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1990-03-08 Special CC MinutesSPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ALAMEDA MARCH 8, 1990 The special meeting was convened at 7:32 p.m., with President Corica presiding. ROLL CALL Present: Councilmembers Arnerich, Camicia, Thomas, Withrow, and President Corica - 5. Absent: None. 90-173 Consideration of planning options analyzed in the Alameda General Plan Revision Working Paper, and direction to the Consultant for preparation of the Draft General Plan text, Map and Draft Environmental Impact Report. Rosalie McPherson, 1128 Marianas Lane, requested a revision of the airport section of the General Plan Revision Working Paper, pages 74-77, because of more current information regarding the Oakland Airport; referred to the Airport Master Plan update; and stated she believes Alameda should develop its own noise contour map. President Corica stated that, during discussions about the Cross-Airport Roadway, one of items emphasized was that the residents would have input in where the intersection would go and inquired if Ms. McPherson has had group input. In response to Mayor Corica, Ms. McPherson commented on the Cross-Airport Roadway, stating there has been discussion favoring and supporting the intersection proposed which does not come into Mecartney; in addition, many people do not favor the Cross-Airport Roadway at all. Charles Millman, 2916 Bayview Drive, requested changes or additions e.g., include the Least Tern and rare vagrant birds (p.70,para 3), which the Sierra Club and the Audubon Society list as endangered species; in the fourth paragraph, state "no construction be allowed below the mean high tide mark to violate the area of the bird sanctuary in the tidal area" and only ecologically sound materials be used, etc. Councilmember Camicia stated Ms. McPherson brought up a good point about hiring a noise consultant to take another look at the contour map; does not know if that needs to be done in the context of the General Plan; he would like staff to report back on the cost of hiring a recognized airport consultant. Councilmember Withrow referred to Ms. McPherson's comment with respect to the Airport Master Plan; and stated he believes it mandatory the Airport Master Plan be included in the General Plan. March 8, 1990 Madelyn Murphy, 2816 Janis Circle, stated she would like Page 66, 9.1 Geology and Soils, to include expanded discussion on the Hayward Fault and possible improvements to the City to decrease vulnerability especially to older buildings. The Transportation Planner presented the following transportation issues to Council for consideration. 90-174 Park Street corridor congestion. Councilmember Camicia moved approval of Option 1 [Left-turn prohibitions and left-turn lanes at selected intersections.] Councilmember Withrow seconded the motion which was carried by unanimous voice vote - 5. 90-175 Bay Farm Island projected traffic congestion. Councilmember Camicia stated he believes both Cross-Airport Roadway and the 66th Avenue Connection] the General Plan; he does not know when the Connection could be done; the Cross-Airport Roadway voters and at a meeting he attended, there was support for the Roadway, so it should be part of the options [the should be in 66th Avenue did go to the considerable Plan. President Corica stated, in the Settlement Agreement with Harbor Bay Isle it is stated that the Cross-Airport Roadway would be built if it could be proven beneficial to the citizens of Alameda; and if the Roadway is included in the General Plan, that should be stated clearly. Councilmember Camicia stated he has no problem with a statement being made that the roadway "must be to the benefit of the citizens." Councilmember Withrow agreed, and stated if both items considered can be implemented, that would be excellent; a 66th Avenue tunnel would be very good but it is very expensive; the Cross-Airport Roadway has many benefits, but is very controversial because of concern, which he shares, that traffic will also be brought in; and the roadway should not come into Mecartney. The City Manager recommended inclusion to be consistent with, and using the same language that is in, the Settlement Agreement. Councilmember Camicia moved approval of both options [ 1) Cross Airport Roadway (p.53) and 2) 66th Avenue Connection. (p.54)]. and stipulate that it be consistent [with the language of the Settlement Agreement]. Councilmember Withrow seconded the motion which was carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Councilmembers Arnerich, Camicia, Withrow, and President Corica - 4. Noes: Councilmember Thomas - 1. Absent: None. 90-176 Incursion of Harbor Bay Business Traffic into Maitland Drive Residential Neighborhood. March 8, 1990 Councilmember Camicia moved approval of recommendation [to include option to design realignment of Harbor Bay Parkway and Cross-Airport Roadway to de-emphasize Maitland Drive and discourage through movement from Maitland Drive to Cross-Airport Roadway (p.53)]. Councilmember Withrow seconded the motion which was carried by unanimous voice vote - 5. 