Title
Approve Draft Meeting Minutes - March 23, 2026
Body
DRAFT MEETING MINUTES OF THE
CITY OF ALAMEDA PLANNING BOARD
MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2026
1. ROLL CALL
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m.
* Members of the public can participate in person or remotely via Zoom.
Present: President Cisneros, Vice President Ariza and Board Members Tsou, Wang and Saheba
Absent: Board Member Hom and Ruiz
2. AGENDA CHANGES
None
3. NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENT
Dr. Ron Suarez (*3:19) discussed ways that the buildings at the Naval Base could be repurposed. He had discussed a website he had created to encourage and promote local business. He believed that solar panels on the abandoned buildings could be a good option for data centers.
4. CONSENT CALENDAR
4-A 2026-5863 Approve Draft Meeting Minutes - March 9, 2026
Minutes can be found:
<https://alameda.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=7949287&GUID=C9906C9D-8448-48AF-AEEE-3FCBEBC8DEA2&FullText=1>.
There were not enough members who were present at the meeting to vote. These minutes will be carried over to the next meeting.
5. REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS
5-A 2026-5864 - PLN25-0618 - Use Permit - 707 West Hornet Avenue. Applicant: Laura Fies, Aircraft Carrier Hornet Foundation. Project Description: Modification of Use Permit PLN21-0227, which allows ship-based museum operations at Pier 3 on the USS Hornet aircraft carrier, to amend various requirements related to special events, occupant loads, safety procedures and to allow occasional helicopter landings onsite. General Plan: Mixed Use. Zoning: AP-E4, Alameda Point - Enterprise 4 District. CEQA Determination: The project is categorically exempt from environmental review pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 - Existing Facilities with no substantial increase in intensity. On a separate and independent basis, the environmental effects of the project were adequately evaluated in the Alameda Point Final Environmental Impact Report (SCH# 2013030563) and no further environmental review is required.
Brian McGuire, Planner II, introduced (*7:05)) this item and gave a presentation.
The staff report and attachments can be found at:
<https://alameda.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=7949288&GUID=0B4F206A-A706-4407-82C1-EF0265F3F746&FullText=1>.
Board clarifying questions start at the 12:22-minute mark in the video.
Public Comment for item 5A
None
Action taken for item 5A
Board Member Tsou made a motion (*15:51) to approve the Use Permit Amendment for the USS Hornet. Vice President Ariza seconded the motion and passed 5-0 (Home and Ruiz absent).
5-B 2026-5865 - PLN25-0217 - Use Permit - 1521 Buena Vista (Encinal Terminals). Applicant: Bayview Landing LP. Project Description: Temporary outdoor use for new vehicle storage during interim two-year period prior to implementation of the Encinal Terminals Master Plan. Includes demolition of two existing buildings, new driveway, fencing and gate at Fortman Marina. General Plan: Mixed Use. Zoning: M-X, Mixed Use District with Multi-Family Overlay. CEQA Determination: The project is exempt under Class 1 and Class 4 as a re-establishment of use similar to prior use and small structures as necessary to support the use, CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 - Existing Facilities and Section 15304 - Minor Alterations to Land.
Steven Buckley, Planning Services Manager, introduced (*16:46) this item and gave a presentation. The staff report and attachments can be found:
<https://alameda.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=7949289&GUID=BDA819A5-1D5F-4AAF-94E7-39961B982107&FullText=1>.
Board clarifying questions start at the 28:45-minute mark in the video.
Walker Toma, Community Development Manager, also answered (*37:33) questions.
The applicant, Mike O’Hara, also gave a presentation (*40:16) and board clarifying questions continued (*53:26).
Public Comment for item 5B
Alison Greene (1:15:39) discussed how this issue was a concern 13 years ago and that trucks on this road had always been an issue. She felt that sending trucks and trailers up this road would make the neighborhood unsafe and this plan was not well thought out.
Cyndy Johnson, via Zoom (*1:18:45) called on behalf of Bike Walk Alameda and wanted to discuss the concerns and pedestrian’s access. Pushing pedestrians to walk through parking lots or having them walk on the bike trail was unsafe. She discussed options that were good for pedestrians and cyclists.
