Good evening, everyone.

It's uh Monday, December 8th at 7 p.m.

We're gonna go ahead and commence tonight's planning board meeting.

Uh we'll start uh first with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Board Member Wang, can you lead us, please?

Thank you.

Pledge allegiance is the five of the United States of America to the Republic, or just one nation under individuality.

All right, thank you.

And we'll go ahead and start with roll call.

Yes, uh good evening.

Uh board member Hom.

Here member Sue here.

Board Member Ruiz.

Yeah.

Board Member Wang.

Here.

Board Member Saheba.

Present.

And President Susneros.

Here.

Okay, we have a quorum with board member Arisa absent.

Okay, great.

Um and do we have any agenda changes?

Nothing from staff.

Okay, great, thank you.

Nothing from the board.

Um, let's go ahead and move to non-agenda public comment.

Anyone uh from the public meet uh speak on an item that's not already agendized for tonight's meeting.

You can speak for up to three minutes.

Do we have any speakers?

Um doesn't look like we have any speakers.

Okay, great.

We'll go ahead and close that item, moving on to consent calendar.

We have one item, which is the meeting minutes from November 10th, 2025.

Uh we had one absence, um, board member or vice president um Arisa, I think.

Um better than that.

I believe it was board member Ruiz.

Or Rui, sorry.

That's right.

Okay.

So just one absence board member to use.

I see it now.

Um, okay, do we have a motion?

I do have a minor correction to make to the minutes.

Okay.

Um the minutes um state uh that I think I abstained on the um adoption of the July 28th minutes.

Uh, but it's actually I think board members I and Sue who who abstained due to absence, not me.

Okay.

Let's see.

I see.

Um that's under 4C on those minutes, so I'll correct that.

Okay, great.

Thank you.

Um other than that, I'm happy to motion to approve.

Okay, great.

Uh, we have a motion um with an amendment on the table.

All those in favor say aye.

I will second.

Or can we get second?

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

And one abstention.

One abstention.

Okay, great.

Um that'll closes the um consent calendar, although do we have any public comment on the consent calendar?

Okay, that item is officially closed.

Moving on to item 5a, which is the design review of besting tenant map um for the midway for field project.

Do we have um presentation?

Yes, uh Henry Don will be making the presentation for staff, and then the applicant is also here and has a presentation.

Good evening, uh, President Cisneros, members of the board.

Uh Henry Dong with the planning building and transportation department.

Um tonight I'm joined by uh Brookfield Residential and their um design team.

And so I'm just gonna give a brief introduction and then um the applicant will uh present the new design.

Um just to note that we did receive six uh public comments that we um distributed to the board earlier today.

So um the request of the board tonight is to uh hold a public hearing and um approve the design review application for the uh 62 new buildings that will um contain 284 units and approve the uh vesting tenant of map application uh to subdivide the property for uh condominium purposes, and then recommend the city council approve the uh proposed street names.

Uh just to give a brief um background of uh how we are got here today.

Um, the project uh over the past seven years uh has uh received approvals for both the reshape project and the West Midway project uh for development plan uh development agreement and uh DDA.

Through that process, the um the developer has also uh committed to uh contributing um construction of the infrastructure for both of the projects, and um that makes it possible for both the Reshape and the West Midway project to provide 801 total units, including 201 replacement affordable units, uh 162 new affordable units, and 44 um uh workforce um housing units.

And so uh the site is also a housing opportunity site and a uh priority program for the uh housing element, and so um the project is critical to the city meeting its commitment to constructing 5300 units by 2031.

Um, this application for phase A contains um most of the market rate housing for the project, and the sale of these units will um help to fund the improvements that the developer will be doing.

Uh, just real quickly, um back in May 2023, the planning board approved the development plan for the West Midway project.

Um over the past six months, the applicant has been working closely with staff to uh develop the plans for the project to address all of the conditions and requirements of the development plan, uh including architectural design requirements, landscaping, um, the street um pedestrian and bike improvements, um, and also the project also meets its affordable housing requirements and public access access requirements.

Um, as part of that approved development plan, uh the board also approved the use permit to allow additional um parking for the project, um, a universal design waiver and um building height exceptions to allow uh taller buildings, and so those are all um being applied to this design review application.

Uh and so staff's recommendation tonight is for the board to hold a public hearing and approve the draft resolutions, approving the design review and vesting tenant of map applications, and recommending the council approve the uh street names.

And so now I'll uh hand it off to uh good evening, commissioners.

My name is Alejandra Dominguez, and I'm here with Brookview Residential.

First of all, I really want to appreciate staff all the time dedication and really hard work to work together to get into this point in this project.

We are really proud to present this project on what we do because I think that it's gonna be a project that we are gonna bring to life together.

This has been our teamwork, and I'm really happy to be here.

Also, I want to introduce the project the team members that they have been working on together with us.

We have David with KTUY, we have Margaret with Woodley Architects, also we have Margaret that she has been, I'm sorry, we're living for architects.

Also, we have Jason working with Kate K.

Victor, and also we have the team of civil engineers that we're at CBD, and also they are here to answer any questions that you could have.

So we're really thankful for that.

Also, thank you very much for your time and for your consideration for this project.

I'm gonna talk a little bit about what is Brookfield.

Brookfield Properties is a really big company that has a lot of expertise in real estate.

They also have a lot of uh projects with the retail commercial and multifamily, and we have big develop developments and also we are here as builders.

Some of the projects that I would like to mention to you in Northern California is as master developer.

We have Boulevard in Dublin, we have PR 70 in San Francisco.

Also, we have Napa Pipe in Napa, we have Rosewood in Morgan Hill, and we have been part of the one lake project in Fairfield.

So now I'm sorry.

I'm gonna talk a little bit about what is the project site.

The West Meader project is part of the main street neighborhood plan that is part of the Alameda Point.

And in this case, we're just presenting what is the project is divided into different phases.

We have planning area A and planning area B.

In total, the project will be building 22.8 acres.

Planning area A, which we are presented today, it will be developed in in 12.4 acres.

We are proposing to develop to build 20 284 units, which is they're gonna be built in three different kinds of story, three different sorry, three different kind of housing types.

Also, we are proposing to build a beautiful park, a greenway that is gonna be connecting from Main Street through Orion Street, and then it's gonna continue to plan in Area B, which it will come in the future.

Also, we are gonna have Balor Avenue that will be a private street, but it's gonna connect from Main Street to Orion.

We are gonna have three different kinds of types of houses that are gonna be integrated in different streets.

Again, as you see, you're gonna have different options to see the three different uh designs that we have.

Now I have here with me uh David from KTUY that is gonna help us to go more into the details from architectural design point.

Thank you very much.

Back up a little bit.

Um thanks for the opportunity to present the crafted neighborhood to you this evening.

Um, very happy to be back for the planning board here.

Um, see some familiar faces still on the board uh and be here to be talking about the great this great project.

Um as Alejander said, my name's David Burton.

I'm an associate principal with KTGY.

Uh and I'll be presenting our designs and also that of our colleagues from Woodley uh architecture group and K Victor.

The crafted neighborhood is defined uh as I imagine you probably got you guys are probably familiar with this point.

Uh, defined by a grid of private streets bisecting the site, uh Valor Avenue and Skylark Street, and those connect to an existing uh network of public streets that define the boundaries of this of the neighborhood.

These private streets will have easements dedicating them for public access.

These streets along with our central greenway, break the site down into walkable blocks, similar in scale to existing Alameda neighborhoods.

This is done to fulfill the specific plan's goal of creating a walkable neighborhood.

Another important goal of the design is to ensure that the homes engage with passers-by on all sides that face out to a street or a pedestrian way.

We work closely with city staff to design the homes so that we're a building faces a street or greenway.

We have front doors.

That means that homes on the ends of buildings have their front doors facing the streets and have decks and major living spaces overlooking those streets.

Uh as Alejandra mentioned, there are three types of homes in uh phase A of this of the project, and they're intentionally intermittent mingled uh throughout the neighborhood, such that along most of the streets you see at least two, if not all three of the housing types.

