Title
PLN16-0314 -Design Review Approval - Seaplane Lagoon Ferry Terminal Temporary Landside Improvements. Applicant: City of Alameda. Public Hearing to consider Design Review approval pursuant to AMC 30-37 for temporary landside improvements for a new ferry terminal located at the Seaplane Lagoon in the NAS Alameda historic district. 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 President
Members of the Planning Board
From: Jennifer Ott, Director of Base Reuse and Transportation Planning
Michelle Giles, Redevelopment Project Manager, Base Reuse
Allen Tai, Planning Services Manager
Date: July 23, 2018
Re: PLN16-0314 -Design Review Approval - Seaplane Lagoon Ferry Terminal Temporary Landside Improvements. Applicant: City of Alameda. Public Hearing to consider Design Review approval pursuant to AMC 30-37 for temporary landside improvements for a new ferry terminal located at the Seaplane Lagoon in the NAS Alameda historic district. 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.
BACKGROUND
On April 23, 2018, the Planning Board approved Design Review of the waterside elements of the ferry terminal, including the float, gangway and pier. On May 14, 2018, the Planning Board approved Design Review of the revised canopy design, lighting, glass walls, benches and security gates for the Seaplane Lagoon Ferry Terminal. Since that time, cost estimates for the project have come in approximately $3.4 million higher than the current $18.2 million budget. Much of the increase is due to escalation of costs from original estimates two years ago. Staff and consultants have worked to reduce costs by significantly reducing the scope of the landside improvements to the essential components for operation of the ferry terminal.
In conjunction with Planning Board review, the Historical Advisory Board approved all components of the proposed project, including approval of the landside improvements, on June 7th. The last discretionary approval required this project is Design Review for the landside improvements by the Planning Board.
DISCUSSION
Landside Improvements
The landside improvements for the ferry terminal are temporary (5-10 years) until major commercial development occurs that would require a realignment of Ferry Point, an expanded promenade and relocation of the 400-space parking lot. The current design (Exhibit 1) has temporary landside improvements that include: a 400+-space parking lot, drop off/pick-up areas, bike racks and bike lockers, an improved 22-foot separated roadway to accommodate vehicle and future transit service alongside Building 113, and minor road improvements along Ferry Point, including striping for a 10-foot two-way cycle track and a five-foot pedestrian path to and from the ferry from Site A.
No trees are included in the parking lot due to the temporary nature of the parking lot. The ability of the trees to cluster together and provide a canopy is not likely in the five- to 10-year timeframe anticipated for the temporary parking lot. In addition, the location of Navy monitoring wells below the surface of portions of the parking lot would make installation of irrigation challenging and costly. If, after 10 years, the parking lot has not been relocated, trees will be planted at that time.
Lighting of the roadway will be consistent with light standards and luminaires approved for all of Alameda Point and Site A. Lighting in the parking lot will be shielded and oriented downward as required under the Alameda Municipal Code to prevent light spillage. Signage at the ferry terminal will comply with Alameda Point Historic Signage Standards, and WETA and AC Transit standard signage guidelines for transit facilities.
Findings and Conclusions
The temporary landside improvements meet the basic requirements for parking, circulation, lighting and signage necessary for the operation of the Seaplane Lagoon Ferry Terminal. Therefore, staff recommends the Planning Board approve the temporary landside improvements with findings set forth in the Draft Resolution (Exhibit 2).
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
On April 5, 2016, the City of Alameda City Council 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 time this report was written.
RECOMMENDATION
Approve Design Review for the Seaplane Lagoon Ferry Terminal Temporary Landside Improvements with findings set forth in the draft resolution.
Exhibits:
1. Ferry Terminal Temporary Landside Improvements
2. Draft Resolution