Title
Recommendation to Accept the 2025 Annual Reports on the Alameda 2040 General Plan/Housing Element, Transportation Choices Plan, Vision Zero Action Plan, Climate Action and Resiliency Plan, and Climate Adaptation and Hazard Mitigation Plan.
CEQA Determination: Acceptance of the annual reports is statutorily exempt from environmental review pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3). (Planning, Building and Transportation 20962710)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Adam W. Politzer, Interim 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), Transportation Choices Plan (2018), Climate Action and Resiliency Plan (2025), and Climate Adaptation and Hazard Mitigation Plan (2023).
These documents show City of Alameda (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 these plans.
Staff provides these annual reports early in the spring of each year so that the community and City Council can 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, section 65300.5.) Government Code section 65400 et seq. requires that the 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 2025 Annual Report and 2026 Work Plan (Exhibit 2) fulfills Vision Zero Action Plan, Active Transportation Plan, and Transportation Choices Plan requirements for an annual review of progress made toward meeting the City’s transportation goals. Goals set by these plans include eliminating traffic fatalities and severe injuries by 2035; enabling people of all ages and abilities to walk, use mobility devices, and bike to destinations; providing for the mobility needs of the full diversity of Alameda community members; and improving alternatives to low occupancy automobile trips. This report primarily represents the work of staff in the Planning, Building, and Transportation Department (Department) and Public Works Department.
The Climate Action and Resiliency Plan (CARP) 2025 Annual Report and 2026 Work Plan (Exhibit 3) shows City progress towards its climate mitigation and adaptation goals as well as priority actions for the coming year, and also serves as the annual report for the Climate Adaptation and Hazard Mitigation Plan, which is an appendix to CARP and the General Plan. The goals of the CARP are to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from transportation, buildings, solid waste, and water in line with local and State targets; increase community resilience to the impacts of climate change and natural hazards, inspire he community to participate in climate action and resilience efforts and for the City to lead by example by aligning resources and working collaboratively to implement CARP. CARP aims to reduce GHG emissions 50 percent below 2005 levels by 2030 and achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2045. The Climate Adaptation and Hazard Mitigation Plan outlines the actions Alameda will take to reduce the impacts of natural and climate disasters on Alameda. The CARP annual report also represents the work of multiple City departments, including the Planning, Building, and Transportation Department, Public Works, Alameda Recreation and Parks Department, and Alameda Municipal Power.
DISCUSSION
General Plan / Housing Element Highlights
In 2025, broader economic conditions continued to impact the local housing market, resulting in very limited housing construction activity. The City made only moderate progress toward its RHNA goals outlined in the Alameda 2040 General Plan Housing Element. Measured by the number of building permits issued, progress remains slow, with only 663 building permits issued to date, far short of the 5,353 units required by 2031. Highlights of the City’s efforts to facilitate housing construction in 2025 are detailed in Exhibit 1 and include:
• Approved planning entitlements for 356 units at Mariner Square Loop and Design Review for 166 affordable units at RESHAP and 284 townhouse units at W. Midway.
• Issued building permits for 65 new dwelling units, including 52 Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). Of the total building permits issued for new units, 32 of the units were designated as Low- and Very Low-Income housing, consisting of 30 affordable ADUs and two (2) deed-restricted very-low income townhomes.
• Developed a streamlined submission and review process for ADU pre-approval in compliance with AB 1332, intended to improve efficiency in building permit processing for ADU projects.
• Updated the Universal Design Ordinance to incorporate requirements for new townhome projects; revisions took effect in July 2025.
• Advanced work on the Inclusionary Housing Ordinance, including workshop sessions with the Planning Board (November) and City Council (December).
• Continued development of the Short-Term Rental Ordinance, with a Planning Board workshop session held in April 2025.
Permit Streamlining
In 2025, the Department also strengthened its core permitting functions to ensure projects could move forward efficiently and safely while maintaining high standards of customer service. The Permit Center handled more than 8,500 phone calls and nearly 21,000 emails, reflecting the community’s reliance on timely and responsive customer support. Staff processed 4,525 permits and completed over 30,500 building inspections, ensuring projects moved forward while maintaining building safety and compliance. To further accelerate approvals, the Permit Center introduced a new Express Permits permit review process track, streamlining nearly 60 percent of the Department’s permitting volume on routine building improvements and expanding staff capacity to process housing-related permits more quickly. In addition, the Department broadened its pool of plan check consultants, creating greater flexibility and reducing review times, which shortened the permitting process by up to 30 days in some cases. Despite limited staffing for much of the year, the Code Enforcement team responded to 577 cases and conducted 1,106 inspections, responding to a wide range of issues, from unpermitted construction to quality-of-life concerns. These efforts reflect the Department’s ongoing commitment to efficiency, safety, and community standards, all of which are essential to meeting the City’s housing goals.
In 2026, Planning staff is focused on several key initiatives, including completing the Inclusionary Ordinance Update, adopting a Short-Term Rental Ordinance, and updating the Zoning Ordinance. In February, the Department initiated a collaborative effort with the Alameda business community to update the Commercial Zoning District regulations, ensuring they better align with current and anticipated business and economic development trends. Additionally, the Department will work on cleanup amendments to the Zoning Ordinance to maintain compliance with rapidly evolving state housing laws.
Transportation Plan Report Highlights
In 2025, the City achieved notable progress on transportation projects and programs. Key accomplishments are below (see Exhibit 2 for a full list).
