1995-12-06 ARRA Minutes UNAPPROVED ADDITIONS TO THE
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE
ALAMEDA REUSE AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
Wednesday, December 6, 1995
The meeting convened at 5:40 p.m. with Chair Mayor Appezzato presiding.
I. ROLL CALL
Present: Chair Mayor Ralph Appezzato, City of Alameda; Alternate Roberta
Brooks for Vice-Chair Sandré Swanson, 9th Congressional District; Vice-Mayor
Charles Mannix, City of Alameda; Alternate Jay Leonhardy for Councilmember
Henry Chang, Jr., City of Oakland; Alternate Tony Daysog for Councilmember
"Lil"Arnerich, City of Alameda; Alternate Garry Loeffler for Mayor Ellen
Corbett, City of San Leandro; Councilmember Albert DeWitt, City of Alameda;
Alternate Greg Alves for Councilmember Karin Lucas, City of Alameda;
Supervisor Wilma Chan, Alameda County Board of Supervisors, District 3
(replaced by Alternate Brown at 7:22 p.m.); Alternate Helen Sause for
Ex-officio Member Lee Perez, Chair, Base Reuse Advisory Group (BRAG);
Ex-officio Member Gail Greely, Alameda Unified School District (arrived at
5:54 p.m.; departed at 7:35 p.m.)
Absent: None.
II. CONSENT CALENDAR
A. Adoption of Resolution Regarding Conflict of Interest Statement Required in
Connection with the Economic Development Administration Grant to the Alameda
Center for Environmental Technology (ACET).
After discussion, a motion was made by Vice-Mayor Mannix to adopt the
Resolution. The motion was seconded by Alternate Loeffler and passed by a
unanimous voice vote.
III. ACTION ITEMS
B. Report from the Executive Director Recommending Endorsement of the Land Use,
City Design, and Parks & Recreation, Shoreline Access, Schools, and Cultural
Facilities Elements of the Long-Range Community Reuse Plan.
Discussion on Land Use Element:
Page 2-15, second paragraph from the bottom: “At build out, the Main Street
Neighbor-hoods could be composed of 300 town home units in the existing Navy
Marina Village and approximately 1,570 new dwelling units.” Alternate Alves asked
if there would be 1,570 new units from the ground up. EDAW Consultant Jonathan
Stern answered yes, that presently there are a total of 1,000 units, including the 300
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Marina Village units. The remaining 700 units would be replaced and an additional
570 new units over the present total would be built. Mr. Stern was asked to clarify
this in the final plan.
Page 2-23, paragraph 2-40: “Develop a plan for siting, financing and phasing of a
new Alameda-Oakland bridge or tunnel access.” Alternate Alves asked when this
was envisioned. Mr. Stern stated that at build out, the area would be most marketable
with another bridge or tunnel. Executive Director Miller stated that staff has had
discussions with the EBCRC regarding regional issues such as transportation access
and the EBCRC has expressed a willingness to direct funds toward a study.
Page 2-8: Alternate Alves requested a change to: “. . . retail stores, department stores,
motels/hotels, offices.” Mr. Stern said that it must match the City’s General Plan
requirements for zoning. Mr. Alves said it could be worded “motels/hotels consistent
with the General Plan.” To Member DeWitt’s question on whether it was consistent
with the General Plan, Chair Appezzato remarked that the General Plan can be
changed too. ARRA Planner Paul Tuttle stated that there will be some modifications
to the General Plan next year in the areas of housing and parks and recreation. No
formal action was taken.
Table 1-2 following page 2-9: Alternate Alves stated he was uncomfortable with 105
acres being slated for the golf course, as golf courses need 125-150 acres. As the
wildlife refuge area is not yet set, Mr. Stern was asked to change the “105" acre
designation to “TBD” (to be determined).
Page 2-15, Main Street Neighborhood: Alternate Alves asked what was being done
with the Navy housing that is currently standing. Planner Tuttle answered that some
will be leased to homeless providers, some will be replaced, and Pan Pacific would
like to purchase the “big whites.” Executive Director Miller said that would be
addressed more completely at a future date.
Page 2-13, policy 2-1: “Up to 325 low-to-medium income rental units may be built in
Alameda as multi-family housing as replacement units for the low cost units lost when
the Buena Vista Apartments were converted to market-rate housing in 1988.”
Alternate Alves asked if we had to be specific about the number of low income
housing. Assistant General Counsel McLaughlin said that corrections would be made
in accordance with Measure A. Planner Tuttle cited the Guyton settlement and that
the City must have the ability to meet that requirement. Chair Appezzato pointed out
that the sentence read “built in Alameda” not just “NAS.”
