4040 Bigelow shared details about their project in a May 8 DAM.
The Julian
Hudson Companies of Hermitage, PA proposes to build a new 10-story apartment building at 419 Melwood Avenue in North Oakland. Plans include apartments ranging in size from micro to two bedrooms and an indoor parking garage with 93 spaces for automobiles and 68 bicycles.
A representative from Hudson presented the plans for a 128-unit building at the April 27, 2021 Oakland-Wide meeting.
Responding to a resident’s inquiry following the meeting concerning potential detrimental impacts on traffic patterns and residential compatibility standards of the zoning code (see comments section below), Zoning Development Review staff (including DOMI) commented:
A Zoning and Development Review Application has not yet been made, but based on our understanding of the proposed scope, a new apartment building in a UI / Baum Centre Overlay zoning district will require Planning Commission review and approval and a ZBA Hearing for a Special Exception for Use.
Until a formal ZDR application is made, it's unclear if additional Special Exceptions or Variances will be required per Residential Compatibility Standards or 904.07.C.4 - Special Exception for Height in the UI.
DOMI will also require a transportation study to clarify the project's impact on the right-of-way.
OPDC hosted a follow-up meeting with the developers and representatives from the Department of City Planning, Councilman Lavelle’s office, and bordering community groups to discuss traffic and parking concerns on May 19, 2021. Notes from the meeting are linked below.
Hudson Companies presented at the Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA) on July 8, 2021. The project is now listed as a 10-story, 148-unit development. Gateway Engineers prepared a traffic study in July; the memo is located in “Resources” below.
The ZBA approved Hudson Companies’ request for special exceptions to construct a 10story/116’ tall building with an 8.4:1 FAR. (9/13/21)
The project went before the Planning Commission for a hearing on December 7. Planning approved the building; demolition and construction are planned to start in early 2022.
Resources:
Memo from Hudson Companies to OPDC re: building information changes (June 30, 2021)
Updated design (as of June 30, 2021)
OPDC’s July 7, 2021 letter to the Zoning Board of Adjustment
September 13, 2021 - ZBA’s decision re: July 8, 2021 meeting
CMU Melwood Parking Lot
PROJECT SUMMARY
Carnegie Mellon University is proposing to slightly expand, pave, and install storm water management infrastructure to the dirt parking lot on Melwood across from the former Pittsburgh Filmmaker’s building. CMU bought the building and the lot last year and are still making plans for their use. In the meantime, the paving of the lot will require a Zoning Board action, as well as Planning Commission due to the lot’s location in the Baum Centre Overlay District. CMU presented at the Oakland-wide meeting on January 28, 2020, proposing that paving will take place in June/July 2020.
The project was put on hold during the pandemic lockdown and is tentatively deferred to summer 2022. CMU plans to restart permitting and outreach in fall 2021.
Project resources:
411 South Craig Street
Developer: Building owner and ZILKA and Associates
Project summary: The building owner seeks to request occupancy change for the first floor from retail to restaurant. They also propose to extend the facade of the second floor to match the current free standing facade. The project was presented at the Oakland-Wide Community Meeting on January 28, 2020.
April 2021 update: The project is still active, but work has been delayed due to COVID restrictions and permit delays.
Project resources:
300 South Craig Street
Project summary: Property owner plans to complete interior and exterior renovations of the existing retail space at the corner of Craig Street and Winthrop for a second Oakland location of Fuku Tea (the first location is located at Forbes and Oakland Ave).
A public review of the proposed exterior renovations took place at a Development Activities Meeting on October 24. 2019. The project is scheduled for review at the January 14, 2019 Planning Commission hearing.
The Craig Street location of Fuku Tea opened in August 2020.
Project resources:
214 South Craig Street
Developer: Mike Wu
Project summary: Owner proposes to build a six floor, mixed-use development. The building will include restaurant space and one- and three-bedroom apartment units. The developer is asking for the following variances: Lot coverage, restaurant use, floor area ratio (FAR), parking, and height.
This proposal was presented to the Bellefield Area Citizens Association (BACA) on September 10, 2019. BACA was not in support of the developer’s request for a parking variance. An updated proposal was presented at the Oakland-Wide Community Meeting on September 25, 2019.
The original Zoning Board of Adjustment hearing scheduled for January 16, 2020 was postponed. The new hearing date is Thursday, February 20, 2020 at 9:40 a.m.
Project resources:
Proposal presentation (Sept 10, 2019)
Proposal presentation (Sept 25, 2019)
203 S. Craig
Project summary: The owner initially planned to construct an addition attached to the front of the building. At a ZBA hearing on September 27, 2018 the developer requested a continuance, however the project was placed on hold.
Carnegie Mellon University purchased the property in September 2019. There are no plans — aside from general cosmetic/code updates to the exterior — for the property at this time.
365 N. Craig Street
Developer: Sterling Land Company
Project Summary: Sterling Land Company has filed an application with the City to raze the multi-family building at 356 N. Craig St due to structural and electrical concerns. The wall along N. Craig would remain the same, and the developer does not yet have plans for re-developing the property.
The building was razed in 2019.