Alameda Planning Board Meeting - February 27, 2023

The Alameda Planning Board convened at 7:00 PM on Monday, February 27, 2023, in City Hall Council Chambers. The meeting included agenda changes, a discussion on board rules and procedures, a time extension for a hotel project, review of annual reports, and a discussion on objective design review standards. Several votes were taken, and a study session was scheduled for the next meeting.

Agenda Changes and Discussion

• The board voted to move Consent Calendar item 6A (Amending Planning Board Rules and Procedures) to the regular agenda and to move item 7A (Objective Design Review Standards subcommittee) to after item 7C. Motion passed unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Christopher Buckley (Alameda resident): Supported board member Curtis's comments on keeping the flag salute and recommended retaining a second oral communications period at the end of the agenda for public responses to earlier discussions.
• Rich Crinks (longtime resident, commercial real estate broker): Expressed strong support for the 1825 Park Street hotel project time extension, noting it will be a great addition to Park Street, especially after the Hawthorne Suites' conversion.
• John Frangulis (owner of Park Street Tavern): Thanked the board for past support during COVID-19 and urged approval of the hotel project, stating it will beautify the area and benefit nearby businesses.
• Kathy Weber (on behalf of Downtown Alameda Board of Directors): Urged approval of the design review extension, emphasizing the project's location in the North Park Street Gateway District and its potential to enhance the business district and inspire investment.
• Christopher Buckley (Alameda Architectural Preservation Society): Recommended that any subcommittee on objective design standards include Historical Advisory Board members, expand the Traditional Design Area to include North Park Street, and incorporate contextual standards for one- and two-unit projects.
• Betsy Matheson: Seconded Buckley's comments, emphasizing the importance of attractive rear yards and overall neighborhood character.

Discussion Items

• 6A - Amending Planning Board Rules and Procedures: Staff proposed a standardized agenda format recommended by the City Clerk. Board members discussed amendments: retaining the flag salute as a practice (listed above roll call but not as a separate agenda item), adding a second oral communications period at the end of the agenda, and automatically moving pulled minutes to the end of the regular agenda. Motion passed with these amendments.
• 7B - 1825 Park Street Hotel Design Review Time Extension: Staff presented a request to extend a previously approved design review for a 96-room, four-story hotel at the southwest corner of Park Street and Clement Avenue (former Ron Good Toyota site). The project was approved in 2019 but stalled due to COVID-19. Conditions of approval were updated to reflect current ADA, EV parking, and other requirements. The applicant, Paresh Patel, confirmed no concerns with updated conditions. Public speakers supported the extension. The board voted unanimously to adopt the resolution extending the design review approval.
• 7C - Review of 2022 Annual Reports (General Plan, Transportation Choices Plan, Vision Zero, Climate Action and Resiliency Plan): Staff presented annual reports and 2023 work plans. Highlights: Alameda was the first Bay Area city to adopt a certified housing element; 2,500 housing units built (above RHNA of 1,700), but affordable housing (533 units) fell short of goal (975). Transportation: two traffic fatalities in 2022, 13 severe injuries; safety improvements at 113 intersections; 75% of signals have leading pedestrian intervals. Climate: AMP provides 100% clean energy; remaining emissions 70% from transport, 27% from buildings; 2023 work includes updating greenhouse gas inventory, urban forest plan, EV charging expansion, and sea level rise adaptation projects (over $4 million in grants). Board members asked questions and offered comments on monitoring family-sized units, clarifying shared housing definitions, improving ferry parking and bus reliability, encouraging solar under NEM 3, and enhancing pedestrian access to Shoreline. No vote was taken; comments will be forwarded to City Council for March 21.
• 7A - Ad Hoc Subcommittee for Objective Design Review Standards: The board considered establishing an ad hoc subcommittee to direct revisions. Public comment recommended including HAB members and public observers. Board member Teague proposed instead having a full board study session at the March 27 meeting, with board members, staff, and the public submitting markup comments, then staff aggregating for a future action. Staff agreed. The board reached consensus to proceed with the study session approach without a subcommittee.

Key Outcomes

• Motion on Rules and Procedures (6A): Passed with amendments to retain the flag salute (listed above roll call), keep a second oral communications period, and automatically move pulled minutes to the end of the agenda. (Vote: 7-0)
• Motion on 1825 Park Street Hotel Time Extension (7B): Passed unanimously to adopt Resolution granting the time extension with updated conditions. (Vote: 7-0)
• Annual Reports (7C): No vote; board comments to be transmitted to City Council for their March 21 meeting.
• Objective Design Standards (7A): No motion; board agreed to hold a study session on March 27, 2023, where board members, staff, and the public can provide specific markup comments; staff will aggregate for a future action.
• Minutes: Approved for November 14, 2022 (with board member Cisneros abstaining) and December 12, 2022 (with board member Curtis abstaining).
• Future Meetings: The March 13 meeting likely canceled; March 27 scheduled for Objective Design Standards study session; April meeting to include subdivision ordinance study session.