Title
PLN16-0314 - Certificate of Approval - Seaplane Lagoon Ferry Terminal Canopy. Applicant: City of Alameda. Public Hearing to consider plans for a canopy for a new ferry terminal located at the Seaplane Lagoon in the NAS Alameda Historic District. The Historical Advisory Board will consider the canopy design for Certificate of Approval pursuant to AMC Section 13-21. The environmental effects of the proposed project were considered and disclosed in the Seaplane Lagoon Addendum to the Alameda Point Environmental Impact Report. No further environmental review is required under the California Environmental Quality Act.
Body
To: Honorable Chair and
Members of the Historical Advisory Board
From: Jennifer Ott, Base Reuse and Transportation Planning Director
Michelle Giles, Redevelopment Project Manager, Base Reuse
Allen Tai, Secretary to the Historical Advisory Board
BACKGROUND
On April 18, 2018, the Historical Advisory Board (HAB) and the Planning Board reviewed the Seaplane Lagoon Ferry Terminal Landside and Waterside Improvements for Certificate of Approval and Design Review approval. Except for the canopy, the Waterside Improvements, including the pier, gangway and float, were approved by both Boards. Both Boards had several comments and questions about the canopy, lighting, glass walls, benches and security gates and asked that these elements be brought back to each Board with more detail for consideration of approval. The landside plans will also be brought back at a future meeting.
DISCUSSION
Below is a discussion of the items requested for further review based on comments at the joint meeting of the HAB and Planning Board on April 18, 2018. Revised plans are included in Exhibit 1 and address the following items:
Canopy
Comments included that the new canopy design was greatly improved from the previous version with the “points” removed and the change to the white color; however, it was noted that the two ends of the canopy (the “wings”) were still aesthetically strong, potentially competing with other surrounding architecture. The Board asked that the “wings” be refined to be more subtle. Per the direction of the Board, the architect has adjusted the height of the “wings” so they are now 1 foot, 3 inches lower and slightly rounded.
Lighting
Board members asked for more detail about the lighting of the pier. The architect is proposing that lighting fixtures be mounted on the “inside” faces of the canopy support posts, and aimed at the underside of the fabric canopy above. This lighting approach will provide general illumination to the fixed pier passenger areas. The low concrete walls along the sloped walkways into the fixed pier area will have recessed lighting to illuminate the path of travel on both sides. The low concrete walls on the street-facing side will have cast-in-place recessed letters (e.g. “SEAPLACE LAGOON FERRY TERMINAL”) which will be up-lit from linear in-ground mounted fixtures.
Glass Walls
Comments included verifying the height of the glass wall to ensure protection against the weather, more definition to how the glass panels are separated, and suggestions about protecting the glass wall from passengers leaning on it as a rail. The architect’s response is that the glass wall is designed structurally to act as a guardrail made of bird safe glass. Research into the idea of a “lean rail” showed that it does not provide additional protection of the glass wall and adds more cost. The height of the glass panels has been revised from 7 feet high to 5’ high and 8’ wide which allows the glass wall to be self-supporting. A higher railing/windscreen would require an additional steel support structure that adds both cost and visual clutter. The resulting distance between the canopy and the glass wall is 6 feet. The vertical joints between the glass panels will have a silicon chalk joint.
Benches
Comments on the benches included their location and concerns about them being a hazard. The architect’s research shows that the location and shape of the benches facilitate queuing (A2.3) which is viewed favorably by the Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC) and the Water Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA) from their experience at other terminals. The pier is a public facility that is open to the public at all times. Benches provide areas for appreciation of the views, as well as a place to wait for the ferry. The benches will be removable. The exact material is still to be determined, but will be sturdy to prevent theft and vandalism.
Security Gates
Board members wanted to know more about the security gates separating the waiting area on the pier and the gangway to the boarding float. The security gates are doors, which are partially shown in A2.0 and A2.3. The doors will be glazed and have stainless steel rails and frames to accommodate WETA’s operations that require automatic locking, card reader access and potentially automatic door operators. The design of the doors intentionally prioritizes security and function over elaborate aesthetic appearance to meet WETA’s operating requirements.
Findings and Conclusions
Elements of the canopy which were of concern to the HAB have been redesigned to be consistent with the Secretary’s Standards for architectural compatibility with the historic character of the surrounding buildings, and the revised design would not affect the NAS Alameda Historic District and the Seaplane Lagoon’s character-defining features. Other questions and comments about design elements, including the glass walls, security door, lighting and benches have also been addressed in the revised design details. Therefore, staff recommends the HAB approve a Certificate of Approval for the canopy with findings set forth in the Draft Resolution (Exhibit 2). The landside improvements for the ferry terminal project will return to the HAB at a future meeting.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
On April 5, 2016, the City of Alameda certified the Seaplane Lagoon CEQA Addendum to the Alameda Point Final EIR in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The Addendum evaluated the environmental impacts of constructing and operating a ferry terminal at Seaplane Lagoon. No further review is required for this review of the project designs.
PUBLIC NOTICE
This agenda item was advertised in the Alameda Sun and public notices were distributed to property owners within 300 feet of the project site as required by the AMC. No comments were received by staff at the time this report was written.
RECOMMENDATION
Approve a Certificate of Approval for the Seaplane Lagoon Ferry Terminal Canopy with findings set forth in the draft resolution (Exhibit 2).
Respectfully submitted,
Jennifer Ott, Base Reuse Director
Michelle Giles, Redevelopment Project Manager, Alameda Point
Exhibits:
1. Ferry Terminal Canopy and Pier Elements
2. Draft Resolution.