New details have been published alongside development permits for an affordable workforce housing project at 4655 Steele Street in Redwood Heights, Oakland. The updated plans have secured a streamlined approval process through Senate Bill 35, with the goal of adding 56 low-income units on property owned by the Oakland Unified School District. Eagle Environmental Construction is the project sponsor.
4655 Steele Street pedestrian view, rendering by Kodama Diseno Architects
The application uses the State Density Bonus program to achieve the additional density. The applicant has requested zoning concessions to increase the building height and decrease the front setback. The early 2023-filed pre-application has been labeled as complete by the city planning department, and the developer will receive a streamlined approval process via Senate Bill 35.
According to project documents from last month, 39 units will be affordable to low-income households earning between 50-80% of the area’s median income, and 16 will be priced for households earning between 80-120% of the area’s median income. One unit will be a market-rate apartment for the on-site property manager.
The 56-foot tall structure will yield approximately 55,000 square feet, including 42,750 square feet for housing, 1,700 square feet of community space, and 600 square feet for an administrative office. Residents will gain access to a landscaped ground-level courtyard next to the ground-level garage. Of the 56 apartments, there will be 24 open-bedrooms, 24 two-bedrooms, and eight three-bedrooms. Parking will be included for 35 cars and 33 bicycles.
4655 Steele Street, rendering by Kodama Diseno Architects
Kodama Diseno Architects is responsible for the design. Facade materials will include board-formed concrete, fiber-cement panels, and stucco. The San Francisco-based Eagle Environmental Construction is a privately owned company founded by Ronald Batiste. The firm will be working with Oakland-based SUPERConstructors.
The roughly half-acre property is located along Steele Street, close to Buell Street and Calaveras Avenue. Demolition will be required for the six vacant OUSD structures next to the operating Urban Montessori Charter School.
4655 Steele Street site map, illustration by Kodama Diseno Architects
Construction is expected to rise next to Redwood Hill Townhomes, a 28-unit affordable housing complex built by Satellite Affordable Housing Associates in mid-2019. The estimated cost and timeline have yet to be established.
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Hello I receive these emails however how can I get info on when and where to get applications for your Oakland CA low income units. Thanks.
And many parking spaces are there to be for 56 apartments? Where is the impact report for the effect of the additional cars parked on the street?
Don’t worry! They will be living in the 56 units, not in their cars.
I thought that this lower income housing was meant for OUSD teachers. Can you clarify that?
Are you sure this is placed in the correct spot? Based off of where it’s on the map it’s on Buell, not Steele. I met with the builder at this location and he said it was being built for OUSD employees. Another article I saw showed the building referenced in this article as being built on the other side of the school, which is actually ON Steele.