 |
Lake Merritt Station Area Plan
|
For a high resolution version of this map,
click here to download a PDF.
|
News and Announcements
The planning process for the Lake Merritt Station Area Plan is just getting underway. We are gathering data, preparing maps and conducting interviews with public agencies and community organizations. Check back here for updates, information and future meeting dates.
|
TOP
Project Description
The City of Oakland, BART and the Peralta Community College District, through a grant from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, have come together to prepare a Station Area
 |
For a high resolution version of this map, click here to download a PDF.
|
Plan for the area around the Lake Merritt BART Station. The Plan will consider land use, buildings, design, circulation, BART improvements, streetscape improvements, parks and public spaces. It will identify actions the City and the other public agencies should take to improve the area, and it will establish regulations for development projects on private property. The project also involves the preparation of an Environmental Impact Report for the Station Area Plan.
The planning area is a one-half mile radius around the Lake Merritt BART Station, which encompasses Chinatown, Laney College, civic buildings of Alameda  County and Oakland and the channel connecting Lake Merritt to the estuary. Many diverse residents, businesses and students make up the community of this area, and Chinatown functions as a citywide center for the Asian community. The Station  Area Plan must address the needs of the community, as well as the needs of BART related to ridership, and the needs of the College District related to education and maximizing the use of their land. BART has stated that it envisions the area transitioning from its current status as an “Urban Neighborhood Station” to a “Regional Center” station type. Completing the environmental review process is also a critical component of the project, so that issues are resolved and development can proceed by tiering off the environmental analysis.
Some of the key objectives of the Lake Merritt Station Area Plan, which will continue to be developed and refined throughout the planning process, include:
- Increase use of non-automobile modes of transportation, including walking, bicycling, bus, BART, carpooling, ridesharing and other options; and reduce auto use.
- Increase the housing supply, especially affordable housing for low-income residents. Specifically increase the amount of housing around the BART station.
- Increase jobs and improve access to jobs along the transit corridor.
- Provide services and retail options in the station area.
- Identify additional recreation and open space opportunities
 Finally, the Lake Merritt Station Area Plan must provide an impetus for real development projects and specific public improvements. The plan should generate interest, enthusiasm and consensus about new development in the area and establish priorities for public improvement projects.
The Lake Merritt Station Area Plan will be developed over approximately a two-year period from November 2009 to the end of 2011. A major part of the planning process is to engage the community in discussions about the future of the area. There will be opportunities to get involved at all stages of the process, from the initial visioning and exploration of plan alternatives to the selection of the preferred plan and review of its accompanying Environmental Impact Report. We encourage you to take this opportunity to make your voice heard. The Landmarks Advisory Board, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission, and the Oakland Planning Commission will review the Draft Station Area Plan, as well as the boards of the Peralta Community College District and BART. The Oakland City Council is the body responsible for final review and approval of the Plan as well as the EIR.
Click here to learn more about the consultant team working on the Lake Merritt Station Area Plan. |
TOP
Project Schedule and Status
Project Schedule
For a high resolution file of this schedule, please click here to download a PDF.
Project Status
| |
Task |
Description of Work |
Timeline |
Status |
| 1 |
Existing Conditions |
Obtain and compile extensive background information relevant to the preparation of the Plan. Interview a wide variety of stakeholders to learn about their key goals and concerns relative to the Lake Merritt BART Station Area Project. Publish a report of Existing Issues and Key Constraints for public review. |
November 2009 - February 2010 |
Existing Conditions Report underway. Stakeholder interviews in progress. |
| 2 |
Market Demand Analysis |
Prepare a market demand study. The results will provide input for developing the land use/urban design alternatives for the Plan. |
November 2009 - February 2010 |
Market Study begun. |
| 3 |
Community Outreach |
Solicit input from all community members and stakeholders to ascertain all the major issues of concern. Follow up with key stakeholders to identify any “deal-breaker” issues, and major obstacles to implementation. Assess the market feasibility and political feasibility of the project, and determine if any changes should be made to the scope of work or approach. |
February - May 2010 |
|
| 4 |
Land Use/ Urban Design Alternatives and Analysis |
Prepare land use/urban design alternatives. Conduct community workshops, TAC meetings, and CSG meetings to present the alternatives and analysis and have an interactive discussion about the alternatives. |
May - November 2010
|
|
| 5 |
Station Area Plan Key Components: Land Use, Circulation, Access, Parking and Design Standards |
Prepare a preferred plan for land use and circulation. Develop specific recommendations to be included in the Plan related to land use, circulation, station access, parking, streetscape, and building design. Review the recommended provisions with the TAC and CSG, to develop consensus about the content of the Plan. |
September 2010 - April 2011 |
|
| 6 |
Draft Station Area Plan |
Prepare the full Draft Plan, incorporating the major substantive content developed during Task 5. Prepare the Draft EIR simultaneously, and incorporate the results into the Plan as policies. |
December 2010 - July 2011 |
|
| 7 |
Draft EIR |
Prepare the Draft Environmental Impact Report. Prepare Existing Conditions sections based on research in earlier tasks, and analyze potential impacts of the project. Prepare the Draft EIR for public review based on staff comments on the administrative draft. |
November 2010 - August 2011 |
|
| 8 |
Draft Zoning and General Plan Admendment (City Staff) |
Prepare zoning regulations and General Plan amendments that implement the Plan. Prepare base district(s) and development standards specific to the Lake Merritt BART Station Area, but ensure that provisions are consistent with the structure and related provisions of the existing zoning code. |
April - July 2011 |
|
| 9 |
Public Review |
Review the Plan and Draft EIR before the City Council, to check in on key issues. Review the Plan and Draft EIR with the Planning Commission, as well as other advisory boards such as the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and the Landmarks Preservation Advisory Board. |
May - August 2011 |
|
| 10 |
Final EIR and Final Plan |
Prepare the Final EIR, with responses to public comments. Based on direction from the Planning Commission and City Council, and any final amendments required by the response to comments on the EIR, prepare the Final Plan, Zoning, and General Plan Amendments. |
August - December 2011 |
|
|
TOP
Workshops and Meetings
The Station Area Plan will only be successful if it reflects the goals and values of the community. While elected officials will adopt the final Station Area Plan, Council members and City staff are committed to soliciting the input of residents throughout the development of the document. So, we need to hear your voice. What do you like about the Lake Merritt Station Area? What needs improvement? How can the City better meet the needs of residents, businesses, schools, and visitors?
