Title
Draft Meeting Minutes - July 9, 2018
Body
DRAFT MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE
CITY OF ALAMEDA PLANNING BOARD
MONDAY, JULY 9, 2018
1. CONVENE
President Mitchell convened the meeting at 7:00pm
2. FLAG SALUTE
Board Member Sullivan led the flag salute.
3. ROLL CALL
Present: President Mitchell, Board Members Burton, Cavanaugh, Sullivan, Teague.
Absent: Board Member Curtis.
4. AGENDA CHANGES AND DISCUSSION
*None*
5. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
*None*
6. CONSENT CALENDAR
2018-5771
Public Hearing to Consider a Waterfront Plaza and Promenade Development Plan and Design Review for Approximately 4.5 acres of the Alameda Landing waterfront. An Environmental Impact Report has been completed for the Alameda Landing Project, Including the Proposed Park (Item Continued from June 25, 2018 and is being continued to a Future Meeting).
Staff Member Tai asked that the item be continued to a future meeting.
Board Member Teague made a motion to approve the Consent Calendar. Board Member Cavanaugh
7. REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS
7-A 2018-5773
PLN18-0079 - Design Review and Zoning Text Amendment for an Affordable Housing Development at 727 Buena Vista Avenue - Applicant: Housing Authority of the City of Alameda. A request for Design Review approval and Zoning Text Amendment to replace 40 existing affordable housing units with an approximately 104,000-square-foot four-story building containing 78 new affordable housing units. The site is located within the R-3-PD (Garden Residential - Planned Development) and the R-5 (General Residential) zoning districts. The zoning text amendment allows for a better open space plan without reducing the required amount of open space on the site. The proposed project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Public Resource Code 21159.23 exemption for affordable housing, and under CEQA Guidelines Section 15332, Infill Development Projects. The proposed zoning text amendment is exempt under Section 15305, Minor Alterations to Land Use Limitations.
Staff Member Dong introduced the item and gave the staff presentation. The staff report and attachments can be found at:
<https://alameda.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=3543377&GUID=40E31A3A-FBEC-48AB-AD8F-23728D3432C8&FullText=1>
Board Member Sullivan asked how many ground floor units do not have private outdoor space.
Staff Member Dong said most units do have private outdoor space, though less than required, and a few have none.
Board Member Teague asked for legal clarification of the Guyton Amendment.
Staff Member Dong explained how the densities were calculated across parcels and zoning areas.
Board Member Sullivan asked if there is data analyzing the parking impacts and what would the city do if the project does not have enough parking that results in cars being parked on the street.
Staff Member Tai said that they relied on the Housing Authority’s knowledge of their clientele to get to the right number of parking spaces.
Housing Authority Staff gave a presentation on the project.
President Mitchell asked whether the open space areas not marked for synthetic turf would all be lawn.
The project architect said they would use a mix of landscape options around the buildings.
Board Member Sullivan asked that the landscape use green plants and not dead looking plants. She asked why they cannot have real grass for kids to play on.
The landscape architect said there is not enough light to keep a healthy lawn.
Board Member Sullivan said she would like to see taller trees near the four story sections of the building to soften the impact.
President Mitchell asked what would happen to the current tenants.
Housing Authority Staff said long term tenants would be relocated to other properties.
President Mitchell asked if tenants would be allowed to have animals.
Housing Authority Staff said that only tenants who require animals for reasonable accommodations are allowed to have them.
Board Member Mitchell asked if there is concern about darker paint colors fading quickly in Alameda’s climate.
The project architect said they selected standard paint and hoped that the trees would provide some protection.
Board Member Sullivan asked if the windows would have any depth and definition.
The project architect said some would be fully recessed and others would have a smaller recess to balance cost concerns.
There were no public speakers.
Board Member Teague said he supports the project. He said he has some concerns about problems coming up with the zoning. He suggested that they be prepared with a density bonus application in case they run into trouble at City Council. He said open spaces should have a minimum 3.5’ dimension to be counted as usable.
Board Member Burton said that the ordinance requirements seem to meet the threshold that Board Member Teague is suggesting.
Board Member Burton said he was happy to see a plan that increased the amount of affordable housing on the site. He said he likes the plan.
Board Member Cavanaugh said he looks forward to seeing the project move forward.
President Mitchell asked what the schedule is for the project.
Staff Member Tai said the zoning text amendment would go to Council in September.
Board Member Teague made a motion to approve the project design and recommend City Council approve the zoning text amendment. Board Member Burton seconded the motion.
Board Member Sullivan expressed concern about the dark paint colors and asked that the applicant do their due diligence to make sure the color choices would hold up and fit in with the neighborhood.
The motion passed 5-0.
8. MINUTES
8-A 2018-5760
Draft Meeting Minutes - March 26, 2018
Board Member Sullivan pointed out that President Mitchell’s comments regarding the parking variance discussion were not captured completely. It was observed that the link in the agenda does not connect to the correct attachment.
No action was taken.
9. STAFF COMMUNICATIONS
9-A 2018-5761
Community Development Department Recent Actions and Decisions
The staff report can be found at:
<https://alameda.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=3543374&GUID=FAAE236F-A3D4-4156-B236-AAB8DCE060E5&FullText=1>
Staff Member Tai said that a user permit for Habanas was added to the list of hearings.
9-B 2018-5772
Future Public Meetings and Upcoming Community Development Department Projects
The schedule can be found at:
<https://alameda.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=3543376&GUID=B15ABF28-E9D6-4A56-95B0-CBE56BEF660D>
10. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
*None*
11. BOARD COMMUNICATIONS
*None*
12. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
*None*
13. ADJOURNMENT
President Mitchell adjourned the meeting at 8:19pm.