pages: CityCouncil/2013-04-02.pdf, 13
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CityCouncil | 2013-04-02 | 13 | businesses, by right, have been going into buildings that look residential; outlined differences in the zoning areas; stated a key question of the Planning Board subcommittee was how to continue to encourage businesses in mixed use areas; Park Street is the City's best transit corridor, with a lot of buses and is a great place for small businesses. Mayor Gilmore stated neighbors would be upset about the parking requirements when businesses in the mixed use zone would convert a residential building into a doctor's office; inquired how the matter is addressed since office and professional uses are allowed as a right. The City Planner responded allowing use by right does not trigger parking review; stated current regulations allow existing buildings designed as residences that may not have parking to be converted to businesses. Councilmember Daysog requested staff to outline the difficulties of mixed use developments. The City Manager stated mixed use development is difficult; doing either a straight residential or straight commercial project is much easier; Alameda would like to see mixed use on Park Street, similar to the Starbucks building; a lot of accomplished developers can do it; ground floor retail does not pay for development, the residential above covers the cost. Councilmember Daysog inquired about lenders, to which the City Planner responded lenders do not like to deal with mixed use, which is what Alameda wants; only a limited number of lenders and developers would build mixed use projects; when looking at all Bay Area cities, Alameda wants to be able to tell developers the area is a great place for mixed use and getting through the development process will go quickly. Vice Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated there is a line item for grocery stores under retail uses; inquired why the mixed use and residential boxes are blank. The City Planner responded the blanks are a typographic error; stated nothing should be left blank; the not permitted box should be checked. Submitted information and urged revisions be made to the ordinance: Patricia Paul, Alameda. Urged moving forward with the ordinance: Robb Ratto, Park Street Business Association. Expressed concern over the height limit and traffic; urged a 40 foot height limit: Nancy Gordon, Alameda. Urged a 40 foot height limit; stated Clement should not be open to Tilden Way: Erik Regular Meeting Alameda City Council 13 April 2, 2013 | CityCouncil/2013-04-02.pdf |