Kim Cadle, via Zoom (*1:19:56) discussed a letter that was submitted. She had questions about what buildings were going to be demolished (due to blight), the plans and the report had conflicting information. She urged the board not to vote until they considered the fire risks with so many electric vehicles stored together.
Action Taken for item 5B
Board discussions start at the 1:21:53 minute mark in the video.
Board Member Tsou made a motion (1:42:54) to approve the Temporary Use Permit for PLN25-0217 - 1521 Buena Vista (Encinal Terminals) with the following conditions. The all-safety fires codes will be met for storage of electric vehicles and that the fire department will do a thorough site inspection for emergency vehicle access. Board Member Wang seconded the motion. A vote was taken and the motion passed 5-0 (Home and Ruiz absent).
5-C 2026-5866 - PLN24-0145 - Development Plan Amendment - Radium Theatre Performing Arts Center Project - 2151 Ferry Point Way - Applicant: Scott Ward on behalf of Radium Presents, Inc. Amendment to the Site A Development Plan for Blocks 12 & 13 to approve an approximately 600-seat performing arts center and landscaped plaza on an approximately two-acre site on the Seaplane Lagoon Taxiway on the west side of Pan Am Way between the Naval Air Museum and the Seaplane Lagoon Promenade within the NAS Alameda Historic District and Town Center and Waterfront Precise Plan area at Alameda Point. General Plan: Mixed Use. Zoning: AP-WTC, Alameda Point - Waterfront Town Center District. CEQA Determination: The streamlining provisions of Public Resources Sections 21166 and 21083.3 and Sections 15162 and 15183 of the CEQA Guidelines apply and no further environmental review is required. The environmental effects of the Radium Theatre Project were adequately evaluated in the Alameda Point Final Environmental Impact Report (SCH# 2013012043) and the Alameda General Plan 2040 Update Environmental Impact Report (SCH# 2021030563).
Staff Member McGuire introduced this item (*1:43:54) and gave a presentation. The staff report and attachments can be found:
<https://alameda.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=7949290&GUID=A12384A4-FA24-4716-B9B9-279FBAA228EC&FullText=1>.
The applicant, Christopher Seiwald, Founding Director Radium Theater, also presented (*1:54:40) with the architects for this project.
The board clarifying questions start at the 2:07:34 minute mark in the video.
Public comment for item 5C
Tara Pilbrow, via Zoom (*2:16:19), on the Board of Radium and a working artist. She discussed the importance of a facility like this in Alameda to create and perform and a symbol showing that Alameda values the arts.
Brent Saldana, via Zoom (*2:19:24) on the Board of Radium. He discussed the importance of a place like this and how significantly this will support the arts. The theater will encourage business, support local artists and attract outside artists as well.
Nick Winkworth, via Zoom (*2:21:23) discussed how the Point was a factor in moving to Alameda. He had been disappointed at the lack of change to the Point and believed the theater would bring life and vibrancy to this area. The arts will bring business and people to the Point and that is critical for the goal of revitalizing the area.
Action taken for item 5C
Board discussion start at the 2:23:52 minute mark in the video.
Vice President Ariza made a motion (*2:28:45) to adopt the draft resolution for the Development Plan Amendment - Radium Theatre Performing Arts Center Project - 2151 Ferry Point Way. Board Member Tsou seconded the motion. A vote was taken and the motion passed 5-0 (Home and Ruiz absent).
6. STAFF COMMUNICATIONS
6-A 2026-5861
Planning, Building and Transportation Department Recent Actions and Decisions
Recent actions and decisions can be found at:
<https://alameda.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=7949285&GUID=75ED5C77-DECF-4E05-9878-7D9FF84DFF7E&FullText=1>.
No decision or action was pulled for review.
There were no public comments.
6-B 2026-5562
Oral Report - Future Public Meetings and Upcoming Planning, Building and Transportation Department Projects
Steven Buckley, Planning Services Manager, gave an update (*2:29:26) on upcoming meetings and projects including the Inclusionary Housing Ordinance. He also updated the board about an appeal for their recent decision for Park Street Station. There was also discussion on when the next board elections would be.
There were no public comments.
7. BOARD COMMUNICATIONS
None.
8. NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
9. ADJOURNMENT
President Cisneros adjourned the meeting at 9:32 pm.
*Refers to the minute mark in the video