pages: PlanningBoard/2015-02-23.pdf, 3
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PlanningBoard | 2015-02-23 | 3 | said that the City needed more hotels near the airport. He thanked the applicant for proposing a shuttle Park Street. It would help the City as a whole, and the Park Street businesses in particular. Mr. Sal Robles, architect, spoke against the project. He said that cars currently park across the street from the proposed project, and that some cars park in his company's lots across the street. He said that the hotel's plans do not take into account the needs of the hotel's employees, and the lack of parking spaces available for them. Mr. Robles also expressed concern about the lack of setbacks for the project, which would be a nuisance for bicyclists trying to avoid parked cars on the Bay Trail. Ms. Wilen Huber, representing IAW, spoke against the project. She said that the amount of parking for the proposed hotel was much lower than needed. She said that many workers might have to walk a quarter mile in each direction to and from their cars. She also said that the location of the hotel might negatively affect the habitat of burrowing owl. Mr. Dan Reidy, on behalf of the Harbor Bay Business Park Association, reminded the Board that the City Council wanted to upgrade the Bay Trail in the area of the hotel. He said his organization approved the plans of the proposed hotel, and urged the Board to approve the plans. The issue of the burrowing owls, he said, is a non-issue. He praised staff's work on trying to minimize the creation of new parking spaces. Mr. Kerwin Allen, neighbor, expressed his opposition to the project in its current form. He said that setbacks are far too small for the size of the hotel. He also expressed opposition to stacking cars in the enclosed parking structure, and said that the building is overdeveloped for the size of the lot. Mr. Michael McDonough, President of the Alameda Chamber of Commerce, spoke enthusiastically in favor of the project. He said that the revenue coming in for the City from the hotel is much greater than from sales taxes. Furthermore, there would be more taxes coming in as a result of people spending their money at other Alameda businesses. Ms. Trish Spencer, Mayor of Alameda spoke in her individual capacity. She suggested that the hotel include story poles for the project. Mayor Spencer spoke about the transparency of the project. She suggested that decisions made without transparency are of grave concern to her. The Board closed public comment. President Henneberry asked Mr. Thomas about whether the amount of waterfront space at the project site would lead to a CEQA exemption. Mr. Thomas replied in the negative; all projects in the City are within an urban area, and the project qualifies for an exemption from CEQA. Board Member Zuppan stated she was in favor of a hotel in the area. She said that originally, the site was to house a restaurant for the Harbor Bay Business Park, and the rezoning would Approved Regular Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 9 February 23, 2015 | PlanningBoard/2015-02-23.pdf |