Title
Public hearing to consider Design Review for the public right-of-way extension along Fifth Street from the northern intersection of Mitchell Avenue to the Alameda Landing Waterfront Park. The project is located within the M-X (Mixed-Use) Zoning District. A Supplemental Environmental Impact Report has been certified for the Alameda Landing Mixed Use Development in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15162, no new significant impacts have been identified and no additional CEQA review is required.
Body
To: Honorable President and
Members of the Planning Board
From: Henry Dong, Planner III
Date: June 10, 2019
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Staff requests that the Planning Board hold a public hearing to consider Design Review for the public right-of-way extension along Fifth Street from the northern intersection of Mitchell Avenue to the Alameda Landing Waterfront Park (Exhibit 1). The proposal is consistent with the Bayport-Alameda Landing Master Plan and staff is recommending approval of the proposal based on the findings in the draft resolution (Exhibit 2).
BACKGROUND
In 2000, the City Council approved the Catellus Mixed Use Development Master Plan, a Development Agreement and a Disposition and Development Agreement that established the alignment, overall right of way dimensions, and construction responsibilities for the Fifth Street, Willie Stargell Avenue, and Mitchell Avenue extensions,
Between 2002 and 2005, as part of the Bayport project, the City of Alameda Community Improvement Commission constructed the extension of Fifth Street from Ralph Appezzato Way north to Willie Stargell Avenue and two of the four planned lanes of the Willie Stargell extension from Fifth to Main Street,
In 2006, the City Council approved the environmental documents and amended Master Plan, Development Agreements and Dispositions and Development Agreements to, among other things, adjust the alignment and design of Fifth Street to better serve a mixed-use development and shift responsibility for the construction of Fifth Street and Mitchell Avenue from the City of Alameda Community Improvement Commission to Catellus.
On May 14, 2007, the Planning Board reviewed and approved the final travel, turning, bicycle, and parking lane configurations for Fifth Street and Mitchell Avenue consistent with the Bayport-Alameda Landing Master Plan.
On May 29, 2007, the Planning Board reviewed and approved the Alameda Landing Site-Wide Landscape Development Plan Amendment, which establishes the overall landscape concepts and plant palettes for the Alameda Landing project and the streets that serve the development.
On June 25, 2006, the Planning Board conditionally approved the Development Plan for the retail center south of the Mitchell Avenue extension, east of the Fifth Street extension, and north of the Willie Stargell Avenue extension,
On May 13, 2013, the Planning Board approved the Alameda Landing Residential Project, streets, parks and open space.
On September 5, 2017, the City Council adopted an ordinance amending the Bayport-Alameda Landing Master Plan and Environmental Impact Report (EIR) Addendum that allows for 17 acres of maritime commercial uses within 364,000 square feet of existing waterfront warehouses, up to 400 residential units, and a 4.5-acre public park on the Alameda Landing waterfront.
On September 10, 2018, the Planning Board approved the Waterfront Plaza and Promenade development plan and design review for approximately 4.5-acres of the Alameda Landing Waterfront.
The applicant has been working with City staff to provide the design for the 5th Street extension from Mitchell Avenue to the Alameda Landing Waterfront Park. The Bayport-Alameda Landing Master Plan establishes the basic alignment, overall right-of-way, and general guidance as to how the right of way is to be utilized by various modes. The sections and landscaping are further detailed and illustrated in Exhibit 1.
DISCUSSION
As described in the Community Reuse Plan, the General Plan, and the Bayport-Alameda Landing Master Plan, reconnecting and reintegrating the former naval facilities into the Alameda community will require the construction of a network of streets to allow pedestrians, bicyclists, transit, trucks, and cars to access these formerly “restricted access” areas of the city. The Bayport-Alameda Landing Master Plan Transportation and Circulation Systems element (page 14) states that the circulation system “shall allow movement of vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians in an enjoyable, safe and logical manner which is oriented to take advantage of the site amenities, such as the residential park, the waterfront plaza, water shuttle landing, and Waterfront Promenade.”
The Bay Port /Alameda Landing Master Plan states the “new alignment and extension of Fifth Street provides the major north-south circulation spine, connecting Ralph Appezzato Memorial Parkway to the waterfront. The Master Plan outlines to minimum requirements for the northern portion of the 5th Street extension with the following:
• a minimum 74-foot right-of-way that includes two travel lanes,
• two on-street parking lanes,
• one Class II bicycle lane in each direction
• sidewalks shall be a minimum of five feet wide
The Bayport development included construction of the extension of 5th Street from Ralph Appezato Memorial Parkway north to Willie Stargell Avenue. The Alameda Landing Project includes responsibility for the extension of Fifth Street north from the intersection of Willie Stargell Avenue to the Oakland Alameda Estuary. The Fifth Street extension from Ralph Appezatto Memorial Parkway to Willie Stargell Avenue was constructed with two lanes in each direction, bicycle lanes, and no on-street parking. The Fifth Street extension through Alameda Landing to Mitchell Avenue is designed to narrow to one through-lane in each direction with bicycle lanes in each direction, and on-street parking. An additional vehicle turn lane was provided at major intersections. The final extension of Fifth Street is designed to continue the one through-lane in each direction, with bicycle lanes in each direction, and with on street parking. The Fifth Street section design highlights include:
Street Section
• 75-foot right-of-way that meets the minimum width of the Master Plan.
• single 10-foot wide vehicle travel lanes on each side
• 5-foot wide Class II bicycle lanes with an additional 2-foot wide bike buffer.
• 6.5-foot wide pedestrian path and six-foot landscape buffer
• 8-foot wide parking/planting islands
The existing streets trees along Fifth Street and Mitchell Avenue are made up of London Plane trees and palm trees. Based on feedback received from the Planning Board for the Alameda Landing Waterfront Park, these two types of trees were not favored by the Board. Therefore, the applicant selected the Chinese Elm tree which is utilized near the intersection of Fifth Street and Stargell Avenue. The Fifth Street landscape and lighting design highlights include:
Landscape and Lighting
• Chinese elms (Ulmus parvifolia) on each side of Fifth Street to shade and enhance the pedestrian environment to the waterfront promenade.
• Understory plantings in the planting strips include Sea Lavender, Lomandra, and Little Kitten Miscanthus
• Pedestrian level lighting will be provided that compliments the Webster Street retail district in scale and character, and is consistent with the existing Fifth Street lighting.
Conclusion: The proposed extension design (shown in Attachment 3) is compatible with the existing portion of Fifth Street and implements the requirements of the Bayport-Alameda Landing Master Plan.
Public Notice and Comments
Property owners and residents within 300 feet of the project’s boundaries were notified of the public hearing and given the opportunity to review and comment on the proposal. Copies of all emails and letters received will be forwarded to the Planning Board and provided for the Board at the public hearing.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
A Supplemental Environmental Impact Report was certified on December 5, 2006 for the Alameda Landing Mixed Use Development in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (State Clearinghouse #2006012091). Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15162, no new significant impacts have been identified and no additional CEQA review is required.
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt the Resolution approving Design Review for the public right of way extension of Fifth Street from Mitchell Avenue to the Alameda Landing Waterfront Park.
Respectfully submitted,
Henry Dong, Planner III
Exhibits:
1. Project Plans
2. Draft Resolution