Oakland Planning Commission to hold Phase 2 EIR scoping July 15; comments due Aug. 3
Oakland’s Planning Commission will hold a CEQA Environmental Impact Report (EIR) scoping session for Phase 2 of the Oakland 2045 General Plan Update on July 15, 2026, starting at 3:00 p.m. The meeting is scheduled for City Hall, Hearing Room 1 at 1 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza.
This scoping step is an early (but influential) part of the City’s CEQA process: it’s when the public can comment on what topics, geography, and types of analysis the Draft EIR should cover—before the City releases the Draft EIR for a later round of review.
The City’s agenda materials also say the Notice of Preparation (NOP) for the Phase 2 EIR was set to publish July 3, 2026, with the public comment period ending Aug. 3, 2026.
Key dates
- July 15, 2026 (3:00 p.m.): Planning Commission EIR scoping session for General Plan Update Phase 2
- Aug. 3, 2026: Deadline for public comments on the Phase 2 EIR Notice of Preparation
What Phase 2 is covering (and what the EIR will analyze)
According to the Planning Commission agenda, Phase 2 of the Oakland 2045 General Plan Update is currently underway and would include updates to multiple elements, including:
- Land Use and Transportation Element (LUTE)
- Estuary Policy Plan (EPP), described as being incorporated into the new LUTE
- Open Space, Conservation, and Recreation (OSCAR) Element
- Noise Element
- A new Infrastructure and Capital Facilities Element
The agenda also describes the Phase 2 EIR as assessing environmental impacts of the updated LUTE (with the incorporated EPP), OSCAR, Noise, and the new Infrastructure and Capital Facilities element—along with related Phase 2 amendments, including potential Planning Code, Municipal Code, and Zoning Map amendments.
What “EIR scoping” means for residents
Scoping is where residents can influence what the City studies later in the Draft EIR.
- It’s not the final policy decision. Scoping helps define the scope of environmental review; it does not itself approve General Plan language or zoning changes.
- It’s a chance to flag questions early. The City says the scoping session is intended to receive comments on the types of information and analysis the EIR should consider.
Practical things you can comment on
If you’re planning to speak at the July 15 session or submit comments during the NOP window, residents often find it helpful to organize remarks around the element categories the Draft EIR will later address. For example:
- Land use + transportation analysis: Ask the City to consider the transportation and land-use implications tied to LUTE updates.
- Estuary-related impacts: For areas connected to the Estuary Policy Plan, comment on what environmental effects should be analyzed and where.
- Open space, conservation, and recreation: Flag where you want the EIR to carefully analyze tradeoffs affecting parks, conservation areas, and recreational access.
- Noise exposure and protection: Encourage the EIR to clearly evaluate noise-related impacts and sensitive locations.
- Infrastructure and capital facilities: Ask what kinds of infrastructure needs (and related environmental effects) should be evaluated in the EIR.
If you want to direct questions to the City staff team, the Planning Commission agenda lists generalplan@oaklandca.gov as the contact for further information.
Where to follow the Phase 2 process
For background on Phase 2 and links to the City’s supporting materials, check the City of Oakland’s Oakland 2045 General Plan Update hub and the General Plan Update supporting project documents page.
Sources
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