pages: PlanningBoard/2012-02-13.pdf, 13
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PlanningBoard | 2012-02-13 | 13 | Goals Stated in the Recent Community Process. Jennifer Ott, Chief Operating Officer for Alameda Point, gave an update on the staff report. Currently staff is considering a zoning amendment for the entire base and they want to make sure the guiding principal is based on what the community wants. The next steps are to develop a plan for the proposed 5.5 million square feet of commercial development and 1,400 housing units. She reported that in late 2010 the City held community forums with specific topical presentations for community input. Staff consolidated the comments into a summary report. Ultimately, the community's priorities will guide staff as they begin to work development advisors or private partners in the future. She also stated that staff is looking at terms of disposition as a phase or incremental approach. Lastly, the current zoning for Alameda Point is Heavy Industrial or M-2 with a government overlay, which works in some areas, but staff should zone accordingly in other parts of the parcel in order to be more opportunistic. Mr. Thomas stated that the 2003 General Plan amendment for Alameda Point was made specifically for the City of Alameda to integrate the reuse plan into the General Plan. He explained that staff must look at the reuse plan and General Plan or base zoning and if possible find funding to complete an environmental impact report in order to position parts of the employment areas of Alameda Point in the same way as Harbor Bay was positioned. Ms. Ott replied that they are in the process of hiring a consultant to assist with the process but most of the work will be conducted in house. However, she explained that objective of this meeting was to introduce the concept and receive feedback from the Board. President Ezzy Ashcraft called for public comment. Bill Smith, Alameda resident, stated that he liked the Alameda Point process and was glad to see the community's input included. He felt that the top choices found in the community survey were (1) open space; 2) affordable housing; and (3) historical preservation and housing was a big part of the project. He encouraged the Board to think big within the documents and use the Housing Element to create opportunity for Alameda Point. President Ezzy Ashcraft stated that the second workshop on the Housing Element and Alameda Point would take place on March 12th and staff is working hard to get the housing element fast tracked. Jim Strehlow, Alameda resident, stated that he wants the City to focus on economic development and the City hasn't helped with developing commercial activity. He asked if the City had any incentives to encourage business growth. Ms. Ott replied that staff received input from perspective tenants about the City's typical practice of only allowing short-term leases and that has been the City's policy in the past given the uncertainty of the redevelopment plan. So, part of the zoning and disposition strategy is for the City and staff to discuss approving longer-term deals in certain parts of Alameda Point to incentivize investment. Currently, the City incentivizes commercial investment through rental credit. Approved Meeting Minutes Page 13 of 15 February 13, 2012 | PlanningBoard/2012-02-13.pdf |