Alameda Planning Board Meeting - April 26, 2021

On April 26, 2021, the Alameda Planning Board met via Zoom to consider three major items: an all-electric reach code for new construction, proposed amendments to the public art ordinance, and the scope of the Environmental Impact Report for the General Plan Update. The board unanimously recommended the all-electric reach code to the City Council, continued the public art item to its next meeting for further refinement, and received an update on the General Plan EIR process.

Consent Calendar

• No items were on the consent calendar.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 7B (All-Electric Reach Code): Ruth Abbey from Community Action for Sustainable Alameda (CASA) expressed full support for the ordinance. Ashley Rybacek (architect, AIA East Bay president) urged adoption, citing climate urgency. Christy Cannon asked about incentives for solar panels on commercial rooftops. Scott Schell (architect, principal at EHD) supported the ordinance, noting cost savings and health benefits of all-electric buildings.
• Item 7C (Public Art Text Amendments): Adam Gillett, chair of the Alameda Public Art Commission, spoke in support of the proposed amendments, emphasizing the need for efficient fund use and maintaining the 1% fee structure.
• Item 7A (General Plan EIR Scope): No public comments were made.

Discussion Items

• 7B – All-Electric Reach Code: Staff presented the ordinance requiring all new residential and non-residential buildings to be all-electric, with exceptions for projects with valid development agreements, commercial food preparation, emergency backup power, life sciences, and cases where electrification is not technically feasible. The ordinance also requires solar PV on 15% of roof area for high-rise residential and non-residential buildings. Staff noted that more than 40 California jurisdictions have adopted similar codes. The board discussed cost impacts, utility savings, and grid capacity. Board members expressed strong support, with some suggesting future incentives for existing buildings and clarification on remodels. The board voted unanimously (7-0) to recommend the City Council adopt the resolution of local findings and the all-electric ordinance, and to rescind Resolution 15607.
• 7C – Public Art Text Amendments: Staff proposed amendments to require developers to declare on-site art or in-lieu fee earlier in the process, allow the public art fund to be used for maintenance/conservation/deaccession of city-owned art, remove the nonprofit requirement for small cultural grants (under $2,000), and authorize the Public Art Commission to approve expenditures up to the City Manager's purchasing authority ($75,000). Board members raised concerns about the requirement to identify the location of on-site artwork at the planning approval stage, fearing it could burden developers and reduce flexibility. After extensive discussion, the board agreed to continue the item to the May 24, 2021 meeting to allow staff to refine the language to require location identification during design review rather than at initial planning approval, and to clarify that the public art fund is primarily for art on public property. The board also requested that the City Manager or designee be the authorized approver for expenditures. A motion to continue passed unanimously (7-0).
• 7A – General Plan Update EIR Scope: Staff updated the board on the EIR process, noting that the Notice of Preparation had been re-issued due to a procedural error during COVID-19, and the public comment period ends April 27, 2021. No additional comments were received at the meeting. The board’s role is to review the scope of the EIR, not the General Plan content. A future joint meeting with the Transportation Commission on May 10, 2021 was announced.

Key Outcomes

• Item 7B: Unanimous vote (7-0) to recommend City Council adopt the resolution of local findings, the all-electric ordinance, and rescind Resolution 15607. The ordinance will be submitted to the California Energy Commission and is expected to take effect in July or August 2021.
• Item 7C: Continued to May 24, 2021 meeting. Staff will revise the ordinance to require location identification during design review, clarify fund use for public property, and specify that the City Manager or designee approves expenditures up to the purchasing authority.
• Item 7A: No action taken; the board will receive updates on the EIR as the process continues.
• Minutes: The March 8, 2021 meeting minutes were approved with corrections (7-0).
• Staff Communications: A project (PLN2005-41, 910 Central Avenue) was pulled for future review. The next regular meeting on May 10, 2021 will be a joint meeting with the Transportation Commission.