body,date,page,text,path
PlanningBoard,2016-02-08,1,"APPROVED MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE
CITY OF ALAMEDA PLANNING BOARD
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8TH, 2016
1. CONVENE
President Knox White called meeting to order at 7:00pm.
2. FLAG SALUTE
Board Member Köster led the flag salute.
3. ROLL CALL
Present: President Knox White, Board Members Burton, Henneberry, Köster, Mitchell,
Sullivan. Board Member Zuppan arrived during the presentation for item 7-A (approx.
715pm).
4. AGENDA CHANGES AND DISCUSSION
*None*
5. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
*None*
6. CONSENT CALENDAR
*None*
7. REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS
7-A 2016-2552
Design Review Application PLN15-0468 to Construct a New Commercial
Building for the Bank of Marin on a 5,000 sq. ft. Site at the Southwest
Corner of the South Shore Center, 523 South Shore Center. The
Environmental Impact Report for the expansion of the Alameda Towne
Centre, certified October 7, 2008, satisfies environmental review for this
project under the California Environmental Quality Act.
Staff Member Diamond introduced the item. The staff report and attachments can be
found at:
https://alameda.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=2559779&GUID=44656622-
3244-476B-ABDO-89FD734CD24F&FullText=1
Matthew Anderson of Jamestown LP spoke about their goals for the project and
introduced the project architect.
Approved Minutes
Page 1 of 7
February 8, 2016
Planning Board",PlanningBoard/2016-02-08.pdf
PlanningBoard,2016-02-08,2,"The project architect gave a presentation on the design of the building and changes
made since their previous hearing before the Planning Board.
Board Member Sullivan asked how wide the landscaping on the side of the building
would be.
The project architect said it would vary between three and five feet.
Board Member Sullivan asked if they were planning on removing the pine tree at the
back of the site. She also asked about the plans for planting bamboo and preventing
invasion into the tree wells.
The project architect said they did not intend to remove the pine tree and would work
with the landscape architect to use a root barrier or some other solution to prevent the
spread of the bamboo.
Board Member Zuppan asked for a summary of the sidewalk improvements and how the
corner at the post office would be affected. She asked if there were bicycle sharrows.
The project architect showed the diagram and explained where the new five foot
sidewalk connecting the bank to Shoreline Dr. would be. He said the corner at Shoreline
Dr. would be redesigned to line up the ADA ramps and shorten the curb radius to slow
traffic down making the turn off Shoreline and into the post office. He said there would
be a two foot landscape strip separating the sidewalk from the street. He said there
would be sharrows for bicycles.
President Knox White opened the public hearing.
Susan Sperry, a resident of the adjacent Willows condominium complex, said that if they
put a bike lane on that road it would have a serious impact on the residents. She said
the Shoreline bike lane destroyed one our biggest assets. She said cyclists should be
encouraged to go where there is room. She said she saw a man riding a bike with a
toddler on a bicycle at 9 o'clock at night on a sidewalk and she said that it was child
endangerment.
President Knox White closed the public hearing.
Board Member Burton said he was happy with where the design has come and the
improvements coming to the road with the sidewalk and sharrows. He said he wanted to
add to the conditions that the shared lane markings and sidewalk improvements would
be completed prior to issuance of occupancy permits.
Approved Minutes
Page 2 of 7
February 8, 2016
Planning Board",PlanningBoard/2016-02-08.pdf
PlanningBoard,2016-02-08,3,"Board Member Burton moved approval of the item with the above additions regarding
the sidewalk and lane markings. Board Member Henneberry seconded the motion.
Board Member Zuppan said she would not be supporting the motion because she feels
the design does not fit in with the rest of the shopping center.
President Knox White said he was happy to see the sidewalk finally happening and that
the crosswalk across Shoreline would be returning and connecting the beach to the
shopping center.
President Knox White called for a vote on the motion to approve the staff
recommendation with the changes to the conditions requiring the shared lane markings
and sidewalk to be complete before issuance of the certificate of occupancy. The motion
passed 6-1 (Zuppan opposed).
7-B 2016-2557
Approve a Resolution Recommending a Zoning and General Plan Map
Amendment for 721 Santa Clara Avenue from R-5 (General Residential)
zone to C-C (Community Commercial) zone and from Medium Density
Residential to Community Commercial, respectively (PLN15-0238;
Assessor's Parcel Number 073-0420-021). The applicant proposes to
convert the existing single-family residence to a restaurant, a permitted
use in the C-C (Community Commercial) Zoning District. This project is
exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 15303 (c), Conversion of Small
Structures with Minor Exterior Modifications.
Staff Member Thomas introduced the item. The staff report and attachments can be
found at:
https://alameda.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=2559782&GUID=5A6C8AEO
71D-4209-92EF-1A28C34C8303&FullText=
Board Member Henneberry asked how many housing units there are in the City of
Alameda. He also asked to confirm that this would not set a precedent and that any
future requests like this would have to be approved first.
Staff Member Thomas said there were approximately 36,000 housing units in Alameda.
He confirmed that each such application would require a new approval.
President Knox White referenced letters citing outstanding building permit issues and
asked for an update.
Approved Minutes
Page 3 of 7
February 8, 2016
Planning Board",PlanningBoard/2016-02-08.pdf
PlanningBoard,2016-02-08,4,"Staff Member Thomas said that any outstanding permit issues for a prior remodel of the
house would need to be resolved before the proposal went before City Council.
Board Member Sullivan asked about the apparently new concrete stanchions and
whether they required permits.
Staff Member Thomas said he would have to look into it and that depending on the size
and materials it might not require a permit.
Board Member Burton asked if the applicant could clarify when he speaks when the unit
was last occupied. He also asked for details on the size and intent of the concrete pilings
out front.
