body,date,page,text,path
PlanningBoard,2009-07-13,1,"MINUTES OF THE REGULAR PLANNING BOARD MEETING
MONDAY, JULY 13, 2009
COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY HALL
2263 SANTA CLARA AVENUE - 7:00 PM
President Kohlstrand called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.
FLAG SALUTE:
Board Member Cook
ROLL CALL:
PRESENT:
President Kohlstrand, Vice-President Ezzy Ashcraft,
Board members Cook, Cunningham, Lynch, and
Autorino.
ABSENT:
None
STAFF PRESENT:
David Brandt, Assistant City Manager/Planning and
Building Director, Andrew Thomas, Planning
Manager; Simone Wolter, Planner; Nancy McPeak,
Executive Assistant/Recording Secretary
MINUTES:
Minutes from the meeting of March 9, 2009 (pending)
Minutes from the meeting of March 23, 2009 (pending-
additional information)
Minutes from the meeting of April 27, 2009 Approved 6-0-0
Minutes from the meeting of May 11, 2009 (pending)
Minutes from the meeting of June 8, 2009 (pending)
5.
AGENDA CHANGES AND DISCUSSION:
Items 8A and 8B were moved to the Regular Agenda Items.
6.
STAFF COMMUNICATIONS:
Written Report
6-A
Fiscal Year 2009/2010 Work Program Review
Staff presented the Work Program and provided an overview of the reorganization
initiative, which will continue through the fiscal year.
President Kohlstrand welcomed David Brandt on behalf of the Planning Board. She also
requested that the Waterfront Design Guidelines and sustainable ordinances be raised
to a higher priority. In addition, she asked for an end of calendar year report on the
progress of the Work Program.
Page 1 of 7",PlanningBoard/2009-07-13.pdf
PlanningBoard,2009-07-13,2,"Vice-President Ezzy Ashcraft and Board member Cook seconded these comments.
Board member Cook added that the General Plan Land Use element would benefit from
an inclusion of design concepts for the Northern Waterfront Mixed Use areas.
6-B
Future Agendas
Staff presented the future agendas for summer/fall.
6-C Zoning Administrator Report - The Zoning Administrator approved a Use Permit
for a legal non-conforming residential use at 2418 Buena Vista Avenue and a Use
Permit for one year for a car rental business at 1716 Park Street on June 16, 2009.
7.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS:
Anyone may address the Board on a topic not on the agenda under this item by
submitting a speaker's information slip, subject to the 5-minute time limit.
None from the public.
President Kohlstrand presented a proclamation honoring Board member McNamara's
tenure as a Planning Board member and her dedication and distinction in serving the
City of Alameda.
8.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
Consent Calendar items are considered routine and will be enacted, approved or
adopted by one motion unless a request for removal for discussion or
explanation is received from the Planning Board or a member of the public by
submitting a speaker slip for that item.
Items 8A and 8B were moved to the regular calendar.
8-C Zoning Text Amendment - Applicant - City of Alameda. The City of Alameda
Planning Board will be considering and developing a recommendation to the City
Council on a proposed amendment to the City of Alameda off-street parking
regulations for the Park Street and Webster Street Commercial Districts. The
proposed amendments establish new minimum and maximum off-street parking
requirements and changes to the parking in-lieu fee requirements.
Board member Cunningham moved, seconded by Vice-President Ezzy
Ashcraft to move this project to a future date. The motion passed 6-0-0.
9.
REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS:
8-A
Harbor Bay Business Park Association, Harbor Bay Isle Associates and
Harbor Bay Entities -- Bay Farm Island (Primarily Harbor Bay Isle) DA89-01. A
request for a Periodic Review of Development Agreement DA89-01, for the
period through April 4, 2009, as required under Zoning Ordinance Section 30-
95.1. The properties are zoned R-1-PD (One Family Residence/Planned
Development Zoning District); C-M-PD (Commercial Manufacturing Planned
Development Zoning District); O (Open Space Zoning District), and R-1-A-H
(One Family Residence with Special Agricultural and Height Limit Combining
Zoning District). (JB)
Page 2 of 7",PlanningBoard/2009-07-13.pdf
PlanningBoard,2009-07-13,3,"Board member Autorino excused himself from hearing and voting on this item due to a
conflict of interest.
Vice-President Ezzy Ashcraft asked for clarification on the development agreement and
resolution's statement about Catalina Road's street design and its acceptance as a
private or public road by the City of Alameda.
President Kohlstrand opened the public comment period.
D. Reidy, Harbor Bay representative, explained the street design and corrected the
review period in the resolution to April 4, 2009.
President Kohlstrand closed the public comment period.
