Title
PLN19-0556 - Phase I Waterfront Park Design Review Amendment - Alameda Point Site A - Applicant: Alameda Point Partners. Public hearing to consider whether the planting of palm trees in the Waterfront Park. The environmental effects of the proposed project were considered and disclosed in the Alameda Point Environmental Impact Report (State Clearinghouse #2013012043). No further environmental review is required. (Continued from February 24, 2020)
Body
To: Honorable President and
Members of the Planning Board
From: Allen Tai, City Planner
Date: March 9, 2020
BACKGROUND
On February 24, 2020, the Planning Board held a public hearing and approved the Design Review amendments to previously-approved plans for Phase I of the Waterfront Park at Alameda Point Site A. However, the six members of the Board that were split on the decision whether to keep palm trees at the park. After approving the remainder of proposed amendments, the Board continued the item to the March 9th meeting in order to have the presence of a full Board weigh in on whether the six Hybrid Fan Palms was appropriate at the center of the park.
DISCUSSION
The original plans for Phase I of the Waterfront Park included a large number of palm trees. The amendments to the park design substituted all but six of the palm trees with shade trees. Keeping six palms at the center of the site was intended by the applicant to provide a focal point to future public art sculpture at this location. The palm trees were also intended to contribute toward a desired urban or civic presence to the park. The Planning Board should also be aware that palms are a key feature of the approved Site A streetscape design along West Atlantic Avenue. The proposed six palms at the park would be consistent with the approved West Atlantic plan (<https://alameda.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=2782557&GUID=D5B5BEE6-DCFD-492A-971F-A1D34817AB44&FullText=1>).
In recent years, with composting practices becoming more mainstream, the difficulties of composting palm fronds have come into light. Alameda’s residential curbside collection program prohibits the disposal of palm fronds into the compost bin (<https://www.alamedacountyindustries.com/alameda/residentialrecyclingguide/>). According to Public Works Department waste management staff, palm fronds consist of mainly fibrous material, which is not easily compostable and also jams equipment at the compost facility (http://local.republicservices.com/site/newby-island). Workers at the facility often resort to manually removing palm fronds from the compost pile to dispose of in the landfill. Currently, there is no widely-available commercial solution to process large amounts of palm frond waste. However, contrary to popular belief, palm fronds are made of organic material that will eventually decompose like all plant matter, but due to its fibrous content the decomposition occurs over an extensive period of time averaging 50 years (<https://www.latimes.com/home/la-hm-ga-what-to-do-with-fallen-palm-fronds-20181103-story.html>). It is important to note that pine cones, acorns, and other seeds and hard plant material also require a long time to decompose except they are often small enough to be processed.
PUBLIC NOTICE
The public hearing for this project was previously advertised in Alameda Sun newspaper on February 13, 2020, and public notices were also previously mailed to all property owners within 300 feet of Site A for the February 24th meeting, which was continued by the Planning Board to March 9, 2020. No new public comment has been received at the writing of this staff report. Any new written comments received will be distributed at the Planning Board hearing.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
On February 4, 2014, the City of Alameda certified the Alameda Point Final EIR (State Clearinghouse #2013012043) in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The Final EIR evaluated the environmental impacts of redevelopment and reuse of the lands at Alameda Point consistent with the Town Center Plan, which included Site A. No further review is required for this review of the project designs.
RECOMMENDATION
Hold a public hearing and vote by motion whether to allow planting six palm trees in Phase I of the Waterfront Park at Alameda Point Site A.
Reviewed By,
Andrew Thomas,
Planning, Building and Transportation Director