Ordinance 3074 CITY OF ALAMEDA ORDINANCE NO. 3074
New Series
AMENDING THE ALAMEDA MUNICIPAL CODE BY AMENDING
SECTION 30-7.15a (BICYCLE, MOTORCYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN
FACILITIES) OF ARTICLE I (ZONING DISTRICTS AND REGULATIONS)
OF CHAPTER XXX (DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS) TO COMPLY
WITH THE CITY’S BICYCLE FACILITY DESIGN STANDARDS
WHEREAS, the Alameda Municipal Code (AMC) Section 30-7.15a currently requires
bicycle parking spaces in the following manner: “Secure bicycle racks and/or storage lockers
shall be provided wherever parking is required, at the rate of one (1) space for every ten (10)
spaces”; and
WHEREAS, national best practices for bicycle parking requirements have changed since
Section 30-7.15a was enacted, such that the number of required bicycle parking spaces is now
typically linked to one or more of the following measurements: residential dwelling unit, number
of bedrooms, square footage, building occupancy or number of employees; and
WHEREAS, the national best practices are based on the Bicycle Parking Guidelines
prepared by the Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals, and bicycle parking
requirements in Portland, Seattle and Oakland; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has approved a Circulation Goal in the General Plan’s
Transportation Element to “Plan, develop and maintain a safe, barrier-free and efficient
transportation system to provide the community with adequate present and future mobility”; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has approved a Livability Goal in the General Plan’s
Transportation Element to “Balance the mobility needs of the community with the overall
community objective of creating a livable human and natural environment. Coordinate the
interaction of transportation systems development with land use planning activities”; and
WHEREAS, the City of Alameda has approved policy 4.3.6.a in the General Plan’s
Transportation Element to “Review and update multimodal design standards for lane widths,
parking, planting area, sidewalks, and bicycle lanes to guide construction, maintenance, and
redevelopment of transportation facilities consistent with the street classification system”; and
WHEREAS, the City of Alameda acknowledges the benefits and value for the public
health and welfare of reducing vehicle miles traveled and increasing transportation by walking,
bicycling and public transportation; and
WHEREAS, the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (known as AB 32) sets
a mandate for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in California, and the Sustainable
Communities and Climate Protection Act of 2008 (known as SB 375) requires emissions
reductions through coordinated regional planning that integrates transportation, housing, and
land-use policy, and achieving the goals of these laws will require significant increases in travel
by public transit, bicycling, and walking; and
WHEREAS, on the basis of the foregoing, the City Council desires to amend the bicycle
parking requirements to increase the availability of safe and convenient bicycle parking per
national best practices; and
WHEREAS, it is the intent of the City Council in enacting this ordinance to (1) encourage
healthy, active living, (2) reduce traffic congestion, air pollution, wear and tear on roads, and use
of fossil fuels, and (3) improve safety and quality of life for residents of the City of Alameda by
providing safe and convenient parking for bicycles.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Alameda that:
Section 1. The AMC is hereby amended by changing the current text of Section 30-
7.15a (Bicycle, Motorcycle and Pedestrian Facilities) of Article I (Zoning Districts and
Regulations) of Chapter XXX (Development Regulations).
The AMC is hereby amended by removing the current language:
“Secure bicycle racks and/or storage lockers shall be provided wherever parking
is required, at the rate of one (1) space for every ten (10) spaces.”
The AMC is hereby amended by replacing the removed text with the following:
“Secure long- and short-term bicycle parking spaces shall be provided consistent
with the requirements of the Schedule for Bicycle Parking Spaces wherever
automobile parking is required in accordance with subsection 30-7.2. The design
of the bicycle parking spaces shall be shown on the site plan presented to the
Planning Board, including existing bicycle parking on the neighboring properties,
and be consistent with the standards included in the City’s Bicycle Facility Design
Standards. Short-term bicycle parking may be located on-site or in the public
right of way. The Planning Board may authorize exceptions to the requirements
of the schedule, location, or the design standards, if such exception is required to
address unique site constraints, any unique or special characteristics of the use,
or is appropriate to provide improved access to bicycle parking facilities.”
Appendix B of the Bicycle Facility Design Standards shall be inserted as the schedule
in the amended AMC Section 30-7.15a.
Section 2. Environmental Compliance.
In accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), this project is
Categorically Exempt under CEQA Guidelines Section 15162, Subsequent EIRs and Negative
Declarations.
When the City Council approved the Transportation Element Update, an Environmental
Impact Report (EIR) was prepared and certified. Section 15162 of the CEQA Guidelines
permits local jurisdictions to use a previous certified EIR when substantial changes to it are not
proposed.
Section 3. Severability.
If any provision of this ordinance or the application thereof to any person or
circumstance is held invalid the remainder of the ordinance and the application of such provision
to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby.
Section 4. Effective Date.
This ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after expiration of thirty (30) days
from the date of its final passage.
* * * * * *
_____________________________
Presiding Officer of the City Council
Attest:
____________________
Lara Weisiger, City Clerk
I, the undersigned, hereby certify that the foregoing Ordinance was duly and regularly
adopted and passed by Council of the City of Alameda in regular meeting assembled on the 21st
day of May, 2013, by the following vote to wit:
AYES: Councilmembers Chen, Daysog, Ezzy Ashcraft, Tam and
Mayor Gilmore – 5.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: None.
ABSTENTIONS: None.
IN WITNESS, WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of
said City this 22nd day of May, 2013.
______________________________
Lara Weisiger, City Clerk
City of Alameda