoning manager’s minor-change determination for 1901 Asilomar Drive, finding staff had substantial evidence that small retaining walls and grading changes do not alter the building envelope or require discretionary review.
The Residential Appeals Committee of the Oakland Planning Commission on April 15, 2026 voted 2-0 to deny an appeal challenging a zoning manager’s determination that grading and low retaining walls at 1901 Asilomar Drive constitute a minor change and may be approved administratively. Commissioner Lee moved to affirm staff’s environmental determination and that the revisions can be approved administratively; Chair Randolph seconded and both voted yes (Commissioner Ahrens was absent).
Staff advised the committee that the project (PLN 23090), approved in December 2023 and under construction since August 2024, was revised in January 2026 after staff discovered a lot-area discrepancy. Planner 1 explained staff’s calculation that the revised project would result in 3,206 square feet of total floor area and a 0.43 floor-area ratio (FAR) because the lower level meets the city’s code definition of a basement and therefore is excluded from FAR calculations.
Appellants, represented by…
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