pages: PlanningBoard/2005-01-24.pdf, 5
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PlanningBoard | 2005-01-24 | 5 | 8. REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS: 8-A. PD04-0004/DR04-0113, 433 Buena Vista Avenue, Applicant: Alameda Multifamily Ventures, LLC (AT). The applicant requests a second Study Session before the Planning Board to review a proposal for the construction of a two-story 6,000 square foot community building, four 16-car garages, façade changes to existing apartment buildings, and other improvements at the Harbor Island Apartments site. The site is located at 433 Buena Vista Avenue, within an R-4 PD, Neighborhood Residential Planned Development District. Mr. Tai summarized the staff report. Mr. Chris Auxier, project manager, Alameda Multifamily Ventures, distributed additional information that was not included in the first set of drawings. He noted that they had tried to be responsive to the feedback received by the Board and the public. Mr. Shaun Alexander, Axis Architecture, project architect, displayed a PowerPoint presentation that detailed the project overview, improvement of the property's physical appearance, the pedestrian experience, residential amenities, public safeties, on-site parking, and transparency with the community. He noted that the existing site limitations were considerable, and that while was not much room to expand the parking facilities, they could create a more pleasant environment around the buildings for the residents. He noted that the interior common hallways, bathrooms and kitchens would be redone, and that the landscaping would be upgraded and transformed. The carports would be eliminated except for certain sections along the East of the property, and the parking would be restriped to meet current standards. A new clubhouse, and four garage buildings would be constructed; trash enclosures would be upgraded. Mr. Alexander noted that new lower fences would be installed around the ground floor patios to provide greater transparency. Because of the proximity to the adjacent street, some units would feature a more solid fence look. Additional landscaping would buffer all the buildings, and a substantial number of the trees would be added. A large amount of concrete would be removed in the walkways and plaza space that the applicants considered to be unnecessary. Alternative designs addressing the height and style of the tower element were presented; the size of the tower would be reduced, and the architecture would be simplified. They considered the gable form to be most consistent with Alameda's existing architecture features and Craftsman detail in town; however, a hip roof design was also presented to address the Mediterranean style elements in Alameda. Another roof form would be added to the tower to the west, previously shown to the Board as a flat roof. Mr. Alexander displayed the center part of the site, which they considered to be very important to the project. A tot lot was proposed directly north of the clubhouse, and a child's play area would be placed to the south of the clubhouse. A group picnic area would be placed at the east side of the pool, with a play lawn and volleyball court adjacent to that. Each quadrant of the property would have its own minipark, off the main Planning Board Minutes Page 5 January 24, 2005 | PlanningBoard/2005-01-24.pdf |