pages: CityCouncil/2020-05-07.pdf, 5
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CityCouncil | 2020-05-07 | 5 | growth; he fears overbuilding in an Island with so few ingresses and egresses; even though traffic and transportation measures have been implemented, everyone knows how difficult it is to leave the Island every morning; it creates a reduction in the quality of life; Alameda is still building and doing so within the context of Measure A and meeting State responsibilities; it is true the housing crisis is acute like no other times; during the need to meet the moment of the housing obligation and responsibilities, he wants to make sure to say that the City of Alameda has always been the leader providing for homeless populations; no other city, including closed Base cities, have come close to what Alameda has done for the homelessness issue, including setting aside housing on the former Naval Air Station in 1996 and the recent Crab Cove project; despite the housing crisis, Alameda has risen to the occasion; he understands that more can be done with the removal of Measure A, but he wants to balance the amount of housing relative to the limited infrastructure on the Island. Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated that she wants to address some of Councilmember Daysog's comments; she concurs with his statement about Alameda Point Collaborative (APC) being a good example of the City providing for the homeless; APC's model of having families stay in homes for a few months until they can transfer to their own homes has proven not to be a workable model; it is a great facility and a good model, but there has not been the turn-over hoped for because there are fewer and fewer affordable housing opportunities in the Bay Area; the voters were supportive of the Crab Cove wellness center; the voters could make the right choice and she would like to allow them to vote on this issue; she respects Councilmember Daysog's position; questioned whether it is Council's place to decide whether Alameda voters, in 2020, can have the opportunity to weigh in one way or another; stated she is trying to reconcile what makes the voters back in 1973 more capable and able to determine Alameda's future now in 2020; they could not have anticipated some of the things that this Council has come to see. Councilmember Oddie thanked his colleagues for bringing the issue forward; stated that he concurs with Councilmember Daysog that Measure A has not prevented multi-family units with the multi-family overlay and the State housing density bonus; between those two zoning rules, Alameda has neutered the first part of Measure A; there are members of the community that have different values and different experiences who are concerned about Council having tonight's hearing during a pandemic; if Council is going to ask the voters to amend the Charter, the first thing that needs to be gained is trust that the Council is actually putting something on that is in the best interest for the future of the City; it is important for the Council to be respectful of people's feelings, opinions, and perceptions; he appreciates and accepts ACT and AAPS wanting to modify Measure A as it is written and sees it as a basis to move forward; Council needs to balance the needs of housing and respect the fears and concerns of the preservationist community, otherwise Council is will not be trusted; there is a path forward that does both, which he does not see in the five options; he would like to discuss other options at a future date, but at this point would not support giving direction to pursue any of the five options. *** (20-305) Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft moved approval of allow Councilmembers an additional Special Meeting Alameda City Council 5 May 7, 2020 | CityCouncil/2020-05-07.pdf |