Thread by @newballpark

Currently observing the Zoom meeting of Oakland’s Design Review Committee for #HowardTerminal. 1/X us06web.zoom.us/j/86827037963#…

Curiously, the ballpark itself won’t be a focus of this DRC meeting. The ancillary development is mostly for building heights and street layout. #HowardTerminal 2/X

After intro by Peterson Vollman, 15-minute A’s presentation is next by @DaveKaval. #HowardTerminal 3/X

Kaval hands off to Richard Kennedy of James Corner Field Operations. #HowardTerminal 4/X

Kennedy hands off to Leon Rost to discuss the ground-level plan around the ballpark. Public comments next. #HowardTerminal 5/X

Comments so far: SF Baykeeper concerned about stormwater runoff retention and keeping pollutants from site out of bay. Naomi Schiff of Oakland Heritage Alliance wants to preserve Peaker Plant and cites 600’ building height extremely high for bayfront. #HowardTerminal 6/X

Mike Jacob (PMSA) - notes that in BCDC meeting the turning basin expansion is considered incomplete. Also notes the design doesn’t include grade separations [perhaps because they aren’t finalized?]. #HowardTerminal 7/X

Adrian Guerrero (Union Pacific) emphasizes the lack of grade separations in the design, like Jacob. Notes that Capitol Corridor and CPUC has similar concerns. #HowardTerminal 8/X

Two recent comments call for a 500’ buffer protecting the turning basin that would preclude development. That’s a big ask given the amount of land already being given up for the project. #HowardTerminal 9/X

Port critics’ strategy morphed from courts (where they lost the streamlining challenge last month) to preventing some development using a buffer zone, thereby making dev less lucrative. #HowardTerminal 10/X

Sounds like they’re coming to an understanding that Maritime Reservation Scenario is likely if HT is built. The question is open space and building height. Important to note that even w/ less land A’s plan the build the same amount of units/square footage. #HowardTerminal 11/X

Commish Fearn asks Vollman why grade separation info is absent from preso/docs. Vollman responds that a vehicle roadway is still an alternative, only pedestrian walkway is included for now. #HowardTerminal 12/X

Asked about the transit hub, Kennedy says that rideshare (Uber/lyft) will be accommodated along Second Street same as buses. #HowardTerminal 13/X

Commish Limon asks about parking and vehicle access. Kennedy notes that there will be “paseos” - the spokes leading out from the ballpark. 2 paseos have underground garage access for players/staff/deliveries. #HowardTerminal 14/X

Commish Manus asks for clarification of 600’ building height and whether or not building that will lead to super-luxury housing units due to higher construction cost. Kaval tries to answer, Manus isn’t buying the explanation. FWIW Manus is an architect. #HowardTerminal 15/X

Manus, cont’d: There are still a lot of loose issues here. How are these being addressed?

Vollman says he expects the A’s to take these comments and resubmit documents for the project. #HowardTerminal 16/X

Fearn: Not opposed to height in general. Is concerned that because of height they are creating a second downtown in Oakland. #HowardTerminal 17/X

Manus: Like Commish Limon we want to see this project succeed. Affirms Commish Fearn’s comment about a second downtown. #HowardTerminal 18/X

Big takeaway: Watch for the “second downtown” to become a major talking point in future hearings and discussions. #HowardTerminal 19/X

And they’re adjourned. No actions taken today. #HowardTerminal 20/X/fin