Exhibits:

1. Neighborhood Park Design Review Plans

2. Draft Resolution

File #: 2017-3804
Type: Regular Agenda Item
Body: Planning Board
On agenda: 1/23/2017
Title: Hold a Public Hearing to Consider Site A Neighborhood Park Final Details for Design Review Application
Attachments: 1. Exhibit 1 - Neighborhood Park Design Review Plans, 2. Exhibit 2 - Draft Resolution

Hold a Public Hearing to Consider Site A Neighborhood Park Final Details for Design Review Application

To: President and Members of the Planning Board

From: Andrew Thomas, Assistant Community Development Director

Jennifer Ott, Base Reuse Director

BACKGROUND

In June 2015, the City Council unanimously approved the Site A Development Plan for a 68-acre area within Alameda Point that extends generally from the Main Street entrance to Alameda Point to the Seaplane Lagoon and the eastern edge of the Naval Air Station Alameda Historic District (Historic District). Since the City Council action on the Development Plan, the Planning Board and the project proponent, Alameda Point Partners (APP), and its team of architects and design professionals have completed Design Review for Block 11, Block 8 and the Phase 1 Waterfront Park approved on March 14, 2016, Design Review for Blocks 6, 7, and 10 and a use permit for Block 10 approved on June 27, 2016, and the Tentative Map for Phase 1 of Site A approved on July 11, 2016.

On October 24, 2016, the Planning Board approved Resolution PB-16-31 which approved the Design Review application for the Site A Neighborhood Park. Although the Planning Board approved the park design, questions remained about the detailed design for landscaping, lighting, and bicycle facilities. As a result, PB-16-31 included the following condition of approval:

Landscape, Lighting, and Bicycle Design Details: Prior to issuance of a building permit or site improvement permit for any portion of the Neighborhood Park, the applicant shall submit a detailed landscape, lighting, water fountain, and bicycle path and bicycle parking design for final Planning Board review and approval. The plan shall ensure that trees that may drop fruit are not located immediately adjacent to sidewalks.

At this time, staff is recommending that the Planning Board review and approve the final landscape, lighting and bicycle facility details. (Exhibit 1).

DISCUSSION

The 14.8 acres of parks within Site A are comprised of three “park districts”: the “Neighborhood Park District”, the “Waterfront Park District”, and the “Urban Park District”, and each district is designed to provide a range of public open spaces and park facilities.

The 1.35-acre Neighborhood Park (Exhibit 1) is designed to meet primarily the needs of the residential community within Site A consistent with the community’s design objectives established by the Alameda community through the Community Reuse Plan, the General Plan, the Town Center Plan, and the Site A Development Plan. The Neighborhood Park includes active spaces for playground facilities with thematic play structures, a basketball half-court, a game area with chess/checker tables and outdoor table tennis, and an outdoor fitness area, and less structured community spaces, including a large-scale central lawn for community events and gatherings, picnic and fixed seating areas, and a smaller lawn space with “wave” landforms.

Bicycle Facilities: The October 2016 Planning Board condition of approval required a reexamination of the bicycle facilities in the park. At the meeting, questions were raised about the purpose and usefulness of the 7-foot wide bicycle path within the park shown on the October 2016 plans. After meeting with the Recreation and Park Commission, the Recreation and Park Director, and reconsidering the conditions in the park, the revised plans remove the path from the park and propose “sharrows” on the adjacent street. This change responds to Recreation and Park Commission’s concerns about bicyclists “speeding” through the small park where young children will be playing, and increases the amount of landscaped play area available in the park. The change also allows for a more gradual slope into the bio-swale, instead of a steep drop into the bio-swale. The adjacent street includes a number of turns, which will support slower automobile speeds on the street. For this reason, staff believes the street lends itself well to sharrows for bicyclists. Additionally, the Planning Board asked for more information regarding the bicycle racks. The proposed bicycle rack design and locations have been added to the plans. The rack design is consistent with the City’s Bicycle Guidelines.

Landscape and Lighting Plan: Exhibit 1 includes a more detailed landscape plan for the park. The plan ensures that trees that may drop fruit are not located immediately adjacent to sidewalks and features a low-water, relatively low-maintenance, Bay Friendly landscape plan. The park will be maintained by the Recreation and Park Department and will be revenue-neutral to the City’s General Fund per the Site A Disposition and Development Agreement with the City. Landscape and equipment specifications will be reviewed and approved by the Recreation and Park Department Director prior to construction. The proposed park does not include any special lighting. Street lights on the adjacent street will provide general lighting for the park and the restroom facility will include lights. Water fountain plans have been added to the exhibit per the Planning Board’s request.

Based on the submitted plans, staff is recommending approval of the design review for the Neighborhood Park.

ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW

On February 4, 2014, the City of Alameda certified the Alameda Point Final EIR in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The Final EIR evaluated the environmental impacts of redevelopment and reuse of the lands at Alameda Point consistent with the Town Center Plan, which included Site A. No further review is required for this review of the Neighbor Park design.

RECOMMENDATION

Hold a public hearing and approve a Resolution approving the Neighborhood Park Design Review as shown in Exhibit 1.

Respectfully submitted,

Andrew Thomas, Assistant Community Development Director

Jennifer Ott, Base Reuse Director

Exhibits:

1. Neighborhood Park Design Review Plans

2. Draft Resolution