We worked very closely with staff to achieve this.

The intention is to give each street greater visual interest by providing a variety not only of housing types, but variety of scale, materials, color, and details.

Equal in importance to the street network and the engagement of our buildings with it are our open spaces.

There are approximately three acres of landscape and planted areas in the overall plan.

The primary open space and connectivity element is this greenway that you see on this screen.

The greenway is an integral part of the site's plans grid of pedestrian and bicycle connectivity.

It provides a publicly accessible multi-use path from Main Street to Orion Street.

And then in phase two, it continues along Waves Avenue all the way to Pan Amway.

This spine provides a safe pedestrian and bike path separated from vehicular traffic that connects all parts of the development.

It also connects the reshaped neighborhood with the open spaces that are at the center of the crafted neighborhood, providing an opportunity for the two neighborhoods to come together.

Where the greenway intersects with Main Street, there's an entry node and publicly accessible signage announcing the entry to the path.

This entry node includes a gathering space with seating.

Further along the greenway at the intersection with Skylark Street, there's another gathering space that will have open air reading room and a community-free library.

The greenway provides access to the actively programmed Greenway Park at Orion Street.

The park fulfills the intentions of the development plan and offers a variety of opportunities for residents to gather and play.

The park is privately owned and maintained by the crafted HOA, but is open for public use.

The park is set at this intersection to maximize visibility and accessibility.

Residents of the crafted and reshaped neighborhoods can easily and safely access the park via the walking and bicycle paths on the greenway that are separated from vehicular traffic.

The park will have a number of amenities, including place structure geared towards younger children, open turf and stepping balls for climbing and imaginative play, and a variety of seating areas that provide opportunities for neighbors to gather and interact.

And bike parking is provided to encourage car-free access to the park.

Artisan is a neighborhood at the top edge of the site along West Midway, a neighborhood of two and three-story duets.

This neighborhood has been designed by our colleagues at Woodley Architectural Group.

The contemporary designs employ specific strategies to ensure that the three-story structures are visually appealing and integrated within an overall design.

The massing strategy uses protruding and receding elements, along with recessed windows to significantly break down the overall perceived mass and create necessary shadow and depth.

The design is contemporary, utilizing clean, strong vertical elements and a durable material palette in three distinct but complementary color schemes.

Every unit is designed with generous outdoor living spaces that significantly enhance residential livability.

Every one of the 60 homes includes a private rooftop terrace, maximizing usable outdoor space and offering residents premium amenity.

Harmony is a neighborhood of three-story townhomes.

There are two distinct types for these buildings.

The first style, which you see on the upper right in the lower left images, takes cues from some of the existing architecture on the base, most specifically the use of the horizontal banding at the upper level windows.

Primary materials for this uh style are stucco and horizontal lap siding.

We've tried to set apart the second style by giving it a more vertical proportions and introducing some standing seam metal siding that makes a nod towards some of the more industrial buildings of the base.

Both styles have lighter color schemes that pick up on colors used for many of the buildings in the historic core of Alameda Point.

All units have second floor decks that overlook the streets and paseos, actively engaging the life within the homes with the activity on the street.

As I noted earlier, where the ends of the buildings face streets or passeos, we have designed the homes to have their front doors, decks, and major living spaces oriented to the ends of the building.

And you can see that in the two images on the left hand portion of the page.

Our third neighborhood is mastery.

It's a neighborhood of four-story condominium buildings.

The materials and forms of the these buildings draw their inspiration from the more industrial warehouse buildings at Alameda Point.

The buildings have varied massing and color blocking to help break down the scale and mass of the buildings.

Where possible, we have set back the fourth floor, and in some instances third floor, in order to break up the massing and give them more pedestrian scale to the buildings.

And we've incorporated stoops at the entries to many of the homes to give the buildings a welcoming residential feel on the street.

So that's a quick overview.

And I'm gonna thank you for the opportunity to present the project this evening, and our team is available to answer any questions you might have.

Great.

Thank you so much for that presentation.

I'll bring it back to the board for any clarifying questions and open up to public comment.

So any questions?

Many board members.

I have a question.

Yeah, yeah.

Remember Wayne.

Um question for staff.

Um this this project obviously goes back quite a few years, and I did see mention in the packet not just of uh of uh units that are um affordable by statute, but I think reference to units that are affordable by design.

So I was just curious what that meant in the context of this project.

Um I think you're referring to the workforce housing, affordable by design.

Um those were going to be designed, I guess, affordable in terms of like size and um I guess the um the features in the um in the um units.

So that was that was gonna, that's what the affordable bite design is going to be.

Okay, and are there any of those in this particular proposal or are they elsewhere in the project?

They're uh part of phase B.

Okay, understood.

Thank you.

Um, thank you.

Um board member Louise?

Oh no, it's okay.

Okay, you came at the same time, so who wants to go first?

Thank you for the presentation.

And I just want to disclose that I have met with the applicant twice throughout this process, so um they have to address some of most of my concerns already during that process.

Um, also, that this I have questions for the staff.

First question is how will our new affordable housing ordinance affect this?

Um, if any, and two, please clarify exactly how many affordable housing units will be delivered in this phase?

Because according to the draft of the affordable housing agreement, is as a minimum of two.

I just want to confirm is it two?

Is it two plus?

What is what are we approving?

So this phase has two moderate units, two moderate income.

Okay.

And then the uh remaining balance would be on phase B, which would have 37.

And and I'll just add the relationship to the inclusionary ordinance is that um this project is being developed pursuant to a uh development and disposition agreement and a development agreement, and those set forth the phasing and the requirements.

So I believe the intent was to focus on the infrastructure improvements and site improvements and the uh contribution towards the development of the reshape phase, which is concurrent.

And so um the master developer is providing the infrastructure and site preparation for that, uh, 100% affordable project uh in this early phase, and then we'll be to developing their own units later.

Okay so then the so our new affordable housing ordinance will not affect this project at all because this is under DDA.

It's both under the DA and also the ordinance doesn't apply to Alameda Point.

Alameda Points governed by a separate settings agreement.

Okay thank you for the refresher no further questions.

Board member Hong Yeah just some follow up questions thank you for the presentation um and this kind of follows up on some of the board members' questions I'm still not totally clear the difference between the workforce housing units and the market rate units because the staff reports this is the workforce units are for 120 to 180% of income that's pretty much market rate so I'm I'm not sure what is the difference between the market rate units and the workforce units um I think the main difference is just by design they're designed to be affordable but I don't think they have a affordability requirement to them okay so what's the significance of one twenty to one eighty or there are the market rate units or there's some market rate units that are meant to be priced at over 108% because that's pretty high it seems like that's already covers market rate.

I'm just not clear I'm just I'm not being critical I'm just not clear no maybe I might have to take a look at the language or maybe perhaps the applicant can uh clarify that too yeah and then I have another question you you included us uh a copy of the affordable housing agreement and I'm just kind of wondering I don't see in the recommendation that we have a role in making a recommendation on that is that percentage just for information or is it something that you're seeking comments or input from the planning board on uh is it supporting it's just background information for us okay just want to make sure and um and then a third question is this just really clarification of the record I read one of the public comments letter that seems to maybe I think is um I don't think is quite accurate but they're they're you're stating that we're exceeding the the cap of Alameda Point and I don't believe that's the case right um with this project is fully within the development plan that was approved and the EIR that was certified for that and uh and this project falls within the Alameda Point cap correct that's great this is that's what I assume I just wanted to make sure that's understood.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Any other clarifying questions from board members?

Yes uh board member Sahiba yeah thanks for the presentation as well.

Uh a few questions one uh I know we're just reviewing phase A and uh phase uh the the uh subsequent phase with this but the same typologies that we're reviewing for phase A would be applicable to phase um B.

Can you repeat the question again?

Yeah the the typologies that are shown in phase A would that would with those same design strategies and typologies be also conveyed to phase B.

