Title
Annual Review: Alameda Point Site A Development Agreement - Applicant: Alameda Point Partners, LLC (APP). The applicant is requesting a periodic review of the Alameda Point Site A Development Agreement. The consideration of an Annual Report is not a project under CEQA. No further environmental review is required.
Body
To: Honorable President and
Members of the Planning Board
From: Andrew Thomas
Planning Building and Transportation Director
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Alameda Municipal Code (AMC) Section 30-95.1 requires the Planning Board to conduct a public hearing at which the applicant must demonstrate good faith compliance with the terms and conditions of the Alameda Point - Site A Development Agreement (DA). Alameda Point Partners, LLC has submitted a letter demonstrating their good faith compliance with the terms and conditions of the DA. (Exhibit 1.)
Staff is recommending that the Planning Board approve the annual report and find that the Developer has complied in good faith with the terms and conditions of the DA. The Development Agreement can be found on the City of Alameda website at:
<https://www.alamedaca.gov/Departments/Planning-Building-and-Transportation/Planning-Division/Major-Planning-Projects>
BACKGROUND
On August 31, 2015, the City of Alameda (City) and Alameda Point Partners (APP or Developer) entered into a Development Agreement for the 68-acre Site A project at Alameda Point.
Pursuant to State law, Alameda Municipal Code (AMC) Section 30-95.1, and Article 5 of the Development Agreement, the Planning Board is required to hold a public hearing at which the applicant must demonstrate good faith compliance with the terms and conditions of the DA. In order to demonstrate good faith compliance, the applicant has submitted a Developer Letter of Compliance (Exhibit 1) for the annual review for calendar year 2021.
ANALYSIS
During the review period, the Developer met regularly with City staff to ensure compliance with the Development Agreement and successful implementation of the project. During the review period, the Developer has been working with the City and its design and construction teams to prepare for work on Site A phase II. Exhibit 1 outlines actions taken by the Developer and the City during the period under review. The following sections of this report briefly summarize the major actions taken during the review period to implement the project and the provisions of the Development Agreement.
Infrastructure: Since approval of the Site A Development Plan in June 2015, APP has worked diligently on Phase I horizontal design, including infrastructure, and utility and public park development. Since 2015, APP and the Planning Board have completed the approvals necessary for the tentative map, the West Atlantic Design Review application, and the street names for all the side streets at Site A. The design process has included City staff, including the Department of Public Works, the Historical Advisory Board, the Recreation and Parks Commission, the Planning Board, AC Transit, the Bay Conservation and Development Commission (“BCDC”), the Regional Water Quality Control Board, and various utility providers, among others. During the review period, APP completed the sewer improvements, the storm water improvements and outfall, and commenced the construction of the new water system to support Site A.
Parks and Open Space: Phase I of the Site A development includes the Waterfront Park (phase 1) and the Neighborhood Park. Both parks are complete and open for public use. Waterfront Park phase 2 will be completed as part of Phase II of the Site A project.
Housing: Since approval of the Site A Development Plan in June 2015, APP, City staff, and the Planning Board have completed work on Blocks 6, 7, 8, and 9. Block 11 is due to begin construction in 2022. One hundred and thirty (130) affordable units are complete and occupied in two buildings on Block 8: a family building with 70 units, and a senior building with 60 units. Block 9, which is complete includes 200 market rate rental units. Blocks 6 and 7 include 122 market rate, for sale townhomes.
Transportation Demand Management (TDM): Per the Disposition and Development Agreement (DDA), the project is required to join the Alameda Transportation Management Association (ATMA). Site A is participating member of the ATMA. Assesments on the property fund transportation services for all of Alameda Point.
Ferry Terminal: DDA section 5.2 (b) requires that APP “cooperate with the City in the construction of a permitted and operating ferry terminal at Seaplane Lagoon including any necessary parking improvements.” APP paid $10,000,000 towards the costs incurred for the permitting, design and construction of the Seaplane Lagoon Ferry Terminal, which opened for service in 2021.
Proposed Project Changes and Amendments. In 2022, APP submitted a preliminary application to amend the Disposition and Development Agreement, Development Agreement and the Site A Development Plan to add additional housing in Site A Phase 2. In May, the City Council endorsed the proposed term sheet. The Planning Board will hold a hearing on the draft Development Plan and Development Agreement amendments in July.
Conclusion: During the review period, there has been on-going cooperation between the Developer and the City regarding all applicable aspects of the Site A project. Staff believes that the Developer has complied in good faith with the terms and conditions of the Alameda Point-Site A Development Agreement.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Annual review and reporting is not a project under the California Environmental Quality Act. No further environmental review is required under CEQA Guidelines section 15378 and Public Resources Code section 21065.
RECOMMENDATION
Approve the draft resolution (Exhibit 2) finding that the Developer, APP, has demonstrated good faith compliance with the terms and conditions of the Alameda Point Site A Development Agreement.
Respectfully submitted,
Andrew Thomas
Planning Building and Transportation Director
Exhibits:
1. Annual Report Letter from APP
2. Draft Planning Board Resolution