Title
Conditional Use Permit for Alameda Commercially Zoned Properties. Public hearing to consider a Use Permit to allow the temporary use of privately owned outdoor space and parking lots and City owned sidewalks and on-street parking spaces in certain commercially zoned districts for retail and commercial purposes during the COVID-19 Health Emergency. The project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Sections 15301 - Minor Alteration of Existing Facilities, 15304(e) - Minor Temporary Use of Land, and 15305 - Minor Alterations to Land Use Limitations
Body
To: Honorable President and
Members of the Planning Board
From: Andrew Thomas
Planning, Building and Transportation Director
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In an effort to assist in slowing the spread of COVID-19 while supporting the economic recovery of local businesses, the City of Alameda (City) is proposing a citywide temporary use permit for commercial and retail uses in outdoor spaces located in certain commercially zoned districts. The Alameda Municipal Code (AMC) requires a business to apply for and receive a conditional use permit for "any permitted use... which is not conducted within an enclosed structure". The proposed regulations would expire with expiration of the County Health Order requirements for social distancing in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
BACKGROUND
On March 17, 2020, following emergency declarations by the federal, state and county governments, and a shelter in place order issued by the Health Officer of the County of Alameda, the Alameda City Council adopted an urgency ordinance (Ordinance No. 3267) declaring the existence of a local emergency in response to the COVID-19 pandemic (as amended and extended by Ordinance No. 3272, City Emergency Declaration). Due to the shelter in place and related COVID-19 orders, many of Alameda's small businesses and restaurants have seen dramatic declines in revenue. Some have tempor...
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