• Constructed the first Neighborhood Greenway on Pacific Avenue from Lafayette Street to Oak Street. Improvements include speed humps, new stop signs, painted curb extensions, new crosswalk and bikeway striping, and a neighborhood traffic circle at Chestnut Avenue.
• Launched a Citywide mobile parking payment system, modernizing parking system for surface lots and meters.
• Repaired sidewalks at 8,000 locations, including 36,400 square feet of sidewalk replacement and 7,600 trip hazards removed.
• Held a successful annual Alameda Bike Festival at Paden Elementary School, with hundreds of people participating in activities like free bike repair, helmet fitting and giveaways, bicycle education classes, and more.
• Constructed Alameda’s first roundabouts on Central Avenue, making substantial progress on the corridor project. Thanks to the patience and cooperation from residents and visitors on Central Avenue, the project is ahead of schedule and on track for completion in 2026.
2026 will be a year of continued project construction in Alameda. When complete, these projects represent major investment in safety and quality of life for residents and visitors in Alameda. Highlights of the draft 2026 transportation work plan include:
• The Cross Alameda Trail will be completed in 2026, with final segments at Clement Ave Extension/Tilden Way and the Clement Avenue extension between Ohlone Avenue and Grand Street both on track to finish in 2026.
• Pavement management will bring opportunities for safety and multi-modal improvements. 2026 paving will include Fernside Boulevard from Tilden Way to High Street and Neighborhood Greenway improvements on San Jose Avenue.
• New bike racks near businesses will be installed throughout the year, thanks to funding from the Transportation Fund for Clean Air and the Alameda County Transportation Commission (Alameda CTC).
• The Oakland Alameda Access Project, an Alameda CTC project constructed by Caltrans, began construction in March 2026. Starting in April, the Webster Tube will be closed at night from 11pm to 5am. More information is available at <https://www.alamedactc.org/programs-projects/highway-improvement/oakland-alameda-access-project>.
Climate Action and Resiliency Plan Report Updates
In 2025, the City made meaningful progress advancing climate mitigation and adaptation through a wide range of programs, infrastructure investments, and community partnerships. Key accomplishments include the following (see Exhibit 3 for a full list):
• Continued the Youth Climate Ambassadors program to engage and empower young residents in climate action.
• Deployed the City’s first public curbside EV chargers at Everett Commons in partnership with the Alameda Housing Authority and installed three additional charging ports at Bohol Circle Immigrant Park for the Public EV Charging Program.
• AMP provided rebates for 159 residential and nine (9) commercial EV charging ports, along with 55 e-bike rebates and 47 used EV rebates.
• Adopted 2025 California Building Code with local amendments requiring heat pumps and “electric-ready” upgrades in single-family, duplex, and townhome remodels.
• Hosted 2nd Home Electrification Fair with 150 attendees; AMP provided 173 rebates for electric appliances and panel upgrades.
• City Council adopted an updated Zero Waste Plan to advance reduction and diversion goals.
• Expanded urban forestry through volunteer tree planting at Main Street Linear Park, creating a tree-lined walking and biking corridor.
• Supported Climate Arts Initiative RISING TIDES, engaging 12,000 participants through projects and public events linking arts and resilience planning.
• OAAC hosted Sea Level Rise Planning Fair with 150 participants and community surveys to identify near-term adaptation priorities.
• City Council approved design concepts for Estuary and Bay Farm Island Adaptation Projects and the Department secured grant funding to advance Bay Farm Island to 60% design (grant award coming to City Council in April).
Staff will continue progress on implementing CARP toward meeting the City’s 2030 climate goals. Highlights of the draft 2026 transportation work plan include:
• Developing a municipal GHG inventory and updating the communitywide GHG inventory for 2024.
• Continuing to deploy public chargers in curbside and City parking lots.
• Considering a local amendment to the California Building Code for nonresidential AC-to-heat pump replacements and continuing outreach and education to building owners about electrification and available rebates.
• Requesting budget and implementing the updated Zero Waste Implementation Plan.
• Adopting the Urban Forest Plan, request associated funding, and expand volunteer participation for parks tree planting and partnerships to support long-term urban forestry efforts.
• Developing a BCDC-required Shoreline Adaptation Plan and advancing the design of Bay Farm Island Adaptation Plan with grant funding, continuing robust community outreach and education campaigns, and continuing to seek funding to advance priority adaptation projects.
ALTERNATIVES
• Accept the annual reports and associated priorities.
• Recommend revisions to one or more of the reports and associated priorities.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Acceptance of the annual reports has no direct financial impact. Final budget decisions on programs and capital projects are made by City Council as part of the budgeting process.
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
The Climate Action and Resiliency Plan and Climate Adaptation and Hazard Mitigation Plan are central to the City’s planning efforts toward reducing and sustainably adapting to climate impacts. The other 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 2025 Annual Reports on the Alameda 2040 General Plan/Housing Element, Transportation Choices Plan, Vision Zero Action Plan, Climate Action and Resiliency Plan, and Climate Adaptation and Hazard Mitigation Plan.
Respectfully submitted,
Allen Tai, Planning, Building & Transportation Director
By,
Steven Buckley, Planning Services Manager
Danielle Mieler, Sustainability Manager
Lisa Foster, Transportation Planning Manager
Susie Hufstader, Senior Transportation Coordinator
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Ross McCarthy, Finance Director
Exhibits:
1. General Plan / Housing Element 2025 Annual Report
2. Transportation 2025 Annual Report & 2026 Work Plan Draft
3. Climate Action and Resiliency Plan 2025 Annual Report & 2026 Work Plan Draft
cc: Erin Smith, Public Works Director
Scott Wikstrom, City Engineer