Title
Approve Draft Meeting Minutes - September 4, 2025
Body
DRAFT MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE
CITY OF ALAMEDA HISTORICAL ADVISORY BOARD
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2025
1. ROLL CALL
Present: Chair Hernandez and Board Members Bevan and Brito.
Absent: Board Member Crotty; Board Member Rybarczyk had resigned.
2. NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENT
None
3. MINUTES
3-A 2025-5321 - Approve Draft Meeting Minutes - July 17, 2025
Minutes can be found:
<https://alameda.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=7641968&GUID=B34C1E1D-477E-41CA-BD89-75E21F61D3FC&FullText=1>.
Board Member Bevan made a motion (*1:11) to approve the meeting minutes for July 17th, 2025. Board Member Brito seconded the motion, and the motion passed 3-0.
4. REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS
4-A 2025-5327 PLN25-0114 - 1711 Arbor Street - Applicant: Jason Phoen. Public hearing to consider: (1) removing the property from the Historical Building Study List; and (2) a Certificate of Approval to allow the demolition of an existing 1,341 square foot two-story residential building built prior to 1942, and included in the historical building study list, to facilitate a remodel and a 1,368 square foot, two-story addition to the existing building. General Plan: Medium-Density Residential. Zoning: R-4 Residential District. CEQA Determination: This project is exempt from further environmental review as a Class 1 categorical exemption pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301(l)(1) - Existing facilities - demolition and removal of individual small structures listed in 15301(l), including one single-family residence, and on a separate and independent basis, as a Class 32 categorical exemption pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15332 - In-Fill Development Project consistent with the applicable general plan designation and zoning regulations. No exceptions to the exemptions apply.
Staff Member Tristan Suire presented (*2:13) this item. The staff report and attachments can be found at:
<https://alameda.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=7641970&GUID=B94E371C-833D-4647-8975-DF5A19BB1739&FullText=1>.
Board discussion and clarifying questions start at the 11:10 minute mark.
Public Comment for Item 4-A
Danai Lamb (*34:46), who is a direct neighbor to this project, discussed the history of the home and when it was built. She discussed when it was built and was concerned records did not reflect the true year. She did not have information on the builder but did discuss what she had been told over the years. She even discussed the family that had lived there. She acknowledged its history but said it was in poor condition, and she was in favor of demolition.
*Speaker Lamb was granted additional speaking time by Chair Hernandez.
Action for Item 4-A
Board discussion and clarifying questions start at the 41:10-minute mark in the video.
Board Member Bevan made a motion (1:10:13) to continue this item until the October 2nd, 2025 Board meeting to obtain additional clarification in the record. Board Member Brito seconded the motion and the motion passed 3-0.
4-B 2025-5329 PLN24-0529 - 1325 Park Street - Certificate of Approval - Applicant: Yung Chen. Public hearing to consider a Certificate of Approval to allow modifications to an existing commercial storefront in the Park Street Commercial Historic District. The project includes the remodeling of an existing retail storefront into a full-service restaurant and tavern use with extended hours of operation. The proposed exterior improvements include new storefront windows and the addition of a new emergency exit door to bring the building into compliance with current building code requirements. A separate public notice will be issued for the Design Review and Use Permit when they are scheduled. General Plan: Community Mixed Use. Zoning: C-C-T, Community Commercial - Theater Combining District. Environmental Determination: This project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) as a Class 1 categorical exemption (Minor Alterations to an Existing Structure) and a Class 31 categorical exemption (Historical Rehabilitation Consistent with the Secretary of the Interior's Guidelines for the Treatment of Historic Properties, and no additional environmental review is necessary.
Staff Member Brian McGuire presented (*1:11:06) this item. The staff report and attachments can be found:
<https://alameda.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=7641971&GUID=39C5F18F-4006-47C6-9932-55653D21956A&FullText=1>.
Board discussion and clarifying questions start at the 1:17:53 minute mark.
Public Comment for Item 4-B
There were no public comments.
Action for Item 4-B
Board Member Brito made a motion (*1:30:27) to approve the Certificate of Approval and to adopt the Resolution as presented to the Board with the additional condition that prior to this work the applicant shall fully photo document the building as it currently stands and make a revision to the DPR form. Board Member Brevan seconded the motion, and the motion passed 3-0.
4-C 2025-5330 Discussion Item: Consideration of future training items by the Board and Secretary. Environmental Determination: A discussion of future training activity does not have any potential for physical effects on the environment and is thus not a project under CEQA.
Steven Buckley, Planning Services Manager, opened (*1:31:55) this discussion item. He went over a list of ideas.
Public Comment for Item 4-C
There were no public comments
Action Taken for Item 4-C
This was a discussion item, and no formal action was taken.
5. BOARD COMMUNICATIONS
Board Member Bevan discussed (*1:58:32) his experience at a tour hosted by the Alameda Post.
Chair Hernandez discussed (*1:59:21) the Alameda Architectural Preservation Society’s Home Tours coming up.
6. STAFF COMMUNICATIONS
None.
7. ADJOURNMENT
Chair Hernandez adjourned the meeting at 9:00 pm
*Minute mark in the video