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PLN22-0180 - Administrative Use Permit - 1135 Atlantic Avenue - Applicant: Maria Dohadwala for G&I IX Marina Village Research Park LP. Public hearing to consider an Administrative Use Permit to allow an approximately 2,000-square-foot outdoor equipment enclosure located at the east side of an existing commercial building. The enclosure will be enclosed by an approximately 10-foot high chain-linked fence. The project includes modifications to the existing landscaping and parking lot to accommodate the new enclosure. The property is located within the Marina Village Master Plan M-X, Mixed-Use zoning district and designated Business and Employment in the Alameda 2040 General Plan.
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CITY OF ALAMEDA
PLANNING, BUILDING & TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT
ADMINISTRATIVE USE PERMIT & DESIGN REVIEW
PROJECT
DESCRIPTION: PLN22-0180 - Administrative Use Permit - 1135 Atlantic Avenue - Applicant: Maria Dohadwala for G&I IX Marina Village Research Park LP. Public hearing to consider an Administrative Use Permit to allow an approximately 2,000-square-foot outdoor equipment enclosure located at the east side of an existing commercial building. The enclosure will be enclosed by an approximately 10-foot high chain-linked fence. The project includes modifications to the existing landscaping and parking lot to accommodate the new enclosure. The property is located within the Marina Village Master Plan M-X, Mixed-Use zoning district and designated Business and Employment in the Alameda 2040 General Plan.
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GENERAL PLAN: Business and Employment
ZONING: M-X, Mixed-Use
ENVIRONMENTAL
DETERMINATION: The project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 - Existing Facilities.
PROJECT PLANNER: Henry Dong, Planner III
PUBLIC NOTICE: A notice for this hearing was mailed to property owners and residents within 300 feet of the site, published in local newspapers and posted in public areas near the subject property. Staff has not received any public comments on this proposed project.
EXHIBITS: 1. Project Plans
RECOMMENDATION: Approve the project with conditions.
PROPOSAL SUMMARY:
The applicant is proposing an approximately 2,000-square foot outdoor equipment enclosure on the east side of an existing commercial building located in the Marina Village Business Park. The enclosure will be used to store a chiller, air compressors, and storage containers for materials used in the facility. The enclosure will have 10-foot high fence with vinyl slats designed to be consistent with the existing office park, and will have minimal visibility from the street. Pursuant to AMC Section 30-4.12(c), uses permitted that are not conducted within an enclosed building or structure require Use Permit approval.
USE PERMIT FINDINGS:
1. The location of the proposed use is compatible with other land uses in the general neighborhood area, and the project design and size is architecturally, aesthetically, and operationally harmonious with the community and surrounding development.
The proposed use consists of a new outdoor equipment enclosure to store a chiller, air compressors, and storage containers for materials used in the existing commercial building. The site is suitable for the use because the proposed outdoor equipment will serve the adjacent commercial facility. The design of the enclosure is compatible with the existing office park and the enclosure will have minimal visibility from the street. In addition, the equipment will be required to comply with all state and local requirements including the City of Alameda Noise Ordinance. Therefore, the proposed outdoor enclosures are compatible with the surrounding development.
2. The proposed use will be served by adequate transportation and service facilities, including pedestrian, bicycle and transit facilities.
The new outdoor equipment enclosures include a chiller, air compressors, and storage containers an existing commercial building within the business park that is served by adequate transportation facilities. The proposed project will not result in any changes to the existing pedestrian, bicycle, or transit facilities adjacent to the site nor would the project jeopardize the safety of people using such facilities or services.
3. The proposed use, if it complies with all conditions upon which approval is made contingent, will not adversely affect other property in the vicinity and will not have substantial deleterious effects on existing business districts or the local economy.
There are no significant public health and safety risks associated with the proposed generator use. The project must comply with all applicable state and local regulations including requirements for a Hazardous Materials Business Plan with the County of Alameda, if required. Compliance with these requirements and the recommended conditions of approval would ensure that any adverse effects of the proposal on the welfare of the public, including deleterious effects on businesses and the local economy, are avoided.
4. The proposed use relates favorably to the General Plan.
The General Plan designates this area as “Business and Employment” where uses are envisioned to include research and development space, manufacturing, and distribution that support the Marina Village Business Park. The proposal is an existing use that is consistent with the Business and Employment designation.
1. Compliance with Plans: Any modification on this site shall be in substantial compliance with the plans prepared by DGA, dated March 22, 2022, and on file in the City of Alameda Planning, Building and Transportation Department, except as modified by the conditions listed in this report.
2. Changes to Approved Plans: This approval is limited to the scope of the project defined in the project description and does not represent a recognition and/or approval of any work completed without required City permits. Any changes to the approved scope of the project shall be submitted to the Planning, Building and Transportation Department for review and approval
3. Compliance with Conditions: The applicant/property owner shall ensure compliance with all of the following conditions. Failure to comply with any condition may result in construction being stopped, issuance of a citation, and/or modification or revocation of the Use Permit approval.
4. Exterior Lighting: New exterior lighting fixtures shall be low intensity, directed downward and shielded to minimize offsite glare.
5. Vesting: The Use Permit approval shall expire two (2) years after the date of approval or by May 2, 2024 unless authorized construction or use of the property has commenced. The applicant may apply for a time extension, not to exceed two (2) years. An extension request will be subject to approval by the Planning Director and must be filed prior to the date of expiration
6. Compliance with Regulatory Approvals: The applicant shall comply with any applicable provisions and permits required from any federal, state, or regional agencies, including, but not limited to, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, Alameda County Department of Environmental Health, and the City of Alameda Noise Ordinance.
7. Revocation: This Use Permit may be modified or revoked by the Zoning Administrator, pursuant to Alameda Municipal Code Section 30-21.3d should the Zoning Administrator determine that: 1) the use or conditions under which it is being operated or maintained is detrimental to the public health, welfare or materially injurious to property or improvements in the vicinity; 2) the property is operated or maintained so as to constitute a public nuisance; or 3) the use is operated in violation of the conditions of the Use Permit.
8. HOLD HARMLESS. To the maximum extent permitted by law, the applicant (or its successor in interest) shall defend (with counsel acceptable to the City), indemnify, and hold harmless the City of Alameda, its City Council, City Planning Board, officials, employees, agents and volunteers (collectively, “Indemnitees”) from and against any and all claims, actions, or proceedings against Indemnitees to attack, set aside, void or annul an approval by Indemnitees relating to this project. This indemnification shall include, but is not limited to, all damages, losses, and expenses (including, without limitation, legal costs and attorney’s fees) that may be awarded to the prevailing party arising out of or in connection with an approval by the Indemnitees relating to this project. The City shall promptly notify the applicant of any claim, action or proceeding and the City shall cooperate in the defense. The City may elect, in its sole discretion, to participate in the defense of said claim, action, or proceeding and the applicant (or its successor in interest) shall reimburse the City for its reasonable legal costs and attorneys’ fees.
Environmental Determination
The Zoning Administrator has determined that this project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 - Existing Facilities because the project consists of permitting private structures involving negligible or no expansion of use beyond that which exists.
Use Permit
The Zoning Administrator hereby approves the Use Permit & Design Review with conditions.
The decision of the Zoning Administrator shall be final unless appealed to the Planning Board, in writing and within ten (10) days of the decision.
Approved by: Date: May 2, 2022
Allen Tai, Zoning Administrator