body,date,page,text,path
PlanningBoard,2008-04-14,1,"Minutes of the Regular Planning Board Meeting
Monday, April 14, 2008
Council Chambers, City Hall
2263 Santa Clara Avenue - 7:00 PM
President Cook called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
PRESENT:
President Cook, Boardmembers Ezzy Ashcraft,
Lynch and McNamara
ABSENT:
Vice-President Kohlstrand and Boardmember
Cunningham
STAFF PRESENT:
Andrew Thomas, Planning Manager/Secretary to the
Planning Board; Farimah Faiz, Assistant City
Attorney; Cynthia Eliason, Supervising Planner;
Simone Wolter, Planner I; Althea Carter, Executive
Assistant/Recording Secretary
MINUTES:
Minutes for the meeting of November 13, 2007
Continued to April 28, 2008.
Minutes for the meeting of February 25, 2008
Motion (Ezzy Ashcraft)/Second (Cook) to approve as amended.
Ayes: 4; Noes: 0; Absent: 2. Motion unanimously approved.
Minutes for the meeting of March 24, 2008 (pending)
AGENDA CHANGES AND DISCUSSION:
NONE
STAFF COMMUNICATIONS:
(6-A.) Future Agendas: Andrew Thomas reviewed future agenda items and
noted the Esplanade appeal will be heard at the City Council meeting scheduled
for April 15, 2008.
(6-B.) Zoning Administrator Report: There was no Zoning Administrator meeting
on April 1, 2008.
(6-C.) Report Re: Status of Broadway/Jacksor Phase II: Andrew Thomas
provided a review and update on the status of this project. The City of Alameda
has been working on this project with Caltrans and the City of Oakland for 10-15
Page 1 of 7",PlanningBoard/2008-04-14.pdf
PlanningBoard,2008-04-14,2,"years. Many options have been presented regarding modification of the Posey
Tube and freeway exits on 1880. Caltrans has determined that one option, to cut
through the Posey tube and create a ""hard"" right turn upon exiting the tube, is not
feasible and was rejected because the tube is not a tunnel and enabling
motorists to make a hard right turn could result in an increase of rear-end
accidents.
Another option considered was creating a new on-ramp at 6th and Market
Streets. Although not as effective as the previous option this option is good for
transit (bus/BART) connections and provides multiple options for vehicles. This
study has a greater impact on Oakland since some property owners will be
impacted by any proposed solutions. It will probably be 10-20 years before any
construction will begin. It is challenging for cities to continue to rely on ""building""
their way out of traffic problems. Short-term successes in Alameda may be seen
through project development conditions of approval.
City Councilmember's from Alameda and Oakland meet quarterly to discuss
transportation issues. This is an ongoing effort and will be a long process.
Boardmember Ezzy Ashcraft commented that transportation is a regional not just
a local problem. We need to continue to pursue opportunities to get people out
of their cars.
ORAL COMMUNICATION:
Andrew Thomas advised the Board of a pending design review item for a location
(Kohl's) at Alameda Towne Centre (ATC).
President Cook asked how the design fits in with the Master Plan Amendment.
Andrew Thomas responded by saying Alameda Towne Centre's (ATC) Planned
Development Amendment (PDA) allows for expansion of floor area. ATC can
introduce new tenants through the design review process but cannot increase
tenant space (square footage).
President Cook requested the item be placed on the agenda for the next
Planning Board meeting on April 28, 2008.
President Cook inquired about the status of Clif Bar.
Andrew Thomas responded that Clif Bar was concerned about the lack of food
choice options in the area and their employees' ability to bike to work.
President Cook mentioned the board would like to hear about these concerns
from Staff and not from reading it in the newspaper.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
Page 2 of 7",PlanningBoard/2008-04-14.pdf
PlanningBoard,2008-04-14,3,"NONE
REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS:
(9-A.) Cynthia Eliason presented the City Council approved Local Action Plan for
Climate Protection. This item was for discussion purposes only. No action was
taken.
President Cook asked how zero waste is achieved since there is always
something that doesn't fit in a bin. Staff responded that zero waste is a goal.
Public comment was opened.
Citizen Bill Smith commented on emissions and zero waste.
Public comment was closed.
Boardmember Lynch inquired whether Stopwaste.org assisted with preparation
of the report. Staff responded in the affirmative. Stopwaste.org was instrumental
in putting together this collaborative effort.
