Alameda Planning Board Meeting – March 10, 2025

The Alameda Planning Board held a public hearing on March 10, 2025, at 7:00 PM in City Hall. The board reviewed the 2025 Climate Action and Resiliency Plan (CARP) mid-cycle update, the 2024 CARP Annual Report, and the annual reports on the General Plan/Housing Element, Transportation Choices Plan, and Vision Zero Action Plan. A public workshop was also conducted for the proposed Alameda Aquatic Center at 800 Atlantic Avenue. The board voted to recommend adoption of the CARP update and to accept the annual reports with comments.

Consent Calendar

• Draft Meeting Minutes – February 10, 2025 and February 24, 2025: Approved with an amendment to correct the year in the title from 2024 to 2025. Board Member Hom abstained due to not attending the February 10 meeting. Motion passed with the amendment.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public spoke during non-agenda public comments or on any agenda items.

Discussion Items

• 5-A: 2025 Climate Action and Resiliency Plan (CARP) Mid-Cycle Update & 2024 Annual Report: Sustainability and Resilience Manager Danielle Miller presented the update, noting a 29% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 2005 levels, progress toward the 2030 goal of 50% reduction, and new measures including an Alameda Youth Climate Ambassadors program and an interactive CARP dashboard. Board members asked about GHG calculation methodologies, funding uncertainties under the current federal climate, EV charging locations, and the impact of rescinding the all-electric building ordinance. The board commended staff and unanimously voted to recommend City Council adopt the 2025 CARP update and endorse the 2024 Annual Report.
• 5-B: Annual Reports on General Plan/Housing Element, Transportation Choices Plan, and Vision Zero Action Plan: Planning Building Transportation Director Allen Ty reported on Housing Element progress, noting only 243 units permitted in the first two years of the 2023–2031 cycle (5,353 units needed overall), and a strong trend in ADU development with 58 permits in 2024. Transportation Planning Manager Lisa Foster highlighted 1.4 miles of new bikeways, 92 curb ramps upgraded, and the Oakland Alameda Water Shuttle carrying over 51,000 passengers since July 2024. Board members raised clarifying questions about ADU reporting inconsistencies, traffic safety concerns (e.g., near misses at Clement and Stanton), the need for longitudinal case studies for Vision Zero, and suggestions for improving communication on safety reports. The board voted unanimously to accept the reports and transmit their comments to the City Council, with staff directed to revise the Housing Element report to clarify ADU data and other noted issues.
• 5-C: Public Workshop for Alameda Aquatic Center (800 Atlantic Avenue): Recreation and Parks Director Justin Long and architect Clarence from ELS presented updated designs after value engineering reduced costs by about $5.5 million. Changes included a more compact site, a drop-off lane, relocation of the mid-block crosswalk, and use of all-electric systems with potential microgrid and solar panel options in partnership with Alameda Municipal Power (AMP). The board provided design feedback, including comments on massing, materials, signage balance with landscaping, and parking reduction rationale. Board members urged further study on parking demand and transportation demand management (TDM) to align with the city’s climate goals. No action was taken; the workshop was for input, with final approval expected in May or June 2025.

Key Outcomes

• 5-A: Motion passed unanimously (5-0-1) to recommend City Council adopt the 2025 CARP mid-cycle update and endorse the 2024 Annual Report.
• 5-B: Motion passed unanimously (5-0) to accept the General Plan/Housing Element Annual Report, Transportation 2024 Annual Report & 2025 Work Plan, and Vision Zero Action Plan, with direction to transmit board comments and make revisions to the Housing Element report.
• 5-C: No formal action taken. Staff will consider board and public comments and return for design review and use permit approval in a future meeting.