pages: CityCouncil/2019-04-22.pdf, 5
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CityCouncil | 2019-04-22 | 5 | Councilmember Oddie stated the developer could be required to do the infrastructure work within a specific amount of time to avoid land banking. The Base Reuse and Community Development Director stated developers probably feel a lot of the risk has been mitigated since Site A is under construction; Astra is in the area and others are paying fees into an infrastructure fund; marketing makes sense. Councilmember Oddie inquired whether there is an update on Building 41. The Base Reuse and Community Development Director stated the building is still owned by the Navy, cannot be sold and can only be leased. Stated the Council does not have enough information tonight to move forward with the 29 acres; discussed the previous proposals; suggested bringing back the two finalist from the previous proposal to address the full 82 acres; expressed concern over Building 360 being tied up: Richard Bangert, Alameda. Expressed support for the staff recommendation, which is the most logical next step, and for Cushman & Wakefield; discussed start up Sila Nanotechnologies needing more space; stated land needs to be available: Karen Bey, Alameda. Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft discussed Sila Nanotechnologies; stated that she supports the staff recommendation, which is well thought out; the City needs to be nimble, cannot rely on a strong economy going forward and has some great tenants; it is time to test the waters again; proposals will take time to develop; she is concerned with land banking; the City can build protection against land banking; the City Council needs to have a discussion about fiscal neutrality; if the City is going to benefit from the redevelopment, the ability to put in needed infrastructure should not be limited to what can be paid for from Alameda Point. Councilmember Vella stated that she does not have a problem with phasing; questioned when Phase 2 will come back; discussed marketing; stated a vision is needed; she is concerned about connecting infrastructure; there is a benefit to marketing the whole area; she is hesitant to approve leases before seeing the marketing; expressed concern over tying up buildings without a vision; stated phasing makes sense at this time because there are some amazing parcels and problematic pieces would not be developed until much later; she is willing to support the staff recommendation with a couple of caveats, including having a ballpark on Phase 2 timing and having ordinances pertaining to the design and planning process being reviewed and returning to Council; the cumbersome process should be streamlined. Vice Mayor Knox White stated that he supports the staff recommendation; he would like to stay away from the term campus and does not want to signal the City wants one user; the Economic Development Strategic Plan states that the City should not try to have a campus; Astra is a smaller business that came in and is growing; the City should look at all types of ideas consistent with planning documents; discussed the types of Special Meeting Alameda City Council April 22, 2019 5 | CityCouncil/2019-04-22.pdf |