There are several ways to participate in the Lake Merritt Station Area Plan process:
- Check back for Web updates. Notices, agendas, minutes and documents will be posted regularly on this page.
- Call the Project Message Line at 510.238.7904. Outgoing messages will include the latest information on the status of the project.
- Join us at the public meetings and workshops. Several public workshops and meetings will be held throughout the development of the Lake Merritt Station Area Plan. Infomation about the dates/times/locations of these meetings is provided below.
| |
Community Meetings/Workshops |
| |
Timing |
Meeting Topic |
Agenda |
Minutes |
Documents |
| 1 |
April 14, 2010 |
Community goals and key issues of concern |
|
|
|
| 2 |
Week of April 12, 2010 |
Neighborhood Teas: Assess goals and concerns of local residents who typically do not attend large public meetings |
|
|
|
| 3 |
Fall 2010 |
Land Use/Urban Design Alternatives |
|
|
|
| 4 |
Winter 2010 |
Draft Land Use, Circulation and Station Access Plans |
|
|
|
| 5 |
Summer 2010 |
Draft Plan and Draft EIR Open House |
|
|
|
| |
Community Stakeholder Group |
| |
Timing |
Meeting Topic |
Agenda |
Minutes |
Documents |
| 1 |
April 29, 2009 |
Kickoff Meeting |
|
|
|
| 2 |
February 18, 2010 |
Review Existing Conditions Report |
PDF |
PDF |
PDF |
| 3 |
March 18, 2010 |
Review Market Study |
|
|
|
| 4 |
Summer 2010 |
Review Draft Land Use Alternatives and Analysis |
|
|
|
| 5 |
Fall 2010 |
Review Draft Land Use Plan |
|
|
|
| 6 |
Fall 2010 |
Review Draft Access Plan |
|
|
|
| 7 |
Spring 2011 |
Review Draft Plan |
|
|
|
TOP
Documents and Presentations
Coming Soon! Please check back frequently for updates.
|
TOP
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Station Area Plan?
Will the Lake Merritt Station Area Plan be a Specific Plan?
Why is a Station Area Plan being completed for the Lake Merritt BART Station?
What is an Environmental Impact Report?
How can I get involved?
| 1. What is a Station Area Plan? |
| A station area plan is a set of policies and programs about future development within one half mile of a transit station. The plan will address land use, buildings, housing, design, circulation, BART and AC Transit improvements, streetscape improvements, parks and public spaces. It will identify actions the City and the other public agencies should take to improve the area and increase transit ridership, and it will establish regulations for development projects on private property. It is a long-term document consisting of written text and diagrams that expresses how a community should develop, and is a key tool for influencing the quality of life. The plan is a basis for development project review and other decision-making by policymakers such as the Planning Commission and the City Council. |
| |
2. Will the Lake Merritt Station Area Plan be a Specific Plan?
|
At this point the precise format of the Plan has not been determined. Specific plans cover land use, development density, circulation and infrastructure, and have legal authority as a regulatory document. There are benefits and drawbacks to the Specific Plan format, and it is likely that the Lake Merritt Station Area Plan will be a hybrid plan, combining a detailed specific plan approach for some areas with a more conceptual approach to others, depending on the key issues for each part of the Planning Area and community feedback. |
| |
| 3. Why is a Station Area Plan being completed for the Lake Merritt BART Station? |
The City of Oakland, BART, Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) and the Peralta Community College District have come together to prepare a Station Area Plan for the area around the Lake Merritt BART Station in order to improve the quality of life in the Station Area, meet ridership goals, and pursue Transit Oriented Development (TOD) as part of a regional strategy for growth.
|
| |
| 4. What is an Environmental Impact Report? |
An environmental impact report is a detailed analysis of the environmental effects of a plan or development project. The EIR identifies alternatives to the proposed project and presents ways to reduce or avoid environmental damage. The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), establishes the requirements for the EIR’s contents and public review process. Community members can provide input throughout the EIR process. There will be opportunities for the public to submit comments both in response to the Notice of Preparation (NOP) regarding the scope of issues the EIR should evaluate, and later, during the public comment period on the Draft EIR itself. In addition, there will be noticed public meetings to consider the EIR and the Station Area Plan, during which community members and agency decision makers will be able to comment. |
| |
| 5. How can I get involved? |
We are soliciting citizen participation in all phases of the Lake Merritt Station Area Plan development. Please visit the Workshops and Meetings section for details on upcoming events or contact us directly with your thoughts.
|
TOP
Reference Documents
Many public agencies and non-profit groups have prepared studies, reports, and/or websites about issues and projects in the Lake Merritt Station Area. Below are links to those sources of information.
|
TOP
Contact Us
TOP
|
| |
10K Housing Initiative
. Technology © T324, Inc.