Boardmember Lynch commented on initiative #2 page 29. Retail trips account
for the highest use of vehicles. How is this issue addressed? Staff responded
that these issues are considered as individual projects are reviewed.
Boardmember Ezzy Ashcraft referred to the last document in the plan (Appendix
F). She asked whether environmentally preferred purchases (for example
cleaning products used by City maintenance staff) would move forward to
become an ordinance or stay on the back burner. Staff responded that the intent
is to move the document forward as an ordinance. Styrofoam was the first
initiative but others will follow.
Boardmember Ezzy Ashcraft inquired about the steps required to create a new
ordinance. Staff responded by detailing the process involved in establishing an
ordinance from Staff to the Planning Board to the City Council.
Boardmember Ezzy Ashcraft inquired whether staff would look to other cities for
what they have done in this area. Staff responded in the affirmative.
Boardmember Ezzy Ashcraft inquired about the timeframe for implementation of
the plan. Staff responded that a timeline has not been set.
Boardmember Ezzy Ashcraft acknowledged Simone Wolter (staff) for her
contributions to the plan.
Boardmember Lynch inquired whether bike lockers will be provided outside the
theatre. Staff responded in the affirmative.
Page 3 of 7",PlanningBoard/2008-04-14.pdf
PlanningBoard,2008-04-14,4,"Boardmember Lynch mentioned riding his bike along Park Street and was
disappointed there was no place for bike parking. He suggested the City may
want to look into places for bike lockers and bike parking. President Cook
concurred with Boardmember Lynch. Staff responded that they will mention bike
parking and lockers to city staff working on the citywide bike plan.
Boardmember Ezzy Ashcraft commended Cynthia Eliason for the bike parking
provided outside Peets and noted there is no bike parking available outside
Long's on Santa Clara and Oak Streets.
Boardmember McNamara said it would be nice to have everything in place but
this is a great first step.
Boardmember Ezzy Ashcraft agreed but commented that Alameda is a bit late
since 10 other cities have already adopted the ordinance.
President Cook thanked staff, Simone Wolter and Boardmember Cunningham for
their work on the project. The Planning Board can take the lead on
transportation and land use initiatives. Work/live ordinances are sensitive topics
in Alameda. The City Council considers whether actions are consistent with the
Local Action Plan. Project consistency with the local action plan should also be
considered by the Planning Board when reviewing projects. Including this
information on staff reports would be helpful. If possible, without creating
additional work, President Cook would like Staff to periodically advise the Board
about the status of these initiatives either annually or semi-annually.
Andrew Thomas responded in the affirmative. Staff will add a section to future
staff reports regarding project support of the Local Action Plan. Priority setting is
key.
Cynthia Eliason mentioned that the City Council asked how monitoring of this
ordinance would occur. This is under discussion. Staff is interested in tracking
implementation not just numbers.
No action was taken.
(9-B.) Cynthia Eliason presented the staff report recommending the City Council
approve Green Building requirements for City building projects, capital
improvement projects, and public-private partnerships.
Staff pointed out that this requirement affects City projects (such as fire stations,
renovations, Carnegie), and public/private partnerships (such as Alameda Point).
Page 4 of 7",PlanningBoard/2008-04-14.pdf
PlanningBoard,2008-04-14,5,"Boardmember Lynch thanked staff for bringing this item forward. He asked why
the recommendation is for the minimum standards. Staff responded that the
model ordinance was used as the template with minimum requirements.
Boardmember Lynch stated it would be helpful to compare these requirements
with what is stated in the Local Action Plan. President Cook suggested removing
the word ""minimum"".
Boardmember Ezzy Ashcraft distributed copies of information about the
ordinance she retrieved from the Stopwaste.org website. She mentioned the
minimum is a suggestion not a requirement. Cities may choose their level of
participation. By June 2009 Alameda is required to adopt a bay friendly
landscaping ordinance in order to continue to receive funding from
Stopwaste.org. Is there a reason Staff is not implementing this ordinance now?
Boardmember Ezzy Ashcraft would like to incorporate bay friendly landscaping
into the ordinance tonight. In the city of San Francisco it is not uncommon for
applicants to wait six months for building permits. San Francisco expedites
permit processing of LEED certified projects. Would this process work in
Alameda.
Staff responded in the negative. Incentives are difficult to provide in Alameda
since we currently enjoy a ten day turnaround on permit processing.