But we're gonna have in phase B there are going to be a town homes and while we're calling market rate a that they're gonna be condominiums interlocking condominiums where they're gonna be smaller and the difference is like the um workforce a concept that we're talking about is a more kind of like basic design that you know is like it's gonna be three bedrooms, two bathrooms, but isn't there's not gonna have a principal m bedroom with a principal bath you know it's gonna be more like in the different let I will say in the way that I grew up with three bedrooms, two baths and we were sharing everything that is and it's gonna be a smaller unit but also they're gonna have all the all the services there's not gonna be difference in anything.

Okay so for for example the three story town homes in phase A, which is colored the same as three story town homes in phase B, will they be essentially some they won't be okay they won't be they still have the same height limits and everything but they just yes is they're they're gonna be different I see.

Yeah for example sorry no no that's yeah for example like the town homes in planning area A those are designed by KTUI and the town homes in planning area B will be designed by Woodley so it's gonna be a different design but also they're gonna be integrated as part of the community.

Okay all right great um then the other question I had was uh in the um we we had a universal design waiver is that correct for this project?

Yes that's right okay I see in the duets there is um some plans that are indicating uh universal design is that just um even though they have the waiver they they've decided to pursue that yes we worked actually very closely with them to to prepare as many universal design units as possible I think oh I see yeah I see okay I didn't know that was um a strategy okay great um and then let's see the only other question I have is um uh we'll try to find it here um as far as the because I didn't have a chance to look at this I I see a series of documents that talk about um facade transparency and facade area um could you I didn't hear a clear explanation of what that was um for yeah as part of the um development agreement um the board required and the council required that they um comply with the objective design standards um although they were still in uh concept stage at the time and so some of the um exhibits that you have there are demonstrating compliance with those objective design standards as was mentioned um accessible entrances uh facing the street transparency um the relief um balconies and things like that were all uh evaluated uh again very closely with staff to uh ensure compliance as well as um offering this design review opportunity for more qualitative elements I see okay uh yeah uh so so I guess my question on that is is there a reason that when I look at the diagram specific to um I guess it's sheet A-Zero point six um the facades to the north are not um analyzed I I believe the standards apply to um facades facing uh public streets and greenways and so um there are some other exceptions for um the alleyways um and I believe that I'm just looking at on on the intersection well there there's some facades facing main street to the north is that not considered a public street I mean it to the south it does indicate a green band um but it does not indicate a green band to the north of Avenue A.

But on the south side of Avenue A, there's analysis, but not on the north side of Avenue A.

Is that it?

So I'm I'm just curious about this strategy.

Is West Midway Avenue considered a public street?

I think I'll let the applicant respond to that.

Okay.

Thank you.

My name is Margaret.

I'm with Woodley Architects, and we're deep designed the artisan project, which is on the north side of the site.

And to your point, we well, there's no analysis done for transparency because the standard did not require um that compliance for one and two family dwellings, which we fall under.

We had um the facades facing Main Street and West Midway, as well as Orion do in effect comply with the transparency requirements.

It's just that the exhibits were not um added because they were not required.

Oh, sir.

Okay, thank you.

That's all my questions, thanks.

Thank you.

Um through the through the chair, I um if I could, I just wanted to respond to the commissioner's question about workforce housing.

Um, there is a requirement in the downtown specific plan with respect to workforce housing, and it says that 10% of uh the units must be dedicated to workforce housing, um, and that the planning board could waive that requirement, however, um, and it looks like it it just requires that the original offering uh be sufficient to um to qualify for the workforce housing.

There doesn't have to be um it doesn't have to be permanently deed restricted to a hundred and twenty to a hundred and eighty percent, but the initial um sale of the units must uh must be to that sector.

To the 120 to 180.

Correct.

Isn't that almost isn't that market rate?

I'm thinking that's yeah, I I I would suggest I for the um ownership housing, um generally no.

Um that's still uh subsidized for the first buyer.

Um and I think the intent was that hopefully that first buyer is serious about being a homeowner and doesn't just flip it, but they you know invest in the community and they live there for a while, but it's not deed restricted.

Um market in terms of AMI is closer probably to 300 percent, um, and so to buy one of these condos these days is probably um quite a bit more than what that would be.

So the price for these uh workforce housing units might be half the price then okay, I didn't realize it was such a large differential.

Yeah.

And sorry, that was um uh a stipulated in the downtown specific plan, is what you called it?

Okay, that's correct.

And that requirement was also incorporated then into the uh development um agreement.

Sorry to interrupt, yeah.

Thank thank you.

Um and I saw some hands go up here.

Um board member Sue.

Um yes, thank you for the presentation.

Um just a couple questions.

Um I was looking at the landscape and civil plans, and I see that um West Tower Avenue is doesn't look like it's part of the project that it says I think there's a note on sheet C 1.0 improvement by others, and I was just curious if that um is that something that will happen soon?

I guess maybe it's a question for the city or um kind of what are the what are the plans for the improvement in West Tower?

And I think more specifically, it looks like this project will at least build to build out the sidewalk because you have homes that will be fronting it.

So I guess that's just a clarification.

Um we have a couple of civil engineers in the room.

Uh they might be able to answer that.

Good evening.

I'm Angela Obertello with the CBG Civil Engineers.

Um, so the West Tower improvements are already part of the development agreement for the site A development to the South.

So that's why it's listed that way.

Um, however, there's other agreements with this development team to deliver those improvements along with Site A's development team.

So the project is working towards providing those improvements.

It's just subject to coordination with the site A development.

Okay.

Great, thanks.

Other question I had.

So it so Valor is gonna be it'll stay private, but there'll be a public access agreement.

Right.

And then but Skylark will be, will that be dedicated to the city?

And that's just gonna be a public right of way.

Right, okay.

Um, okay.

I think that's all I have for now.

Thanks.

Thank you.

Um, were there other questions from the board?

No.

Okay.

Just want to.

Oh, yeah.

I just have one more question.

And developer may not know this just yet, but is the plan for there to just be one master HOA for this whole project, or will it be?

Okay, got it.

Thank you.

Uh yeah, for member home.

Not a question, I just forgot.

I meant to disclose that I did also meet with the developer to go over their project plans.

All right.

Great.

Um, thanks for all the questions.

Um I'll also disclose that I met with um the developer.

Um, and I I guess I had just a couple uh clarifying questions, um, going back to the point that there um were a series of public comments, uh, most of them in support.

Um there was one that was more um critical, and I was just wondering whether and aside from exceeding the cap, were there any other points made from that letter that um I don't know if staff or legal wanted to respond to just for the benefit of the public.

If not, that's fine.

I just went to yes, I have a couple of um comments that might be helpful to the discussion.

Um there was a a comment raised about um the historic impact of of the project, and this particular project is not located within the historic district um within the Alameda Point Historic District, it's outside of that district, and so further historic review is not required.

Um there was also um a comment about relying on um the Alameda Point EIR and the general plan EIR uh for the analysis of this project, and um as we've discussed in connection with other developments uh this this particular uh West Midway uh housing project um was uh discussed in the um Alameda Point EIR as well as the general plan EIR and all of the um impacts that could flow from this project were uh discussed and analyzed and mitigated in those prior EIRs, and there um is no additional information or facts or circumstances um related to this particular project that would change the conclusions in those um uh prior EIRs.

Okay.

Um thank you.

That's really helpful.

Um my other question, um, I guess that in the staff report it mentions that uh in the development plan there was um uh a requirement for a roundabout.

I guess it was just to explore the roundabout and that wasn't feasible.

Like I just um wanted to better understand like the reasoning behind that.

Um I don't know if staff wants to have any insight on that.

Um well I think I think you captured it, um, that it was meant to be explored, and um given the constraints, um I believe in just um the overall scope of infrastructure work that needs to be done, um, and the uh right of way at that particular location that that was um not pursued.

Okay, great.

Um, and then last question, um uh why the street names?

I'm just curious like uh if there was a process that went behind choosing the street names, uh it seems like uh I don't know if they were just uh picked randomly from the already approved list or if there was any rhyme or reason to it.

I was just curious.

