The City of Oakland was Barry’s largest client between 1992 and 1996. During this time, he served as a contract planner, working extensively on the General Plan Update.

Barry was initially retained in 1992 to prepare the Open Space, Conservation, and Recreation (OSCAR) Element of the General Plan. In this role, he developed an inventory of Oakland’s natural resources and policies to manage the City’s parks and undeveloped lands, including strategies to expand park acreage. The OSCAR Element established management guidelines for 120 city parks, and addressed shoreline access, creek restoration, hillside and wetland protection, habitat restoration, energy and water conservation, air and water quality improvement, acquisition of sensitive lands, new funding sources, park zoning, and park maintenance. The Plan received an “Outstanding Planning” Award from the Northern California Section of the American Planning Association. 

From 1996 to 1998, Barry served as project manager for the first phase of the Land Use and Transportation Element (LUTE) Update, including project initiation and visioning. He then transitioned to the consulting team, led by SMWM. Barry led development of the General Plan Land Use Map, drafted land use policies and actions, and managed preparation of the EIR. Following its adoption, the LUTE received a California APA planning award. 

Together, the OSCAR and LUTE Elements guided Oakland’s growth and development for more than 25 years. Updates to both Elements were initiated in 2025.