pages: PlanningBoard/2006-04-10.pdf, 5
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PlanningBoard | 2006-04-10 | 5 | 8-B. Catellus Study Session (AT). A presentation and discussion of proposed changes to the Catellus Mixed Use Development Project. The study session provides an opportunity for Planning Board and public input into the proposed project design early in the project design process. The project site is located on the north side of the College of Alameda adjacent to the Oakland Estuary. No action will be taken on the proposed project at this meeting. Mr. Lee presented the staff report. Noted that two community workshops were held, and that the suggestions from the public were summarized in the table distributed to the Board. He introduced the applicant team. Mr. Dan Marcus made a PowerPoint presentation, detailing the project. He noted that amenities such as outdoor dining, playgrounds, and bike and walking paths. The January workshop made it apparent to them that the waterfront was special for people of all ages. He described the site layout and surrounding uses. Their intention was to create an exciting mixed use development, with a special waterfront use. He noted that both the January and February workshops were well attended and productive. He answered the three predominant questions they answered at the workshop: 1. Why is Catellus proposing to make this change? He noted that the site was entitled for 1.3 million square feet of office development. There is a lack of office development, and a demand for such; 300-400,000 square feet of office could be absorbed over the next five to ten years, but 1.3 million square feet of office development must be spread out over decades. He added that there was a strong demand for residential and retail development, and noted that the ability for students to have nearby jobs will attract more students. He believed that workplaces near homes will also be beneficial. Catellus also intended to make the waterfront a special site. 2. How will our proposed retail impact other retail in Alameda? He noted that the City sponsored a citywide retail forum to address this question, and that they met with WABA regularly. They intended to make this project a positive influence on the Webster Street, and Alameda as a whole. They hoped to link their project with BART. They have also continued discussions with APCP, PSBA and GABA to ensure their project fit in well. 3. What are the benefits of the proposed development? He noted that they discussed creating a special place on the waterfront, which would be a great benefit to the City. He noted that people who have toured the area, with its old warehouses, were surprised to see the blight. He believed there would be huge economic benefits to the City, and that the new retail would generate sales tax revenues, as well as property tax revenues. They estimated that the annual property and sales tax revenues would be well over $2 million. The City would access over $20 million out of the project. In the old arrangement, the City would have been responsible for all the building demolition and infrastructure development; in the new arrangement, that risk has been Planning Board Minutes Page 5 April 10, 2006 | PlanningBoard/2006-04-10.pdf |