body,date,page,text,path
PlanningBoard,2014-06-09,1,"APPROVED MEETING MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE
CITY OF ALAMEDA PLANNING BOARD
MONDAY, JUNE 9, 2014
1. CONVENE:
7:0_p.m.
2. FLAG SALUTE:
Not recorded
3. ROLL CALL:
President Burton, Vice President Henneberry, Board
members Alvarez-Morroni, Knox White, Köster, Tang and
Zuppan.
4. AGENDA CHANGES AND DISCUSSION: None
5. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS:
Ms. Claudia Charette, spoke on being a member of Harbor Bay Neighbors and supports to
oppose moving the Harbor Bay Club.
Ms. Irene Dieter, addressed terminology in staff reports. She stated that the recent Del
Monte project hearings were referred to as ""workshops"". These were not workshops as
they didn't interact with the community.
6. CONSENT CALENDAR: None
7. REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS:
7.A. Recommendation to Approve the Draft Housing Element (HE) Update for
2015-2023. The Planning Board will hold a public hearing and make a recommendation to
the City Council on the draft Housing Element General Plan Amendment.
Mr. Andrew Thomas, City Planner, provided a report and update.
Board member Knox White asked if the Rent Review Advisory Committee (RRAC) was a
City body or is it now with the Housing Authority. He asked if RRAC will continue to report
annually as they have in the past.
Mr. Thomas stated it is staffed by the Housing Authority, but referrals do go to City
Council, and the RRAC will continue to report annually.
President Burton opened public comment.
Mr. John Selbach, read into record, ""No rent control.'
Ms. Kari Thompson, past President, Chamber of Commerce and current Treasurer, she
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PlanningBoard,2014-06-09,2,"read from a letter submitted to the PB and staff to support the HE without a rent
stabilization item.
Ms. Lori Moe, asked for an approval of the HE without rent stabilization, she is an owner
and landlord and would like to continue working with tenants directly without new
regulatory restrictions.
Ms. Anne DeBardeleben, President, Board of Realtors, read from a letter submitted to the
PB opposing a rent stabilization directive. She stated being open to talks for further work
on a rent stabilization, and recognized the hard work of the RRAC.
Ms. Irene Dieter, asked for a forum on rent stabilization for the community before adding it
to the HE. She asked for a hold on the HE until more information is brought forth.
Mr. Jason Buckley, stated rent prices have risen significantly recently and there is no
incentive for landlords to not follow cities around who have increased rents. Hard working
long time residents are being forced out of Alameda.
Ms. Catherine Johnson, is an 8+ year tenant and has been hit with rent increases often
and if this continues she will lose her home based day-care business and her home
making it necessary to relocate outside of Alameda. She supports Knox White's
comments for a task force.
Mr. Doyle Saylor, retired and been in Alameda 17 years, he commented rents have
increased up to 30% around the bay area. Residents on a fixed income, fighting a 30%
rent increase with the RRAC can successfully lower that increase to 10% but it is still a
hardship. He agreed with Knox White to look into the need in Alameda.
Mr. Bill Smith, Renewed Hope, is pleased to hear there will be an annual report from here
out. He commented on the housing development on Alameda Point (AP), and suggested
getting a handle on the costs involved with development.
Mr. Jeffry Levin, East Bay Housing Organizations (EBHO), is also pleased to hear an
annual report will be forthcoming. He commented on the quantified objectives being a best
guess. There is no proposal to the PB for including a rent stabilization program. What is
proposed is to conduct a study on rentals and tenants in Alameda, with 52% of population
being renters.
Ms. Kelly Harp, Disabilities Commission, spoke on the need for a Universal Design
Ordinance, she asked for the language is changed to exclude a specific demographic.
Ms. Laura Thomas, Renewed Hope, thanked staff for the last HE. She spoke on the AP
portion and was hoping on stronger language for affordable housing. They are supporting
the task force in addressing rising rents.