Page 2-18, paragraph 2-19: Alternate Alves made a motion for the following change:
“Expand housing opportunities to include home ownership for households in all
income groups.” Alternate Loeffler seconded the motion.
The motion passed by the following voice vote: Ayes: 7. Noes: 2 - Member
DeWitt, Member Mannix.
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Page 2-22, middle of 2nd paragraph: “Shoreline activity will include water-oriented
commercial uses such as a [sic] retail, restaurants, and other supporting uses . . .“
Alternate Alves felt that the word “will” sounded like a commitment and should be
changed to “may” or “could.” No formal action was taken.
Page 2-25, first sentence: “Housing in the Marina area will be limited to the eastern
shores . . . ” Alternate Alves stated that he didn’t remember agreeing to this and was
uncomfortable with it. He asked that the words “eastern shores” be deleted.
Planner Tuttle explained the intent was to specify “eastern” rather than the “western”
shoreline which was in the Tidelands Trust. Mr. Stern stated that this means the
whole eastern half; that the western area was too close to the wildlife. The informal
consensus was that the wildlife refuge is the western portion and “eastern shores”
designates east of the Marina. No formal action was taken.
Page 2-26, policy 2-46: “Encourage industrial and marine-related industrial uses on
the western shore of the marina.” Alternate Alves suggested the phrase be added,
“so long as they do not impact the San Francisco water views along the eastern
shore.” Planner Tuttle said that there is action in Design Elements about preserving
views and Member Mannix felt there was too much fine-tuning. Member DeWitt
suggested the height of the buildings be worked out with the Planning Board and
Planning Department. No formal action was taken.
Discussion on Parks and Recreation, Shoreline Access, Schools and Cultural
Facilities Element
The following comments and suggestions were made without formal action.
Chair Appezzato cited page 6-9 and pointed out an inconsistency in the stated 1,420
units above existing units not matching the 1,570 units stated in the Land Use element.
He also pointed out that while page 6-15, policy 6-26 encourages the development of
senior centers at NAS, Alameda already has a senior center.
Page 6-2, Table 6-1: Alternate Alves asked that the 90–120-acre commitment for
“Golf Course/Developed Recreation” be deleted. Page 6-3 at the bottom under
“Shoreline Park” states, “This greenway consists of 16 acres along the northern edge
of the Northwestern Territory on the shore of the Oakland Alameda Estuary.”
Alternate Alves asked that wording be added that the western shore would be
developed into a park to take advantage of the views. He added that the description
would correlate with the map.
Alternate Daysog stated that 1,400 additional new units of housing are a lot and he
asked when would we assess EIR impacts and modify the numbers. Jonathan Stern
answered that this estimate was based on the Land Use Plan; transportation impacts
and fiscal drains had been considered. Planner Tuttle advised that the EIR and EIS
would consider this.
Public Comment:
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Susan M. Hone of the Audubon Society stated that the Audubon Society supports
setting aside 500+ acres for the Least Tern.
Judy Pollard, an Alameda resident, stated she supports setting aside at least 500 acres
for the Wildlife Refuge.
Tim Little of the Rose Foundation/ARC Ecology applauded the environmental theme
in the proposed plan. He then discussed a November 28 letter to the Honorable
Ronald Dellums signed by 24 environmental groups that outlines the economic and
community benefits and the widespread support for a Wildlife Refuge at NAS
Alameda.
Mike Warburton of the Public Trust Working Group voiced a concern about the
possibility of the Public Trust being extinguished. He further stated that the public
has ownership of these lands, Public Benefit Conveyance (PBC) recipients cannot be
taxed to pay for the infrastructure, and the views must be protected. Mayor
Appezzato assured Mr. Warburton that the Trust was not going to be extinguished and
the PBCs are not being dealt with lightly; however, the question remains of how to
raise the revenue to pay for the infrastructure.
Susan M. Withrow, an Alameda resident, stated that the Wildlife Refuge should be no
less than 500 acres and a golf course has no place near the refuge.
Sherri E. Withrow, a 32-year Alameda resident, spoke in support of setting aside
500–700 acres for a Wildlife Refuge.
Bill Smith, representing Virtual Agile Manufacturer, spoke in favor of alternative
transportation methods.
Arthur Feinstein of the Golden Gate Audubon Society spoke in favor of the Wildlife
Refuge, pointing out that among numerous other benefits, it would save on
infrastructure costs.
Bonnie J. Bone, a 10-year Alameda resident, related her experiences in Chicago with
prairie transformation and encouraged the ARRA to give the maximum space to the
Wildlife Refuge.
