Alameda Planning Board Meeting: June 28, 2021

The Alameda Planning Board met virtually on Monday, June 28, 2021 at 7:00 PM. The board considered a call for review of a variance for a single-family home on a narrow lot, a design review for a commercial building on Webster Street, and held a workshop on proposed amendments to off-street parking regulations. The meeting also included approval of minutes and board communications.

Agenda Changes

• Item 7-A (Board Elections) was moved to the July 26, 2021 meeting, pending the outcome of the City Council’s nomination of a mayor.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Non-agenda items: None.
• Item 7-B (910 Centennial Avenue): Roberta (neighbor) opposed the variance, citing concerns about fire safety (one-foot setback), loss of sunlight, mold issues, and the scale of the proposed 2,100+ sq. ft. home. She noted the fire chief had assured her a water wall could protect adjacent property. Zach Bowling spoke in support, stating the lot is zoned for housing and the constraints make development difficult. Philip Vagoni (property owner) explained the home is for his sister and family, and that he has owned the property for 100 years.
• Item 7-C (1929 Webster Street): Zach Bowling expressed strong support, citing the benefits of a neighborhood tavern near the Cross Alameda Trail and transit. Karan Patel (owner of the adjacent Roadway Inn) raised concerns about noise from the tavern operating until 2 a.m. and parking overflow onto his property. He stated he had not been contacted by the applicant.
• Item 7-D (Parking Amendments Workshop): Denise Trapigny (BikeWalk Alameda) and Drew Dara-Evans supported the elimination of parking minimums, citing climate goals, housing affordability, and mode shift. Zach Bowling also offered technical comments on EV charging standards.

Discussion Items

• 7-B – 910 Centennial Avenue: The board reviewed staff’s recommendation to uphold the Zoning Administrator’s approval of a variance and design review for a new two-story, 1,907 sq. ft. home on a 22-foot-wide lot. The variance would allow side setbacks of 3 feet (east) and 1 foot (west) instead of the required 5 feet, and a front yard setback of 14.5 feet instead of 20 feet. Staff found the lot’s narrowness an extraordinary circumstance and that the design was compatible with the neighborhood. Board members discussed fire safety, the removal of an avocado tree on the property line, and the potential to increase the garage setback from 1 foot to 2 feet. President Teague proposed a condition to require a minimum 2-foot setback for the garage wall. The motion passed 6-0.
• 7-C – 1929 Webster Street: The board considered a design review for a 6,210 sq. ft. restaurant and tavern building with a rooftop deck, intended to replace a vacant lot at the intersection of Webster Street and Atlantic Avenue. The project had already received a use permit and parking variance in 2020. The applicant presented updated designs emphasizing warm materials, a cantilevered canopy, and integration with the Cross Alameda Trail. Board members praised the architecture but criticized the proposed fence as inadequate. A condition was added requiring the developer to explore incorporating public art into the fence. The motion passed unanimously (6-0).
• 7-D – Parking Amendments Workshop: Staff presented draft amendments to Alameda Municipal Code Section 30-7, proposing to replace parking minimums with maximums, require EV charging infrastructure, establish transportation demand management (TDM) for large projects, and update bike parking standards. The amendments aim to implement the Climate Action and Resiliency Plan and Transportation Choices Plan. Board members offered diverse perspectives: some stressed the need to avoid unintended consequences (e.g., parking spillover into neighborhoods), others supported eliminating both minimums and maximums to let the market decide. Concerns were raised about equitable access for low-income residents, older adults, and people with disabilities. The discussion was for feedback only; no action was taken.

Key Outcomes

• 7-B – 910 Centennial Avenue: Motion to uphold the Zoning Administrator’s decision with an added condition to increase the garage wall setback from 1 foot to 2 feet. Approved 6-0 (Board Member Saheba absent).
• 7-C – 1929 Webster Street: Motion to approve the design review subject to conditions in the revised resolution, including a recommendation to work with the Arts Commission on the fence. Approved 6-0.
• 7-D – Parking Amendments: No action taken; workshop only. Staff will incorporate board feedback before returning with a final proposal for recommendation to City Council.
• Minutes: Draft minutes from May 10, 2021 were approved with amendments suggested by Board Members Ruiz, Hom, and Teague.
• Board Communications: The board discussed the upcoming City Council hearing on the housing element resolution. President Teague expressed disappointment that the planning board’s recommended resolution had been presented in strikeout format and that the staff report did not fully capture the board’s reasoning. Director Thomas clarified that the staff report included both the planning board’s version and staff’s own recommendation. The board agreed the matter would be debated by the City Council.