Alameda Planning Board Meeting – June 22, 2020

The Alameda Planning Board met on June 22, 2020, at 7:00 PM (agenda time) via teleconference due to the COVID-19 emergency. The board approved a temporary outdoor use permit on consent, granted two cannabis retail dispensary use permits (one on Park Street, one on Webster Street), and recognized outgoing board member Jeffrey Kavanaugh. President Ron Curtis also stepped down, handing the virtual gavel to Vice President Alan Teague. Note: The transcript timestamp indicates 15:15 UTC (8:15 AM PDT), which conflicts with the agenda's 7:00 PM start time; this discrepancy is recorded but not resolved.

Consent Calendar

• Item 6-A – Conditional Use Permit for Temporary Outdoor Commercial Use During COVID-19: Approved unanimously (7-0) after a public hearing was opened and closed with no speakers. The permit allows temporary use of privately owned outdoor spaces, parking lots, city sidewalks, and on-street parking in commercially zoned districts. All received correspondence was in favor. The staff confirmed the public hearing requirement was met.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 7-B (1222 Park Street): No public speakers during the hearing, but written comments from the Alameda Business Association expressed support. Board member Rothenberg raised concerns about proximity to Jackson Park and potential cannabis litter; the applicant and staff addressed the distance requirements and security protocols.
• Item 7-C (1616 Webster Street): No public speakers during the hearing. A pre-recorded video from community supporters (including the UFCW union and local business leaders) highlighted the applicant's local roots and community investment.

Discussion Items

• Item 7-A – Development Agreement Annual Reports: Continued to July 27, 2020; no discussion.
• Item 7-B – Use Permit for Park Social, LLC (1222 Park Street): Applicant proposed a cannabis retail dispensary with off-site delivery in a former diner space. Key points: no on-site consumption (condition #1 prohibits a smoking lounge), interior modifications with a lobby and VIP education area, and window screening for the sales area. The board discussed security, shoulder-tapping prevention, and the applicant's plan to maintain transparency on the left side of the facade. The use permit was approved 6-1 (Board Member Rothenberg dissenting).
• Item 7-C – Use Permit for Alameda Patients Group (1616 Webster Street): Applicant proposed a cannabis retail dispensary with off-site delivery. The board discussed window screening, delivery logistics, hours of operation, and concentration of dispensaries (Main Street Supply is 500 feet away). Board Member Ruiz moved to restrict hours from 7 AM–9 PM to 9 AM–9 PM to align with the nearby school (Island High). The board voted 4-3 against the hour restriction (yes: Ruiz, Rothenberg, Hom; no: Kavanaugh, Sahaba, Teague, Curtis). The main motion to approve the use permit with the original 7 AM–9 PM hours passed 6-1 (Board Member Ruiz dissenting).

Key Outcomes

• Item 6-A: Consent calendar approved unanimously (7-0).
• Item 7-B: Use permit for 1222 Park Street approved 6-1 (Rothenberg nay). Conditions include prohibition of a smoking lounge, adherence to the good neighbor policy, and staff review of window screening.
• Item 7-C: Use permit for 1616 Webster Street approved 6-1 (Ruiz nay). Hours remain 7 AM–9 PM. A subsequent motion to revise hours to 9 AM–9 PM failed 4-3.
• Board Leadership Transition: President Curtis stepped down; Vice President Teague assumed the presidency. The board adopted a resolution honoring outgoing board member Jeffrey Kavanaugh for his service since 2017.
• Staff Communications: The June 22 meeting was the last before a summer break. The next meeting is scheduled for July 27, 2020. Staff noted that the next RHNA cycle (2023–2030) will require Alameda to plan for 3,500–4,000 housing units, nearly double the previous allocation, and that the City Council is considering a ballot measure to repeal Section 26-1 of the city charter (the multifamily housing prohibition).