Alameda Planning Board Meeting – July 22, 2024

The Alameda Planning Board held a public hearing to consider a design review application for a 10,000-square-foot pre-engineered metal warehouse addition to the existing Alameda Food Bank building at 677 West Ranger Avenue. The project also includes renovation of the existing 9,000-square-foot building, site landscaping, and parking improvements. The board unanimously approved the design review with conditions related to pedestrian safety coordination with a neighboring Head Start program and modifications to the building's color scheme to visually distinguish the existing and new structures.

Consent Calendar

• Draft Meeting Minutes (June 10, 2024): Approved with 4 votes in favor, 2 abstentions, and 1 absent.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Lynn Moore Kerr (Division Director, Head Start program at Alameda Family Services, located at 670 West Midway): Expressed concern about traffic flow and pedestrian safety for children and families using the alleyway adjacent to the proposed parking lot. Noted that 12 staff and 48 children ages 0–5 are served daily. Requested accommodations to ensure safety.
• Catherine Schwartz (Executive Director, Alameda Family Services): Echoed safety concerns and formally requested that the board consider alternatives to protect children during drop-off and pick-up times.

Discussion Items

• Staff Presentation (Steve, Planning Department): Reviewed the project context within the NAS Alameda Historic District (non-contributing site), the previously approved development plan, and the refined site plan that reduced parking but improved circulation and landscaping. Noted updated conditions of approval from Public Works, provided as redline and clean versions on the dais.
• Applicant Presentation (Teal Harden, Executive Director, Alameda Food Bank; Tammy, MBH Architects): Described the project scope, including a 9,000 sq ft existing building renovation and a 10,000 sq ft new metal warehouse. The commercial kitchen was eliminated to enlarge the shopping floor by 20%. Parking was reduced to 48 spaces due to site constraints and Public Works requirements. The new building will use colors from the historic district palette, with horizontal red bands and a dark gray rib element to unify the two structures. Skylights and future PV-ready roof spaces were included.
• Board Questions and Comments:
  • Board members clarified landscape plan discrepancies, tree species (Chinese plum, willow, acacia to be removed), and confirmed that the existing building’s roof pitch and material will be maintained.
  • Board member Ariba suggested adding a vertical dark gray accent at the seismic joint to visually separate the old and new buildings, rather than a continuous horizontal band. Staff concurred.
  • Board member Sal proposed a condition requiring the applicant to work with staff and Head Start to address the alleyway circulation and parking safety concerns, potentially through operational measures (e.g., restricted truck deliveries during Head Start hours).
  • Board member Ruiz noted the need for clear delineation between the private parking lot and the alleyway used by Head Start.

Key Outcomes

• Motion to Approve Design Review (with amendments): Moved by Vice President Cisneros, seconded by Board Member Ariza. The motion included:
  1. Approval of the updated draft resolution (including CEQA findings).
  2. A condition requiring the applicant to work with Planning staff and the Head Start program to develop operational and/or physical measures to ensure pedestrian safety during morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up.
  3. A modification to the building color scheme: add a vertical dark gray accent at the seismic joint to visually separate the existing and new buildings, breaking the long horizontal band of red.
• Vote Outcome: 4 in favor (Sue, Ruiz, Cisneros, Wing), 0 opposed, 2 abstentions (Ariza and Hum? The transcript indicates 4 voting, 2 abstaining, 1 absent – Ashesh was absent. The abstentions were likely Board Members Ariza and Hum, though the exact reason is unclear). Motion passed.
• Next Steps: The applicant will continue coordination with staff and Head Start. The next regular Planning Board meeting is scheduled for September 9, 2024.