Alameda Planning Board Special Meeting - August 24, 2026

This was a special meeting of the Alameda Planning Board, held on Monday, August 24, 2026, at 7:00 PM. The primary agenda item was a public workshop (Item 5-A) to discuss the proposed interim venue for the Oakland Roots and Soul professional soccer clubs at 1150 & 1220 Harbor Bay Parkway. No decisions were made; the workshop served to present technical studies (noise, traffic, CEQA) and gather public and board feedback. The meeting also included approval of consent calendar items and staff/board communications.

Consent Calendar

• Item 4-A: Approved the draft meeting minutes from July 13, 2026, unanimously (motion carried).

Public Comments & Testimony

Seven speakers addressed the board, evenly split in support and opposition:

• John De Boer – Bay Farm resident of 20+ years, expressed strong support for the project, citing family-friendly entertainment, youth engagement, and community benefits.
• Harry Constantopolis – Business agent for Local 107 (stagehands union). Supported the project but requested inclusion in collective bargaining for labor at the venue.
• Ronald Canfield – Bay Farm resident of 40 years, opposed the project. He expressed concerns about noise, parking overflow into neighborhoods, late-night disturbances, and the location’s incompatibility with the residential community.
• Kathy Weber – Executive Director, Downtown Alameda Business Association. Supported the proposal, emphasizing economic benefits for local businesses and potential to attract visitors to Alameda.
• Roberto Lamas (likely) – A representative from the Alameda Chamber and Economic Alliance spoke in support, highlighting the team’s community engagement, absence of city subsidy, and the value of activating the practice facility as a gathering place.
• Joe Ernst – Resident, developer/investor in Harbor Bay Business Park, and board member of the business park. Strongly supported the project, citing economic development and the Roots’ track record as a community partner.

Discussion Items

Staff and Consultant Presentations

• Brian McGuire (Planner III) introduced the workshop and provided an update since the June workshop. Key developments: the project was referred to the Airport Land Use Commission (ALUC) and FAA; an open house on August 8 drew over 200 attendees; the club submitted additional application materials that morning.
• Lydia Tan (Chief Real Estate Officer, Oakland Roots & Soul) reviewed the club’s history, vision for a stable home, and community outreach efforts. She noted that FAA feedback required lowering proposed light poles by 14 feet to avoid airspace conflicts.
• Chris Dugan (ESA sound consultant) presented the noise analysis. The model assumed maximum simultaneous noise from spectators, drummers, and speakers (110 dBA at source). The closest residential receptor (1,100 feet away) was estimated at 54.5 dBA, just under the city’s 55 dBA exterior standard. Dugan emphasized that the project would comply with municipal code and general plan noise standards. He also noted that design features (speaker orientation, shielding by business park buildings) would further reduce impacts.
• Andy Kaczynski (Fehr & Peers traffic consultant) presented the Transportation Management Plan. Key elements: a shuttle service connecting to Coliseum BART and remote parking; 2,100 on-site parking spaces within the business park (plus remote lots along Hegenberger); traffic control officers at critical intersections; and measures to deter cut-through traffic on Bay Farm Island. Traffic analysis showed Level of Service C before games and E/F at two intersections immediately after games, but overall VMT impacts were found less than significant under CEQA.

Board Questions and Comments

• Board Member Hom asked about capacity (8,000 total, comprising 7,639 seats and field-level seating), the ALUC process and FAA interaction, and the status of parking agreements with adjacent property owners (to be secured via conditions of approval). He later suggested a photo simulation for lighting, a solid waste management plan, and a review of short-term noise standards.
• Board Member Sue questioned the parking demand/supply figures, clarifying that remote parking would only be used for sellouts; she emphasized the need for a detailed game-day operations plan and recommended shifting parking away from neighborhoods.
• Board Member Wang asked about the permanent vs. temporary nature of “local traffic only” signs and encouraged more aggressive use of remote parking and shuttles to reduce vehicle trips.
• Board Member Cisneros asked why traffic analysis did not extend to Island Drive/Doolittle; staff explained that the intersection at Harbor Bay and South Loop Road would meter traffic, limiting downstream impacts.

Key Outcomes

• No action taken on the proposed sports facility; this was a workshop to inform future decision-making.
• The board provided feedback to staff and applicants, including: further refine traffic management and parking plans; develop a comprehensive game-day operations plan; consider a solid waste/recycling plan; explore photo simulations for lighting; and continue engaging with the airport land use commission and FAA.
• Next steps: The ALUC is scheduled to meet in September to determine land-use compatibility. The planning board will likely consider the use permit and design review at a subsequent meeting (potentially in late September), after new board members are nominated by the City Council on September 1 and seated.
• Consent Calendar approved.
• Future meetings: September 14th will include a zoning update for Park/Webster Street commercial areas and a use permit for the Beach & Tennis Club. An appeal of a recent design review decision is scheduled for September 28th.