pages: PlanningBoard/2011-03-28.pdf, 5
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PlanningBoard | 2011-03-28 | 5 | 5-A Webster Street Vision Book Implementation The Planning Board will consider the Webster Street Vision Book and alternative implementation strategies and priorities to revitalize the Webster Street Business District. Mr. Thomas gave a brief recount of the original Webster Street Vision Book presented in 2010. He stated that the attached vision plan is very similar to the 2010 version except that short sections of text have been added to describe the images and concepts and an implementation check list or "grocery list" has been added at the end of the document to assist the City and WABA manage implementation and realization of the concepts and ideas in the Vision Plan. Mr. Thomas mentioned that the City was not going to be spending much more time or money on the Vision Plan due to the instability of the State of California redevelopment funds and the City's General Fund. He stated that the "Grocery List" is a list of items or actions that are culled from the Vision Plan that would contribute to the revitalization of Webster Street. Similar to a grocery list, the items are not related to one another, accomplishing all of the items would be great, but accomplishing any one of the items would also be good, and none of the items require that one be accomplished before another. Mr. Thomas recommended that WABA identify an existing WABA committee or establish a new committee to oversee the implementation of the Vision Plan. The committee could include representatives from the business community, the adjacent neighborhoods, the Planning Board, and the Economic Development Commission. Staff would not sit on the committee, but a City staff member should attend the meetings to report on relevant city efforts related to the items on the Grocery List. Mr. Thomas stated that although resources and funds for physical improvements are limited, the WABA committee and City staff can be working to position Webster Street to be better able to take advantage of opportunities when they arise. For example, State and Federal grant opportunities may arise to fund major capital improvements on Webster Street. He stated that to be competitive for these funds, WABA and the City should do the work necessary to agree on what kinds of improvements are necessary and appropriate and complete any necessary discretionary approvals so that the proposed improvements are "shovel-ready" and therefore more competitive for grant funding. President Ezzy Ashcraft opened the public comment period. Dr. Jannette Jackson, College of Alameda, spoke in favor of the Vision Plan. Tony Daysog, neighbor, spoke in favor of the Vision Plan. Christopher Buckley, Alameda Architectural Preservation Society, spoke in favor of the Vision Plan. APPROVED MEETING MINUTES 5 of 9 PLANNING BOARD 3/28/2011 | PlanningBoard/2011-03-28.pdf |