Planning Director Gilchrist
1 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza
Oakland, CA
94612
CC: Oakland Planning Commission, Oakland City Council

March 4th, 2024

RE: CCA Campus Redevelopment

Dear Director Gilchrist,

The Sierra Club understands the importance of ensuring a livable planet through smart urban planning, a critical part of reducing individual climate impacts. Prioritizing dense housing within urbanized areas and close to jobs and amenities will reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector dramatically. To promote more equitable housing options while reducing negative climate impacts, we understand the importance of incubating or cultivating walkable, bikeable neighborhoods with robust transit options in Oakland, and are writing to express our support of the California College of the Arts (CCA) Redevelopment project.

The proposed development is an excellent urban infill project, located walking distance from Rockridge BART, walkable and bikeable to many local businesses, and adjacent to multiple AC Transit bus lines. The development will include a robust transportation demand management (TDM) plan to encourage transit ridership and multimodal commuting, include secure bike parking for every home, a carpool program, and a guaranteed ride home program. This project will reduce development pressures on open space areas and wildlife outside and within our urban core while allowing residents to access more sustainable commute options. Other sustainable design elements include electric energy efficient appliances, no natural gas hookups, and sustainable flooring. Native plants have been included in the landscaping designs to prioritize drought tolerance, reducing irrigation needs.

Though this project will involve the removal of several former CCA structures, the development will preserve the full Broadway wall, Broadway Stairs, Broadway Gate and the National Historic Register listed Macky Hall and Carriage House. A 1.5 acre public park iS centrally located in the design, which will enliven the former CCA campus and bring a new thriving outdoor space to Rockridge.

The Sierra Club believes the CCA project will bring much needed sustainable housing options to Rockridge while prioritizing the preservation of the historic environment.

Sincerely,

Maxwell Davis, Chair

Sierra Club Northern Alameda County Group