Bobak Garandian, the applicant, said the pilings were six feet. He said he currently lives
there and planned to move out as the construction ramped up.
Board Member Burton said a six foot fence in a front yard would require a permit.
Board Member Mitchell asked what type of restaurant the applicant intended.
The applicant said it was intended to be a cajun/New Orleans style restaurant.
President Knox White opened the public hearing.
Sandip Jariwala, owner of Hawthorne Suites and President of WABA, spoke in favor of
the proposed zoning change and restaurant.
Michael McDonough said the Chamber of Commerce supports the proposed restaurant
and zoning change. He asked for a unanimous endorsement.
Alan Michaan said the West End could use another quality restaurant and extending the
business district onto the side streets makes sense.
Michelle Fredrick spoke in favor of the applicant and said he was a good neighbor.
President Knox White closed the public hearing.
Board Member Zuppan asked whether this property would be included in the WABA
improvement district map.
Approved Minutes
Page 4 of 7
February 8, 2016
Planning Board",PlanningBoard/2016-02-08.pdf
PlanningBoard,2016-02-08,5,"Sandip Jariwala of WABA said it was not currently but could be added when they re-
certify in a year or two.
Board Member Zuppan said she has long wanted to help improve the jobs-housing
imbalance. She said she knows the applicant personally and has faith that he can get it
right. She said it could contribute to the entire Webster St. district and she will be in
support of this.
Board Member Henneberry said he agreed with everything Board Member Zuppan said.
He said prior to 2002 this would have been a permitted use.
Board Member Mitchell said he visited the site and the proximity to the parking lot made
this a good spot for this use. He said he would support the project but wanted to make
sure the code enforcement issues were addressed before it moved forward.
Board Member Sullivan said the parking lot was a good demarcation between the
commercial and residential areas. She said the salaries of the jobs created here would
not support people looking for homes in Alameda. She said she did not support the
proposed zoning change.
Board Member Köster said the maintenance costs of a historic building like this could be
well absorbed by the commercial use. He said the applicant's adjacent restaurant shows
a willingness to go above and beyond as far as quality design and he supports the
project.
Board Member Burton said he was conflicted about converting a residence to
commercial use given the political climate around housing availability in town. He said it
seems that there is a history of carelessness in how the applicant deals with the city. He
said the applicant would need to ""play by the rules"" going forward. He said he was not
sure how he would vote.
President Knox White said he was in about the same place as Board Member Burton.
He said he was concerned that they were rezoning and not able to just consider a use
permit. He said he was concerned about removing housing, but he generally supports
mixing uses even in residential neighborhoods and would probably support the change.
Board Member Köster pointed out that the home is not an ""affordable house"" and
therefore is less concerned with removing it from the housing supply.
Board Member Zuppan pointed out that the house is owner-occupied and it was not the
same as removing rental housing, which she would have more concern over.
Approved Minutes
Page 5 of 7
February 8, 2016
Planning Board",PlanningBoard/2016-02-08.pdf
PlanningBoard,2016-02-08,6,"Board Member Henneberry said there should be no confusion that the board does not
support affordable housing and that this is a different situation.
Board Member Sullivan said the house next door is a rental with residents that retire
early and the board should consider that.
Board Member Henneberry made a motion to approve the staff recommendation. Board
Member Mitchell seconded the motion. The motion passed 6-1 (Sullivan opposed).
8. MINUTES
8-A 2016-2558
Draft Meeting Minutes - September 28, 2016
President Knox White said he would be recusing himself since he was not present.
8-B 2016-2559
Draft Meeting Minutes - October 12, 2015
8-C 2016-2560
Draft Meeting Minutes - October 26, 2015
8-C 2016-2561
Draft Meeting Minutes - December 14, 2015
Board Member Zuppan said she liked the capturing of the comments by the speakers.
She said there was nothing capturing responses to Board Member questions or
summarizing what was contained in the staff presentations.
President Knox White asked that they be sent back to further capture details that Board
Member Zuppan brought up.
9. STAFF COMMUNICATIONS
9-A 2016-2555
Zoning Administrator and Design Review Recent Actions and Decisions
Staff Member Thomas said they did not have a hearing since their last meeting but did
approve several design reviews.
9-B 2016-2556
Approved Minutes
Page 6 of 7
February 8, 2016
Planning Board",PlanningBoard/2016-02-08.pdf
PlanningBoard,2016-02-08,7,"Future Public Meetings and Upcoming Community Development
Department Projects
Staff Member Thomas said Block 11, Block 8 and the Waterfront Park would be coming
back for the next meeting (2/22/16) to get the designs out to the community and then be
back for final approval in March. He said 1435 Webster St. would be before the Board
with a new building. He said the Walgreens would have its six month review for their
Beer & Wine permit. He said that Universal Design would be coming in the spring.
Staff Member Garcia said the Board Members would be taking an ethics training soon.
10. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
*None*
11. BOARD COMMUNICATIONS
President Knox White said they would be sunsetting the Alameda Point Sub-Committee
soon. He said he would like to start making a motion at the beginning of discussion
period in an effort to focus discussion.
11-A 2016-2439
Report from the Alameda Point Site A - Ad-Hoc Sub-Committee
Board Member Zuppan gave an update on the blocks that would be coming before the
Board in the coming weeks.
Staff Member Thomas thanked the Sub-Committee for their weekly meetings and input
in bringing the projects along.
11-B 2016-2440
Report from the Boatworks - Ad-Hoc Sub-Committee
*None*
12. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
*None*
13. ADJOURNMENT
President Knox White adjourned the meeting at 8:37pm.
Approved Minutes
Page 7 of 7
February 8, 2016
Planning Board",PlanningBoard/2016-02-08.pdf