pages: PlanningBoard/2021-07-12.pdf, 10
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PlanningBoard | 2021-07-12 | 10 | remember the importance of the benefits of art and music to the community. She asked that the board please extend the Use Permit. Robbie Wilson, founder, and Director of the Black Achievers Alliance of Alameda discussed what birthed the Healing Garden. Out of tragedy came art and brought the community together. She loved the openness of the garden, and how she and her daughter even planted flowers in the garden. This had been a beautiful way to bring the whole island community together. She talked about a successful fundraiser she had there and was so happy that this location had been available. This space was a great representation of "we all belong here". She talked about how Sandy and her team were very conscientious of the noise. She trusted that Sandy would find a solution that would work for everyone and believed this was an amazing collaboration for everyone involved. She discussed how everyone had benefited from being able to be around art and music and was in full support of this continuing. Zac Bowling was in full support of this project. He said he would save his comments for when a deciding action would take place but felt that it was pretty obvious that this project did a lot for the community. JR Key said it was pretty clear that the community loved this place. He said he lived a block away and had no issues with the sound. He believed the people running this was insanely respectful and after every event, they clean up thoroughly. He ended by saying it was clear everyone is in favor of this continuing. President Teague closed public comments and opened the board commentary. Board Member Rothenberg thanked everyone for their thoughtful comments. She believed this was an appropriate use and was consistent with the goals for the business district. She thought the conditions outlined in the resolution were also appropriate and would support this when it came forward for action. Board Member Curtis thought the whole project had been exceptionally creative and was good for the community. He also believed it did a lot for mitigating the bad consequences due to Covid. He was concerned about the "law of unintended consequences" and the noise impact for the people around was going to be substantial. He pointed out that from now to the end of the year there were about 31 events planned, that's a lot of noise for neighbors who just wanted to peacefully enjoy their premises. On the other hand, the greater good that came from this was also a mitigating factor. He wanted to support this but he did have reservations. Those reservations were diluted by the enthusiasm and sincerity of the people who do these events. He believed the greater good from this project more than offset the "unintended consequences". Board Member Hom thanked everyone for speaking on this item. He believed this use was organically derived and had a lot of positive energy, anything that enlivened the corridor was a plus. He did share Board Member Curtis's concern about the noise issues. At the same time, he appreciated that WABA had made a concerted effort to mitigate those issues and had listened to the neighbors. He wanted clarification on the events planned for the rest of the year, it was more limited to what the Planning Staff said was permissible. He also appreciated the suggestion by WABA to install drapery canopies to mitigate the noise. He wanted to know if that had been reviewed by the fire department, he wanted to Approved Planning Board Minutes Page 10 of 18 July 12, 2021 | PlanningBoard/2021-07-12.pdf |