Yeah, they um they were selected from the already approved um list from the HAB.

So they were existing names on that list.

Okay.

Great.

I think those are all our clarifying questions.

Um and with that we'll go ahead and open it up to public comment.

Any speakers.

Um if there are any speakers online, please uh raise your hands.

Uh not seeing any speakers.

So and with that, we'll close public comment and bring it back to the board for any um discussion um feedback or guidance for the applicant before we um make a decision.

Anyone want to start?

Showdown.

Uh board member Sue.

Um I'll just also disclose that I I I met with the applicant um and um, you know, I thought they put together a very complete um um application.

Also want to acknowledge staff though, um, you know, it's a lot of exhibits here, and I thought they um looks good.

Um, but yeah, I mean no no further comment.

I just want to highlight the the various uh I thought the the public comments came from a a very diverse group of of agencies and companies, so it's it's good to see the support and um you know exciting to see um hopefully this project will play out.

So thank you.

Go ahead.

Uh board member Sahiba.

Okay.

Yeah, thank uh I guess thanks again for the presentation.

Um so I just wanted to uh well it's a design review, so we'll talk we'll talk design for a little bit.

Um the varying uh scales, obviously the building creates uh some diversity in the neighborhood, which which I think is great.

Um and I appreciate the I know there was the inspirational images that were shown in some of in each category, you know, from the duets to the to the to the various other types of buildings there are um in this phase.

The the inspirational images, I mean varied a bit, but there was a consistent thread of looking at some of the um buildings on Alameda Point that um obviously have a certain clarity um to them and and uh that and and I'm not saying that there need need to be any translation there, um, but the only thing that I started to see that started to vary a bit from um the the different types they are were really the duets.

It felt to me that um the duets uh feel a little bit more jumbled than that's a you know technical term um than the other buildings, although the other buildings have have a lot of um I guess uh uh like um movement to them um to sort of describe that um but but definitely the duets felt like a very different um part of this this puzzle.

Um and so I I just think some thinking of like how there could be a little bit more connection between um the way that the massing gets resolved and and maybe some level of consistency um would not be a um bad thing.

Also, when I look at the rendering that's on the cover page and just showing the park and then the four-story building, sort of fronting the park, and the three-story building framing the other edge, there's this vernacular that's like this clip that wraps around in the three-story, it goes up two stories and then comes back down, and then in the four-story goes up three stories.

And to me, that datum that's being established, if there's a way to manage its consistency, meaning on the three, well, one idea would be on the three story, it goes up three stories, so that datum is then consistent.

As far as I think that's what when you go around, and I know the scale of the buildings are well, they're not that different, but they're they're different programs as far as in Alameda Point, they have very strong datums to them that uh create uh continuity, and I think um, especially when this is all one development and there's buildings that are adjacent to each.

Um, I think there's a strong datum established on the ground floor, especially with the balconies that are projecting at times, or the ground entry being recessed.

So that I think that's a datum that feels pretty consistent.

It's and and I get that the datum at the very top's gonna move around a bit because of the different heights of these buildings, um, but that in between datum um I think could become a little bit more consistent.

Uh and then I guess lastly, the situation with the material palette and thinking through essentially uh back to this image, the adjacency of you know one building versus the other, and uh it seems like a bigger shift in material palette than or which which may be fine, but I I just think that um and I know there was probably a desire because there's multiple architects working on these projects, so there's there's gonna there's gonna create some some variety in that uh but I was curious like from the resident experience or the visitor experience, people at the street, because you know we're floating up above looking at some of these views, but really at the street level, is there continuity in like wayfinding?

Do you know when you've arrived to the front door in each one of these buildings?

Is there is there a certain thread that runs through um the the three types that are that are being presented at that ground level and maybe it's being tied together with landscape, it's not I know we have those landscape plans, but it wasn't super clear to me like how um maybe those arrival points or points of orientation were being developed to um just give that sense of like okay, now you've arrived at the front door, and and it's uh the even though the building types may vary, there's a um clear sensibility to um to wayfinding.

So that that would be my other comment.

I can't quite tell from the street side, like if you I know we have um you know the transparency diagrams and everything showed the stoops and and other, well, I guess access points on the street, um, but I couldn't tell with some of the variation in the way that you know some of the streets um pull up pull away a bit from the building facades.

Um, do they still have that sense of okay, you you now have this building fronting on the street, or does it feel like the building's been pulled back and not necessarily um really uh fronting the street?

So I think that could be solved a little bit with the dual play of um hierarchy of uh of the actual walkways.

Like there's the more public walkway more adjacent to the street, but when when when a building starts pulling away, maybe there needs to be a secondary walkway that helps um peel off that public walkway so so it creates that second level of um uh frontage.

So anyway, so those those are my thoughts on the on the design side um thank you yeah thank you uh and um it might be um helpful i don't know for the applicant to ask uh further clarifying questions but wondering if you could just say a little bit more the term you use for the duets like and did it sounded like to me um uh you're able to provide some kind of guidance or feedback on each um each point but um for the duet piece I don't know if you want to say a little bit more about that in terms of potential solutions or thoughts.

Well I okay I can try if not that's fine I would just no it no it's uh it's okay I I think um my further thoughts on the duets would be that uh the the they're they feel very different than the rest of the project and I'm um I guess where I'm getting a little bit thrown off um with with that strategy is um I can and I think maybe I described it towards the end I I think diversity is good um but it but as I I don't know if it's moving more towards um chaotic uh sort of massing that and and just the street level presence I think is is um maybe starting to be consistent.

So it again I don't want to try to um suggest too much into the design strategies but more that when I look at it holistically as we are with this um with with this project um I yeah I'm just curious if there's like for example there's being there's some the material stone being utilized in the duets and um I don't unless I missed it I don't think that thread really runs through the other projects and so um even if the massing starts shifting and changing um I guess too much is changing in my mind where it doesn't feel consistent so i if the materials can sort of carry over that that would create a little bit more connection um unless there's really a desire to be disconnected and completely um different then then maybe I can understand that as well so uh but I'm not sure if that's necessarily the desire of uh this this neighborhood so yeah that's helpful thank you um uh yeah unless um I don't know if we uh want um you two respond to everyone's question at once or oh see some head shaking you you really want to jump in right now okay sure all right but we can do it like we kind of start talking about the duets I mean we cannot change too much but we kind of start working together with KTU white to try to start working on different materials try to make it more kind of like part of that I mean because we want to create kind of like differentiation we want to have different styles but also we are trying to bring the community together to make it more welcoming and we thought that having different kind of building styles I mean can have a different option for everyone.

We don't want to break any consistency with anything but we can I mean work about it around it.

At least callers or something I mean I I agree that diversity is good.

I think it's great for a neighborhood to be diverse so um that it was more on the aesthetics of how that gets um manifested was where I was coming from thank you.

Any other uh board comments or questions?

Yes.

Uh Board member Deweys.

Yes, I do have comments um on the plan.

Since I haven't met with the um the developer, most of my commons are not pertaining to architecture.

I understand this is the design review and uh we're bound to the um asks that's in the agenda, but I do I want to raise something that I have brought up when the development plan first came to the the um planning board back in 2023.

I have concerns about the connection between East Greenway to Main Street and how he continues to King Um Fisher's Road to Ruby Bridges.

The block just the in control intersection between West Midway and Tower is long.

So when you created that particular um East Greenway and at Main Street, inevitably residents are going to jaywalk, shortcut into Kingfisher to go to Ruby Bridges.

Nobody's gonna go all the way up to Tower, I mean all the way down to tower, all the way up to to West Midway.

So as the project moves forward, um I would like the developer to work with the public works department to figure out how to make that intersection safe.

Um again, I know that is not the purview of the that's what that's not what's being asked of us to review the project right now, but for the sake of the safety of our residents, please do something about that.

Otherwise, we're just creating an intersection for people to encourage JWAC because you have sidewalks that dead end to Main Street that can easily connect to the other side to Ruby Bridges.

Okay, so that's comma number one.

