Title
Public Hearing on the Alameda Marina Draft Environmental Impact Report (SCH#2016102064)
Body
To: Honorable President and
Members of the Planning Board
From: Andrew Thomas, Assistant Community Development Director
Date: February 12, 2018
Re: Public Hearing on the Alameda Marina Draft Environmental Impact Report (SCH#2016102064)
background
On July 11, 2016, the City of Alameda received an application from Alameda Marina, LLC requesting review and approval of a draft Master Plan for the redevelopment of the 44-acre Alameda Marina site located at 1815 Clement Avenue between Minturn Street and Willow Street.
The draft Master Plan is currently under review by the City. It proposes:
• Improvements to the approximately 4,009 lineal feet of existing deteriorated shoreline breakwaters, bulkheads, and piers.
• Improvements to the existing 530-berth marina which consists of 17.10 acres of water.
• Development of approximately 7.98 acres of uplands property for maritime commercial space for up to 250,000 square feet of maritime commercial uses.
• Development of and/or improvement to approximately 4.25 acres of shoreline public open space.
• Up to 760 residential units, including 103 deed-restricted affordable units.
On October 27, 2016, the City of Alameda released a Notice of Preparation (NOP) notifying the public and governmental agencies that the City of Alameda has determined that the proposal requires preparation of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). On November 14, 2016, the Planning Board held a public scoping session on the Draft EIR.
On July 13, 2017, the City released a revised NOP to reflect revisions to the draft Master Plan proposed by a Planning Board subcommittee. At the end of 2017, the City of Alameda and the City’s environmental consultant, Environmental Sciences Associates (ESA) completed work on the Draft EIR and initiated a 45-day public review period. The comment period on the draft is scheduled to close on February 15, 2018.
The purpose of the public hearing is to give the public and the Planning Board an opportunity to comment on the adequacy of the Draft EIR. All comments received at the public hearing and all comments received during the 45-day public comment period will be included as part of the public record.
Upon close of the 45-day comment period, City staff and the environmental consultant team will review comments received and prepare a written response to each comment. These responses may result in recommended changes to the Draft EIR analysis and/or the Draft EIR recommended mitigation measures. The response to comments and preparation of the Final EIR typically take the City 30 to 60 days, depending on the amount and substance of the comments received.
The Planning Board cannot make any final recommendations or decisions on the Master Plan until the Planning Board has reviewed the Final EIR and finds the analysis in the Final EIR is adequate to inform the Planning Board’s decision on the Master Plan.
DISCUSSION
The purpose of the public hearing is to provide an opportunity for the public to submit comments on the Draft EIR that examines the environmental impacts of the proposed master plan.
The Draft EIR evaluates the potential impacts of the proposed project on:
• Aesthetics
• Air Quality, Greenhouse Gases, and Climate Change
• Biological Resources
• Cultural Resources
• Geology and Soils
• Hazards and Hazardous Materials
• Hydrology and Water Quality
• Land Use and Planning
• Noise and Vibration
• Population and Housing
• Public Services
• Transportation and Traffic
• Utilities and Services.
The Draft EIR also includes an analysis of alternatives to the project.
Copies of the Draft EIR were provided to the Planning Board by mail in the first week of January 2018. The Draft EIR [is also available for public review on the City Website at: <http://alamedaca.gov/planning/major-planning-projects.>
RECOMMENDATION
Hold a public hearing to accept public comments on the adequacy of the analysis included in the Alameda Marina Draft Environmental Impact Report.
No action on the proposed project is requested of the Planning Board at this time.
Respectfully submitted by:
Andrew Thomas
Assistant Community Development Director