Ms. Sharon Riley, spoke on supporting the program Knox White proposed. She told her
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PlanningBoard,2014-06-09,3,"story of losing work and a landlord raising her rent. She stated there are a lot of single
women in Alameda who cannot afford to be here and are afraid of being forced out.
Ms. Lisa Hall, spoke on being a lifelong resident and told her story of losing work and her
house, and trying to find a rental. She found an apartment, but rental increases on a fixed
income is a hardship.
Ms. Helen Sause, commended the city on the increased number of units to be developed
in Alameda. She asked if more can be done to increase the number of affordable units.
She urged to be mindful of what the long-term land use will look like.
Ms. Karen Bey, spoke on being a landlord and the struggles of keeping properties in good
condition. She commented on the issue being supply and demand for rentals. It's been a
very long time without new multi-family units being built in Alameda. Putting the burden
on small landlords isn't fair.
Closed public comment.
Board member Alvarez-Morroni is fine with what is proposed.
Board member Zuppan thanked staff for their work. She would like the transportation in
Alameda addressed, stating that demand management needs to be proactive for the entire
city.
Board member Köster thanked staff for their work and he agrees with Board member
Zuppan on the need for parking and transportation issues to be addressed.
Board member Knox White asked about the employee housing program.
Mr. Thomas stated this is a response to a state law.
Board member Knox White supports Ms. Harp's comment. He wants a change to the list of
meetings, and acknowledgment that everyone was spoken with.
Mr. Thomas stated there have been a number of meetings and this list is only the boards
and commissions. He commented that an annual report will address the overall city
housing health.
Vice President Henneberry commended staff for the work done on the past two HE's.
President Burton commented on the Universal Design language and agreed with Ms.
Harp's suggestion.
Mr. Thomas reviewed the suggestions from PB.
Vice Henneberry asked staff to explain the role of the board in setting up the proposed
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PlanningBoard,2014-06-09,4,"committee.
Staff explained it would be a recommendation to City Council.
Board member Knox White read into the record his proposal in addition to item 2.8. This
is a group, task force, to collect, review and recommend.
Board member Alvarez-Morroni thanked the speakers and recognized this as a regional
problem. She thanked Knox White for his work, although voiced concern that this is
another committee without funding.
Board member Tang agreed the supply and demand is the issue. We need to look at
supply before we can deal with rent increases. Many cannot afford to purchase a home in
Alameda.
Board member Zuppan thanked the speakers. She is concerned about using the wrong
language, and she does not believe this proposal belongs in the HE. She stated there is
a need to look at rents and perhaps a task force, but it's a complex issue and feels there
are many volunteer groups in the City who would be willing to work on the issue.
Board member Köster asked about processes for proceeding.
Mr. Thomas explained this could be approved as a program for the HE, or sent to City
Council as an advisory item.
Board member Köster agreed something definitely needs to be done, and supports
sending to City Council.
Vice President Henneberry stated that whether it is in the HE or as an advisory to City
Council he is fine with it. He supports either recommendation.
President Burton supported adding this to the HE. The solution to the demand problem is
long term, and we should be respectful to tenants. He stated that rent stabilization isn't
the end all because there are other solutions, and the task force could be a balanced
representation of the community.
Board member Knox White motioned to adopt the HE with the proposed adjustments and
to include the proposal for 2.8.B., edit the number of meetings and the quantified objective
being a final report.
Vice President Henneberry seconded.
Board member Alvarez-Morroni asked board member Knox White is he is willing to
amended the motion to adopt the HE with the proposed adjustments and to submit his
recommendation as an advisory item to City Council.
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PlanningBoard,2014-06-09,5,"Board member Knox White stated he would rather not.
The original motion carried, 4-3
Board member Zuppan motioned to advise City Council as a whole that the Planning
Board is in favor of the HE with proposed edits without 2.8.B.
Board member Alvarez-Morroni seconded.