Tom Okey of the Conservation Science Institute related the final results of the public
survey titled “Community Rates of Approval of Proposed Land Use Alternatives for
NAS Alameda” and left copies with the ARRA Secretary for interested persons.
William Smith of the Sierra Club voiced his group’s support for the maximum amount
of land in the Wildlife Refuge.
A motion was made by Alternate Alves and seconded by Vice-Mayor Mannix to
approve the Land Use, City Design, and Parks & Recreation, Shoreline Access,
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Schools, and Cultural Facilities Elements of the Long-Range Community Reuse Plan.
The motion carried by a unanimous voice vote.
C. Report from the Executive Director Recommending Endorsement of the Interim
Leasing Principles, Policies, and Procedures.
After intensive discussion, a motion was made by Alternate Alves and seconded by
Alternate Daysog to add a provision to ensure that any lease that generates income of
less than 50 percent of fair market value has to have prior approval of the ARRA
Board. The motion failed by the following voice vote: Ayes: 2 –Alternate Alves
and Alternate Daysog. Noes: 7.
A motion was then made by Vice-Mayor Mannix and Alternate Loeffler to endorse
the Interim Leasing Principles, Policies, and Procedures. The motion carried by the
following voice vote: Ayes: 7. Noes: 2—Alternate Alves and Alternate Daysog.
D. Report from the Executive Director Recommending the ARRA Oppose the Request
for Federal Transfer of Certain Portions of Naval Air Station (NAS) Alameda to the
Department of Transportation, Maritime Administration (MARAD).
After discussion, a motion was made by Alternate Leonhardy to oppose the request
for federal transfer of certain portions of NAS Alameda to MARAD. Vice-Mayor
Mannix seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.
E. Report from the Executive Director Recommending the ARRA Oppose the Request
for Federal Transfer of Certain Portions of the Fleet Industrial Supply Center
(FISC) to the U.S. Department of Transportation, Maritime Administration
(MARAD).
After discussion, a motion was made by Alternate Leonhardy to oppose the request
for federal transfer of certain portions of FISC to MARAD. Vice-Mayor Mannix
seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.
F. Report from the Executive Director Recommending the Alameda Reuse and
Redevelopment Authority Oppose the Request for Federal Transfer of Certain
Portions of the Fleet Industrial Supply Center (FISC) Alameda Annex to the Army
Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES).
After discussion, a motion was made by Councilmember DeWitt to oppose the
request for federal transfer of certain portions of FISC to AAFES. Alternate Alves
seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.
IV. ORAL REPORTS:
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G. Oral Report from the Chair of the Base Reuse Advisory Group (BRAG) Updating the
ARRA on BRAG Activities.
Helen Sause, Vice-Chair of the BRAG, reported on the BRAG’s concern that the
financial impact of the present plan is only 1.4% and the BRAG would like to see a
better margin of error. She further reported (1) as there is an additional military
housing request at NAS, the BRAG is concerned that they should be shopping on the
Alameda economy and not at military stores; (2) there will be an ongoing need for
citizen participation on some level; and, (3) she assured those present that the BRAG
is in favor of the wildlife refuge.
H. Oral Report from the Executive Director on Various ARRA Activities:
Kay Miller, ARRA Executive Director, reported on the following subjects: (1)
McCain/ Feinstein legislation is pending; (2) a legal opinion on charging a capital
impact fee to PBCs has been referred to the ARRA General Counsel’s office; (3)
Heather McLaughlin, Asst.. General Counsel and Paul Tuttle, Reuse Planner have
been conducting monthly meetings with State Lands; (4) there will hopefully be a
decision by the Fish & Wildlife service on the size of the Wildlife Refuge by
January; (5) there has been an additional request for military housing (500 units in
East Housing) that will require a presentation to the BRAG and the ARRA; (6)
monies are available to hire Tom Iacafano of MIG to research a framework for
future citizen participation; (7) the BCDC Port Priority designation for areas of NAS
Alameda will be opposed at the Seaport Advisory meeting; (8) the Board will be
furnished with a current lease negotiation listing on a regular basis—National
Airmotive and Francis Plating are currently good lease prospects, as is Nelson
Marine; and, (9) a recommended consultant to conduct the Science City Feasibility
Study will be proposed at the January meeting.
V. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS, NON-AGENDA (PUBLIC COMMENT)
Bill Smith discussed alternative transportation and other unrelated issues.
IV. COMMUNICATIONS FROM GOVERNING BODY
Greg Alves thanked Mayor Appezzato and Kay Miller for going to Washington D.C. and
voiced his appreciation for their interactions with him.
VI. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by Chair Mayor Appezzato at 7:58 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
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Margaret E. Ensley
Secretary
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