Vice-President Ezzy Ashcraft moved, Board member Cunningham seconded the motion
to approve as amended. Motion passed 6-0-0.
8-B
Conformance Rezonings - Applicant: City of Alameda:
PLN09-0110 - 1913 Sherman Street (APN 074-0906-031-08) A rezoning
of a 1.9 acre property from M-1-PD, Intermediate Industrial (Manufacturing)
Planned Development District, to R-2-PD, Two Family Residence Planned
Development District.
Staff presented a staff report on the conformance rezonings. Staff requested that only
the 1913 Sherman Street project be continued to a later date.
Board member Lynch asked for clarification on the nature for the delay. He
recommended that the project be moved forward if staff's recommendation will likely not
change after one month's continuation.
Vice-President Ezzy Ashcraft asked for clarification on the neighborhood's request for
any future development on this parcel having access solely from Sherman Street.
President Kohlstrand opened the public comment period.
D. Freeman, Estuary Park Action Committee member, spoke about the conceptual
design of the proposed Estuary Park and reminded the Planning Board that the change
in use would increase residential density, making the park's development an even more
pressing necessity.
J. Woodard, Estuary Park Action Committee member, urged the City to begin acquiring
the park space and start development of financial resources available from philanthropic
funding sources.
K. Pryor, requested that the Planning Board consider maintaining the job base in lieu of
converting commercial uses to residential uses.
Page 3 of 7",PlanningBoard/2009-07-13.pdf
PlanningBoard,2009-07-13,4,"President Kohlstrand closed the public comment period.
Board member Cook moved, Vice-President Ezzy Ashcraft seconded continuation of
1913 Sherman to the next Planning Board meeting. Motion passed 6-0-0.
PLN09-0112 - 1590 and 1616 Fortmann Way (APN 072-0231-018-00)
/
PLN09-0116 - 2015 and 2025 Grand Street (APN 072-0381-002-00 and
072-0381-001-00) A rezoning of three parcels from M-2, General Industrial
(Manufacturing) District, to R-4-PD, Neighborhood Residential Planned
Development District.
PLN09-0113 - 2201 Clement Avenue (APN 071-0289-004-00) / PLN09-
0114 - 2189 Clement Avenue (APN 071-0289-007-03) A rezoning of two
separate parcels totaling approximately five acres from M-2, General
Industrial (Manufacturing) District, to R-2-PD, Two Family Planned
Development Residence District.
PLN09-0115 - 2100 Clement Avenue and 1924 Willow Street (APN 071-
0228-001-02) A rezoning of a 2.7 acre parcel from M-1, Intermediate
Industrial (Manufacturing) District, to R-2-PD, Two Family Planned
Development Residence District.
Board member Cook moved, Vice-President Ezzy Ashcraft seconded the
recommendation to City Council for the approval of rezoning 1590 and 1616 Fortman
Way, 2201 and 2189 Clement Avenue, and 2100 Clement and 1924 Willow Street.
Motion passed 6-0-0.
9-A. 2009-2010 Election of Planning Board Officers. The Planning Board will elect
a new President and Vice President for the upcoming year, as required by the
Planning Board By-Laws.
President Kohlstrand continued this item until a new Planning Board member is
appointed by the City Council.
No motion was passed on this item.
9-B
Appeal of Major Design Review Approval - DR07-0046 - 1611 Walnut Street
- Cheryl Clemans Appellant. Design review approval for a two-story addition
and remodel to an existing two-story duplex is being appealed to the Planning
Board for consideration.
Staff presented the project.
Board member Cook asked for clarification on the location of the proposed decks on the
rear of the property.
C. Clemans, appellant, stated her reasons for appealing the design review: a) the
distances between the two homes is five feet and the addition is located in the side yard
setback, b) the new addition would shade her property and reduce her privacy, c) her
Page 4 of 7",PlanningBoard/2009-07-13.pdf
PlanningBoard,2009-07-13,5,"property value would be reduced, due to reduced access views of trees and the sky,
and d) the new addition would increase the volume of residents, resulting in more noise,
less parking, and less privacy. She recommended that the new addition end flush with
her home.
S. Woan, applicant's representative, pointed out that the applicant has made a good
faith effort to accommodate the neighbor's requests and has already included design
changes. She continued that the applicant has already initiated construction based on
City approvals. Changing the design and removing the existing construction to
accommodate changes, would present a significant financial hardship. She requested
that the appeal be denied.
Vice-President Ezzy Ashcraft commented that the proposal would positively impact the
property values of the overall neighborhood and it is unlikely that the addition would
negatively impact the appellants property values. She pointed out that while there would
be a negligible increase of shading in December, there already is shading that occurs
today. Because the increase of noise or traffic was not raised in the appeal application,
she felt that the board could not review this and make a decision on this issue. She
recommended denying the appeal.