Comment number two is has to do with the lighting plan.

I noticed that more and more in these developments we have private streets that is up to the HOA to maintain the streets.

Therefore, the lighting, um, what is it, the photometrics depends on the facade lighting of the individual buildings, the homeowners association to maintain them.

And I've driven around the neighborhood, you know, all these newer developments.

When those lights go out, the homeowners don't replace them.

Okay.

The light bulbs that's lighting a lot of the fire department signs, the addresses that the fire department asked for.

If you drive around town at night, you will notice that they are out, and they are not being replaced.

So as we move forward to review this when the project comes through to the building permit stage, look at the photo matrix, see if these private streets are we relying so much on the facade luminaire rather than the public street lighting.

Um just think about that so they don't go dark, especially if I'm looking at the current lighting plan as it's being proposed now in this package.

There's no luminaire in the alleys, nothing is shown on the alleys because they are the driveway.

So you're depending on the light that's in the garage above the garage door to light the alleyways.

And when those go out, the homeowners do not replace them.

So this is just comments for future consideration.

It does not affect what is being asked of us right now.

Thank you.

Board member Han.

Yeah, I'll offer my comments.

My comments are really more general, not as specific architecturally, though.

I have one specific item.

First of all, um I I generally find this project very well designed.

Um, the issue of consistency between the designs.

I saw that they were very different, so I understand the com where uh board member Sahibas coming from.

Um the other hand, I kind of like the fact that they use three different architects, because you see to me, I see too many projects that are like mega blocks that are very uniform, and the fact that this is more differentiated and almost looks like three separate projects, you know, like in a in a more kind of grandular urban setting where you have developers building smaller parcels.

Um I like that variety.

I like the fact that there is this inconsistency, you know.

To me, it's just just some, I don't know, to me a little bit more interesting, but I also see maybe there is some point of trying to bring a little bit more consistency.

Like for instance, um, I see that stonework is being used for the duets, maybe could bring it in some of the stonework or similar materials in the other two designs, might make sense.

Even even though the designs are very different.

I don't I have don't have specific suggestions of where, but that might help um provide a little bit of continuity, but at the same time still maintain the individuality of each one of the products.

I actually find that a positive and not necessarily a negative.

Um I do like um the pedestrian-oriented nature of the project.

It's kind of a grid design.

What a strong greenway sign.

I think that is the connectivity with the surroundings by doing that, I think is uh very positive.

Um the only comment I have, and this is perhaps the picky one that I think I mentioned it to the applicant, but uh I just find it a little odd regarding the duet.

Duets are probably the ones the design that I probably have the most, you know, I'm not sure about, but then I'm not an architect.

But um, if you go to sheet A1-1-13, there's this on element, the rare elevation where you have this large uh uh rectangular uh projection, which is you know could be nice, but then you have these two really small windows.

That element right there just looks kind of odd to me.

It doesn't match the rest of the design, so it's to me it's kind of disruptive.

So that's my only really picky comment that I f found that elevation to look a little strange.

But um anyway.

Otherwise, I think the project is a it will be very positive.

The fact that is right next to the ferry building.

Um I like the three different types of uh housing units being proposed, so it adds a little bit of variety, so it's not as uniform looking as it could possibly be.

And the central open space is very positive, that also kind of creates a neighborhood coh cohesiveness to the development.

So those are my general comments.

Thank you.

Um, yeah, so I'm um thank you to staff, thank you to the project applicant.

Um I do want to make a comment that I think is gonna dovetail a little bit with board members Sahibas, um, but I before before getting there, I do want to say, you know, I think the last the last few weeks we've been talking a little bit about the inclusionary housing ordinance.

I've been I've been um a little bit vocal about the fact that we aren't having much housing generated in the city right now.

Um, you know, the only thing that pencils is town homes.

Um I think at city council just the other day, staff was saying that this past year we had maybe 400 units approved or permitted, and a full half of them were ADUs, which is astonishing for a couple reasons, but um here we are with the project that's 284 units.

I think that's it's uh super exciting, super gratifying to be here.

Um you can tell that staff has done a lot of hard work.

The project applicant has done a lot of hard work.

Um, you can see the passion evident in the project.

I'm super excited to see this project come to life.

Um, very uh happy to be in a position to support it.

Um I would also um just you know being relatively a newbie on the board.

Um it's exciting to have an opportunity to engage with a project that's coming forward in Alameda at this scale.

Um I have the sense that you know these townhome neighborhoods are super important for our urban fabric.

You know, one of the reasons is this it's the only thing that gets built these days.

But the other the other reason is it's it's I think increasingly an important part of the way that Alameda is evolving into the future.

Um, so all of that is to say I am very eager to open, I think a dialogue with this board and with staff uh on the qualities of these types of neighborhoods.

Um because I I think there's a lot to say about them that may not show up at the level of objective design checklists, which are which tend to be more at the building scale and not at the neighborhood scale.

Um so that is something that I would like to talk about and think about um going forward.

Um for this project, I think I would just offer one musing uh maybe and and that is I think I think what we're after in developments like these is that we want to build new neighborhoods in Alameda, right?

We're not just building um buildings or clusters of buildings or developments, we're building neighborhoods, and to to be to be in a neighborhood with um single family homes, you know, whether they're in a sort of attached building type or whether they're detached, I think there's a sort of psychological sense.

Like if I were in a neighborhood, I instinctively want to understand where the units are.

And so as I'm walking down the block, I want to understand I've passed unit one, I've passed unit two, I passed unit three.

That I think has a sort of psychological benefit to your sense of how you're moving through the neighborhood, who's living in that neighbor neighborhood, whether you see people in there or not, you can kind of sense here's a home, here's another home, here's another home.

Um and so I think when when we have um too much articulation that breaks away from that kind of vertical understanding of where homes are, you get a you lose you you certainly get more articulation, you get more variety for the eye to grab onto, right?

You get more detail.

Um, but you lose you lose a sense of the households that are making up that neighborhood.

You can see the front doors, right?

But you can't really you can't really guess at what's happening behind the front doors because there's so much happening on the facade.

Um, and so I was gonna speak about the duets, not to zero in on the duets, but just as a way of talking about this topic, uh, because I I think I think you know, by and large in this development, you there are a lot of buildings where you can kind of get that sense of rhythm from one unit to the next.

And I think the duets were one particular place where we could sort of think about the idea of like, hey, can you tell one neighbor from the next neighbor?

Um, and this I think was an opportunity for because it's such a simple concept, right?

Even in the name, you called it duet, which is a really nice, like kind of poetic name.

Like I almost want to see the duets as uh as you can understand where those units are by seeing the articulation purely between one unit and the next.

And that's enough to tell the story of what's happening there, right?

That allows each unit to actually be quite simple and spare and not have so much stuff going on.

Um, and there might be something really nice about that.

Um so um that's that's all to say.

I mean, I think this is just a different way of saying what board members have always saying.

Um there it's uh they're not terribly large buildings, and so I think there is an opportunity to be uh to be sort of quiet, um, but really really nice, um, and to understand, you know, going beyond going beyond just seeing the two front doors as your way of understanding where the units are, like just expressing those units and having those units sort of say, Well, this is the first unit.

Here's the second unit, and here they are.

They're married and they're singing together, right?

Um, so I think that's all I have to say.

Um, super excited to support this project.

Um, and to see it come to life.

Yeah.

I've remembers the Hiva.

Yeah, sorry.

Um, I just wanted to add one more thing.

It um and I should have probably brought this up in the clarifying questions um section.

But uh what I didn't quite understand was um the intersection of West Midway and Main Street.

Uh the the rhythm of the duets is is then shifted, but there must have been some rationale behind it where um building 30 um I guess doesn't hold the corner like the other buildings do.

It's just uh um it's it's in the same uh type as you know the I guess like building 28, 20, 29 and then 30 versus uh all other buildings in the do it uh community facing uh West Midway actually um turn the corner, have a corner to them, but the the ones at the end don't.

Sorry, I forgot to ask previously why why that strategy is especially considering the intersection of West Midway and Main Street being a main intersection.

