Alameda Planning Board Meeting - September 26, 2022

The Planning Board convened on Monday, September 26, 2022, at 7:00 PM via Zoom. The meeting included a reordered agenda to first conduct board elections, then consider a tentative map for the Oakland Inner Harbor Tidal Canal, and finally deliberate on the General Plan Housing Element and associated zoning amendments. The board unanimously approved elections for new officers, recommended approval of the tentative map, and after a series of amendments, unanimously recommended the Housing Element and zoning amendments to the City Council.

Consent Calendar

• No items were listed on the consent calendar.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Jeff Peterson (Save Alameda Recreation): Expressed support for the Housing Element in its current form, emphasizing the need to preserve outdoor recreation space as housing increases.
• Betsy Matheson (individual stakeholder): Supported increased residential development but opposed buildings taller than three stories in existing neighborhoods, warning of speculation and loss of affordable housing.
• Unnamed speaker (public comment): Called for more equitable distribution of affordable housing (noting concentration on the west end) and recommended splitting retail from commercial uses in mixed-use districts.
• Drew Dara Abrams (east end resident): Supported the Housing Element and urged retention of proposed height limits and densities near transit, while also suggesting future adjustments to setbacks, lot coverage, and other parameters.
• Paul Foreman (public comment): Argued that the board could delay approval without penalty, citing an addendum stating the real deadline is May 31, 2023. He urged the board to base its decision on whether the plan is a good land-use plan.
• Christopher Buckley (Alameda Architectural Preservation Society – AAPS): Clarified that AAPS does not oppose all of Program 4 but proposed limiting density within existing buildings to four units plus ADUs. He also requested height limits on historic portions of Park and Webster Streets.
• Madeline Sadek (Alameda Chamber of Economic Alliance): Urged the board to approve the Housing Element to move it to the City Council, representing 11,780 workforce voices.

Discussion Items

• Agenda Reorder (7:03 PM): Board Member Teague proposed and Vice President Ruiz seconded a motion to reorder the regular agenda to 7C (Board Elections), 7B (Tentative Map), then 7A (Housing Element). The motion passed unanimously (7-0).
• Item 7C – Board Elections (7:05 PM): Board Member Teague nominated Board Member Ruiz for President and Board Member Hom for Vice President. Board Member Curtis seconded. The motion passed unanimously (7-0).
• Item 7B – Tentative Map No. 8570 (Oakland Inner Harbor Tidal Canal) (7:10 PM): Andrew Thomas, Planning Director, presented a staff recommendation to approve a tentative map dividing a portion of the canal into seven parcels (six for sale to property owners, one city-owned). The map includes scenic, emergency management, and public access easements. Public comment: none. The board discussed property owner responsibilities for seawalls and BCDC coordination. A motion to approve the draft resolution passed unanimously (7-0).
• Item 7A – General Plan Housing Element and Zoning Amendments (7:35 PM): Andrew Thomas presented the Housing Element, noting that HCD had provided a positive preliminary review. He emphasized that the plan meets state requirements and that Program 4 (zoning amendments) is critical for fair housing. Public comment was heard (see above). The board then deliberated amendments:
  • Motion to split the action into two parts (Housing Element and Zoning Amendments): Passed unanimously (7-0).
  • Housing Element amendments proposed by Board Member Teague (Program 5: add bullet to explore reducing development constraints; Program 7: modify modification language; Program 13: add distribution of tenant protections info; update diagrams). Passed unanimously (7-0).
  • Motion to recommend the Housing Element with amendments: Passed unanimously (7-0).
  • Zoning amendments proposed by Board Member Teague (limit adaptive reuse to 1–4 units in residential districts, permit more in non-residential; allow ADUs in habitable space; correct typos). After discussion, the board agreed to allow discretionary review for more than four units. The motion passed unanimously (7-0).
  • Motion to recommend the Zoning Amendments as amended: Passed unanimously (7-0).

Key Outcomes

• Board Elections: Ruiz elected President, Hom elected Vice President (unanimous).
• Tentative Map (Item 7B): Approved recommendation to City Council (unanimous). The City Council will consider the map in November 2022.
• Housing Element (Item 7A): Planning Board recommended approval to City Council with amendments (unanimous). The City Council hearing is scheduled for November 15, 2022.
• Zoning Amendments (Item 7A): Planning Board recommended approval to City Council with amendments (unanimous). The amendments include: capping adaptive reuse at four units in residential districts (with discretionary review for more), allowing ADUs in habitable space, correcting typos, and updating transit-related maps.
• Minutes Approval: The board approved meeting minutes for May 23, June 13, June 27, and July 11, 2022 (with abstentions for members not present at those meetings).
• Future Meetings: Staff announced that the October 10, 2022 meeting will include the Housing Element maps, a wireless design review, and an Alameda Landing community building item. The October 24, 2022 meeting is tentatively cancelled.