Board member Cook commented that the deck on the second story should be removed
to ensure privacy for the appellant.
Board member Cunningham endorsed removing the deck from the second story to
ensure privacy. He pointed out that the proposed setback can be approved with a
finding that is routinely done by staff and the Planning Board. He supports denying the
appeal, with the condition that the deck on the second story be changed to a window.
Board member Autorino seconded previous members, recommended eliminating the
second story deck, and favored denying the appeal.
President Kohlstrand supported the previous comments.
Board member Cunningham moved to deny the appeal with the change to the design
review approval that the deck be removed, and the French doors be changed to the
windows. Board member Lynch seconded the denial of the appeal. Motion passed 6-0-
0.
9-C
Use Permit - PLN09-0199 - Applicant - CONGLOBAL Industries at Encinal
Terminals - A request to approve an amendment of the existing use permit UP-
94-
06 to allow ConGlobal to continue existing operations from September 26, 2009
through August 3, 2010. The existing use includes outdoor storage, refurbishing,
and sale and lease of shipping containers.
Use Permit - PLN09-0184 - Applicant - Chengben ""Peter"" Wang for Encinal
Terminals - A request to approve an amendment of the existing use permit UP-
94-06 to allow for the outdoor storage, refurbishing, and sale and lease of
shipping containers, outdoor storage of boats, watercraft, automobiles, RV's,
Page 5 of 7",PlanningBoard/2009-07-13.pdf
PlanningBoard,2009-07-13,6,"chassis, trailers, automotive equipment, vehicles, buses, trucks, mobile homes,
construction equipment and materials for business, homes, commercial and/or
household goods and ancillary uses including office or retail functions from
September 26, 2009 through August 31, 2015.
Rezoning - PLN09-0222- Applicant - City of Alameda. A rezoning of property
currently occupied by ConGlobal Industries from M-2, General Industrial
(Manufacturing) District, to M-X Mixed Use Planned Development District to
conform to the General Plan Mixed Use Designation.
Staff presented a staff report.
President Kohlstrand opened the public comment period.
N. Cabral is in opposes the extension of the Use Permit for further trucking operations
because it is a significant negative impact to the neighborhood.
S. Rickard, supports the rezoning of the property to Mixed Use. He requested that staff
provide information on the status of the Tideland Trust portion of the Encinal Terminals
property at the next Planning Board hearing. He also requested that any interim use be
carefully examined for compatibility with the area.
L. Arnerich, commented on the delayed redevelopment of the Northern Waterfront and
encouraged the Planning Board to approve Use Permits that support businesses and
property owners until the actual redevelopment can take place.
President Kohlstrand closed the public hearing.
Board member Autorino stated that he would prefer to move forward on rezoning the
property at this hearing. He is concerned that interim uses would not be compatible with
the neighborhood.
David Brandt clarified that the code amendment, as proposed for the next hearing,
would address interim uses that could be approved until any Master Plan development
would be able to start.
Vice-President Ezzy Ashcraft is concerned about a continuation of any trucking related
use permit and its impact on the neighborhood. She asked what conditions could be
changed to mitigate and address lack of landscaping, visual blight, trash accumulation
noise, and air pollution. She favors granting the extension of the Use Permit for
ConGlobal, but requests that the phasing out of this business is sped up to ease the
impact on the neighbors. In addition, she supports the recommendation from Board
member Autorino to only approve interim uses that would move the overall use of the
site closer to what the mixed use designation would permit.
Board member Cook commended Andrew Thomas on the excellent staff report
discussing the issues surrounding the project.
Page 6 of 7",PlanningBoard/2009-07-13.pdf
PlanningBoard,2009-07-13,7,"Board member Autorino moved to approve the extension and move the rezoning to
another hearing date. Board member Cunningham seconded the motion. Motion passed
6-0-0.
9.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS:
None.
11.
BOARD COMMUNICATIONS:
Board members may ask a question for clarification, make a brief announcement or
make a brief report on his or her activities. In addition, the Board may provide a referral
to staff or other resources for factual information, request staff to report back to the body
at a subsequent meeting concerning a City matter or, through the chair, direct staff to
place a request to agendize a matter of business on a future agenda.
Vice-President Ezzy Ashcraft commented that the bike parking structures along Central
Avenue, across from the theatre have been installed and are well used.
12.
ADJOURNMENT:
9:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Andrew Thomas, Planning Services Manager
This meeting was audio and video taped.
Page 7 of 7",PlanningBoard/2009-07-13.pdf