Title
Recommendation to Accept the 2024 Annual Reports on the Alameda 2040 General Plan/Housing Element, Transportation Choices Plan, and Vision Zero Action Plan.
Acceptance of the annual reports is statutorily exempt from environmental review pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3). (Planning, Building and Transportation 20962710)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Jennifer Ott, City Manager
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This report addresses the annual reports on the General Plan / Housing Element (2022), Active Transportation Plan (2022), Vision Zero Action Plan (2021), and Transportation Choices Plan (2018). The annual report for the Climate Action and Resiliency Plan (CARP) and Climate Adaptation and Hazard Mitigation Plan is provided under separate cover.
These documents show City progress towards its goals as well as priority actions for the coming year. The plans require the preparation of annual reports to City Council as well as the Planning Board or Transportation Commission each year. These documents serve as the annual report for all of these plans.
Staff provides these annual reports early in the spring of each year so that the community and City Council is able to use the annual reports to inform citywide budget and Capital Improvement Program decisions.
BACKGROUND
Every city and county in the State of California is required to adopt and maintain an up-to-date General Plan, which establishes the local development and conservation policies necessary to guide physical development and protect the general health, safety and welfare of the community. The General Plan should be an “integrated, internally consistent and compatible statement of policies for the adopting agency.” (Gov. Code, § 65300.5.) Government Code section 65400 et seq. requires that the City of Alameda (City) annually review the adequacy of the General Plan and progress made toward meeting the City’s regional housing needs allocation (RHNA).
The Annual Report on the General Plan describes the current status of the General Plan and progress towards meeting the City’s RHNA over the past year. The report identifies priorities for the upcoming year to better achieve General Plan and Housing Element objectives and regional housing obligations (Exhibit 1).
The Transportation 2024 Annual Report and 2024 Work Plan (Exhibit 2) shows City progress towards its transportation goals as well as priority actions for the coming year, and serves as the annual report for the Active Transportation Plan, Vision Zero Action Plan, and Transportation Choices Plan.
The Transportation Annual Report fulfills Active Transportation Plan (2022), Vision Zero Action Plan (2021), and Transportation Choices Plan (2018) requirements for an annual review of progress made toward meeting the City’s transportation goals. Transportation goals set by these plans include: enabling people of all ages and abilities to walk, use mobility devices, and bike to destinations; eliminating traffic fatalities and severe injuries by 2035; providing for the mobility needs of the full diversity of Alameda community members; and improving alternatives to low occupancy automobile trips. In addition, Exhibit 3 is a performance metrics report covering the first six months of the Oakland Alameda Water Shuttle, prepared by SF Bay Ferry.
On March 10, 2025, the Planning Board reviewed the Housing and Transportation Annual Reports and recommended they be forwarded to Council with clarifying modifications.
Staff anticipates presenting a draft FY25-27 Transportation Capital Improvement Program to the Transportation Commission on March 26.
DISCUSSION
In 2024, despite a sluggish housing market, the City made strong progress toward its housing goals outlined in the Alameda 2040 General Plan Housing Element. The highlights of last year’s progress include (Exhibit 1):
• Issued building permits for 243 new dwelling units, including 142 Low- and Very Low-Income housing units and 58 Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs).
• Obtained state designation as a Pro-Housing Program jurisdiction.
• Updated the Subdivision Ordinance to streamline approvals.
• Began update of the Inclusionary Housing Ordinance.
• Began developing a new Short Term Rental Ordinance.
Transportation Plan Report Highlights
In 2024, the City achieved notable progress on transportation projects and programs. Key accomplishments are below (see Exhibit 2 for a full list).
• Launched the Oakland Alameda Water Shuttle on July 17, 2024. The first five and a half months of service were a huge success: the water shuttle served 51,400 riders and 10,500 bicycles in 2024.
• Completed the Clement Avenue Improvements Project, cutting the ribbon on October 29, 2024. The project completed a 1.2-mile segment of the Cross Alameda Trail, which is now nearing completion with 3.5 out of 4 miles fully constructed.
• The Pavement Management and Sidewalk Maintenance programs together implemented safety improvements at 52 intersections, including daylighting for visibility at 27, new high-visibility crosswalks at 20, and painted bulb-outs at 17.
• Upgraded 62 ADA curb ramps and eliminated sidewalk trip hazards in 395 locations.
• Kicked off Neighborhood Greenways planning and design with community engagement, concept development, and design engineering. In 2024, over 2,000 people provided input online and in person on the project.
2025 will be a significant year for project construction in Alameda, marking the culmination of extensive planning and engineering efforts on several major projects. Highlights of the draft 2025 work plan include:
• The Cross Alameda Trail will near completion in 2025, with final segments at Clement Ave Extension/Tilden Way starting construction and the Clement Avenue extension between Ohlone Avenue and Grand Street slated for completion in 2025.
• After more than a decade of planning and winning almost $15 million in grant funds, construction on the Central Ave Safety Project is now underway.
• Neighborhood Greenway work will continue in 2025, starting with construction on Pacific Avenue and followed by public engagement and construction phase for Versailles and San Jose Avenues.
• Phase 1 of the Grand Street Safety Improvements Project will be completed this year, adding a two-way separated bikeway, bus stop, and crosswalk enhancements to Grand Street between Shoreline Drive and Otis Drive.
• The Oakland Alameda Access Project, an Alameda County Transportation Commission (Alameda CTC) project, is expected to begin construction in summer or fall 2025, requiring partial tube closures during construction.
ALTERNATIVES
• Accept the annual reports and associated priorities.
• Recommend revisions to one or both of the reports and associated priorities.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Some priority actions described in this Annual Report are intended to be completed within the current FY24-25 budget. Other projects are anticipated for the next fiscal year and will be presented for City Council consideration as part of the FY25-27 Biennial Budget and Capital Improvement Program. Given funding constraints and competing priorities, it is possible that the work program outlined here may require adjustments based on final funding approvals by the City Council. The inclusion of recommended priorities in this Annual Report does not predetermine or obligate the City Council’s final budgetary allocations.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
An annual review of the General Plan / Housing Element and the Active Transportation Plan, Vision Zero Action Plan, and Transportation Choices Plan are required by the respective plans.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Acceptance of the annual reports is statutorily exempt from environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3), the general rule that CEQA only applies to actions that have the potential to cause a significant impact on the environment.
CLIMATE IMPACT
These planning documents support housing programs and development in mixed-use and transit-oriented communities, and transportation improvements aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
RECOMMENDATION
Accept the 2024 Annual Reports on the Alameda 2040 General Plan/Housing Element, Transportation Choices Plan, and Vision Zero Action Plan.
Respectfully submitted,
Allen Tai, Planning, Building & Transportation Director
By,
Steven Buckley, Planning Services Manager
Lisa Foster, Transportation Planning Manager
Susie Hufstader, Senior Transportation Coordinator
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Ross McCarthy, Acting Finance Director
Exhibits:
1. General Plan / Housing Element 2024 Annual Report
2. Transportation 2024 Annual Report & 2025 Work Plan Draft
3. Oakland Alameda Water Shuttle Pilot Project Update (report by SF Bay Ferry)