Title
PLN25-0649 - Use Permit - 1200 Park Street - Applicant: Park Station. Public hearing to consider the required 6-month review of the Use Permit to allow an outdoor seating area with afternoon and early evening live music events located at an existing tavern. The request is also to modify the conditional use permit for the outdoor music events to allow up to ten (10) outdoor live music events per month on Fridays from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM, Saturdays from 2:00 PM to 9:00 PM, and Sundays from 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM, and to increase the maximum noise level allowed for the events to 90 dBA. CEQA Determination: This project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to the CEQA Guidelines Section 15301, Existing Facilities and 15183, Projects Consistent with General Plan and Zoning.
Body
To: Honorable President and Members of the Planning Board
From: Allen Tai, Director of Planning, Building and Transportation
BACKGROUND
On February 13, 2023, the Planning Board adopted Resolution PB-23-01 approving Design Review and Use Permit #PLN22-0412 for the Park Station tavern use (Exhibit 1). Specifically, the Use Permit granted approval for outdoor seating and outdoor music performances with conditions limiting the outdoor music events to a maximum of three days per month. Outdoor performances can take place on Fridays 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM, and on Saturdays 2:00 PM - 8:00 PM for up to three hours per event. Indoor music performance is not regulated but subject to the requirements of the City’s Noise Ordinance.
Park Station started operations at their facility in August of 2025 and during the past six months have been hosting indoor and outdoor music events. The weekly scheduling is posted on their website and includes jazz and salsa music performances that take place indoors on Tuesday and Wednesday nights. In addition, there are outdoor music performances that take place three times per month on Fridays and Saturdays as weather permits.
The 2023 approval required the applicant return to the Planning Board for a review of the outdoor seating and associated music uses iafter the first six months of operation. As part of this review, Park Station is requesting the Board consider allowing up to ten (10) outdoor live music events per month on Fridays from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM, Saturdays from 2:00 PM to 9:00 PM, and Sundays from 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM, and to increase the maximum noise level for the events to 90 dBA.
DISCUSSION
Per Alameda Municipal Code (AMC) Section 30-4.9A.c., use of the outdoor space by a commercial business requires approval of a Conditional Use Permit. The general patio dining activity is not being reviewed at this time; it has not been the source of any complaints and is an allowable use comparable to other outdoor seating / parklets along the Park Street corridor. Indoor music is also not being reviewed at this time; it does not require a use permit in the C-C zoning district.
Six Month Review
• On October 18, 2025, Code Enforcement measured outdoor music performances that exceeded the maximum 85 dB noise level allowed by the Use Permit.
• On January 31, 2026, Code Enforcement observed outdoor music performances that exceeded the 85 dB maximum noise level, and the event continued beyond the allowed event times.
• On February 7, 2026 Code Enforcement observed a live music event and found the event did not exceed the maximum 85 dB noise level.
Complaints were reported from multiple locations in the immediate vicinity, including Park Street and San Jose Avenue, with one additional location unconfirmed. Observations from Code Enforcement indicated that the L-shaped building provided some shielding for residences behind it. In addition, it was noted that noise levels typically exceeded 85 dB when drums were played.
Proposed Modification to Music Events
The applicant is requesting additional days and hours for the outdoor music events. The request is to allow up to ten (10) outdoor live music events per month on Fridays from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM, Saturdays from 2:00 PM to 9:00 PM, and Sundays from 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM, and increase the maximum noise level allowed during the events to 90 dBA. The table below shows the comparison of the current use permit requirements, the applicant’s proposed amendments and staff’s recommendations.
Note that the indoor events occur with the doors open on most occasions and outdoor speakers are used to transmit sound to the outdoors. These are regulated under the noise ordinance which requires exterior noise levels when measured at any receiving single or multiple family residential, school, hospital, church, public library or commercial property situated in the City may not exceed the noise level standards set forth below, except in the event the measured ambient noise level exceeds the applicable noise level standard in any category, the applicable standards shall be adjusted so as to equal the ambient noise level.
Receiving Land Use: Single or Multiple Family Residential, School, Hospital, Church, or Public Library
NOISE LEVEL, STANDARDS, dB(A)
*For example, this means the measured noise level may not exceed fifty-five (55) dB(A) for more than thirty (30) minutes out of any one (1) hour time period.
Receiving Land Use: Commercial Properties
NOISE LEVEL STANDARDS, dB(A)
Staff Recommendation
General outdoor patio hours
The hours of operation for the outdoor seating (not including outdoor music events) at Park Station should be maintained from 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM on Friday and Saturday, and normal business hours from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM Sunday through Thursday.
Outdoor entertainment events
Allow outdoor music events on Fridays from 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM, Saturdays from 2:00 PM - 9:00 PM with no limit on the number of events per month. The performances should be limited to a total of three (3) hours per day, plus an additional one (1) hour maximum for pre-event sound checks only. Set up and breakdown activities may occur for up to 3 hours before and 2 hours after events. Drums should be provided with dampeners to reduce that particular noise source, as been identified in field visits.
Maximum outdoor event sound level
Amplified music events should comply at all times with a maximum noise level up to 85 dBA when measured at adjacent residential property lines. Staff also recommends the applicant install and monitor a professional sound meter in the outdoor patio to provide decibel readings for onsite staff to review and conduct preliminary sound readings during sound check for each outdoor music event and to control amplification of all events to ensure compliance with this Use Permit and the City of Alameda Noise Ordinance. Upon three verified violations of the maximum noise level, the Planning Board may hold a hearing to review this Use Permit for the outdoor live music events.
PUBLIC NOTICE AND COMMENTS
Property owners and residents within 300 feet of the project’s boundaries were notified of the public hearing and given the opportunity to review and comment on the proposal.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Sections 15301 - operation, permitting or leasing of existing private structures involving negligible or no expansion of use beyond that which exists. None of the exceptions to the categorical exemptions apply. As a separate and independent basis, the project is also exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15183 (projects consistent with General Plan and Zoning).
RECOMMENDATION
Hold a public hearing and adopt the Draft Resolution (Exhibit 4) approving a Use Permit to allow the continuation of an outdoor seating area with outdoor music events located at the Park Station tavern at 1200 Park Street.
Respectfully Submitted,
Steven Buckley, Secretary to the Planning Board
By,
Henry Dong, Planner III
Exhibits:
1. Planning Board Resolution No. PB-23-01
2. Plans
3. Inspection Report
4. Draft Resolution