pages: CityCouncil/2021-11-30.pdf, 6
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CityCouncil | 2021-11-30 | 6 | Urged Council to vote no on the matter of up zoning; expressed concern about the future of Alameda and residential neighborhoods; stated development will be indiscriminate; expressed concern over a future lack of open land: Kevin Frederick, Alameda. Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft requested clarification about the Housing Element changes around the WABA district. The Planning, Building and Transportation Director stated the business area corridors are transit-oriented, commercial corridors that would be good for adding housing; one of the criticisms received is staff is not pushing enough; staff will begin to look at more sites and talk with neighbors in the area; staff has questioned how to tailor zoning to get more housing on Webster Street without sacrificing or losing some of the historic character; staff believes the goal of tailoring zoning can be accomplished; zoning can be carefully tailored to obtain desired results. Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft requested clarification about the Harbor Bay Club zoning. The Planning, Building and Transportation Director stated the Harbor Bay Club site is currently zoned for mixed use, which allows for commercial and residential; the historic use for the space has been for a health club under a commercial use; the owners have indicated a desire to sell; the potential buyer has indicated an interest in replacing the health club with a new health club facility, plus residential; the development application will go through the normal process. Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft inquired whether the matter of Harbor Bay Club is before the Council, to which the Planning, Building and Transportation Director responded in the negative; stated Harbor Bay Club is separate from the Housing Element. Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft requested clarification about the different types of housing at Alameda Point. The Planning, Building and Transportation Director stated Alameda Point has a variety of housing; the area has market rate and affordable housing; there is agreement in the need for affordable and subsidized housing; market rate housing pays affordable housing subsidies; there can be no affordable units without market rate housing unless a tax is implemented, which generally does not happen; the City relies on the private sector to provide affordable housing. Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated a number of different zones have been referenced; requested clarification be provided regarding R1 through R6; expressed support for an update on the current status of Article 26 and SB 9; stated that she would like more information on whether developers can tear down historic homes. The Planning, Building and Transportation Director stated residential zones R1 through R6 includes roughly 80% of the land area in Alameda; staff is proposing about 20% of the RHNA being distributed within the R1 through R6 ones; staff can tailor the zoning in concert with the historic preservation, rent control and anti-displacement ordinances to get housing added; the tailoring will not include many of the negative impacts or concerns brought by speakers; discussed current development applications and financial feasibility for tearing down and rebuilding; stated staff can craft zoning in a way which allows for careful infill development while maintaining the character of the residential neighborhoods; SB 9 is a new State law which goes Continued November 16, 2021 Regular Meeting Alameda City Council November 30, 2021 6 | CityCouncil/2021-11-30.pdf |