Alameda Planning Board Special Meeting – December 16, 2024

The Alameda Planning Board met on Monday, December 16, 2024, at 7:00 PM in a special meeting to receive updates and hold public workshops on several items. The board reviewed the status of historic district design guidelines, discussed the proposed Radium Theatre Performing Arts Center, considered draft concept designs for two sea level rise adaptation projects, and examined a proposed life sciences building at 200 Wind River Way. No final actions were taken on regular agenda items, but the board provided feedback and appointed two members to an advisory working group for the Inclusionary Housing Ordinance.

Consent Calendar

• Draft Meeting Minutes (October 28, 2024) – Approved with one abstention (Board Member Ruiz).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 5-D (200 Wind River Way): Two speakers (Sharon and Tracy Regalman) expressed concerns about the developer’s maintenance of the existing Wind River Park and shoreline, alleging non-compliance with BCDC requirements. They urged the board to hold the developer accountable before approving further development. The managing partner of Blue Rise Ventures responded, noting that the company has allocated budget for improvements and is working with the city and police department.

Discussion Items

5-A: Update on EIR Requirement for Historic District Design Guidelines

• Staff (Brian McGuire) presented that the 2013 amendment to the 1997 Guide to Preserving the Character of the NAS Alameda Historic District, which includes infill design guidelines from the Cultural Landscape Report, was already incorporated into the Alameda Point Zoning Code. Therefore, the EIR mitigation measure is satisfied, and no new guidelines are needed. Staff will develop a practical checklist/tool for applicants. Board members asked clarifying questions about the relationship between the guidelines, Secretary of Interior Standards, and specific plans. The board accepted the update.

5-B: Radium Theatre Performing Arts Center (2151 Ferry Point)

• The applicant presented revised plans for a 550-seat theater, café, and restaurant. Key changes since the June workshop include shifting the building west to preserve a 40-foot view corridor from the Naval Air Museum to the seaplane lagoon. The building height is 43 feet (70 feet for the fly tower). The landscape design (by Surface Design) includes a new public plaza, drop-off area, and connections to the existing waterfront park. Board members asked about drainage, parking (interim lot on the runway, future parking strategy), and design details (canopy, corner treatment). The architectural firm (Bora) noted that detailed design is pending fundraising. Staff expects to return for approval in February/March 2025.

5-C: Estuary Adaptation Project and Bay Farm Island Adaptation Project – Draft Concept Designs

• Gail Payne presented the draft concept designs for near-term (two feet of sea level rise) and long-term (five feet) adaptation. The estuary project includes seawalls, levees, and inland detention basins (green and gray) to manage stormwater. The Bay Farm Island project focuses on nature-based solutions for erosion and levees with a new tide gate, pump station, and marsh expansion. A FEMA BRIC grant of $50 million (with $5.5 million local match) is under review. The subregional adaptation plan (Oak) is required by state law by 2034. Board members asked about control of shoreline edges, wildlife corridors, and integration with the future aquatic center at Gene Sweeney Park. No action taken.

5-D: 200 Wind River Way – Life Sciences Building and Bay Trail Improvements

• Applicant Blue Rise Ventures proposed a 120,000-square-foot, three-story life science building (replacing a previously entitled 75,000 sq ft office building) at the corner of Clement Avenue and Sherman Street. The building is L-shaped to respond to the new street alignment, with an urban design that includes a prominent corner, arcade, and terraces. The project includes removal of a degrading timber wharf, preservation of a concrete wharf, and creation of a public shoreline access with bay trail connection. Parking is proposed at 946 spaces shared across the campus (2.4 per 1,000 sq ft). Board members gave design feedback: evaluate the low screen wall, improve entrance clarity, ensure rooftop screen proportions, and consider a more cohesive material palette. The board also requested that the applicant provide a comprehensive maintenance plan for the shoreline and park areas when the project returns. No action taken.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar: Approved (with one abstention).
• Appointments to Inclusionary Housing Ordinance Advisory Working Group: Board Members Hom and Cisneros volunteered and were appointed to serve on the working group, which will meet regularly over the next six months.
• No formal decisions on regular agenda items (5-A through 5-D) were made; all were workshops or informational updates.
• Next steps: Staff will return with finalized documents for 5-A (checklist), 5-B (development plan approval expected February/March 2025), 5-C (City Council endorsement January 21, 2025), and 5-D (development plan amendment and design review at a future date).