Motioned carried, 7-0
7.B. Recommendation to Approve the Draft Alameda Point Waterfront Town
Center Precise Plan. The Planning Board will hold a public hearing and make a
recommendation to the City Council on a draft specific plan for the area generally located
around the Seaplane Lagoon and Main Street entry at Alameda Point
Mr. Andrew Thomas, City Planner provided a presentation and update on the 135 page
plan.
President Burton opened the item to speakers.
Ms. Irene Dieter, spoke on the open space area of the plan. She feels there is some
opposition and some wetland issues from the Recreation Commission that wasn't
documented. She requested the PB address the differences with the various titled open
spaces. She suggested demolishing Building 25.
Mr. Bill Smith, spoke on open space and housing issues at AP. He seconded Ms. Dieter's
comments. He commented that staff may have misrepresented what the Sierra Club had
suggested. He spoke on integrating housing with other buildings.
Mr. Richard Bangert, Sierra Club, spoke on the open space area on the left side of the sea
plane lagoon. He reported the Sierra Club's comments weren't incorporated into the plan.
Sierra Club wants a bona fide wetland for wildlife. Camping in the wetlands isn't going to
protect wildlife, they had proposed extending the existing wetland. This is not
a
continuation of a nature preserve. He spoke on sea level rise taking over buildings and
wetlands in 40-50 years. He proposed a balanced phase approach to remove concrete
along the corridor.
Closed public comment.
Board member Köster commented on the building heights in front of the historic landmarks
and agrees with AAPS previous comments. He asked that the 35' and 50' buildings be
swapped. He has asked to see the right-of-way on the plans. He agreed with Sierra
Club's comments and getting things documented.
Mr. Thomas reported Alameda Point lease revenue doesn't go to the City.
Ms. Ott commented that anything that becomes ""green"" has to stay green space.
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PlanningBoard,2014-06-09,6,"Board member Tang commented on parking issues for weekend visitors. He asked for
coordination with employers regarding parking.
Mr. Thomas referred to parking in the designated areas. He stated parking coordination
can happen on a development by development case. Mr. Thomas reported looking into
the TDM program for further details.
Board member Zuppan wanted to follow-up on the Sierra Club comments and asked how
much lease revenue Building 25 brings in.
Ms. Ott stated she wasn't sure how much revenue it generates.
Board member Zuppan supported the comments for wetlands without camping. She
agreed with the concrete comments. She expressed concerns with Building 25 gaining a
good tenant then having to be relocated.
Vice President Henneberry stated he supports staff recommendations.
Board member Alvarez-Morroni thanked staff and supported approval.
Board member Knox White thanked staff and suggested adding language for the intent of
park space. There is a disconnect with Building 25 being eliminated in part of the plan.
He supports the camping proposal. He asked language with sea level rise be amended.
President Burton thanked staff and subcommittee for the many hours of work. He supports
the plan. He requested language adjustment to Building 25 and depave park, but agreed
with the need for flexibility.
Board member Knox White asked for the words Town Center to be removed.
Board member Zuppan suggested using Neighborhood Center instead of Town Center.
Ms. Ott reviewed the edits and amendments.
Board member Knox White motioned to approve with edits.
Board member Zuppan seconded.
Motioned carried, 7-0
Mr. Keith Oralesky, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), expressed thanks to the Planning
Board and staff, and his team. It is a good product because of the client.
8. MINUTES: None
9. STAFF COMMUNICATIONS:
9.A.
Future Agendas - Mr. Thomas reported on upcoming agenda items.
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PlanningBoard,2014-06-09,7,"9.B. Staff Communications - Zoning Administrator and Design Review Recent
Actions and Decisions: None
10. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS: None
11. BOARD COMMUNICATIONS:
11.A. Report from Alameda Point Town Center Ad-Hoc Sub-Committee - None
12. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None:
13. ADJOURNMENT: President Burton 10:22 p.m.
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