Alameda Planning Board Meeting - December 12, 2022

The Alameda Planning Board met on December 12, 2022, at 7:00 PM via Zoom to approve the 2023 meeting schedule, consider a 90-townhome development at 2015 Grand Street under SB 330, and recommend adoption of an updated Street Classification Appendix to the General Plan. The board also approved meeting minutes and heard public comments on traffic, design, and environmental concerns.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the 2023 Planning Board Regular Meeting Schedule (motion passed 6-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 7-A (2015 Grand Street): Karen Lee expressed concerns about traffic congestion and lack of play areas for children. Christopher Buckley (Alameda resident) recommended using London plane and Brisbane box trees to conform with the city's Master Street Tree Plan, noting high voltage lines should not preclude street trees on Grand Street. Pamela Miller (area resident) reported persistent petroleum odors from the site, questioned the adequacy of soil remediation, and criticized the project's density as out of scale with the neighborhood.
• Item 7-B (Street Classification Appendix): Sandra Wong (Clement Avenue resident) raised safety concerns about Clement becoming a truck route, citing narrow road width, difficulty for cars to pass, and pedestrian hazards for children crossing to the park.

Discussion Items

• Item 7-A: PLN22-0127 - 2015 Grand Street (Trumark Homes): Staff planner David Sablan presented the project for a 4.14-acre site: 90 townhomes with 5 ADUs, extension of Clement Avenue, widening of Hibbert Street, and construction of the Cross Alameda Trail segment. The project is subject to SB 330, requiring review against objective development standards in effect March 2022. The applicant (Garrett Hinds, Trumark) and architect (David Burton, KTGY) presented design details, including two architectural styles and three gathering spaces. Board members questioned:
  • Street tree spacing and species (power line conflicts, alignment with Master Street Tree Plan).
  • Compliance with objective standard 2A5 (facade articulation): Style A uses different stucco finishes rather than a distinct material change; Style B left elevation lacks a material change and wrap-around base.
  • Traffic signal requirements at Clement and Grant (stop sign recommended initially due to bike lane conflict, with future signal if volumes increase).
  • Gathering spaces, bioretention areas, and garage-side aesthetics.
  • No community room; roof decks provide private open space. The board expressed support for the project but required conditions to bring it into objective compliance.
• Item 7-B: Street Classification Mobility Element Appendix: Consultant Susie Hofstetter (Fehr & Peers) presented the update, which supports Vision Zero and aligns with the active transportation plan. Classifications include Main Street, Gateway, Business Commercial, Neighborhood Connector, and Neighborhood Local. Transit and truck route overlays were shown (Clement Avenue remains a truck route). Board member Hom asked about pedestrian and sidewalk standards; staff clarified the active transportation plan provides detailed guidance. The board requested adding a paragraph referencing sidewalk standards from that plan.

Key Outcomes

• 2015 Grand Street project: Approved (6-0) with conditions:
  1. Add London plane and Brisbane box trees to the street tree palette.
  2. For Style A: Provide a different material at the base (not just stucco variation) with a one-inch depth change as required by objective standard 2A5.
  3. For Style B: Ensure the base material wraps around the building consistently, including the left (Hibbert Street) elevation.
• Street Classification Appendix: Voted to recommend adoption to the City Council (6-0) with the addition of a paragraph on pedestrian/sidewalk standards referencing the active transportation plan.
• Minutes: Approved the September 26, 2022 draft minutes with a correction (adding