Alameda Planning Board Meeting - March 9, 2020

The Alameda Planning Board met on March 9, 2020, at 7:00 PM in City Hall. Key actions included decisions on a waterfront park palm tree design, a self-storage facility, and the Phase II Alameda Marina Master Plan. One item was continued.

Consent Calendar

• Item 6-A: A public hearing to consider a finding of General Plan conformity for the disposition of real property at 2800 Fifth Street was approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Oral Communications: Mayor Marilyn Ashcroft addressed the board, thanking members for their volunteer work and noting the importance of the planning board's role.
• Item 7-C (continued): Jerry Cerventi, a commissioner on the Public Utilities Board, expressed support for the Alameda Municipal Power solar facility and thanked staff for the mitigated negative declaration. The item was continued to March 23, 2020.
• Item 7-B: Two speakers, Wayne Chin (homeowner) and Madeline Sadek (Chamber of Commerce), voiced support for the self-storage project at 2390 Mariner Square Drive.
• Item 7-D: No public speakers.

Discussion Items

• Item 7-A: Waterfront Park Design Review Amendment (Palm Trees) – The applicant, Alameda Point Partners, proposed planting six palm trees in the park. The board discussed aesthetic versus zero-waste concerns. After a presentation on palm tree waste solutions and design intent, a motion to not approve the palm trees passed 4-3. The board directed staff and the architect to select alternative trees.
• Item 7-B: Self-Storage at 2390 Mariner Square Drive – The applicant, Banner NorCal Developer, LLC, presented a revised design eliminating most glazing, adding landscaping, and reducing the impact of the retaining wall. The board approved the use permit and design review with conditions including additional street trees, a darkened sign, and employee transit passes, by a vote of 6-1.
• Item 7-D: Phase II Alameda Marina Master Plan – The applicant, Alameda Marina, LLC, presented plans for 182 townhouses, a waiver from the 100% visitability requirement, and the affordable housing plan. Extensive discussion covered site plan orientation (staff's alternate vs. applicant's original), parking reduction, universal design, and kitchen configurations. The board voted to remove condition #3 (staff's alternate site plan) and condition #4 (ten single-car garages) – the latter removed by a 6-1 vote. The main motion, approving the project with conditions including removal of ground-floor kitchens (or rough-in only), addition of windows to stair enclosures, equitable distribution of affordable units, and exploration of relocating HVAC condensers to roofs, passed unanimously.
• Item 7-E: Discussion of Veterans Administration Fuel Oil Plans – The board tabled this discussion because VA representatives were not present.

Key Outcomes

• Item 7-A: Palm trees not approved; alternative trees to be selected by staff and architect. Decision appealable within 10 days.
• Item 7-B: Project approved with conditions: additional street trees along Mariner Square Drive, sign lighting to be halo-lit (not backlit), employee transit passes (EasyPass) for all employees, and work with staff on landscaping and tree placement (avoiding gas lines). Vote: 6-1.
• Item 7-C: Continued to March 23, 2020.
• Item 7-D: Project approved with conditions: removal of condition #3 (alternate site plan) and condition #4 (ten single-car garages) – condition #4 removal passed 6-1; overall approval unanimous. Additional conditions: add windows to stair enclosures on roofs, remove or rough-in only the ground-floor kitchens in 22 units (to avoid creating separate dwelling units), work with staff on color variations and bay window details, equitable distribution of affordable units, and relocate HVAC condensers to roofs where feasible. The board noted the pedestrian bridge from the master plan was not included in this phase and asked staff to report back on its status.
• Item 7-E: Tabled.
• Staff Communications: The next meeting is March 23, 2020, with items including the solar facility, boat works, and a subdivision. The ADU ordinance update will be brought back for re-approval on consent.
• Board Communications: Concerns raised about trash bin staging in townhouse developments with back-to-back garage doors; staff encouraged to work with applicants on sensible locations.