Title
Recommendation to Uphold the Planning Board Decision to Name Certain Streets at Alameda Point. [Call for Review by Councilmember Daysog] (Community Development Department 481005)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Jill Keimach, City Manager
Re: Recommendation to Uphold the Planning Board Decision to Name Certain Streets at Alameda Point
BACKGROUND
On September 26, 2016, the Planning Board unanimously named seven new side streets at Alameda Point’s Site A after U.S. Navy airplane squadrons and U.S. Navy ships. Exhibit 1 includes a map of the new streets with their new names and some information about the historical connection between the selected names and the history of NAS Alameda. Consistent with the City Council’s adopted City Facility Naming Policy (2007), all of the selected names were chosen from the City of Alameda list of pre-approved Street Names and all the names have a relationship to the history of the former Naval Air Station Alameda (NAS Alameda).
On October 4, 2016, Councilmember Daysog called the decision for review. His call for review states:
“I am calling for review the September 26, 2016 Planning Board Agenda Item 7B, seeking only and particularly to discuss and include a new name per the street names for Site A Alameda Point. In particular, I am seeking to include the name of Mr. Felix Fortuna, a [current] long-time Alameda resident of Filipino-American descent who, in addition to serving as the go-to realtor for many persons of Filipino descent as they made their respective way into Alameda, contributed generously to the well-being of Alameda as whole. For this reason especially, I am convinced it is right and fitting to recognize Mr. Fortuna and include his name in the list of names for street names for Site A of Alameda Point.”
DISCUSSION
Pursuant to Alameda Municipal Code (AMC) 30-84.5, the Planning Board names streets in Alameda. Pursuant to AMC 30-25.1.b, the Planning Board’s approval of street names may be called for review by any member of the City Council.
Pursuant to the City Council’s adopted policy, streets names selected for new streets must be pre-approved by the Historical Advisory Board (HAB) to ensure that the names appropriately reflect the history of Alameda. The name “Fortuna” is not currently on the List of Street and Facility Names. Relevant sections of the Council’s Street Naming Policy state:
“The Historical Advisory Board will continue to maintain the List of Street and Facility Names, including available names and those that have been used. Additions or deletions to the list shall be recommended by the appropriate board or commission based on written documentation of the historic importance of the name in Alameda history and as outlined in this policy and then forwarded to the City Council for final approval. Only names that appear on the list of Street and Facility Names shall be utilized for the naming of new streets or renaming of existing streets. The Planning Board shall approve names for new streets.”
“In selecting the name for a City property, facility or street, the following criteria shall be used:
• A name that reflects the location of the facility by geographic area;
• A name that reflects the history of a facility such as the family name of the builder, developer or person who may have donated the land when the individual has been deceased a minimum of three years;
• A name that recognizes a significant contributor to the advancement of the City, such as a former Mayor, Councilmember, Board or Commission Member, officers or employees of the City, or member of the community when the individual has been deceased a minimum of three years;
• A name that recognizes the donor of a significant gift of land or funds for City facility.
• A name that is listed on the List of Street and Facility Names of the City of Alameda.
• Only one name shall be used for each property or facility and all its various components.”
“General Considerations for Naming Streets:
• Priority shall be given to utilizing street names that represent persons, places or events associated with the historical development of the City of Alameda.
• Where feasible and appropriate, historic street names shall be chosen which directly relate to that portion of the City in which the street to be named is located.
• Consistency in naming shall be maintained within a Subdivision Tract, Planned Development, or other development or geographic area where street names themes currently exist, are planned or are discernible.”
Based on the call for review and the City’s existing City Facility Naming Policy, the City Council may:
1. Affirm and uphold the Planning Board’s decision.
2. Waive the requirements of the 2007 Council policy, and modify the Planning Board’s decision by replacing one of the Navy squadron or Navy vessel street names shown on Exhibit 1 with the name “Fortuna”.
3. Remand the decision back to the Planning Board and the HAB to have the name “Fortuna” added to the pre-approved list of names by the HAB and selected for one of the streets in Site A by the Planning Board.
Staff recommends that the City Council uphold the Planning Board’s decision regarding the street names at Site A as the decision was made consistent with existing City policy. However, if the Council would like the name “Fortuna” to replace one of the Navy squadron or Navy vessel street names, it is recommended that the Council proceed with option 2 above. Option 3 will require at least two additional public hearings to accomplish the same result as option 2.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no financial impact to the City’s General Fund from the decision to name a future street.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
Pursuant to AMC 30-25.1.b, the Planning Board’s decision to approve a street name may be called for review by the City Council.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Approval of a street name is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
RECOMMENDATION
Uphold the Planning Board decision to name certain streets at Alameda Point.
Respectfully submitted,
Debbie Potter, Community Development Director
By,
Andrew Thomas, Assistant Community Development Director
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Elena Adair, Finance Director
Exhibit:
1. Street Names Exhibit