Oakland Municipal Code Art. I Title, Intent and Applicability of the D-DT Zones

A. Title, intent, and applicability. The provisions of this Chapter shall be known as the D-DT Downtown District Zones Regulations. These regulations shall apply to the corresponding D-DT Zones on the Zoning Map. The intent of the D-DT Zones is to implement the Downtown Oakland Specific Plan (DOSP). These zones are consistent with the following goals of the DOSP:

1. Create opportunities for economic growth and security for all Oaklanders;

2. Ensure sufficient housing is built and retained to meet the varied needs of current and future residents;

3. Make downtown's streets comfortable, safe, and inviting and improve connections throughout the city so that everyone has efficient and reliable access to downtown's jobs and services;

4. Encourage diverse voices and forms of expression to flourish;

5. Provide vibrant public spaces and a healthy environment that improve the quality of life downtown today and for generations to come; and

6. Develop downtown in a way that meets community needs and preserves Oakland's unique character.

B. Intent of primary zones. This Chapter establishes land use regulations for the following ten (10) primary zones as established on the Zoning Map:

1. D-DT-P Downtown District Pedestrian Commercial Zone. The intent of the D-DT-P Zone is to create, maintain, and enhance the downtown core for pedestrian-oriented and active uses on the ground floor. Upper stories are intended for a wide range of commercial and residential activities.

2. D-DT-C Downtown District General Commercial Zone. The intent of the D-DT-C Zone is to create, maintain, and enhance areas of Downtown appropriate for a wide range of ground-floor commercial activities. Upper-story spaces are intended for a wide range of commercial and residential activities.

3. D-DT-CX Downtown District Mixed Commercial Zone. The intent of the D-DT-CX Zone is to designate areas of downtown appropriate for a wide range of residential, commercial, and compatible service and production activities.

4. D-DT-R Downtown District Residential Zone. The intent of the D-DT-R Zone is to create, maintain, and enhance areas of downtown that are appropriate for residential development with small-scaled compatible ground-level commercial uses.

5. D-DT-RX Downtown District Mixed Residential Zone. The intent of the D-DT-RX Zone is to create, maintain, and enhance areas of downtown that are appropriate for residential and mixed-use buildings.

6. D-DT-CPW Downtown District Planned Waterfront Development Commercial Zone. The intent of the D-DT-CPW Zone is to encourage and facilitate comprehensively planned public space, streets and residential and commercial developments that contribute to the Estuary and Lake Merritt Channel waterfronts and help connect Brooklyn Basin to Downtown.

7. D-DT-CW Downtown District Estuary Waterfront Commercial Zone. The D-DT-CW Zone is intended to create, maintain, and enhance areas of the Estuary Waterfront District to have a mix of marine, office, and other commercial uses.

8. D-DT-AG Downtown District Art and Garage Commercial Zone. The intent of the D-DT-AG Zone is to create, preserve, and enhance commercial areas in downtown's Art and Garage District that are appropriate for specific service and production activities and provide adaptable space for artisans and craftspeople.

9. D-DT-PM Downtown District Produce Market Commercial Zone. The intent of the D-DT-PM Zone is to create, preserve, and enhance mixed industrial/commercial areas in Jack London's historic Produce Market District that are appropriate for a wide range of retail, work/live, and commercial and wholesale establishments.

10. D-DT-JLI Downtown District Jack London Industrial Zone. The intent of the D-DT-JLI Zone is to create, maintain, and enhance mixed industrial/commercial areas along the western edge of the Jack London District that will act as a transition between the more intensive West Oakland industrial area south of I-880 and the Jack London commercial area extending to the east. This transitional industrial area requires enhanced design and site plan review to ensure that future development does not adversely impact adjoining zones.

C. Intent of Combining Zones. This Chapter establishes land use regulations for the following combining zones as established on the Zoning Map. All land located a combining zone is subject to regulations of the primary zone unless specifically modified by provisions of regulations in this Chapter.

1. Employment Priority Combining Zone. The intent of the Employment Priority Combining Zone is to require office and other employment creating activities in certain areas of the Downtown District.

2. BAMBD Arts and Culture Combining Zone. The intent of BAMBD Arts and Culture Combining Zone is to celebrate and support Oakland's Black and African-American community, culture and heritage. In doing this, the zone fosters a sense of belonging for all Oaklanders; highlights Oakland's rich history and diverse cultures, celebrates and strengthens an ethnic enclave; supports a community harmed by racial inequities; and increases access to cultural expression. In particular, the intent of the Zone is to:

A. Support a critical mass of arts and entertainment establishments, which are essential to nurture and retain all residents including the creative workforce essential to recruiting and retaining employers in the modern economy;

B. Animate the public space, rejuvenate the streetscape, improve local business viability, improve public safety, and bring diverse people together to inspire and be inspired by the legacies and contemporary manifestations of Black owned businesses and arts rooted in the Black cultural experience;

C. Support a healthy and flourishing arts community, driving civic engagement, community involvement and public health;

D. Serve and strengthen ethnic and racial communities harmed by racial disparities; and

E. Accomplish the General Plan's historic preservation goal to preserve, protect, enhance, perpetuate, and prevent the unnecessary destruction or impairment of properties or physical features of special character or special historic, cultural, educational, architectural or aesthetic interest or value.

3. The Green Loop Combining Zone. The intent of the Green Loop Combining Zone is to:

a. Provide inviting landscaped pedestrian links between Downtown's Lake Merritt, Channel and Estuary waterfronts;

b. Connect surrounding neighborhoods to Downtown's open space, cultural and entertainment areas; and

c. Create an enhanced pedestrian experience with distinctive storefront and landscaping enhancements.

4. Sea Level Rise Combining Zone. The Sea Level Rise Combining Zone is intended to ensure that new development accounts for scientifically accepted future rises in sea level to ensure the health and safety of future occupants and the long-term viability of new construction and associated infrastructure.

(Ord. 13812, § 4(Exh. A), 7-30-2024)