Trees, towers, and tents: recent Oakland housing stories

What happens when Oakland's tree protection laws are broken — and does the city have the will to enforce them? What does a proposal to replace the Rockridge Trader Joe's with senior housing towers say about Oakland's development moment? And can the city make a real dent in homelessness when two competing plans are pulling in different directions?Housing reporter Natalie Orenstein joins editor Tasneem Raja to work through all of it.Plus: Dan Fontes, Oakland's giraffe muralist, has died. Several Oakland Catholic churches are closing. The DA race heats up financially. And Mosswood Recreation Center is back after nearly a decade.Stories we cover in this episode:Housing and developmentLandowners who cut 38 trees in Oakland hills hit with $915,000 fineRockridge Trader Joe's could be replaced by 415-unit senior housing towersHomelessnessKen Houston's homeless encampment policy passes in OaklandCut homelessness by 50% in Oakland? A new plan says it's possibleArts and communityOakland muralist Dan Fontes, known for his giraffes, dies at 67ReligionOakland Diocese closes seven Oakland churchesArts and cultureCheck out the new Mosswood Rec Center this weekend in OaklandFoodFor the latest restaurant openings and closings in Oakland, visit NoshFind all these stories and more at oaklandside.org. Have feedback or story ideas? Email us at [email protected].