Title
Study Session and Discussion on Land Use and Transportation Planning in Alameda
Body
Honorable President and
Members of the Planning Board, and
Chair and Members of the Transportation Commission
From: Andrew Thomas, Assistant Community Development Director
Jennifer Ott, Base Reuse and Transportation Planning Director
background
At the September 2017 Transportation Commission meeting, the Commission requested an opportunity to meet with the Planning Board to discuss the relationship between the Planning Board’s land use and development actions and decisions and the Transportation Commission’s efforts to improve transportation services and facilities in Alameda.
Discussion
In preparation for this joint meeting, Planning and Transportation staff prepared a presentation for a joint meeting of the two bodies (Exhibit 1). The presentation is designed to:
• Provide an overview of the regional conditions and issues within which the City of Alameda provides for housing and improves its transportation services and facilities.
• Provide the Transportation Commission with an overview of the City’s housing plans and obligations with a focus on those aspects that are specifically intended to address the City of Alameda Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) as required by State Law.
• Provide the Planning Board with an overview of the City’s transportation strategies, initiatives, and priority projects.
• Provide a foundation for a discussion between the Planning Board and Transportation Commission about the important relationship between land use and transportation in Alameda.
The PowerPoint presentation includes the following five subsections:
Subsection 1 provides an overview of Alameda’s role and responsibilities within the region to address regional housing needs, statewide climate change initiatives, and other regional and statewide priorities. Exhibit 2 includes a memorandum by the City Attorney with more detail on the City’s housing responsibilities and legal requirements.
Subsection 2 focuses on the regional and local Alameda transportation conditions and issues that shape Alameda’s transportation strategies.
Subsection 3 provides an overview of the major public initiatives and partnerships currently underway in Alameda to improve transportation services and facilities in Alameda. The Transportation Commission serves as the City Council’s primary advisory body on these initiatives.
Subsection 4 provides an overview of the major land use policies and requirements that are imposed on new developments in Alameda by the Planning Board to reduce the impact of new development on the City’s transportation facilities and services. The Planning Board serves as the City Council’s primary advisory body on these policies and development requirements.
The presentation concludes with three questions for the joint discussion:
1. Clarify Information. Is there anything in the presentation that needs clarification or more explanation? Staff will be available at the meeting to provide supplemental information and explanations. If any Commissioner or Board member would like additional information provided before, or at, the meeting, as part of the staff presentation, Commissioners or Board members should contact staff directly to request that information.
2. Integrate Efforts. How can the City better integrate and coordinate land use and transportation planning efforts?
3. Engage Community. How can the City better educate, involve, and engage the Alameda community in land use and transportation planning?
In conclusion, the meeting is intended to inform, educate, and provide an opportunity for the Planning Board and Transportation Commission to discuss these issues, which are of great importance to the Alameda community, and to provide both bodies with a more robust foundation from which to make decisions on future land use and transportation planning issues in the future.
RECOMMENDATION
Hold a study session to discuss land use and transportation planning in Alameda. No final decisions or actions are being requested of the Planning Board or Transportation Commission at this time.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED BY:
Andrew Thomas, Assistant Community Development Director athomas@alamedaca.gov <mailto:athomas@alamedaca.gov> 747-6881
Jennifer Ott, Base Reuse and Transportation Planning Director, jott@alamedaca.gov <mailto:jott@alamedaca.gov> 747-4747
Exhibits:
1. Staff PowerPoint Presentation
2. City Attorney’s Memorandum on State Housing Bills