I don't know.

It must have been a reason.

You're absolutely right.

There is a reason for that.

And um we had originally planned on utilizing the L-shaped building in that module as well.

But however, if you notice the site does tighten up in that corner, um, and those buildings just wouldn't fit in the space that was provided, and then the same note would then impair the site visibility triangles needed at that intersection.

So that's why we chose to um repeat the middle and end units at the at the end.

However, those are enhanced, they have additional enhancements so that they feel different and they have um access off of um West Midway as well as um for for the um one on the left off of the say on the one on the right off of Main Street.

I see.

Thank you.

Um other comments, um yeah.

Um I guess uh with that I I hope the applicant has uh gotten the feedback that and you know there's a little bit of contrasting opinions here, but overall like support for um having uh architecturally interesting and diverse community, which I think that is very much achieved.

So I just want to echo the sentiments of my fellow board members, where um yeah, I think we're all really excited about this addition to our community and um what it does for addressing our housing challenges here.

Um yeah, I think uh I um also love the um the pedestrian friendliness, the opportunity for walking and biking, and um what this will do for advancing the reshape project and its connection to the reshape project.

So um yeah, with that um I uh want to open it up to make a motion whoever wants to make a motion.

Um I will uh move to uh see adopt the draft resolution, adopting the sequel findings and design review, um, and also the draft resolution represented for the vesting tenant map and recommending that the city council approve the proposed street names for this project.

I second great and uh with that, all those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Aye, oppose, and we have one abstention.

All right, and that motion moves.

Um, yeah.

Uh one absence.

Absence, not abstention.

Thank you.

Yeah.

Thank you.

Yeah, yeah.

Uh yeah, she's absent.

She can't abstain.

All right.

And with that, uh the motion passes.

So thank you.

Uh, and huge thanks to um the applicants and to the public.

Um your comments.

With that, we're closing 5A and moving on to 5B.

This is to look at this project on Tilden Way.

For this exactly, the tree removal plan.

A recommendation to the City Council for tree removal and replanting plan.

Good evening, President Cisneros, members of the planning board.

My name is Scott Workstram, I'm the city engineer for the City of Alameda.

I want to do a brief introduction before my colleague Ali Hatifi comes up here to give the presentation.

We are here because the City Council approved an amended tree removal policy in 2014.

The Tilden Clement Roundabout, which is the project we're talking about up here, is one of the first CIP projects since 2014 that has removed a large number of trees associated with the project.

City Council did approve the concept for the whole roundabout and the the changes approved the project in early 2023.

There was reference to tree removals during that conceptual approval, but no specific details.

I'll admit we are a little bit out of order.

This is definitely my fault.

City Council actually approved the construction contract for the Tilden Clement project earlier this year.

And as we were preparing noticing requirements for the tree removals, we read the tree removal policy a little more clearly again and recognize that we missed a step that we need to come to the planning board to uh ask uh for a recommendation for tree removals that ultimately will end up at city council uh scheduled currently for the 16th for approval.

So with that introduction, I will uh Ali speak to uh the presentation tonight.

Uh thank you, Scott.

Good evening.

Uh my name is Aliha Teffy with the City of Alameda Public Works Department, and tonight I'll be presenting the Clement Tilden project for the planning board's review on staff's recommendation for the removal of 65 trees.

Uh the plan approvement for the projects also includes uh replanting uh 101U trees along with improvements that'll be taking place.

Uh so for tonight's presentation, I'll go over the location of scope and improvements for the Clement Tilden project, uh timeline and current status of the project, uh tree removal and uh planning that's proposed for the project, along with our recommendation uh for moving forward to seek approval for tree removal uh through city council.

Next slide, please.

So as uh Scott mentioned, um we do have a tree removal policy which states that uh for any uh capital improvement project that removes more than five percent of trees on uh any given street block face would require a public hearing or discussion uh which includes review and recommendation uh through the planning board as well as approval for this from the city council.

Uh currently we are scheduled to go to City Council the next uh regular schedule meeting, which is Tuesday, December 16th.

Uh, just also want to mention that trees that are protected under the city's ordinance, such as Coast Live Oak Trees, uh would have the removals reviewed by this historical advisory board.

Next slide, please.

So the Clement Tilden project is located on a gateway arterial street at the northeast corner of Alameda Island on Tilden Way between Broadway and the Miller Sweeney Bridge to Fruitville, Oakland.

Uh the current slide includes uh the current site includes two intersections operated by traffic signals, which is uh Tilden Broadway and Tilden, uh blending for inside intersections, uh as well as a striped bike lane and sidewalks that are adjacent or next to the roadway, as well as the open space north of Tilden Way, that is currently not used and was formerly owned by the Union Pacific Railway.

Next slide, please.

Okay.

So the goals for the Clement Tilden project are to prioritize safety as well as improve the movement for all users, including bicyclists and pedestrians, as well as providing landscape improvements for Gateway in Alameda, as well as complying with the city's plans and policies.

That includes our Vision Zero Action Plan and the City's active transportation plan.

Next slide, please.

So based on the goals and outcomes that we're seeking, the scope of the Clement Tilden Project, for the Till Clement Tilden Project, the proposed scope includes constructing a roundabout at the intersection of Tilden and Blinding and Furch Side, Road Diet on Tilden Way, reducing the street from two lanes in each direction to one lane in each direction.

The extension of Clement Avenue from Broadway to Tilden Way, as well as the connections, completing the Cross Alameda Trail connection on the east side, San Francisco Bay Trail connection, as well as overall bicycle and pedestrian improvements.

Another premise we have includes removing old railroad equipment, railroad tracks, as well as the contaminant soil within the railroad property, as well as the landscape improvements and a new dog park at the northeast corner of Tilden Blanding.

So just want to talk about the more recent timeline for the project.

I know that this project has been discussions for the for more than 10 years, but more recently, the city staff started seeking public input back in 2022, which includes going through a series of surveys, workshops, and open house, which led to the development of the formal concept plan that was reviewed by our transportation commission, which they endorsed, and then that followed with the city council approval in early 2023, with the approval of the concept plan, the city through the consultants started development of the engineering plans, which were completed in spring 2025, and then that led to going out for construction biz and then awarding a construction contract to a contractor.

Most recently, you know, we are starting, went through the pre-construction process as well as uh having our contractor who just is mobilized on site right now.

So next slide.

So as mentioned before, the city's uh true removal policy requires capital improvement projects that remove more than 5% of trees in any street block to be reviewed by the planning board and approved by city council.

The Clement Tilden project identifies 65 trees ranging from one inches to 30 inches in diameter of various species to be removed in order to construct the project, which includes the new runabout, uh the Clement Avenue extension, uh to complete the cross-700 trail and truck route connections, uh remediation at the former railroad site, and uh along with new sidewalks, uh cycle tracks and connections to the SF Bay Trail.

And then this table here kind of provides shows a list.

It's a little hard to see, but maybe easier to see on exhibit one, the list of trees that are selected to be removed.

Uh four of the trees to be removed are Coast Live Oaks, which are listed trees and require the approval or certificate of approval from the historical poster board.

Uh one coast live oak tree did receive approval in on December 2023 at the staff level since it was identified as a risk to public health, while the three other Coast Live Oaks received approval from the historical advisory board at last Thursday's meeting.

The Coast Live Oaks were the only trees identified or only listed trees that were identified for removal from this project.

Next slide, please.

Uh a city's removal policy uh for CIP projects requires notices to be posted on each tree to be removed, along with the posting on the city's website showing which trees are to be removed, uh the location, which is shown on exhibit one, the staff report.

Uh the tree removal notices also provides dates for public discussions uh for the planning board and city council meetings, along with information on how to submit comments and where to find the tree, the city's tree removal policy.

In addition, uh notices were also posted on the three live oaks that were presented to the historical advisory board uh last week.

Next slide.

Uh the project itself, as part of the overall landscape improvements, we'll plant 101 new trees, each in 24 inch size boxes and space accordingly.

