Alameda Planning Board Meeting - March 28, 2022

The Alameda Planning Board met on March 28, 2022, via Zoom. The board considered a tentative map for a condominium plan at 2350 Saratoga Street (Item 7A) and a design review amendment for a senior convalescent living facility at 1245 McKay Avenue (Item 7B). A public workshop on the Draft Housing Element Update (Item 7C) was continued to the next meeting on April 11, 2022. Minutes from two prior meetings were approved.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 7B public comment: One speaker (Ms. Reed, representing herself) opposed the design review amendment, arguing that a new environmental review should be conducted because the project changed from reuse to demolition, and noted a pending nomination to the National Register of Historic Places for the site. She also criticized the use of white stucco in a marine environment and stated the proposed buildings do not visually relate to each other.
• A second speaker expressed support for the project, citing the quality of design and the community's desire for a facility for elderly and medically fragile individuals, noting they voted for the project twice.

Discussion Items

• 7A - 2350 Saratoga Street Tentative Map: Staff (David Sablon) presented a proposal to divide an existing 4-story building into three commercial condominium units for financing purposes. No new units would be created. Board members asked about fire separation and the relationship between condominiumization and the city ordinance prohibiting sale of individual work/live units. Staff clarified that the three condominiums represent whole portions of the building, and tenants would rent individual units. No public comments were received.
• 7B - 1245 McKay Avenue Design Review Amendment: Staff (Henry Dong) and the applicant (Doug Biggs, Alameda Point Collaborative; Gary Struthers, architect) presented a revised design for a 61,300-square-foot, 101-unit senior convalescent living facility, replacing an earlier plan to rehabilitate an existing building. The new design features two courtyards, connections to the adjacent respite center, strong horizontal elements, simple stucco materials, and sustainability features targeting Green Point Rated Gold. Board members asked about laundry and trash facilities, window recesses, lighting plans, tree preservation, street lighting on McKay, a decorative gate, and buffers for ground-floor units. The architect noted that the site's existing parking is largely retained, and the building will be all-electric with potential solar panels. A tree inventory had been performed, with street trees preserved.

Key Outcomes

• 7A - Tentative Map (2350 Saratoga Street): Motion to recommend approval to the City Council passed unanimously (voice vote: all aye).
• 7B - Design Review Amendment (1245 McKay Avenue): Motion to approve with conditions passed 6-0 (Cisneros aye, Curtis aye, Hom aye, Rothenberg aye, Ruiz aye, Teague aye). Conditions included:
  • Applicant to provide and receive staff approval of a photometric lighting plan as part of building permit.
  • Staff to review building accent colors to ensure a more muted palette.
  • Applicant to explore a more decorative gate with potential integration of public art.
  • Reinforced heavy landscaping along McKay Avenue to buffer ground-floor units.
• Item 7C (Housing Element Workshop) continued to April 11, 2022.
• Minutes: January 24, 2022 minutes approved (Hom abstained) and February 14, 2022 minutes approved with corrections (vote unanimous).