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1994-10-18 Special CIC MinutesSPECIAL MEETING OF THE COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT COMMISSION OCTOBER 18, 1994 The meeting was convened at 7:22 p.m., with Chair Withrow presiding. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Commissioner Lucas. Reverend Roger Bauer, Immanuel Lutheran Church, gave the invocation. ROLL CALL - MINUTES Present: Commissioners Appezzato, Arnerich, Lucas, Roth and Chair Withrow - 5. Absent: None. Commissioner Roth moved approval of Minutes of the Special Community Improvement Committee Meetings held June 21, 1994 and October 4, 1994. Commissioner Arnerich seconded the motion which carried by unanimous voice vote - 5. REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 94-112 Report from the Community Development Director regarding completion of the Robert LaRocca and Associates Report, Park Street Auto Row: A Conceptual Study for the City of Alameda. Robert LaRocca, Robert LaRocca & Associates, thanked Council on behalf of his firm and Kevin Stong & Associates for its help and advice; and reviewed some items in the report including Park Street as a major gateway entrance into the City, with a monument at Park Street Bridge and another at Lincoln Avenue linking Auto Row to downtown commercial district; street improvements including street furnishings, landscaping, lighting, paving patterns, intersection paving medallions; a street tree program on Auto Row; increase in parking; and guidelines for future infill development on some vacant parcels. Mr. LaRocca presented slides illustrating his comments above, architectural features and historical aspects of Alameda to be an influence in Auto Row design, examples of plazas and auto row features in other cities, lighting systems, eating establishments, trees, plantings, and imagery for auto row. Mayor Withrow stated the project is very exciting, and when achieved, will be a major addition to the City of Alameda. Gerhard Degemann, Alameda, stated the idea and concept is fantastic, is needed; however, the City does not need more delicatessens and restaurants. Community Improvement Commission Special Meeting, October 18, 1994 Commissioner Roth stated his one concern is diagonal parking which needs to be looked at, as backing into heavy traffic is not safe. Mr. LaRocca stated the plan has been changed to provide diagonal parking on side streets and parallel parking on main streets. Responding to Commissioner Lucas, Mr. LaRocca stated the firm has had auto dealers' full support since the start of the project, the dealers have seen the final version of the plan, and are frustrated the project is not moving faster. Chair Withrow stated he can relate to the dealers' impatience. Commissioner Appezzato discussed with Mr. LaRocca the proposed contribution of $2,000,000+ from the private sector; and stated he is pleased that the plan was done incrementally, for the City to proceed from the Park Street Bridge, block by block, as the tax increment money comes into the redevelopment area; and that there will be no more gas stations and car washes on Park Street. Commissioner Arnerich remarked to Mr. LaRocca that 1) Council has gone on record for the Park Street Bridge color to be green or silver; and 2) a 100-foot height for a flag pole is extreme; Council is excited about the concept; the financing will be a vital [issue] on what the contributions will be from the City, other funding agencies, in addition to Auto Row which is probably the biggest contributor to the City's tax base; and thanked Mr. LaRocca for his comments. Commissioner Appezzato stated he finds Goal 12, to preserve the residential quality of the area around Park Street, as important as any of the other goals; and he can support that goal most heartily. Chair Withrow stated Mr. LaRocca has done an outstanding job and thanked him. Mr. LaRocca thanked Council, staff and associates participating in the project, and stated he hopes to continue on in the future. Commissioner Arnerich accepted the recommendation for informational purposes only. Commissioner Appezzato seconded the motion which carried by unanimous voice vote - 5. 