Title
2100 Clement Update - Bicycle Pedestrian Path
Body
To: President and
Members of the Planning Board
From: Andrew Thomas, Assistant Community Development Director
Date: January 11, 2016
Re: 2100 Clement Update - Bicycle Pedestrian Path
BACKGROUND
In 2015, the City Council and Planning Board approved a project that includes 52 new townhomes at 2100 Clement Avenue for City Ventures (the applicant). The approved plan includes a dedicated bicycle and pedestrian path along an existing utilities easement along the eastern side of the property. During the public planning process, a condition of approval was added by the Planning Board that reads:
Bicycle and Pedestrian Lane. The applicant shall fund the construction and complete the extension of the bicycle and pedestrian lane the full length of the public utilities easement from Mulberry Street to Clement Avenue prior to the issuance of the final Certificate of Occupancy for the project. If AUSD prohibits access to their portion of the easement for public access or improvements, the applicant’s responsibilities shall be limited to the improvements on the project site. If AUSD imposes significant financial requirements above and beyond the cost to construct the paving improvements and remove the existing gates on City Ventures in return for public access to their portion of the easement, City Ventures may request that the Planning Board relieve City Ventures of the obligation to extend the lane to Clement Avenue.
Since the September 1, 2015 City Council approval, both City Ventures and City staff have met independently with Alameda Unified School District (AUSD) senior staff to request that AUSD provide a public access easement across their portion of the public utility easement. Although AUSD is in support of the plan for a bicycle and pedestrian connection between Eagle Avenue and Clement Avenue, AUSD is not interested in providing the necessary easement at this time. AUSD is currently evaluating their options regarding the potential disposition of their property at this location. Once they have made their final decisions about whether to retain or dispose of the property, the City and AUSD will be able to reopen the discussion. If AUSD chooses to sell the property, the City will have the option of discussing the easement with a future owner who will likely be coming to the City for development permits. If AUSD chooses to retain the property for AUSD use, then the City and AUSD can discuss a permeant public easement at that time. Pursuant to the wording of the condition and AUSD’s position regarding the easement, City Ventures will not be constructing the portion of the bicycle/pedestrian path that crosses the AUSD property.
RECOMMENDATION
No action is required or requested. This report is for information purposes only.
Respectfully submitted,
Andrew Thomas, Assistant Community Development Director