Uh the trees will be the project will replant will also include eight coast live oaks uh due to the removal of the four coast live oaks for the project, as well as other various species to help minimize impacts of the curve, sidewalks, and drainage system.

Uh all these new trees will be irrigated and we'll have a one-year uh establishment maintenance period as part of the construction project.

Uh the exhibit two or the revised one that's provided provides a list and location of the new trees that are to be planted, which is also provided on the city website as part of our posting for uh the removal of the 65 trees.

Uh so uh with that to conclude my presentation, uh staff is asking for planning sport review and concurrence uh for recommendation for city council to approve the removal of 65 trees and planning 101 new trees for the Clement Avenue Tilden Way Improvements Project.

Uh thank you.

Thank you for the presentation.

Um, and with that, uh we'll bring it back to the board for any clarifying questions.

And board member Humps.

Yeah, thank you for the presentation.

I do have some questions.

There was um a second exhibit that was called supplemental plan.

I I couldn't understand what that plan is about versus the primary set of plan you submitted.

Can you clarify what that supplement is?

It looked like it only pertained to the ground level planting.

Is it like just an alternative ground level planting scheme or can you clarify?

Uh certainly, yeah.

So we just uh the supplemental exhibit two uh kind of replaces the original exhibit two just to provide a more of a overview of the new trees that were gonna be planted as part of the project as part of the project's landscape improvements.

So it's not a different planting plan.

Oh no, it's uh I believe the sheets were kind of just rearranged differently with a supplemental exhibit just to clarify more of the proposed planning plan as part of the landscape improvements for the construction project.

Okay, thanks.

Um then I I have a question related to the city street tree master plan.

There's reference in the staff report about compliance of tree preservation requirements that are outlined in the master plan.

I was wondering how did the master plan inform if it did the selection of the trees, the replacement trees.

Sorry?

How did you know the I know the Street Tree Master Plan has a list of I believe preferred or recommended trees, and uh I was wondering how did the master plan inform the selection of the replacement trees?

Yeah, so the um the planting plan was prepared by the project landscape architect.

It was reviewed by our internal staff, particularly uh an arbor set we have on staff who is very well versed with the with the street tree uh master plan himself.

I can't speak to that with my own knowledge, but uh it was reviewed internally by our uh certified arbors on staff for for compliance.

So there weren't necessarily any preferred list of trees.

I'm just kind of wondering, I'm just thinking, wondering the thought process of how you arrived at the proposal replacement tree.

One of the specific questions I have is uh I I noticed there's not that many new uh oak trees being proposed, a live oak, which is one of the significant trees, and I thought maybe there might be you know an emphasis, a little bit more emphasis on the coast live oaks.

Yeah, I do know that uh we did replant at a two to one ratio, which is consistent with the requirements in the municipal advisors.

Yeah, it's just I'm talking about the tree species election.

Yeah, uh, do you know more about that?

I I don't, unfortunately.

We do not have the harvest keeper in the market.

Yeah.

Because I see I because I see the there's only two proposed um coast live oak is part of the total 65 replacement trees.

Just wondering.

Uh it seems like so uh for the planting plan, we do have uh a total of a coastal live oaks as well as uh Engelman's oaks and island live oaks uh to be replanted as part of the project.

Okay, I see on the plant list it just says two.

Um let's see if I'm unless I'm do you see the plant list by retention area.

I'm reading I'm looking at the plant list that's on page 30, sheet 30 of 38.

Is that not the correct plant list?

See, do you see a table that says plant list by retention area?

Um I guess I'm looking at sheet 30.

Is that the not the right list?

That should be on the same sheet.

Alternate, I see alternate trees, um, and there's 14.

I'm just I guess I'm not just not clear.

Uh these plans, uh, I had a hard time trying to understand these plans.

There's plant list bioretention.

There's a plant if you go to page thirty, if it's one forty, thirty or thirty eight.

Yeah, I'm that's what I'm at.

On the right-hand side, upper right.

Yeah, so it says plantless trees only, and I see in that list, um, yeah, on that left where it says plantless trees only, there's two uh coast live oak to the right of that, there's a six additional um in the uh the table to the right where it says plantless bioretention, there's six additional uh okay.

So it's a total of that.

Okay, okay.

I see.

Thanks for clarifying.

And then what are the alternate trees where there's additional?

What was was it?

I guess, yeah, just explain just with my clarification.

Right, certainly.

There's a plant list um on the upper, you know, left-hand corner, and then you you have the other one with the additional six.

So is there a total like nine?

Because I see one uh plantless at alternate one tree.

All right.

So the plantless at alternate one trees or additional trees that would be planted if there are five additional trees that's included as part of the 56 that need to be removed.

That need to be removed in order to meet our soil remediation goals for the project.

Okay, okay.

Okay, all right.

Thanks for clarifying.

And then the other question, and I thank you for mentioning irrigation because I that was one of my questions.

I didn't see that there were irrigation plans attached, which it doesn't need to be, but uh what type of irrigation would these trees be receiving?

The replacement trees.

It should.

I believe it should be receiving.

It's kind of like it meant to be drip system bubblers, I'm just I believe they're a combination of bubblers and drip systems that we installed for the project.

Okay, and then I just have a a sequel question.

Um the staff report mentions that um the removal of the trees was covered by the environmental impact report.

So did the environmental impact report get to the level of detail of addressing tree removal.

I'm just just a question.

I don't believe it did get into the details since I mean is that the 2009 EI report, yeah.

It did not get into the detail.

So the when the staff report says the issue of the tree removal was covered by the prior EIR.

I'm kind of wondering what level of coverage did it get into.

Right.

I think it talked um, I don't think there were any uh protected trees that were going to be removed that were identified in the EIR, so there was no impact identified.

Um in the EIR.

Okay.

All right.

Thank you.

Great.

Um board member Luis and then Sahiva.

Question on the bioretention.

I noticed that um you there were small areas that's annotated on she.

Oh shoot, which one was I.

Um, one twenty one twenty-two of which is L3.03.

Is that bio, um, what is bioletation planter as CD?

Is that the only one?

Or because I saw some symbols that's going to other areas, such as the just want to clarify.

Are there other bioletic areas besides the one that's uh we'll have multiple bioretention areas that will uh treat the runoff due to the new improvements and the reconstructed areas to meet our uh clean water gulps for the project?

So pretty much most of the planting areas will have bio retention areas that thank you.

Great.

And um board member Sahiba, you had a question?

Yeah, I just um had a quick question about uh there's I guess this is page one eighteen of one fifty-six, but um existing trees for transplant on site.

Uh are those there's four of them, three being Coast Live Oaks.

Um so those will be trees that are relocated.

Okay.

I didn't know if that was clear previously that that's what's happening.

So yeah, so as part of the improvements would identify like four or five trees uh that are suitable for relocation.

Okay.

And and so that's that's what's happening.

I see.

Okay.

Um okay, great.

Uh uh, and you you described the Clement extension um, which I can I can see there, but but Pearl Street also is being modified as well, it looks like in this plan.

What is the plan for Pearl Street?

Uh yeah, what's the plan for Pearl Street?

Um I see that it's uh I think its configuration is changing and I don't uh which I think is probably a safer situation than what it is currently where you're not crossing traffic, right?

Um to try to make this uh I know there's an opportunity currently where you can cross over and make it over to um till then or through fernsight and then till then, but but that's being um reorganized.

So, yeah, so that'll be included as part of the overall uh improvements we're gonna get into the intersection since Pearl is right next to uh the intersection till the first side and that also include uh crossing improvements uh going across for inside from Pro, which isn't currently there, as well as uh kind of an increase in area of the sidewalks as well as uh immediate area uh to provide a safer crossing experience where one doesn't exist right now, okay.

Um makes sense, thank you.

Great.

Any other questions?

Yeah.

Okay.

Uh board member Sue?

Um just pigging back off of um uh board member Hans' uh SQL comment.

I just I went back to look at the um 2023, I think this is looks like it's the city's um city council uh authorization of the city manager to execute the agreement for um Kittleson and associates to design this project.

