pages: CityCouncil/2013-04-16.pdf, 6
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CityCouncil | 2013-04-16 | 6 | Explained that the Planning Board adopted the 60 foot height limit in order to lower the current 100 foot height limit: Mike Henneberry, Alameda and Planning Board member. Stated the regulations have checks and balances and encouraged moving forward: Karen Bey, Alameda. Expressed concern with the 60 foot height limit: Jon Spangler, Alameda. In response to Councilmember Chen's inquiry, the City Planner stated Council can direct staff to take the additional design manual guidelines through the public process of going to the Planning Board and Council for final approval. Councilmember Chen inquired what assurance can be given that each application, especially 60-foot structures, would be handled with due-diligence, that the right process and amount of time would be given to projects, and that projects would be reviewed by the Planning Board and, potentially, the City Council. The City Planner responded a Planning Board public hearing is held for every new building on Park Street; stated projects are thoroughly reviewed by staff; local newspapers have been very good about reporting on projects that come to the Planning Board; the community, AAPS and neighbors are instrumental in the process; structural changes have been made to ensure there is good oversight; most design review mistakes in the City are quite old and predate the current design review processes. Vice Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft moved introduction of the ordinance with amendment to include the following sentence at the end of Table A: "New buildings over 50 feet in height shall not be approved unless it may be determined by the Planning Board, or by the City Council upon appeal, that the building is consistent with the Design Review Manual's special design guidelines for tall buildings on Park Street." Councilmember Chen inquired whether the sentence would be better if it states "Planning Board and City Council" instead of "Planning Board or City Council". The City Planner responded that he would advise against changing the sentence to "Planning Board and City Council" because it would create an internal inconsistency within the Municipal Code; stated design review is approved by the Planning Board; individual Councilmembers have the ability to call for review any action of the Planning Board; Council already has oversight. Councilmember Chen inquired how Councilmembers stay abreast of what is happening at the Planning Board level, to which the City Planner responded Council will know about every new building on Park Street; stated nothing would get past the Council's notice. Councilmember Daysog stated that he wants language included setting minimum of 15, Regular Meeting Alameda City Council 6 April 16, 2013 | CityCouncil/2013-04-16.pdf |