Title
Adoption of Resolution Approving a One Year Time Extension for Tentative Map 8060 for the Boatworks Project at 2229 through 2241 Clement Avenue. (Community Development 481001)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Elizabeth D. Warmerdam, Interim City Manager
Re: Adoption of Resolution Approving a One Year Time Extension for Tentative Map 8060 for the Boatworks Project at 2229 through 2241 Clement Avenue
BACKGROUND
The subject property is a vacant 9.48-acre site located at 2229-2241 Clement Avenue, at the intersection of Clement Avenue and Oak Street, one block from the Park Street Bridge.
In 2008, the applicant submitted a proposal to construct 242 housing units on the property.
On October 5, 2010, the City Council, upon the recommendation of the Planning Board, unanimously:
• Denied the 242 residential proposal;
• Certified a Final EIR for the redevelopment of the property;
• Approved a General Plan amendment for the property; and
• Approved an R-2/PD residential rezoning for the majority of the site and an open space zoning designations for the waterfront edge of the site.
In 2011, the applicant submitted an application for a tentative map and density bonus application for a 182-unit project consistent with the R-2/PD zoning. The application did not include a Development Plan and Design Review application for the new homes or the park.
In July 2011, the Planning Board recommended, and the City Council approved, Tentative Map 8060 and the density bonus application. As described in the 2011 staff reports and shown in Figure 1 below from 2011, the Tentative Map included:
•
Open Space: Approximately two (2) acres of waterfront public open space available for the public’s enjoyment. The two-acre open space would be constructed by the project and maintained with funds from the future homeowners. The park was envisioned as a passive waterfront park that includes paths, green areas appropriate for picnicking and informal games, public docks and ramps for launching kayaks and other non-motorized personal watercraft, and water and wildlife viewing areas. Public access to the waterfront public open space was provided by a 24- foot wide central open space “spine” from Clement Avenue and a pedestrian connection from Blanding and Oak (across the street from the Little House Café).
• Public Streets: A public street grid that includes an extension of Elm Street and Blanding Avenue into the project. The plan also includes a “Waterfront West Lane” loop road from the top of Elm around and down to Blanding. This loop provides automobile access and parking for the users of the park. Per the recommended conditions of approval, Elm Drive and Blanding Drive will be dedicated to the City, but they will be maintained with funds from the future homeowners. The remaining streets will be privately owned and maintained.
• Housing: Up to 182 units with a diversity of product types (single family, duet, town home, and multi-family). At full build-out, the overall density of the project is approximately 19 units per acre.
• Twenty-one affordable housing units. The applicant requested a density bonus for a “base” project of 140 units. The project qualifies for a 30% density bonus (42 units for a total of 182 units) because the applicant proposes to provide 9% of the 140 units to households that qualify as very low-income. In addition to the 13 very low-income units, the project is also providing eight units for moderate-income households. The approval included waivers from Alameda Municipal Code (AMC) Section 30-53.2’s prohibition on multifamily housing (to allow construction of the multifamily building and the attached town homes), and AMC Section 30-4.2’s 2,000 square foot minimum lot size. All of the town homes and duets are on lots of less than 2,000 square feet. A third waiver from AMC section 30-7 Off-Street Parking (to allow up to 30 of the smallest market rate units to provide one-car garages instead of two car garages) was also requested.
In 2014, the project applicant submitted an application to amend the Tentative Map and Density Bonus application and an application for Design Review and Development Plan approval for the proposed homes and the on-site open space.
On June 22, 2015, the Planning Board unanimously recommended that the City Council deny the proposed amendment to the Tentative Map. Shortly thereafter, the applicant withdrew its application to amend the Tentative Map and requested an opportunity to work with the Planning Board on a new Development Plan and Design Review application for the property consistent with the 2011 Tentative Map.
On June 22, 2015, the applicant summited a request for a 2-year extension to the 2011 Tentative Map 8060 until July 19, 2017.
On July 27, 2015, the Planning Board recommended that the City Council approve a one year extension for Tentative Map 8060 until July 19, 2016.
ANALYSIS
When approving the Tentative Map in 2011, the Planning Board and City Council made several findings that the Tentative Map is consistent with the General Plan and Zoning Ordinance and that the Map would not result in any health and safety impacts to the community.
Since the 2011 Planning Board and City Council decisions, the City of Alameda has not changed any zoning provisions or General Plan policies that would change the City of Alameda’s determinations and findings regarding the 2011 Map. Given that the 2011 Map continues to be consistent with the City of Alameda General Plan and Zoning Code, staff believes that the City Council should approve the one-year extension for the Tentative Map until July 19, 2016.
Over the next year, the applicant will have time to:
• Work with the Planning Board and community to develop architectural and open space designs necessary for Design Review consideration by the Planning Board and community; and
• Prepare improvement plans for review and approval by the Public Works Department consistent with the Tentative Map and Design Review and secure approval of a final map.
Denial of the proposed extension would not result in a reduction in the residential capacity of the site. The site’s R2/PD zoning and the State Density Bonus law establishes the permissible zoning for the site. Neither the site zoning, nor the State Density Bonus law would expire if the Tentative Map expires.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of the one year time extension on the Vesting Tentative Map has no financial impact on the General Fund.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
The proposed applications are consistent with the City of Alameda General Plan or the Alameda Municipal Code.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
On October 5, 2010, after several public hearings before the Planning Board and City Council, the City Council, upon the recommendation of the Planning Board, unanimously certified a Final EIR for the redevelopment of the property consistent with the Tentative Map. No further review is necessary under the California Environmental Quality Act to grant the one-year extension for the Map.
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a Resolution approving a one year time extension for tentative map 8060 for the Boatworks Project at 2229 through 2241 Clement Avenue.
Respectfully submitted,
Andrew Thomas, Assistant Community Development Director
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Elena Adair, Finance Director
Exhibits:
1. Application
2. Tentative Map 8060