Alameda Planning Board Meeting – April 27, 2020

The Alameda Planning Board met on Monday, April 27, 2020 at 7:00 PM to consider a consent calendar, a proposed residential development and tentative map, approve prior meeting minutes, and receive staff communications. The meeting was held via teleconference during the COVID-19 shelter-in-place order.

Consent Calendar

• Street Naming for Alameda Landing Waterfront Residential Development (2800 Fifth Street): The Board held a public hearing and unanimously approved eleven street names chosen from the Official Street Names List, consistent with City Council Street Naming Policy. The motion passed by roll call vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Sylvia (call-in): Expressed concern about congestion and crowding in the area if more homes were added at Santa Clara and Broadway.
• Unnamed caller: Strongly protested building 15 units on the small parcel, citing existing traffic congestion, stop sign runners, and reduced quality of life.
• Dan McDonald (resident): Asked that the hearing be postponed because the public could not review file materials during the coronavirus shelter-in-place order, arguing the notice and hearing process was inadequate.
• Anisa Dominguez (resident at 1514 Broadway): Objected to the proposed development, citing lack of neighbor notification, loss of outdoor space, privacy, parking, noise, and construction disruption.
• Chris Freck: Expressed serious concerns about process transparency, insufficient notice, lack of public access via Zoom, missing turn lane, density mismatch, property management compliance, safety, and disingenuous open space planning.
• Sally Galini (resident): Voiced concerns about loss of tennis/basketball courts used by children, parking, construction access and safety, noise, tenant displacement, and health risks during COVID-19.
• Anisa Dominguez (second comment): Reiterated objections about loss of outdoor space, privacy, parking, and disruption, preferring to keep the open area for community use.
• Florida Gamble: Expressed support for the project, asking to proceed with as many units as possible.
• Lupe Martin (resident at 2621 Santa Clara): Submitted strong opposition to new construction behind her property, stating the area is already saturated with multi-unit dwellings and single-family homes.

Discussion Items

• Development Plan and Tentative Map No. 8534 – 2607–2619 Santa Clara Avenue & 1514–1518 Broadway (Applicant: Branagh Land Inc.): Staff presented the proposal to construct four new single-family dwellings and subdivide the 1.29-acre property into 15 lots. The site currently has 11 existing buildings (5 single-family homes, 3 duplexes, 1 triplex, 2 fourplexes) totaling 22 units. The plan would create 26 total units on-site, with 30 parking spaces (a one-to-one ratio plus four additional spaces). The project requires customized development standards for setbacks, parking, and open space under the Planned Development overlay. Staff recommended approval, subject to the planned development findings.

  Board members asked extensive questions about pedestrian access, the rationale for the PD overlay, deviations from base zoning standards, the definition and usability of open space, common vs. private open space allocations, fire truck access and turning radius, driveway widths, parking adequacy, tenant displacement protections, and maintenance of private roads and common areas. Applicant Lisa Vilhauer and staff (Henry Dong, Andrew Thomas) responded, noting flexibility for selling individual lots, adherence to all rental ordinances, and potential for design adjustments.

  During deliberation, board members expressed consensus that the density (four new units) was acceptable, but the site plan was problematic due to excessive paving, poor-quality open space, tight setbacks, pedestrian safety concerns, and questionable usability of common areas. Several members suggested alternative configurations, such as walk-up duplexes or reduced paving. Rather than denying the application, the Board voted unanimously to continue the item to a future unspecified date to allow the applicant and staff to revise the site plan and address the identified issues.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar: Approved unanimously (street naming for Alameda Landing).
• Item 7-A (Development Plan & Tentative Map): Continued to a future date. The Board directed staff and the applicant to return with an improved site plan addressing open space distribution, pedestrian access, driveway/circulation, fire access, and excessive paving. The motion passed unanimously by roll call vote.
• Minutes: The draft minutes from February 10, 2020 were approved unanimously.
• Staff Communications: Staff reported recent design review approvals and provided an update on construction enforcement during the COVID-19 health order. The next Planning Board meeting is scheduled for May 11, 2020, with a possible cancellation of the May 28, 2020 meeting.