pages: PlanningBoard/2015-05-26.pdf, 4
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PlanningBoard | 2015-05-26 | 4 | residents. Vice President Alvarez asked Mr. Thomas if the City could impose eminent domain on the property. Mr. Thomas replied in the affirmative, but said that the process is an expensive one. The City's approach with Wind River and Pennzoil has been to proceed with a straightforward negotiation without the use of eminent domain. The Board opened public comment. Vice President Alvarez made a motion to limit speakers' time to three minutes. The motion was not seconded. Ms. Kari Thompson, of the Alameda Chamber of Commerce, said she was excited for the project. The senior housing market is badly underserved in Alameda. Ms. Rosemary Reilly, from Alameda Meals on Wheels, said that seniors need more affordable housing in Alameda. She said that her organization has volunteers who deliver meals in Housing Authority buildings, and she said that she was excited that there would be more units for seniors who desire affordable housing in Alameda. Mr. Arthur Lenhardt, resident, spoke in favor of the project. Mr. Mark Sorensen, president of Alameda Meals on Wheels, said that it was heartbreaking to see seniors who could not afford to live in Alameda. He called the project thoughtful and inclusive, and urged its approval. Mr. Rion Cassidy, resident, said that he counted residences and parking spaces in the area. He said that there are between 2.7 and 3.3 parking spaces per resident in the neighborhood. The increased number of cars that could come as a result of the project could be disastrous for the City as a whole. He also wondered if the City was negotiating with Wind River, and called eminent domain an expensive and unnecessary procedure. Ms. Audrey Lord-Hausman said that she was an advocate for senior housing, but said that she was concerned about placing bathtubs in the units, which could be dangerous for seniors and people with disabilities. She said that she hoped that this project was the first of many more senior housing units in Alameda. She added that there are many seniors who want to stay in Alameda, but cannot afford to remain here. Mr. Jon Spangler, representing the Alameda Renter's Coalition, said that there are far more people who are looking for senior housing than there is demand on the Island. He said that his organization fully endorses the projects, and hopes that there will be more similar development. Mr. Spangler agreed completely with Ms. Lord-Hausman's comments about bathtub placement. He explained there were many issues with traffic on Sherman Street that had to be addressed, and there need to be other pedestrian safety guarantees for seniors living in the Del Monte complex. He said that he did not see any bicycle parking made available in the plans. Approved Regular Meeting Page 4 of 8 Minutes May 26, 2015 | PlanningBoard/2015-05-26.pdf |