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Record of Proceedings

Alameda Planning Board Approves Corica Park Fire Tower Mural on May 13, 2024

Planning Board — Monday, May 13, 2024
BodyAlameda, California
SessionPlanning Board
DateMonday, May 13, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
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0:00

Alameda uh planning board meeting of May 13th, 2024.

0:05

And um we'll start with the Pledge of Allegiance, and board member Wang will lead us in the pledge.

0:15

Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States.

0:20

To the Republic for which it stands.

0:23

One nation under God Liberty Justice for all staff roll call.

0:36

Good evening.

0:38

Uh board member Sue.

0:40

Here.

0:41

Board member Ruiz.

0:42

Yeah.

0:43

Board Member Saheba.

0:44

Present.

0:45

Board Member Cisneros.

0:46

Here.

0:47

Board Member Ariza.

0:49

Here.

0:49

Board Member Wang.

0:51

Here.

0:51

And President Hom.

0:53

Here.

0:54

And I'd like to acknowledge that in addition to our esteemed staff that's present today that we do have our interim city attorney or acting city attorney available to answer any questions online.

1:06

Michael Rausch.

1:08

So welcome, Michael.

1:09

This I think this is the third meeting you've set in on.

1:13

So let's see with that.

1:15

We do have everyone's present, so we have a full board meeting tonight.

1:20

Okay.

1:20

Any agenda changes?

1:22

I assume not since we only have one item on the agenda.

1:25

Unless someone wants to cancel the item.

1:30

At this point, staff, uh this is an opportunity for anyone to speak for up to three minutes regarding any item that's not on the agenda.

1:40

So uh staff, do we have any speakers in the audience or online?

1:46

We have no speakers.

1:48

Okay, no speakers.

1:50

Okay, and we have no consent calendar items.

1:53

Uh so we'll move into item number five A, which is the regular agenda item, and we have just one item tonight, and is uh a design review application uh look for Koreca Park Golf Course, the fire tower beautification project.

2:12

And the uh applicant is Greenway Golf Associates for the city, and this is a public hearing to consider design review for the Koreca Park Golf Course Fire Tower beautification project.

2:25

So at this point, um staff um by uh has a presentation like staff or and then I I assume the the is the audience it's the artists in the audience is that I assume you look like artists.

2:40

So I'll let staff uh start off the presentation and then uh turn it over to the artists.

2:47

My my monitor is not working for some reason.

2:51

Oh yeah.

2:54

If we could get the studio staff to put up the presentation.

3:07

Well, I can just jump in while the presentation is loading.

3:10

Um good evening, I'm Steve Buckley.

3:13

Uh I worked on this uh presentation uh and worked with the applicant on getting this um app uh application to this point for you to consider tonight.

3:23

Um the um application.

3:27

Oh, down yeah.

3:30

The application is for a beautification project at the entryway to the golf course.

3:37

Um button.

3:40

Yeah, okay.

3:41

There we go.

3:42

Uh to beautify the abandoned uh fire department training tower at the entrance to the golf course.

3:47

Um the uh project is the result of a lease negotiation with the uh operator of the golf course, um the city and the operator um agreed in 2021 that uh this would be a uh uh piece of property that could be added to the lease uh premises and that the operator would be obliged to make some improvements there to beautify the site.

4:12

Um you've seen this before in 2022 and 2023.

4:17

Uh some prior concepts were presented.

4:19

Um in uh 2023 uh you had a conversation about the landscaping as well and approved in concept um the idea of some gravel and planter boxes and a new fence, and so those things are still in the plan, but we're not really discussing those tonight since those were kind of accepted as um the ground plane elements.

4:45

So we're really just talking about the mural on the tower.

4:48

Um Greenway has gone ahead and um come back with a new concept here.

4:54

Um looks like we have sort of an annual review that's sort of the the rhythm on this project.

