Alameda Planning Board Meeting - October 10, 2022

This meeting of the Alameda Planning Board on October 10, 2022, included a workshop on the draft Active Transportation Plan and a public hearing on a Dish Wireless facility at 916 Union Street. The board also considered an agenda change to move the workshop item earlier. The transcript ends during the 7A discussion, so no decisions on that item or later items (7B, 7C) are documented.

Agenda Changes

• The board voted 6-0 to move Item 7D (Active Transportation Plan workshop) to the first agenda item to allow for public comments.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 7D (Active Transportation Plan): Cindy Johansson commented on the draft plan, suggesting specific performance measures with targets and dates, and recommended a mode shift goal of 20% of trips by walking and biking by 2030. She noted the plan's lack of measurable targets and recommended revisiting the mode shift goal.
• Item 7A (916 Union Street - Dish Wireless): Several residents spoke in opposition. Devin Westerholm questioned whether the applicant had adequately proven that no alternative sites (e.g., Alameda High School, South Shore Shopping Center) were available. Diane Clark expressed concern about health risks and the structure facing her windows. Matt Reed pointed out incomplete application documents, including the RFEME report (antenna count discrepancy) and lack of analysis on tree impact. Adrian Lack of that noted the proximity to a historic building and that the city's guidelines discourage residential siting. John Cabellus asked why the Mastic Center location was not scrutinized and whether co-location by other carriers would be allowed.

Discussion Items

• 7D - Active Transportation Plan Workshop: Staff announced the draft plan is available for review and comment until October 23, 2022, at www.activealameda.org. No board action was taken; it was a workshop to gather input.
• 7A - 916 Union Street - Dish Wireless: Staff presented a design review for a 13-foot-tall, 64-square-foot penthouse to conceal six antennas on a four-story apartment building. The project is subject to a 90-day FCC shot clock ending November 15, 2022. The site is in a residential area, which is the least preferred location per city guidelines. Staff noted the applicant's difficulty in finding alternative sites due to the hospital ending leases. The board discussed design compliance, barriers for RF safety, and the limited scope of local authority. Public comments raised concerns about incomplete documentation, antenna count, tree damage, and historical designation. The transcript ends during board member Teague's questioning about the RFEME report and potential approval conditions.

Key Outcomes

• The agenda change to move Item 7D to the first item was approved unanimously (6-0).
• No decision was reached on Item 7A (916 Union Street) as the transcript concludes during the discussion. The board did not vote on the design review application.
• Items 7B (Housing Element zoning map amendments) and 7C (2800 Fifth Street - Pulte Homes) were not reached in the available transcript.