Um I'm sure there were other approvals that the city council made, but here the city council just did a um category exempt under CEO guidelines as existing facilities.

Um so I wonder maybe if we want to be consistent, we could just do the same thing because maybe presumably that project also you know contemplate the removal of such trees at some point.

Um perhaps that might be the more just consistent way to approach the CEQA for this.

Yeah, I would suggest that if if you do do that, that that um you also rely on the EIR because the EIR does um look at whether there are any um specific biological impacts associated with um the the one I believe it was one or two historic trees that were um going to be removed or or trees of a certain uh diameter that required um uh historic review um associated with that.

Um so there was some level of of review done in the EIR as well, um, but you could also adopt the exemption.

So then um, because I know I for those is those trees that need the I think historical board review, or will they just also rely on the EIR then for their CEQA?

They did uh I believe that the HAB also um looked at the that EIR for the sequel review.

Okay, yes.

I think I would be fine just relying on that then for this.

Okay.

Uh board member huh?

Yeah, I just have another sequel question that's just because in other projects it comes up and it covers it.

Is that sometimes the master AIR will where there's significant tree removal, there's these typical mitigation measures that says you know biologists need to survey these trees to make sure there's not any endangered or threatened species that are nesting sites.

Does the the EIR include those requirements in the mitigation monitoring plan?

Um did that yes, that that typically is done if um this the project site um includes trees with species protected species.

Um, so that's that it's covered in the mitigation monitoring plan for the the CIR.

I I don't think it was.

It wasn't, okay.

I don't believe so because I don't think that any endangered species um was a survey done to confirm that.

I don't I don't know what type of survey we can we can certainly look that up.

Yeah, I mean that's that's just kind of typical thing that you see as like a standard condition that shows up in wherever there's a lot of vegetation we move.

I'm not suggesting at all that there's a you know endangered species you know living in one of those uh trees, but it's always a good precaution.

Yes, yes, any other questions.

Okay.

Um seeing none, then um thank you so much for uh the presentation answering our questions.

Um we'll go ahead and open up for public comment.

Uh, anyone maybe on Zoom has any comments.

There's um anybody online that would like to comment on the project, please raise your hand.

Um not seeing anybody raising their hands.

No, don't think we have any public commenters.

Okay, great.

Um moving um to close public comment and bring it back to the board for um any discussion though uh deliberation um recommendations.

Uh board member Sahiba.

Uh thanks for the presentation again.

Uh just wanted to say this is a really great plan that you all have organized and I think we'll be a really good um gateway into the city uh from Fruitville Bridge.

So thank you.

Thank you.

Uh board member Han?

Yeah I'll I'll move the make the motion to to recommend approval of the tree removal plan and the tree replacement plan.

I second the comment from board member Sahibahiba.

I think this will be a wonderful gateway element into the city.

I've seen a couple of other roundabouts the city has recently installed and I think it really enhances those intersections so I'm um you know it's always tough to see some mature trees being removed but I the tree replacement plan is a two to two for one requirement with 24 inch box trees so I think that's very positive.

Thank you for the motion do we have a second second okay and if any other comments before we vote all right um and I'll just say um I echo the sentiments I'm excited for this um project to move forward and how it'll improve um our community so all those in favor say aye aye opposed and we haven't one absence all right and with that we'll go ahead and close item five B.

Thank you and we're going to move on to item six which is staff communications we have 6A6B I'll hand note over to staff.

Yes uh 6A is uh recently approved uh design review and certificate of approval projects uh those are published online and in their appeal period and uh available for call for review by uh the planning board or city council uh 6B I did want to mention a couple of things um Harbor Bay Landing shopping center um you know we had a uh SB 330 application a pre-application um it has been withdrawn um pending further due diligence um the applicant heard the community loud and clear and uh wanted to uh continue conversation with safeway and the landowner and see if they could come to some terms for uh modified uh development proposal um so we'll keep you informed as as that evolves um and then secondly I wanted to mention uh one of our work program goals for the year is to um undertake a review of the commercial zoning on park and webster uh in the community commercial zone um and we are working with our uh partners in the economic development division and with the business associations and we're preparing uh an outreach plan and um uh work plan to um evaluate the the sort of um hindrances that are that are possibly um you know something that the city can control in terms of uh resulting in various storefront vacancies and what we can do to try to uh spur some more investment um so we are also looking for a couple of volunteers from the planning board um and uh you can I suppose um self-select or nominate or however you want to go about it um I think um at this point staff is still formulating our own work plan and work group so um we could also bring this back at your next meeting um we plan to kick off in January um but I wanted to give you a heads up uh we're expecting to have say three or four meetings every month or two um early in 2026 um with that working group and so you would be part of those conversations probably during the work work day probably on zoom um and we would uh publish an agenda and uh review materials ahead of time so maybe we can bring that back in January give it some thought yeah yeah, uh yeah, thanks for bringing this up.

Um that sounds like an uh an important effort that um I'm excited.

That's discussion is happening.

Um a clarifying question, would there be like um other um uh folks involved in this meeting?

I don't know, I this isn't realistic, but I think of like um like a broker or something like someone.

I failed to mention, yes.

Real estate professionals, property owners, um, other folks that aren't um involved and have a sense of what's working and what's not working.

Okay, that's great.

Um, yeah.

If uh no one is uh jumping at the moment, I think that's fine if you all want to think about that a little bit more.

Um and yeah, maybe also over email you could uh solicit volunteers and um yeah, we'll come back to this in the new year.

All right, I'll volunteer.

Oh great.

Yeah, you have one.

Anyone else?

Gentle fresher.

Sure, I'll volunteer.

You sound so enthusiastic.

Thank you so much.

I really am excited.

You say Zoom, right?

Yes, yes, and it's it's uh shouldn't be too much work, but um, you know, conceptually we're looking at um the zoning uh land use uh table um and the permit thresholds and um and then we'll probably talk a little bit about design review and historic review um and business licenses and you know building code issues and things like that, but um there's really only so much that zoning can influence.

So we're gonna focus on that, but economic development is gonna also be focusing on some of those other things.

Okay.

Great.

Um I just had a question on um 6A.

Um I noticed there's a um application to demolish the the gas station at um McCartney and Island Drive, which is where the shop is.

Do you know if that is still going forward despite the polling of the application for the the project there?

Yes.

Um that was a s actually a separate application.

Um it was by the owner and operator of the gas station.

Uh there's a state law that mandates either replacement or removal of tanks by December 31st.

They are cutting it close.

Um in fact they were ready to pull their building permit and then they discovered uh that they needed design review.

And so although they're it's an alteration, even though they're clearing the site, that's an alteration from what the planned development zoning approved when it was first built 50 years ago.

And so now they're um approved for removal and uh restoration of the site.

Cool, thank you.

Yeah, good catch.

Oh um, great.

Um I have no any other comments or uh oh yes, board member Hom.

I just wanted to commend staff for the field trip for the Alameda point that was led on Saturday.

I I found it really informative and a lot of good information and was well organized and a lot of information packed into I guess the hour and a half or two hours that was spent.

So I want to thank you for that.

Yeah, again, I'll I'll commend the base for use and economic development department for that.

Um I um was part of the review team as they were preparing the presentation, but uh I think they they really um pulled it together and um uh from what I've heard it was a very fruitful for the for staff as well.

Awesome.

Um I'll I'll go ahead and um open up for public comment for item six.

No public comments.

We'll go ahead and close that and then um I think this kind of segues to the board communications um item seven.

Um I agree the uh learning trip was um excellent, so thank you so much to your team for organizing that.

Any other board communications?

Okay, seeing that we'll close that and we're gonna open up to any public comments, any non-agenda public comments.

Um not seeing any um hands raised.

Okay.

Well, before we adjourn, I just wanna wish everyone happy holidays.

Um, and have a wonderful and safe new year, and I'll see you in twenty twenty six, I guess.

So, yeah, thank you all, and we're adjourned.

Thank you.

Okay.