5:00

So this is the third go around.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Art█████████████████████████████████████████████88%
Procedural██████12%
Summary of Proceedings

Alameda Planning Board Meeting Summary – May 13, 2024

The Alameda Planning Board held a public hearing on May 13, 2024, to consider a design review application for the Corica Park Golf Course Fire Tower Beautification Project. The project involves a mural wrapping all four sides of an abandoned fire training tower, along with landscaping and fencing to create a gathering space. The board unanimously approved the concept design and left the final color scheme to the artist's discretion, with guidance to use natural, cooler tones.

Consent Calendar

  • No consent calendar items were presented.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • No members of the public spoke during either public comment period.

Discussion Items

  • 5-A Design Review – Corica Park Fire Tower Beautification Project (PLN24-0167):
    • Staff (Stephen Buckley) presented the background: the project stems from a 2021 lease negotiation requiring the golf course operator (Greenway Golf Associates) to beautify the site. Previous concepts were reviewed in 2022 and 2023; the current proposal focuses on the mural, while landscaping elements (gravel, planter boxes, fence) were previously accepted.
    • The applicant (Local Edition Creative, represented by Terry and his partner) showed three color variations (A, B, C) of a topographical abstract mural. They explained that the existing plywood boards will be replaced with perforated metal grates before painting. A small shed and other elements will be removed; ladders and balconies will be painted over.
    • Board members expressed satisfaction with the overall design and discussed color preferences. Board Member Wang suggested leaving the color choice to the artist to avoid subjective debate. Others echoed this sentiment, though some favored specific schemes (A or B). The consensus was to approve the concept and recommend using natural, cooler tones, not overly bright.
    • Staff confirmed the project is not subject to the public art ordinance and that standard conditions for fire department access and water quality will be added.

Key Outcomes

  • Motion to approve the concept design (with recommendation to use natural, cooler colors as presented in variations A, B, or C, and leaving final selection to the artist) was moved by Board Member Ruiz and seconded by Board Member Wang.
  • Vote: 7-0 in favor (unanimous).
  • The resolution includes CEQA categorical exemption and conditions of approval.
  • The lease requires implementation within six months of approval; installation is expected by summer or fall 2024.
  • Staff also provided updates on recent design review approvals, the Alameda Point tour on June 1, and ongoing work on impact fees and the pro-housing designation.

Meeting Transcript

Alameda uh planning board meeting of May 13th, 2024. And um we'll start with the Pledge of Allegiance, and board member Wang will lead us in the pledge. Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States. To the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God Liberty Justice for all staff roll call. Good evening. Uh board member Sue. Here. Board member Ruiz. Yeah. Board Member Saheba. Present. Board Member Cisneros. Here. Board Member Ariza. Here. Board Member Wang. Here. And President Hom. Here. And I'd like to acknowledge that in addition to our esteemed staff that's present today that we do have our interim city attorney or acting city attorney available to answer any questions online. Michael Rausch. So welcome, Michael. This I think this is the third meeting you've set in on. So let's see with that. We do have everyone's present, so we have a full board meeting tonight. Okay. Any agenda changes? I assume not since we only have one item on the agenda. Unless someone wants to cancel the item. At this point, staff, uh this is an opportunity for anyone to speak for up to three minutes regarding any item that's not on the agenda. So uh staff, do we have any speakers in the audience or online? We have no speakers. Okay, no speakers. Okay, and we have no consent calendar items. Uh so we'll move into item number five A, which is the regular agenda item, and we have just one item tonight, and is uh a design review application uh look for Koreca Park Golf Course, the fire tower beautification project. And the uh applicant is Greenway Golf Associates for the city, and this is a public hearing to consider design review for the Koreca Park Golf Course Fire Tower beautification project. So at this point, um staff um by uh has a presentation like staff or and then I I assume the the is the audience it's the artists in the audience is that I assume you look like artists. So I'll let staff uh start off the presentation and then uh turn it over to the artists. My my monitor is not working for some reason. Oh yeah. If we could get the studio staff to put up the presentation. Well, I can just jump in while the presentation is loading. Um good evening, I'm Steve Buckley. Uh I worked on this uh presentation uh and worked with the applicant on getting this um app uh application to this point for you to consider tonight. Um the um application. Oh, down yeah. The application is for a beautification project at the entryway to the golf course. Um button. Yeah, okay.

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