Economics

Planning Commission Gives Oak Knoll Plan Unanimous Approval to Build 935 Homes Plus $20 Million in Cash for Affordable Housing

Published

9 years ago

October 20, 2017

The Oak Knoll project, and its developer SunCal, will bring 935 homes to the East Oakland foothills, plus acres of open space, a new retail venue, and a $20 million payment to the city’s affordable housing fund.

The commission’s 5-0vote in favor of the project was reached after more than two hours of testimony by East Oakland neighbors, community groups, and competing unions. SunCal has entered into a project labor agreement with LiUna local union 304, who will work on the initial infrastructure of the project.

One side of the chamber was filled with red shirts of the local 304 speaking in favor of the project, that will bring them jobs. The other-side of the room was filled with the neon green shirts of the East Bay Residents for Responsible Development, comprised of other unions, including mechanical, engineers and plumbers who have not been guaranteed work in the initial phase of the project.

Bishop Bob Jackson

The East Bay Residents for Responsible Development urged the commission to delay the project due to concerns over traffic mitigations, the lack of on-site affordable housing, and the lack of project, labor agreements with their unions.

Under city law, city officials cannot require a project labor agreement on a purely private project, like the Oak Knoll project.

Fernando Estrada, Business Manager-Secretary/Treasurer of the Local 304 of LiUNA.

Fernando Estrada, Business Manager-Secretary/Treasurer of the Local 304 of LiUNA pointed out that the majority of his members – who will be the beneficiaries of Oak Knoll’s construction jobs – live in Oakland.

“Oak Knoll has been an eye-sore for too long,” said Bishop Bob Jackson of the Acts Full Gospel Church, and a resident of the area. “The longer we wait, the worse this will get.”
Jackson said he was pleased that SunCal has committed to provide funds that will go towards job training programs, including the Men of Valor, which helps formerly incarcerated people re-enter society and have productive lives.

“It’s not realistic for one development to solve all of Oakland’s problem. The shopping, hiking trails and jobs are good for Oakland overall, and good for the Oakland Hills,” said one resident of the nearby Shadow Wood condominiums.

A spokesman from the Oak Knoll Neighborhood Association pointed out that many of the mitigations SunCal will address are actually issues that the city has been putting off for a long time.

“There are so few opportunities to build single-family homes in the hills,” said Planning Commissioner, Emily Weinstein. “We are looking at land-use on a privately funded project that does not involve public land. Signing an agreement with the laborers shows the developers commitment to local hire.”

“We are talking about building housing in the middle of a housing crisis,” said Aly Bonde, the policy manager for the Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce. “We cannot apply downtown housing norms to a project in the Oakland Hills.”

“The $20 million payment to the affordable housing fund can be leveraged is a fantastic compliment to this project,” said Planning Commissioner Adhi Nagraj. “I was very glad to see so many neighbors, and Bishop Bob Jackson, here to support the project. East Oakland doesn’t often get this kind of project, this kind of opportunity.”

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Oakland Post: Week of July 1 – 7, 2026

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of July 1 – 7, 2026

Published

3 days ago

July 5, 2026

Oakland Post

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NPRC Joins National Grand Jury Proceedings Seeking Accountability, Constitutional Restoration

Organizers state that testimony will explore historical and political developments that they believe have contributed to the expansion of corporate influence over public institutions and governmental decision-making. Participants are expected to discuss concerns regarding constitutional governance, individual liberties, property rights, and the protection of vulnerable populations, including seniors and persons with disabilities.

Published

2 weeks ago

June 26, 2026

Oakland Post

Photo by Billie Powers.

Special to The Post

The National Probate Reform Coalition (NPRC) has joined Toll and Roll and a growing coalition of advocacy organizations, victims, whistleblowers, and citizen groups in support of a nationally broadcast People’s Grand Jury proceeding scheduled for July 1 and July 7.

Organizers describe the event as a public forum designed to examine allegations of government abuse, judicial misconduct, legislative failures, and the erosion of constitutional protections affecting millions of Americans.

The proceedings will feature testimony from victims, families, advocates, and organizations from across the country who contend they have experienced harm through government actions, institutional neglect, and failures of oversight.

According to organizers, the People’s Grand Jury will focus on concerns involving probate courts, guardianships, conservatorships, child welfare systems, property rights, civil liberties, and what participants view as a growing disconnect between government institutions and the constitutional rights of the people they are sworn to serve.

NPRC is participating because many of the issues being examined mirror the concerns raised by advocates, victims, and families who have participated in its monthly town halls. For years, families have reported cases involving exploitation of elders, questionable guardianships, estate depletion, denial of due process, and a lack of meaningful oversight within probate court systems.

“This proceeding gives victims and advocates an opportunity to place their experiences on the public record,” said Tanya Dennis, lead facilitator of NPRC. “For too long, families have struggled to have their voices heard regarding elder abuse, probate exploitation, and government inaction. This forum allows those stories to be shared before a national audience.”

In keeping with principles of transparency and fairness, invitations have been extended to legislators, members of the judiciary, law enforcement representatives, and other public officials who may wish to respond to concerns raised during the proceedings or defend actions taken by their respective institutions.

One of the primary outcomes sought by organizers is public consideration and support for the People’s Remedy and Restoration Act, a proposed legislative framework that advocates believe would strengthen oversight, increase accountability, provide remedies for victims of governmental abuse, and restore constitutional protections.

The proceedings are expected to be broadcast nationally, providing citizens throughout the United States an opportunity to observe testimony, review evidence presented, and participate in an ongoing conversation regarding government accountability and the protection of individual rights.

Advocates hope the hearings will encourage meaningful dialogue, legislative reform, and renewed public engagement in the democratic process.

Individuals, organizations, public officials, and members of the media interested in attending or obtaining access information may contact the organizers at tollandroll2025@gmail.com.

As Americans continue to debate the future of constitutional governance, judicial accountability, and the protection of vulnerable citizens, the July proceedings are expected to serve as a significant forum for public testimony and civic engagement. For more information, go to https://tollandroll.com