94-113 Report from Planning Director regarding planning options for development on Webster Street. Don Bergen, Alameda, stated most of Webster Street is not bad; he did a study; has no objection to [development) study except cost; the solution is for all [Webster Street) business and property owners to contribute money, follow a simple plan to improve trees, lights, sidewalks, clean buildings, and work it out together; and Community Improvement Conunission Special Meeting, October 18, 1994 taxpayers should not fund development. The Planning Director explained the Specific Plan which would cost around $125,000 and take approximately a year; and stated Development Strategy would focus on evaluating and facilitating development of perhaps a half-dozen properties, would cost a maximum of $60,000 and be accomplished more quickly. Shirley Cummins, Alameda, stated to find out why businesses are downsizing, listen to hearings on CSpan television for information on the General Agreement on Tariff and Trades (GATT); and businesses are leaving the United States for cheaper labor. John Fee, Alameda, stated he does not believe the United States is losing ground; and we must not give up. Commissioner Arnerich suggested [moved] the Community Improvement Commission discuss the objectives for Webster Street and consider the two approaches that have been provided the Commission. Commissioner Arnerich suggested [moved] the Community Improvement Commission discuss the objectives for Webster Street and consider the two approaches that have been provided the Commission. Commissioner Roth stated he wants to give direction to staff, and seconded the motion. Commissioner Lucas stated that she would like to look at discussing Webster Street Development Strategy after the Reuse Plan is available. Commissioner Roth stated he somewhat agrees; he favors the Development Strategy as he believes it can have the greatest impact in the shortest period of time; and the Reuse Plan should move ahead concurrently; the Specific Plan has major problems to overcome before it can be completed whereas, if the Development Strategy is completed and some things are in place, the pressures will be generated to produce the Specific Plan; he wants to be sure the Commission provides specific directions to the Planning Director, and hopes that is the intent of the motion. Commissioner Arnerich agreed. Commissioner Appezzato stated Area Wide Strategy includes Park and Webster Streets, Lincoln corridor, and Northern Waterfront, and inquired if Development Strategy and Specific Plan is being looked at as the first objective after completion of Area Wide Strategy; and is tax increment money currently available from the redevelopment area to pay for whichever strategy Commission chooses. Community Improvement Commission Special Meeting, October 18, 1994 The Planning Director stated catalyst projects on Webster Street were looked at and for a variety of reasons have not come together; a catalyst project on which staff is proceeding is the Alameda Theater; in light of uncertainties due to base closure, City may need to take a more pro-active role in facilitating development of several sites, the idea of catalyst sites bringing in anchors or something to create a sense of vigor on the streets is part of what was contemplated in the Area Wide Strategy. Commissioner Appezzato clarified the focus is on catalyst sites and inquired if there is tax increment money available to fund the Strategy. The Planning Director stated funding would be looked at during the mid-year review of the budget. The Community Development Director stated the tax increment flow in the early years of the redevelopment project is slow and that is why the emphasis has been in the budget presentation on the development and facilitation of catalyst project in order to invest in ways that will generate more increment; and at mid-year, staff would bring forward a re-ordering of priorities so the effort can be accomplished within existing funds available to the Commission. Commissioner Lucas stated several projects have not worked out; the Farmers Market has been successful; Commissioners would like the Community Development Director to continue to search for businesses. The Community Development Director stated a lot of development efforts take a long lead time; a site has been identified and soon, staff will be negotiating with the property owner for the siting of City-related office uses on Webster Street; the second thing being worked on under Housing Authority is the mediation problem at 1916 Webster Street; and staff is also working on other Webster Street sites. Commissioner Roth stated it appeaers that if the Commission directed staff to proceed with the Development Strategy, that would fit in with the programs staff has been working on. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote - 5. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS, NON-AGENDA ITEMS 95-114 Neil Patrick Sweeney, Alameda, suggested the creation of a light rail system. Community Improvement Conunission Special Meeting, October 18, 1994 ADJOURNMENT Chair Withrow adjourned the meeting at 8:23 p.m. Respectfully submitted, D ANE B. FELSCH, CMC City Clerk The agenda for this meeting was posted in advance in accordance with the Brown Act. Community Improvement Commission Special Meeting, October 18, 1994