Boardmember McNamara inquired how staff will assure the Board's direction will
be incorporated into a landscaping ordinance. Staff responded that Build It
Green and LEED principles and suggestions would be used as models.
Boardmember McNamara inquired what the timeline for completion of this
ordinance is. Staff responded there is a six month rollout.
President Cook stated she also would like to see voluntary standards
implemented in the interim and inquired if a continuance of this item would give
staff time to prepare and present voluntary bay friendly landscaping guidelines.
Boardmember Ezzy Ashcraft inquired whether there was any reason why
Stopwaste.org's bay friendly landscaping model ordinance could not be applied
in Alameda. Staff responded that it could be used as a stop gap voluntary
program for private developments. Boardmember Ezzy Ashcraft commented that
she would like the bay friendly landscape guidelines incorporated into the
ordinance.
President Cook identified two issues regarding the ordinance. There is no
reference to bay friendly landscaping or voluntary green guidelines for residential
properties. She suggested using the City of Oakland's ordinance as a guide.
Page 5 of 7",PlanningBoard/2008-04-14.pdf
PlanningBoard,2008-04-14,6,"Boardmember Lynch suggested further study of the available options. He
inquired what Staff wanted to accomplish tonight and in the future. He stated
that implementation costs should be considered as well as what impact
implementation would have on the budget. He would like to see a 5-year plan
and suggests there are things that can be done to move this issue forward.
Cynthia Eliason responded that education of city staff is an important part of this
process. Smaller ordinances will be presented to the Board (fireplaces, etc.).
Staff is not resistant to voluntary compliance. It is simply a matter of available
resources.
Boardmember Lynch requested staff to comment on the last two clauses of the
resolution and inquired whether the Resolution could be modified to include the
Oakland bay friendly landscaping ordinance. Staff responded that the resolution
could be modified to include additional whereas'. President Cook stated the
modifications should be included as ""resolves"" not ""whereas"".
Boardmember Ezzy Ashcraft suggested adopting two resolutions with one
mirroring the City of Oakland's civic ordinance that applies to municipal projects.
She commented that page 2, first whereas of the resolution is too vague for the
public.
Cynthia Eliason, Farimah Faiz and Boardmember Ezzy Ashcraft discussed
whether it was appropriate to adopt an ordinance that had not been previously
publicized or if the item should be presented at the next Board meeting.
Andrew Thomas suggested the bay friendly ordinance resolution be presented to
the Board at the April 28, 2008 meeting or as a consent item at the May 12, 2008
meeting.
President Cook suggested Boardmember Ezzy Ashcraft work with Staff on the
wording for the resolution.
The public hearing was opened.
Speaker, Bill Smith, spoke in favor of this item.
The public hearing was closed.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS:
Andrew Thomas mentioned an upcoming meeting of the Alameda Point Task
Force.
Page 6 of 7",PlanningBoard/2008-04-14.pdf
PlanningBoard,2008-04-14,7,"BOARD COMMUNICATIONS:
Boardmember McNamara discussed the Bridgeside project and reminded staff
that the Board had previously requested responses to several questions
regarding the project. She would like staff's response at the next Board meeting.
President Cook suggested a site visit. Boardmember Lynch inquired whether a
field trip to the site could be listed on the agenda as ""Item 9-B"" for example.
Andrew Thomas suggested an organized site visit on a Saturday may be more
appropriate.
President Cook inquired about Staff's response to previous questions on the
Measure A Summary Report. Staff responded that it would be on the next
agenda. President Cook inquired whether the overview requested by
Boardmember Cunningham was being provided. Andrew Thomas responded in
the negative and stated that the Planning & Building Director suggested a
summary report should be the first step.
Boardmember Ezzy Ashcraft mentioned the Theatre Gala is being held next
month on Wednesday, May 21st from 6-10 p.m. Tickets are $100 each and
contributions will help restore the theatre mural.
9-B. City of Alameda - 2263 Santa Clara Avenue. President Cook reopened
Item 9-B and asked if there was a motion.
Boardmember Ezzy Ashcraft moved to approve the amended and modified
resolution. Approved as amended 4-0.
ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting was adjourned at 9:42 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Andrew Thomas, Secretary
City Planning Board
This meeting was audio and video taped.
Page 7 of 7",PlanningBoard/2008-04-14.pdf