Alameda Planning Board Meeting - March 23, 2026

The Alameda Planning Board met on Monday, March 23, 2026, at 7:00 PM (adjourned at 9:32 PM) to consider three major agenda items: a use permit amendment for the USS Hornet Museum, a temporary use permit for electric vehicle storage at 1521 Buena Vista (National Terminals), and a development plan amendment for the Radium Theater. The meeting also included non-agenda public comments and a consent calendar that was carried over due to lack of quorum. All three main items were approved with votes of 3-0 (with two absences) after public hearings and deliberation.

Consent Calendar

• The consent calendar was carried over to the next meeting because the board lacked a quorum to move the item.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Non‑Agenda Public Comments: Dr. Ron Suarez, a new Alameda resident, spoke in favor of repurposing abandoned buildings at the former naval air base for decentralized micro data centers powered by solar panels. He emphasized the importance of promoting local businesses and educational opportunities for youth, referencing his own background in programming and AI.
• Public Comments on Item 5B (1521 Buena Vista):
  • Alison Green (in person) opposed the use permit, citing concerns about increased truck traffic, noise, and safety for pedestrians, children, and pets in the residential neighborhood. She argued that the notification period was insufficient and that the plan was not ready for approval.
  • Cindy Johnson, on behalf of Bike Walk Alameda, requested that the project include dedicated pedestrian and bicycle access improvements to avoid conflicts between pedestrians and trucks after the closure of the existing driveway at Fortman Marina.
  • Kim Cadle (resident) urged the board to ensure all three blighted buildings (including the main boarded‑up building) are demolished and expressed concerns about fire risk from storing up to 1,000 electric vehicles in a small footprint.
• Public Comments on Item 5C (Radium Theater):
  • Tara Pilbro (Executive Director of West End Arts District, Radium board member, and working artist) spoke in strong support, emphasizing the desperate need for a performing arts venue in Alameda and the project’s symbolic and catalytic value for the arts community and Alameda Point.
  • Brent Saldana (attorney and Radium board member, Alameda resident) described the project as transformational for the city, providing professional‑quality performance space, attracting audiences, and benefiting youth arts programming.
  • Nick Winkworth (local resident) expressed excitement about the project’s potential to accelerate revitalization of Alameda Point, bring people and businesses, and generate revenue to maintain historic buildings.

Discussion Items

• Item 5A: Use Permit Amendment for USS Hornet Museum (707 West Hornet Avenue)

  • Staff presented a summary of the proposed amendment, which updates the 2021 permanent use permit to address safety concerns raised after special events. Key changes include: deferring maximum occupancy (currently 660) to the building official and fire department, requiring annual inspections, establishing operational requirements for overnight stays (e.g., Boy Scout events), lowering the special event permit threshold, and allowing up to six helicopter landings per year (subject to other agency approvals). The amendment also removes outdated provisions (e.g., fireworks, operating hours). Staff recommended approval.
  • Board member Sue asked clarifying questions about the removal of hours of operation and fireworks conditions; staff explained that hours were removed because events occur outside traditional hours, and fireworks were eliminated because they were launched beyond city limits.
  • No public speakers. The board moved to approve the amendment as proposed by staff. Motion carried unanimously (3-0, two absences).

• Item 5B: Temporary Use Permit for 1521 Buena Vista (National Terminals) – Electric Vehicle Storage

  • Staff (Steve Buckley) and applicant (Michael Harup, Tim Lewis Communities) presented the request for a two‑year interim use permit to store up to 700–1,000 electric vehicles on a 23‑acre site awaiting development of a master‑planned housing project (500+ units, including 80 affordable). The site is currently vacant and blighted with trespassing and vandalism. The proposal includes demolition of three buildings, closure of an existing driveway, and creation of a new driveway to improve safety at the Fortman Marina intersection. Staff recommended approval with conditions limiting truck traffic to 8 AM–4 PM, a 200‑foot buffer from Clement Avenue, and other operational constraints.
  • The applicant requested changes to several conditions: allowing activity on non‑tidelands portions of the site before the tidelands lease amendment is secured; extending operating hours to 8 AM–6 PM (with up to five deliveries outside that window per week); reducing the 200‑foot buffer to 50 feet; and allowing mid‑block access during construction.
  • Board members discussed concerns about truck traffic, pedestrian/bike safety, hours of operation, the buffer, and fire risk. Board member Sue noted the difficulty of enforcing a daily truck limit. Board members generally favored keeping the 8 AM–4 PM hours and a 50‑foot buffer, and supported adding a condition for public works to address pedestrian and bike access. Staff clarified that fire risk from EV storage is not considered a significant hazard under current codes.
  • After public comment, the board approved the use permit with modifications: (1) condition 1 and 2 revised to allow phased use on non‑tidelands before lease amendment; (2) condition 7 allows a separate two‑week ramp‑up period for the tidelands parcel; (3) condition 8 keeps hours 8 AM–4 PM, with extenuating circumstances requiring planning director approval; (4) condition 9 reduces the buffer to 50 feet; (5) condition 11 allows mid‑block access until Fortman improvements are completed; (6) added condition for public works permit to include pedestrian and bike access improvements. Motion carried (3-0, two absences).

• Item 5C: Development Plan Amendment for Radium Theater (2151 Ferry Point Way)

  • Staff (Brian McGuire) and applicant (Christopher Sewald, Leslie Cliff, James Lorde) presented the amended development plan for a 35,000‑square‑foot performing arts center (550 seats, two stories with restaurant, rooftop bar, cafe, and public plaza) on the seaplane lagoon taxiway. The project has been refined over two years with input from the Historic Advisory Board and Planning Board, including shifting the building west to preserve a 40‑foot view corridor from the Naval Air Museum, adding a new north‑south street with a chicane for traffic calming, and integrating stormwater management. The plan includes an interim parking lot. Staff recommended approval, finding the project consistent with CEQA and the Secretary of Interior Standards.
  • Board members praised the careful site planning, view corridor preservation, and the potential to catalyze Alameda Point. No substantive opposition. Board member Sahiba asked about the scope of work east of the Naval Air Museum; staff clarified that the landscape plan is conceptual and will be refined during future design review and parcel map stages. Board member Sue asked about parking; staff noted that the interim lot will serve for an extended period, with city‑owned lots planned per the TDM program.
  • After public comment, the board unanimously approved the development plan amendment. Motion carried (3-0, two absences).

Key Outcomes

• Item 5A (USS Hornet Museum): Approved the use permit amendment (PLN2501618) as recommended by staff. The motion carried 3-0 (two absences).
• Item 5B (1521 Buena Vista – EV Storage): Approved the temporary use permit (PLN25017) with modifications to hours (8 AM–4 PM), buffer (50 feet), phased use allowances, and a requirement for public works to address pedestrian/bike access. The motion carried 3-0 (two absences).
• Item 5C (Radium Theater): Approved the development plan amendment (PLN25019) with findings of CEQA compliance. The motion carried 3-0 (two absences). The project will next go to City Council for ground lease and purchase option approval, then return for design review and tentative parcel map.
• Future Meetings: Staff reported that the inclusionary zoning ordinance will return on April 13, 2026, and the Park Station use permit appeal will be heard by City Council on May 5, 2026. The board also discussed the election of a new president, likely in July 2026.