File #: 2015-2385   
Type: Regular Agenda Item
Body: Planning Board
On agenda: 12/14/2015
Title: Planning Board Workshop on Alameda Point Site A Design Review for Block Eleven Architectural Design and adjacent Waterfront Street Design
Attachments: 1. Exhibit 1 - Block 11 Architectural Design and Waterfront Street Plans

Title

 

Planning Board Workshop on Alameda Point Site A Design Review for Block Eleven Architectural Design and adjacent Waterfront Street Design

 

Body

 

BACKGROUND

 

On October 12, 2015, the Planning Board held a workshop to discuss the next steps in the Alameda Point Site A planning process.  At the meeting, the Planning Board reviewed the past accomplishments and some initial design concepts for the first three blocks at Alameda Point Site A, including Block 11.  Since the October workshop, the Planning Board’s Site A Subcommittee has been meeting to review the evolving plans for Block 11 and the adjacent waterfront street. 

 

At the December 14, 2015 Planning Board meeting, the Subcommittee and staff would like to receive comments from the Planning Board and community on the most current architectural design for the building on Block 11 and the adjacent street.  Based upon the comments received, the design team and staff will make additional changes and return in January 2016, with a final proposal and all the necessary recommendations and conditions of approval.

 

DISCUSSION

 

Block 11 and the adjacent waterfront street (Exhibit 1) are designed to meet the community’s design objectives established by the Alameda community through the Naval Air Station Alameda (NAS Alameda) Community Reuse Plan, the Alameda Point General Plan Element, the Alameda Point Waterfront Town Center Specific Plan (Town Center Plan), and the Site A Development Plan.  

 

As the first major new building constructed at Alameda Point since the departure of the U.S Navy from Alameda Point almost 20 years ago, Block 11 is located at the very heart of the Site A Development Plan and Alameda Point Waterfront Town Center planning area.  Given its important geographic location within Alameda Point, the Block 11 design must meet a variety of important public objectives:  

 

Waterfront Orientation: Block 11 fronts onto the Seaplane Lagoon and the new waterfront park where it will provide a transition between the urban fabric of Alameda Point and the natural environment of the Seaplane Lagoon and the San Francisco Bay.  

 

The Block 11 building and adjacent waterfront street are designed to face the water to the south and west of the building and make it as easy as possible for residents of the building and visitors to the building to view the water, walk to the water, and enjoy and appreciate the waterfront location.

 

The waterfront street in front of Block 11 is designed to serve as an extension of the adjacent waterfront park and provide a strong pedestrian-oriented, bicycle friendly, street front between the building and the park. Designed without curbs and without asphalt, the “naked street” utilizes paving materials, colors and textures, along with landscaping, to create an inviting public space through which vehicles may slowly pass, approximately 12 vehicles may be parked, pedestrians may stroll along and across, and bicyclists may pass through with little concern for speeding vehicles.   

 

NAS Alameda Historic District Gateway: Block 11 fronts onto the adjacent NAS Alameda Historic District (Historic District) where it will provide an architectural transition between the Historic District to the west and the non-historic portions of Alameda Point and Site A to the east.

 

 

 

The Block 11 architectural design shares architectural elements, materials and colors that reflect and respect, without replicating, the “Art Moderne” architectural style of the most important contributing buildings in the Historic District.  Examples of these elements include the strong horizontal lines that define the architectural design of the building, (See photo of nearby building 8 with it strong horizontal lines), the use of rounded forms on the south west, water-facing corner of the building, (See NAS Alameda Museum Building 77 below), the use of glass and light off-white concrete and stucco materials, and ground floor retail elevation elements that reflect the design of the large multi-pane Hanger doors that are such defining features of the adjacent Hanger Row (See Hanger Row photo below). 

 

<http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwi-9MrsqrvJAhVCz2MKHZXXA1IQjRwIBw&url=http://www.johannakhall.com/explore-your-neighborhood/alameda-point-real-estate/&bvm=bv.108194040,d.cGc&psig=AFQjCNG0D1uU1O1muFWS4dQutivsCab2rQ&ust=1449082403278505>

 

Transit-Oriented Mixed-Use Development: Block 11 fronts onto the major transit corridor and commercial center within Alameda Point’s “town center”, where it has the opportunity to create a transit-and pedestrian-oriented higher density mixed-use living environment. Consistent with the Site A Development Plan and Town Center Plan, Block 11 includes 220 of the 800 new residential units approved for Site A. Of the 220 units, 20 units will be deed restricted for moderate-income households. The total building height is approximately 78 feet to the top of parapet.

 

New Alameda Point residents will have access to: 

•                     Approximately 25,000 square feet of on-site ground floor commercial retail uses;

•                     A variety of on-site amenities including approximately 4,500 square feet of interior community and recreational facilities, as well as a large landscape podium above the retail and parking levels with lap pool and a roof top garden with views to the bay and San Francisco beyond;

•                     Two lobbies that serve residents, each accessed through a street-facing garden;

•                     15-minute transit services to the regional ferry, BART, Downtown Oakland, and nearby Alameda shopping districts, and access to on-site amenities;

•                     Directly accessible space for the secure storage of approximately 240 bicycles, with contiguous space for bicycle maintenance and repair; and

•                     224 on-site unbundled parking spaces plus 11 tandem spaces for resident parking as well as 60 parking spaces available for retail uses. 

                     

Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Programs:  Consistent with the approved Alameda Point TDM Plan and the Site A TDM Compliance Strategy, residents and employees of Block 11 will be provided AC Transit easy passes, on-site bike share facilities and access to other TDM programs.

 

Universal Design:  To address the need for universally designed units:

•                     All 220 units will have direct access from an accessible route with elevator service;

•                     All 220 units will be constructed with adaptable kitchens and bathrooms with clearances and accommodation for individual accessibility in compliance with state and federal accessibility codes;

•                     Enclosed and secure auto and handicap van accessible parking; and

•                     Accommodations for the visually and hearing impaired.

 

Green Building Technologies:  To address sustainable design, Building 11 includes:

•                     Materials and sourcing of materials responsive to current green building standards;

•                     Solar panels for photovoltaic energy and solar hot water;

•                     High performance energy conserving systems for resident-controlled and metered mechanical, electrical systems, energy efficient window and roofing systems and water conserving plumbing fixtures;

•                     Drought tolerant landscape with smart controllers to reduce water consumption; and

•                     On-site storm water collection, retention and filtration.

 

ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW

 

On February 4, 2014, the City of Alameda certified the Alameda Point FEIR in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).  The FEIR evaluated the environmental impacts of redevelopment and reuse of the lands at Alameda Point consistent with the Town Center Plan, which included Site A. No further review is required for this review of the project designs. 

 

RECOMMENDATION

 

Hold a public workshop and comment on the proposed design for Block 11 and adjacent waterfront street.  

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Andrew Thomas, City Planner

Jennifer Ott, Chief Operating Officer - Alameda Point

 

 

Exhibit:

1.                     Block 11 Architectural Design and Waterfront Street Plans