Comments on: Are community gardens coming to downtown Oakland? http://www.oaklandseen.com/2010/03/30/are-community-gardens-coming-to-downtown-oakland/ People, Politics and Life in Oakland Tue, 20 Sep 2011 08:32:21 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: OaklandSeen http://www.oaklandseen.com/2010/03/30/are-community-gardens-coming-to-downtown-oakland/comment-page-1/#comment-74 OaklandSeen Mon, 05 Apr 2010 03:41:14 +0000 http://www.oaklandseen.com/?p=999#comment-74 Hello V Smoothe: The post you refer to does not report that community gardens are definitely coming to downtown Oakland. The post states that the city is currently exploring the idea, which it is. Page 3 of the above referenced staff report states that “uses such as outdoor recreation, cultural and community gathering areas, retail vending and gardens” in addition to surface parking lots may be considered for the short-term. OaklandSeen does not report solely on proposals coming from city staff that we know in advance are sure bets for city council adoption. We will continue to report on policies and ideas coming out of City Hall that are being discussed, debated and considered. Hello V Smoothe:
The post you refer to does not report that community gardens are definitely coming to downtown Oakland. The post states that the city is currently exploring the idea, which it is. Page 3 of the above referenced staff report states that “uses such as outdoor recreation, cultural and community gathering areas, retail vending and gardens” in addition to surface parking lots may be considered for the short-term.

OaklandSeen does not report solely on proposals coming from city staff that we know in advance are sure bets for city council adoption. We will continue to report on policies and ideas coming out of City Hall that are being discussed, debated and considered.

]]> By: Transportation is Oakland’s key environmental opportunity – FutureOakland http://www.oaklandseen.com/2010/03/30/are-community-gardens-coming-to-downtown-oakland/comment-page-1/#comment-54 Transportation is Oakland’s key environmental opportunity – FutureOakland Tue, 30 Mar 2010 20:02:21 +0000 http://www.oaklandseen.com/?p=999#comment-54 [...] is necessary. Oakland simply cannot continue down the current path of transportation planning. From city planners using community gardens as a flimsy cover for a pro-parking lot agenda to Building Services seizing Measure DD’s widened sidewalks to provide parking for the Lake [...] [...] is necessary. Oakland simply cannot continue down the current path of transportation planning. From city planners using community gardens as a flimsy cover for a pro-parking lot agenda to Building Services seizing Measure DD’s widened sidewalks to provide parking for the Lake [...]

]]> By: V Smoothe http://www.oaklandseen.com/2010/03/30/are-community-gardens-coming-to-downtown-oakland/comment-page-1/#comment-49 V Smoothe Tue, 30 Mar 2010 13:41:04 +0000 http://www.oaklandseen.com/?p=999#comment-49 I am not sure where the author of this post got the idea that the T-CUP proposal would bring community gardens downtown. When this report was presented to the Zoning Update Committee in February, staff made it very clear that they had no expectation whatsoever of adding any community gardens downtown under the proposal. In fact, it was stated repeatedly during the meeting that the only use anyone expected to take advantage of the permits, and the only interest anyone had shown in them, would be surface parking lots. Land owners present said that the would be unlikely to apply for a garden permit even in the event one were offered, and the Commission members seemed very skeptical. Additionally, the presentation made it clear that there were a lot of problems with the proposal, like the fact that the City had no means of knowing when the temporary permits expired. The report will be returning to ZUC in April. I am not sure where the author of this post got the idea that the T-CUP proposal would bring community gardens downtown.

When this report was presented to the Zoning Update Committee in February, staff made it very clear that they had no expectation whatsoever of adding any community gardens downtown under the proposal. In fact, it was stated repeatedly during the meeting that the only use anyone expected to take advantage of the permits, and the only interest anyone had shown in them, would be surface parking lots. Land owners present said that the would be unlikely to apply for a garden permit even in the event one were offered, and the Commission members seemed very skeptical.

Additionally, the presentation made it clear that there were a lot of problems with the proposal, like the fact that the City had no means of knowing when the temporary permits expired. The report will be returning to ZUC in April.

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