pages: PlanningBoard/2005-11-14.pdf, 5
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PlanningBoard | 2005-11-14 | 5 | used. She understood one of the challenges is to accommodate long-term parking; however, when commercial lots are not managed, parking gets pushed into residential areas. She stated one way of managing the parking lot is the applicant could restrict lots to tenants and their visitors, and have a little more flexibility and efficiency on how existing parking is utilized. She pointed out another factor they uncovered was existing land uses in downtown Alameda and how the uses were being used for parking right now. She also noted an estimate was performed on the demand for parking in the downtown area using the standard rates published by the Institute of Transportation Engineers. She noted her group found that if you use those standard rates and look at all uses individually, the amount of parking required in downtown Alameda would be four times as much as is available right now so that definitely argues for the fact that you get "link trips" that are not accounted for when you look at all the individual parking requirements. She then noted she knew there were some provisions in the planning code for recognizing joint uses of activity or parking spaces going on downtown, but she feels the City needs to be a little more specific on how that is administered. This might help some of these businesses that are trying to locate in downtown and can not meet the parking requirements or are having trouble financially dealing with the parking requirements even if the trouble is with in- lieu fees. President Cunningham requested a point of clarification on whether the traffic study was with a view of opening up to a public use. Board member Kohlstrand responded in the affirmative. She stated she advocated that there were issues associated with it such as liability, safety and lighting. She was not aware if the City had pursued this point. She stated the City has been doing parking studies down town for years and fortunately at this point, is closer to getting a parking garage, but if other businesses develop, then the parking demand is going to increase if surface lots are eliminated. President Cunningham inquired if Board member Kohlstrand had seen situations in other jurisdictions where parking areas on private land has been used for public benefit, to which she responded in the affirmative. She noted it is happening on the Bank of America lot, and that lot is one of the biggest lots in down town. She felt the Bank of America parking lot has gone a long way toward alleviating the problem. Board member Kohlstrand inquired if the applicant's lot was used after hours. Mr. Knowles responded in the affirmative. He noted it is mostly offices that have leases, but noted that residential tenants use it at night and after hours as well as restaurant diners. Board member Kohlstrand noted people use parking lots after hours for uses that are unsanctioned. Board member Piziali inquired if the five spaces were originally credited to the applicant. Mr. Tai responded that the 2001 renovation resulted in a loss of floor area. He noted that the Alameda Municipal Code specifically states that within a five-year period if the commercial building is expanded to 25% or floor area equivalent to five parking spaces, it triggers additional parking, but in the case of Mr. Knowles' project, the floor area experienced a reduction. President Cunningham inquired if there was also a fact that it is a different property, which does not apply to this project. Mr. Tai responded this does not apply to this project, as this is a new building, Planning Board Minutes Page 5 November 14, 2005 | PlanningBoard/2005-11-14.pdf |