San Francisco Chronicle

Oakland fourplexes could help on housing

- By Sarah Ravani

Oakland could take the first step this month in allowing fourplexes throughout the city, including in areas now designated for singlefami­ly homes.

Vice Mayor Rebecca Kaplan introduced a resolution Thursday that directs the city administra­tion and planning department to study allowing fourplexes throughout the city. Kaplan also noted that the study should include antidispla­cement protection­s.

The City Council will vote on the directive on March 16.

“This will allow more units of housing to be built in certain areas and will prioritize areas near resources and BART stations and thus, support access to jobs and transitori­ented developmen­t as well,” Kaplan told The Chronicle in a text message.

The directive comes a week after Berkeley voted unanimousl­y to end singlefami­ly zoning by the end of 2022. Berkeley is also considerin­g allowing fourplexes in exclusive neighborho­ods.

Oakland and Berkeley are the latest cities looking at generating more housing by opening up neighborho­ods as the region struggles with high rents and increasing homelessne­ss. Oakland’s homeless population soared from

2017 to 2019 — increasing by nearly 47% to 4,071 people. Sacramento recently voted to endorse the idea of fourplexes, and one San Francisco politician is pushing a similar plan. San Jose and South San Francisco are also considerin­g the issue.

Laws that allow only singlefami­ly houses in certain areas hurt housing supply, worsen the housing crisis and perpetuate racial disparitie­s, Kaplan wrote in a memo to the City Council.

“This is one piece of how we both remedy historical exclusions and increase housing availabili­ty to help solve our housing crisis,” Kaplan said.

Councilman Dan Kalb said prior to the pandemic that he was working with city staff to modify zoning in Rockridge — specifical­ly increasing density along the College Avenue corridor and allowing fourplexes within a half mile of the Rockridge BART Station.

He said he supports Kaplan’s resolution for city staff to do an analysis and wants to ensure tenant protection­s.

“The idea is to get more units; the idea is not to displace people who are already living here,” Kalb said. “More density near BART stations, including Rockridge Station, makes sense. How we do it needs to be done thoughtful­ly and with community input.”

 ?? Paul Kuroda / Special to The Chronicle 2018 ?? Oakland Vice Mayor Rebecca Kaplan wants to “allow more units of housing to be built.”
Paul Kuroda / Special to The Chronicle 2018 Oakland Vice Mayor Rebecca Kaplan wants to “allow more units of housing to be built.”

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United States