90-177 West End Traffic Congestion. Following brief discussion concerning alleviation of traffic and location of new access road, Councilmember Camicia clarified that because the Webster Street/Eighth Street Couplet is only suggested for further study, the item can be removed from the General Plan at a later date if it is not considered feasible. Councilmember Camicia moved recommendation to include both options [1) Further study of the Webster Street/Eighth Street Couplet (p.56); and 2) Design and implement a new access road north of Atlantic Avenue (p.56)]. Councilmember Withrow seconded the motion which was carried by unanimous voice vote - 5. 90-178 Protection of Residential Neighborhoods. Following discussion on citizen concerns regarding barricades, speed limiting protections, e.g. undulations, stop signs, etc., favored by citizens, and alleviation of traffic problems, Councilmember Withrow moved approval of recommendation to include option [to establish a citywide hierarchy of streets to protect neighborhoods from through traffic (p.57)]. Councilmember Camicia seconded the motion which was carried by unanimous voice vote - 5. 90-179 Shoreline Drive Protection. In response to Councilmember Withrow's inquiry concerning legality of barricades, the City Attorney stated the City has existing procedures which are proper. Councilmember Withrow stated he does not dispute the use of barricades but wants to make sure what is in the General Plan can be implemented without legal problems. Councilmember Withrow moved approval of recommendation [continuing temporary barricade program, evaluating a program of permit parking, and developing additional alternatives including satellite off-street parking]. Councilman Arnerich seconded the motion which was carried by unanimous voice vote - 5. 90-180 Commercial District parking needs. Councilmember Camicia moved approval of option [Multi-level parking garages for central business districts (p.29)]. Councilmember Withrow seconded the motion which was carried by unanimous voice vote - 5. 90-181 Public Transit and TSM measures. March 8, 1990 81 Councilmember Withrow moved approval of option [to emphasize public transit orientation in the General Plan]. Councilmember Camicia seconded the motion which was carried by unanimous voice vote - 5. The Acting Planning Director presented the following issues regarding Major Inconsistencies between the CLUP and Current Residential/Commercial Zoning. 90-182 Current zoning permits densities exceeding current density conditions in some residential areas. President Corica stated, in view of the fact that the City is so densely populated, he believes Council should strongly support implementation of lower residental densities; attempts have been made to downzone to R-2 and Council must begin to address the issue now; and he would like to have the issue put into the General Plan, so that Council may move forward with it at some point. Councilmember Withrow stated he would consider that to be virtually mandatory if there is to be a General Plan and strongly concurs with President Corica's position. Councilmember Camicia moved approval of Option 1 [to implement (lower) residential densities as recommended by the 1978 CLUP (p.21)] Councilmember Withrow seconded the notion which was carried by unanimous voice vote - 5. 90-183 Future of residential areas (zoned C-M) between Park and Oak Streets north of Lincoln Avenue and those on either side of the Webster Street (C-2) business district. In response to Councilmember Withrow's inquiry regarding comments on this issue during the hearings, the Acting Planning Director stated participants in the numerous workshops were to indicate the residential usage in the plan. Councilmember Withrow moved approval of Option 2 [to redesignate areas zoned for commercial uses, now used as housing, to residential (p.31)]. Councilmember Withrow noted this issue is a recognition of what is already present. The Acting Planning Director noted there were some comments against the issue, e.g. Webster Street businesses need room to expand, removes development options, etc. Councilmember Thomas stated when CLUP was redone, the amount of additional usable commercial had been overestimated, but there might be a valid argument in the Webster area. March 8, 1990 The Acting Planning Director suggested through studies, such exceptions could be identified. Councilmember Thomas stated that would be a good idea. Councilmember Camicia seconded the motion which was carried by unanimous voice vote - 5. 90-184 Neighborhood Business (C-1) zoning of residential properties. Councilmember Withrow moved approval of option [redesignate neighborhood business districts to include only existing commercial uses (p.32)]. Councilman Arnerich seconded the motion which was carried by unanimous voice vote - 5. 90-185 Future use of the Drive-in Theater site. Councilmember Withrow moved approval of recommendation [for mixed-use planned development, which would allow for any combination of uses in options ( a) Planned development senior housing project; b) professional offices with senior housing above; c) large retail uses such as a home improvement center; d) a European style market hall (p.31)) with City approval of development plan(s)]. Councilmember Camicia seconded the motion which was carried by unanimous voice vote - 5. 