Title
Provide Comments on Preliminary Zoning Sub-District Purpose Statements. The Planning Board will review and comment on proposed text for the sub district purpose statements for the draft Alameda Point Zoning Ordinance.
Body
CITY OF ALAMEDA
Memorandum
To: Honorable President and
Members of the Planning Board
From: Alameda Point Zoning Sub-Committee
By: Andrew Thomas, City Planner
Date: October 14, 2013
Re: Provide Comments on Preliminary Zoning Sub-District Purpose Statements
BACKGROUND
Over the last several months, the Alameda Point Zoning Subcommittee has been working with staff to refine and improve the draft Zoning Ordinance for Alameda Point.
At this time, the Subcommittee would like to review the sub-district purpose statements with the Planning Board. The proposed purpose statements describe the purpose and intent of sub-districts shown on the draft zoning map (see Exhibit A.) If the Planning Board endorses the proposed purpose statements, the subcommittee and staff will be able to continue work on the Zoning Ordinance to ensure that the balance of the regulations are supportive and consistent with the purpose statements.
The current draft of the full ordinance is included in Exhibit B. Exhibit B is for information purposes only. Staff and the subcommittee are not requesting Board endorsement of the full ordinance at this time.
DISCUSSION
All zoning ordinances begin with a "purpose statement". The purpose statement is generally a short description of the intent and purpose of the regulations that are included in the zoning ordinance for the lands regulated by the ordinance. The statement generally describes the City's intent for the planning area to be regulated by the zone.
For example, the Community Commercial zoning district which is applied to the historic Park Street and Webster Street Commercial corridors includes the following purpose statement:
The Community Commercial Zoning District is intended to provide for general retail, personal service use, offices, restaurants, hotels/motels, service stations, public and quasi-public uses and similar and compatible uses serving a community-wide need under design standards which ensure compatibility and harmony with adjoining land uses. Emphasis is on pedestrian-oriented retail and service uses on the ground floor level, with office and residential uses on the upper levels. Automobile related uses are regulated by use permit and prohibited on Park Street and Webster Street frontages
Alameda Point Sub-district Purpose Statements:
Enterprise (AP-E) - This Sub-district provides lands for employment and business uses, including office, research and development, bio-technology and high tech manufacturing, light and heavy industrial, maritime, commercial, community serving and destination retail, on-line sales, and other uses. Development standards in this district are intended to ensure high quality, well designed buildings within walking distance of services, restaurants, public waterfront open spaces, and residential areas. Use standards are intended to encourage and facilitate job growth and limit intrusion of uses that would limit or constrain future use of these lands for productive and successful employment and business use. Residential uses may be conditionally permitted in areas adjacent to Main Street, Atlantic Avenue, or the Enterprise Park, if it can be found that the residential use will not impede or restrict adjacent non-residential uses within the district.
Adaptive Reuse - (AP-AR) - This Sub-district provides lands for employment and business uses, including office, research and development, bio-technology and high tech manufacturing, light and heavy industrial, maritime, commercial, community serving and destination retail, on-line sales, and other uses that support reinvestment in the existing buildings and infrastructure within the NAS Alameda Historic District. Development standards in this sub district are intended to ensure re-investment, rehabilitation, and new construction that is compatible with the character-defining features of the NAS Alameda Historic District. Use standards are intended to provide a wide range of investment opportunities within the district to encourage private reinvestment in the sub-district. Residential adaptive reuse may be conditionally permitted in former residential buildings in the Administrative Core of the NAS Historic District.
Town Center (AP-TC) - This Sub-district provides lands for a mix of uses that include waterfront and visitor-serving uses, including retail, service, entertainment, lodging, recreational, and medium to high-density residential uses. Development standards are intended to create a pedestrian, bicycle, and transit supportive urban environment designed to de-emphasize the automobile. Use standards are designed to create a mixed-use environment that supports the emergence of a transit and pedestrian-friendly mixed-use waterfront neighborhood.
Main Street Neighborhood (AP-MS) - This Sub-district provides lands for a variety of housing types with complementary small-scale neighborhood-serving retail, urban agriculture and parks uses, and a mix of residential densities. Development standards should support development of a walkable, transit friendly neighborhood with safe streets, adequate common open space areas, and site planning that compliments the NAS Historic District Residential Subarea character-defining features. Use standards should support a diversity of household types, including supportive housing, assisted living, and a mix of neighborhood compatible uses, such as community gardens, childcare centers, urban farms, and other uses.
Maritime (AP-M) - This Sub-district provides lands for Public Trust-compliant uses adjacent to the Seaplane Lagoon including maritime and visitor serving waterfront-related uses, concessions related to maritime activities, hotels, restaurants and public open spaces and trails. Development standards are intended to maximize waterfront access for the public, visitor serving, and maritime uses. Use standards are intended to ensure use of these lands and Seaplane Lagoon in a manner compatible with the Public Trust. Residential and non-maritime offices and commercial uses are not permitted in this sub-district.
Open Space (AP-OS) - This Sub-district provides lands for parks, recreation, trails, and large-scale public assembly and event areas. Development standards are intended to support maximum public access, use and enjoyment of these lands, and the protection of natural habitat and wildlife. Use standards are intended to allow for a variety of public open space and compatible uses, such as museums, concessions and parking areas necessary for public use of these lands, in a manner that ensures the protection of the natural environment. Residential, office, and commercial uses are not permitted in this sub-district.
Nature Reserve (AP-NR) -This Sub-district is owned and managed by the federal government. The goal of the Nature Reserve is to maximize the natural habitat of this area to the fullest extent possible, compatible with the protection of endangered species and other wildlife and plant life that may inhabit, make use of, or be permanently established within this area. Uses include seasonal public access, on-going management and monitoring and activities related to education and research consistent with federal requirements. Residential uses are not permitted in this sub district.
RECOMMENDATION
Review and endorse the Purpose Statements.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED BY:
Andrew Thomas
City Planner
Exhibits:
1. Draft Zoning Map
2. Draft Zoning Ordinance