Alameda Planning Board Meeting – March 12, 2026: Housing Element Annual Progress Report Review

The Alameda Planning Board met on March 12, 2026, to review the city’s 2025 annual progress report on the General Plan and Housing Element. The meeting included a consent calendar, public comments, and extensive board deliberation on housing production, pipeline projects, and potential policy adjustments to accelerate development.

Consent Calendar

• 4A – Draft Meeting Minutes (February 23, 2026): Approved with one abstention.
• 4B – Del Monte Development Agreement Annual Report: Approved with one abstention.
• 4C – Alameda Point Site A Development Agreement Update: Board member Hom asked about Block 11’s status; staff confirmed an economic force majeure extension applies to all of Site A. Approved after motion and second, no opposition.
• 4D – Boat Works Development Agreement Annual Report: Approved with no opposition.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Reverend Sophia DeWitt (East Bay Housing Organizations, resident at 1580 Buena Vista Ave): Expressed appreciation for the city’s efforts but noted that permitted units remain far below RHNA goals, especially for low‑income households. Urged continued focus on housing for the lowest income residents.
• Sean Murphy (Pacific Development, Alameda Marina): Highlighted the Foundry project (260‑unit apartment building) as the island’s only shovel‑ready project, noting that delays would harm housing production. Emphasized the project’s $10 million in impact fees and readiness to start construction in summer 2026.

Discussion Items

• Alameda 2040 General Plan & Housing Element Annual Progress Report (2025):
  • Staff presentation by Tristan Swear covered the report’s contents: RHNA cycle (2023‑2031), 22 housing programs, and 2025 permitting statistics.
  • Key data: In 2025, 65 building permits issued (down from 243 in 2024). ADUs accounted for 52 units; staff clarified that ABAG’s methodology assigns affordability breakdowns to ADUs (30% very low, 30% low, 30% moderate, 10% above moderate).
  • Staff explained the lag between applications, permits, and completions: 2024’s 243 permits resulted in 234 units finaled in 2025; 2025’s 65 permits reflect only 80 applications received in 2024. Applications in 2025 increased to 143, suggesting a potential uptick in future permits.
  • Board member questions and comments:
    • Board member Louise: Requested clarification that the North Housing project includes two manager units (total 109). Asked about the Mariner Square timeline; staff noted financing difficulties. Asked about South Shore, Foundry, and Block 11; staff confirmed no formal 2025 actions for those projects. Suggested tracking moderate‑income unit occupancy and adding a legend to tables.
    • Board member Hom: Questioned program 22 (mid‑cycle review) and asked about staff’s ongoing ordinance amendments (ADU condo conversion, short‑term rentals, inclusionary housing). Noted that the inclusionary housing ordinance is expected to return to the board in April. Requested clearer explanation of ADU affordability table.
    • Board member Wayne: Asked about short‑term rental ordinance timing; staff projected a study session later in 2026. Noted that the “R” in the permit table (rental) is a default for ADUs, not actual rental data. Called for more aggressive policy action beyond day‑to‑day streamlining.
    • Board member Sahaba: Asked why no SB 330 applications were received; staff cited economic conditions. Asked for early 2026 insights; staff expects continued slow pace but not a boom.
    • Board member Deweys: Recommended a nexus study or feasibility analysis of impact fees relative to neighboring cities. Suggested adding pipeline summaries to the report so council sees stalled projects. Supported the motion with requested edits.
  • Board members Wang and Hom advocated for temporary fee reductions, phased impact fees, and stronger city‑developer partnerships to finance projects.

Key Outcomes

• Motion to accept the annual progress report (with amendments: clarify manager units, add table legends, fix page numbers, and expand program 22 discussion to include potential housing‑facilitation measures).
• Motion passed with majority approval (no opposition noted; two board members absent).
• The corrected report will be presented to City Council on March 16, 2026 (the following Tuesday) and submitted to HCD by the April 1 deadline.
• Staff will continue work on inclusionary housing (targeting April board workshop) and short‑term rental ordinance (study session later in 2026).
• Board members expressed interest in exploring temporary fee waivers or reductions, similar to measures in San Jose, Oakland, and Redwood City, to spur stalled projects.