pages: PlanningBoard/2005-09-29.pdf, 12
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PlanningBoard | 2005-09-29 | 12 | Ms. Jasmine Tokuda, 867 Cedar Street, spoke in opposition to this item. She would support a smaller-scale theater similar to the Grand Avenue Theater in Oakland. She noted that market changes in the oil and the movie businesses may not point to off-Island business coming to this theater. She believed the size of this project would be an issue following those changes. Mr. Elijah Moore noted that he had been a resident of Oakland and Alameda, and had been stationed at the Coast Guard base. Mr. Kevin Frederick, 1287 Caroline Street, spoke in opposition to this item and believed there were many flaws in this project. He encouraged the Board to present their opinions frankly and clearly. He believed the business owners were presenting their support of this project in an emotional framework, and would like to see a logical presentation. He encouraged the widening of Oak Street, and suggested that the Elks Lodge location would be a better location for the parking garage. Ms. Alice Ray, 2808 Bayview Drive, believed there could be a solution to bring the community together to meet the goals of community safety and keeping Alameda dollars on the Island. Mr. Ivan Rudenko, 727 Haight Avenue, #7, submitted a speaker slip in opposition to this item but was not in attendance to speak. The public hearing was closed for Board discussion. Vice President Cook proposed that the Board discuss each issue separately. Ms. McNamara requested that the developer address the live theater portion of the project, and added that she supported a live theater component. Mr. Conner explained the alterations that would take place to accommodate live performances, and added that he planned to return the auditorium to its original condition. Ms. Ott noted that the old orchestra pit was not standard in a movie theater, but that it could be used. In response to an inquiry by Ms. Mariani's regarding the balcony, Ms. Ott noted that there were no seats in the first balcony at this time, and that the second balcony had already been compromised and turned into two additional theaters. The old theatre walls would be demolished per Building Code requirements, but may be rebuilt some time in the future. In response to an inquiry by Mr. Lynch regarding the renovation cost, Ms. Ott advised that it was projected to cost $9.6 million. Regarding Item A, Vice President Cook believed that this use was consistent with the General Plan's goal of revitalizing the downtown district, as well as the Downtown Visioning process. She believed this use was consistent with the General Plan, and would be adequately served by the City's Planning Board Minutes Page 12 September 29, 2005 | PlanningBoard/2005-09-29.pdf |