Alameda Planning Board Meeting – January 22, 2024: Subdivision Ordinance Update and Zoning Amendments Discussed
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Alameda Planning Board Meeting – January 22, 2024: Subdivision Ordinance Update and Zoning Amendments Discussed
The Alameda Planning Board met on Monday, January 22, 2024, at 7:00 PM to consider a comprehensive update to the Subdivision Ordinance and proposed amendments to the Zoning Ordinance regarding reasonable accommodation, fences/barriers, and non-conforming buildings/uses. The meeting adjourned at 8:47 PM. All seven board members were present.
Consent Calendar
- 4-A, 4-B, 4-C: The board approved the draft meeting minutes for October 23, 2023, November 13, 2023, and December 11, 2023. Votes were taken individually with several abstentions by members who were absent for those meetings. All items passed (4-A: 5-0 with 2 abstentions; 4-B: 4-3 with 3 abstentions; 4-C: 6-1 with 1 abstention).
- 4-D (PLN21-0560 – 2331 North Loop, FAAS Shelter): The board voted 7-0 to continue this item to the February 12, 2024 Planning Board meeting for re-approval of a conditional use permit and interim design review for an indoor animal shelter and veterinary services.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Christopher Buckley (Alameda Architectural Preservation Society): Urged maintaining existing front-yard fence rules (three-foot solid, anything above three feet must be see-through). Recommended redefining "see-through" as at least 25% transparent to exclude translucent materials like plexiglass. Opposed changing the three-foot front-yard limit to four feet, arguing taller fences create a walled-off look.
- Betsy Matheson: Supported existing fence regulations. Expressed opposition to five-foot fences along frontages, even if see-through, but supported six-foot fences in backyards that form part of a street side for privacy and security.
Discussion Items
5-A: Comprehensive Update to the Subdivision Ordinance
Staff presented a proposal to streamline subdivision approvals, implement the 2023-2031 Housing Element, and conform to state law. The condominium conversion section was removed for further study. Board members asked clarifying questions about vesting tentative maps, contiguous lots, and ministerial approvals under SB 684. Staff confirmed the proposed table allows appeals to the Planning Board and potential call-for-review by City Council, except for parcel maps which stop at the Planning Board. The board voted 7-0 to recommend adoption to the City Council with a technical amendment to correct the resolution language.
5-B: Updates to the Zoning Ordinance – Reasonable Accommodation, Fences/Barriers, and Non-Conforming Buildings/Uses
Staff presented proposed changes, focusing on fence height regulations. Key points included removing hedge regulation (due to enforcement difficulty), reducing street-side yard fence height from six feet to four feet (with an extra foot allowed if see-through), and clarifying non-conforming use vs. building definitions. Board members discussed:
- Front-yard fence height: Three feet vs. four feet. Most preferred a three-foot baseline with a one-foot see-through extension, and a design review process for exceptions.
- Corner lots: Need to clarify where front yard ends and side/rear yard begins, possibly by tying fence height to building setback.
- Transparency definition: Consideration of 25% vs. 50% openness; safety concerns for toddlers (e.g., picket spacing).
- Non-conforming sections: Requested cleanup of the draft exhibit (red-line errors) and clarification on terms like "diligently pursued" and "increase in parking." Staff agreed to revise the ordinance incorporating board feedback and bring it back for a future meeting. No formal vote was taken; the item was continued.
Key Outcomes
- Subdivision Ordinance (5-A): Approved recommendation to City Council (7-0). Staff will make minor corrections to the resolution.
- Zoning Amendments (5-B): Continued for revision; staff will incorporate board input and return with a clean version. No vote taken.
- Consent Calendar: Minutes approved; FAAS shelter item continued to February 12, 2024.
- Other: Board member Areza requested staff evaluate updating the historic resources database (last surveyed in the 1970s) and explore state grant opportunities.
Meeting Transcript
At seven o'clock for the meeting of January 22nd, 2024. So at this point, let's start with the Pledge of Allegiance. And we have one of our board members that's gonna lead the pledge. Stand up. Yeah. And two public. One nation under God. Indivisible. Liberty and Justice for All. Okay, thank you. So staff, roll call. Yes, good evening, and happy new year. Um board member Sue. Here? Board Member Ruiz. Yeah. Board member board member Saheba. Present. Uh board member Cisneros. Here. Board Member Areza. Present. Board Member Wang. Here. And uh President Hom. Here. Okay, great. We have a full court. Mayor one's here. That's wonderful. So at this point, uh any agenda changes, either from board members or from staff. I know we're gonna pull one item off the consent calendar. But other than that, any other changes? Okay. If not, uh gender item number three is an opportunity for any members of the public to speak on non-agenda items. So you have three minutes to uh present and staff. Do we have anyone that's turning cards either here or um by Zoom? No non-agenda speakers at present, no hands raised. Okay, no no agenda speakers. Okay, so we're moving on to item four, and we have four consent items, but we're gonna pull item four D for a special vote because it's a continued item and we'll we need to uh take a vote to continue to date certain so the three agenda items are for A, for B, and for C, which are the uh draft meaning meeting minutes for October 22nd, November 13th, and December 11th, 2023. Are there any um amendments or questions from board members? Um I have to abstain for uh 4B. Okay, absent. Okay, uh I'll I'll need to abstain from 4C. That was not present, yes. Okay, okay. Any other abstentions? Um yeah, yeah, I'll probably need to abstain from 4A and 4B as well. 4A and 4B. Yeah, okay.
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