1969-05-06 Regular CC MinutesREGULAR MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ALAMEDA
HELD TUESDAY EVENING MAY 6, 1969
The meeting convened at 7:30 o'clock p.m. with President La Croix presiding. The Pledge of
Allegiance was led by Councilman Longaker and was followed by an inspiring Invocation delivered
by The Reverend Scott Thomson, Associate Pastor of the First Baptist Church.
ROLL CALL:
The roll was called and Councilmen Fore, Levy, Longaker, McCall and President La Croix, (5)
were noted present. Absent: None.
MINUTES:
1. The minutes of the regular meeting held April 15, 1969, were approved as transcribed.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS:
2./ From Mr. William C. Galbreath, 1833 Cambridge Drive, requesting refund of
for checking plans which would not be used.
40, the fee paid
Councilman McCall moved the sum of 340 be refunded to Mr. Galbreath, as requested. The action was
seconded by Councilman Levy and on roll call carried by the following vote. Ayes: Five.
Noes: None. Absent: None.
3.e" From County of Alameda Veterans Day Commission, signed by Mr. Allen F. Strutz, Chairman,
requesting that the City of Alameda appropriate $250 as its share of the cost of the 1969 Veterans
Day Observance and Parade, to be held in the City of Hayward.
Councilman Longaker moved this matter be referred to the Alameda Chamber of Commerce for attention.
The motion was seconded by Councilman Levy and on roll call carried by the following vote.
Ayes: Five. Noes: None. Absent: None.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS, AGENDA:
4.r Mrs. Ina Ratto, 1053 Island Drive, requested the opportunity to address the Council with regard
to the first item under "Reports and Recommendations". This concerned a recommendation from the
Planning Board on acquisition of a parcel of land on Bay Farm Island for recreational purposes.
HEARINGS:
5.V In the Matter of two Appeals from the decision of the Planning Board to grant a variance to
permit a ten-foot encroachment into the required twenty-foot rear yard area for a distance of
sixty-eight feet, on construction proposed at 890 Union Street by Mr. Stanley Boersma. The Appeals
were filed by Davis, Craig & Bartalini, Attorneys, for the Alameda West Lagoon Home Owners Association
and Mr. Russell R. Reed. The matter had been continued from the meeting held April 1, 1969.
The City Clerk stated the persons involved had been informed that this was the time and place for
Hearing on this matter and minutes of the meeting of the Planning Board at which the application was
considered had been sent to the Councilmen.
City Attorney Cunningham explained the issue before the Council was whether or not the actions and
findings of the Planning Board, taken under Section 11-161(b) of the Alameda Municipal Code, should
be affirmed, modified or reversed.
Planning Director Johnson reviewed his memorandum dated March 28, 1969, with regard to this application,
identical to one granted to this builder previously and, at that time, reversed by the City Council
on Appeal from Mr. Reed. The Appeal now concerned another party of interest, the Alameda West Lagoon
Home Owners Association.
It was the position of the Staff and the Board that while the hardship was self-created, there was
an apparent trade-off of the ten-foot rear yard encroachment against a lagoon overhang of only twelve
feet. The applicant could overhang the lagoon farther without encroaching into the City's rights;
that is, the drainage easements on the lagoon. The applicant did not wish to proceed with another
design. It was the unanimous decision of the Board members present at the meeting that the variance
should be granted on the finding that the lot was unusual, in that fifty-five per cent of it was
under water.
On the call for proponents, Mr. A. T. Wiemken, 605 Glenwood Isle, spoke for the Alameda West Lagoon
Home Owners Association, composed of a membership of three hundred fourteen owners of properties on
the South Shore lagoons. At its last Board of Directors meeting, a resolution had been passed in
opposition to Mr. Boersma's application and to his tentative building plans with the twelve-foot
overhang over the lagoon waters. It had passed a second resolution urging the City Council to take
immediate action and refer the matter of lagoon front property development to the Staff or to the
Planning Board, as appropriate, for consideration of an ordinance restricting the overhang over the
lagoon and possibly offering some density bonus in lieu of this so that builders might have higher
density on the upland portion of their properties.
Mr. H. Theodore Craig III, Attorney with the firm of Davis, Craig & Bartalini, addressed the Council
as the representative of the Lagoon Home Owners Association. He claimed Mr. Boersma had not shown any
real hardship. It was said the fact that over fifty per cent of the property was under water was
considered a hardship, but Mr. Boersma knew this when he purchased the parcel.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS:
11. Mr. Frank Gottstein, 731 Haight Avenue, complained of the cold in the Council
Chamber.
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12. President McCall, at this time, expressed regret that Councilman Isaacs had found
it impossible to continue in office and said he hoped, after he had devoted some time
exclusively to his business, Councilman Isaacs might be in position to accept appoint-
ment on a City Board or Commission.
Councilman Fore commended Councilman Isaacs on his outstanding work on behalf of the City.
Councilman Levy commented he had been very pleased when Councilman Isaacs had been
appointed to the Council, having worked with him on one of the Commissions. He wished
Councilman Isaacs every success.
Councilman La Croix expressed his thanks to Councilman Isaacs for the time contributed
to the interests of the City.
The Councilmen each expressed the hope, as had President McCall, that the City might call
on Councilman Isaacs in the future to serve in some capacity.
Councilman Isaacs acknowledged with thanks the remarks of his colleagues. He said he
was convinced the City was fortunate to have such dedicated men serving on the Council
and in the administrative departments. He expressed great confidence in Councilman-
elect Longaker, who would take office at the mooting of April 15.
FILING:
13. Financial Report - Bureau of Electricity, as of February 28, 1969 - Verified by
Hackleman, Larzelere, McKenna & von Kaschnitz.
ADJOURNMENT:
14. There being no further business to come before the meeting, the Council adjourned,
to assemble in regular session on Tuesday evening, April 15, 1969, at 8:00 Olclodk.
Respectfully submitted,
City Clerk