Alameda Planning Board Meeting – September 27, 2021

The Alameda Planning Board met on Monday, September 27, 2021, starting at 7:00 PM via Zoom. President Saheba presided. Board members present: Cisneros, Curtis, Hom, Rothenberg, Ruiz; Teague was excused. The board considered four regular agenda items: amendments to off-street parking regulations (eliminating minimums, adding EV requirements), a policy for naming city property and streets, the draft Climate Adaptation and Hazard Mitigation Plan, and staff recommendations for a two-year commercial streets work program (Park Street, Webster Street, parklets, Alameda Avenue closure, parking enforcement). The board also approved minutes from three prior meetings.

Consent Calendar

• There were no consent calendar items.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 7A – Parking Ordinance: Denise Trapnier (Bike Walk Alameda president) expressed strong support for the staff recommendations, aligning with neighboring cities. Debbie Ryan (CASA) also strongly supported the ordinance, emphasizing equitable EV charging and greenhouse gas reduction benefits.
• Item 7B – Naming Policy: Drew Gera Abrams (Calhoun Street resident) spoke in favor of a robust process for street renaming, noting a small number of streets (2-4) are likely candidates.
• Item 7C – Climate Adaptation Plan: No public speakers.
• Item 7D – Commercial Streets Program: Kathy Weber (Downtown Alameda Business Association executive director) urged continuation of the program as a lifeline for businesses. Ron Mooney (resident and business owner) supported the program, noted no recent complaints on Alameda Avenue, and emphasized the need for parking enforcement and a 20 mph speed limit.

Discussion Items

• 7A – Amending Alameda Municipal Code for Off-Street Parking (Section 30-2, 30-7): Brian McGuire presented staff's proposal to eliminate minimum parking requirements (except for disabled and EV) and set maximums, based on City climate and transportation goals. Key changes: maximum parking ratios (e.g., 1.5 spaces per dwelling unit), EV ready requirements (25% level 2 for multifamily, 10% installed for commercial), simplified bike parking, and maintaining disabled parking minimums based on the maximum allowed. Board members asked about disabled parking calculation, EV charger stringency vs. state code, parking stackers, and applicability to existing uses. After public comment, the board passed a unanimous motion (with amendments) to recommend the ordinance to City Council.
• 7B – City Council Policy for Naming City Property, Facilities and Streets: Alan Tai presented the updated policy with a new four-step public process, expanded criteria (diversity, inclusiveness), removal of pre-approved names list, and a new process for renaming existing facilities/streets requiring a petition (500 Alameda residents or 50%+1 property owners). Board members commented on thresholds, weight for affected residents (suggesting a veto by 2/3 of residents), renter inclusion, and cost transparency. No vote; comments to be forwarded to City Council.
• 7C – Draft Climate Adaptation and Hazard Mitigation Plan: Danielle Neiler presented the plan addressing natural hazards (earthquakes, sea level rise, flooding). Key points: 70% of soft-story buildings retrofitted, 63 remaining vulnerable (~1,000 units); planning for 3.5 feet sea level rise by 2070; FEMA eligibility. Board questions covered regional collaboration, supply chain resilience, private wells, feasibility of improving FEMA CRS rating (currently 8), and mandatory vs. incentivized seismic retrofits. No action; comments to inform final plan.
• 7D – Commercial Streets Two-Year Work Program: Rochelle Wheeler presented five program elements: restriping Park/Webster streets (retaining two lanes with turn pockets), parklet program (32 permits issued; proposed higher safety/aesthetic standards, concrete barriers, annual fees), return to pre-COVID parking enforcement (restoring 2-hour limits, resuming meter enforcement), maintaining Alameda Avenue closure until repaving (expected 2024), and letting the temporary use permit for private parking lots expire (November 1, 2021) with option for individual permits. Board discussed potential collisions, parking equity, survey demographics, and parklet fees. Comments to go to City Council.

Key Outcomes

• Item 7A – Adoption of Recommendation to City Council on Parking Ordinance: Motion by Board Member Hom, seconded by Curtis, passed unanimously (5-0, with Teague absent). Amendments included: clarify that exceeding parking maximum is an administrative use permit (zoning administrator level); clarify encroachment and stacking language; confirm that new requirements apply only to new or expanded parking facilities (not existing untouched lots); clarify that floor area excludes unenclosed balconies/garages; exempt ADUs from all parking and bicycle parking requirements; delegate parking lot lighting design review to administrative staff.
• Item 7B – No action taken. Comments on naming policy to be forwarded to City Council.
• Item 7C – No action taken. Comments on climate plan to be forwarded.
• Item 7D – No action taken. Comments on commercial streets program to be forwarded.
• Minutes Approval: Board approved draft minutes for June 28, 2021 (vote: 4-0-1, Hom abstained because absent), for July 12, 2021 (vote: 4-0-1, Ruiz abstained because absent), and for July 26, 2021 (vote: 5-0-0). Minor typographical corrections noted.
• Staff Communications: Upcoming meetings noted: October 11 (housing element workshop), October 25 (general plan draft). Board subcommittee meeting on housing element scheduled for Thursday, September 30.