90-186 Development in the Park and Webster Streets business districts. (Height Limit: 100 feet currently allowed by zoning.) President Corica stated it is important to decrease the height limit. Councilmember Withrow moved approval of recommendation [to include option to decrease height limits to three stories, measuring 35 to 40 feet, depending on the roof configuration (p.31)]. Councilmember Thomas discussed heights of current buildings in the City; grandfathering in of existing buildings; rebuilding of destroyed buildings, and the affect upon rejuvenation efforts. The City Manager noted perhaps during hearings, the grandfathering of buildings could be looked at to see if possibly there could be an allowance to reconstruct to former height in case of destruction. Councilmember Thomas stated she would not want to rule out the possibility of rejuvenation effort as in Richard Roth's plan where there might be the desire to have an entire parking structure underneath a building with perhaps a couple of levels of shops aboveground. Councilman Arnerich seconded the motion which was carried by unanimous voice vote - 5. March 8, 1990 The Acting Planning Director presented the following issue regarding Airport Safety. 90-187 Conflicts between City's zoning and Airport Land Use Commission (ALUC) policies. Councilmember Camicia moved approval of the recommendation implementing Options 1 [Limit Alameda Gateway development to activities permitted by ALUC policies (p.79)] and 2 [Retain current CLUP designations for the Highlands area (original development) of Bay Farm Island despite inconsistency with ALUC policies (p.79)] Councilmember Withrow seconded the motion which was carried by unanimous voice vote - 5. The Acting Planning Director presented the following issues regarding Parks and Open Space: 90-188 Insufficient public park space in the West End. Councilmember Camicia moved approval of option [Provide additional neighborhood park space in the West End (p.65).] Councilmember Withrow seconded the motion which was carried by unanimous voice vote - 5. 90-189 Future development on Ballena Isle and provision of park space and shoreline access. Councilmember Camicia moved approval of option [for a park on Ballena Isle (p.65)] Councilmember Thomas seconded the motion which was carried by unanimous voice vote - 5. 90-190 Public open space in the West End and alternatives to the automobile. Councilmember Camicia moved approval of option [Develop the abandoned Alameda Belt Line right-of-way from Webster Street to Main Street as a public greenway to include bicycle path and possibly light-rail]. Councilmember Withrow seconded the motion. Councilman Arnerich questioned if there have been discussions with the Belt Line concerning acquisition of property. The City Manager replied there has been conversation with the Belt Line but there has not been further response; the property is not now currently in use. The Acting Planning Director presented the issues concerning Community Identity and Visual Quality. 90-191 A. Strengthening Alameda's architectural quality and visual image; B. Strengthening the Civic Center as the focus of public life in Alameda and as an identifiable urban design March 8, 1990 centerpiece. C. Strengthen the ability of the City to retain historical residential and commercial buildings. Councilmember Camicia moved implementation of Options 1 [concerning Issue A, entrances to the City should be studied for design solutions that will enhance the experience of arriving in Alameda] 2. [concerning Issue B, a specific plan that will study design solutions for a stronger Civic Center area] and 3. [concerning Issue C, a specific plan that will strengthen the City's ability to retain older buildings which may be threatened with demolition or exterior modification which alters the character of the building]. Councilmember Withrow seconded the motion which was carried by unanimous voice vote - 5. The Acting Planning Director noted there will be work on the draft plan, analyses, drafting of policies; Planning Board public hearings should be scheduled approximately July; and the goal is for the General Plan to be adopted by the end of the year. Councilmembers Camicia and Withrow requested the consultant suggest ways to speed up the process of accomplishing the General Plan. Mr. Blayney replied suggestions can be made involving staff work that can be done but it is not the type of process where additional workers can assist in the work of the final plan; the items are inter-related and cross referenced and the work cannot, at that point, be done piecemeal. President Corica clarified that time is of the essence and the quicker the Plan can be prepared, the better it will be. The City Attorney inquired if it might be possible to focus on the Land Use and Traffic and Transportation Element and later do Noise, Safety, and some of the others. Mr. Blayney stated it could be done but the work would not progress as fast. Councilmember Camicia requested staff report back on how that approach might be done and if it is feasible, what the downside is. President Corica stated it would be necessary to circulate elements separately; the procedure may sound faster but could take more time. Councilmember Withrow stated what is being requested is an assessment; and if the proposed approach is concluded to be inefficient, Council would have an answer. Councilmember Thomas stated the additional information requested concerning airport safety will add, rather than subtract, time and that should be included in the assessment. March 8, 1990 ADJOURNMENT There being no President Corica further business to come before the Council, adjourned the meeting at 8:45 p.m. Respectfully submitted, DIANE B. FELSCH, CMC City Clerk The agenda for the meeting was posted in accordance with the Brown Act. March 8, 1990