newsletter of homesalameda.org june, 2007

In This Issue

Planning Board
Ad Hoc Committee
WRT Transportation/ Land Use Community Workshop
Measure A Quiz

Planning Board Ad Hoc Committee

The first meeting of the Planning Board ad hoc committee, delegated to design a forum to present the impacts on Measure A on the housing element and transportation in Alameda, met on June 7th from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. at the Library. From all accounts, it was a raucous meeting, unfortunately exhibiting the worst traits of incivility, full of obstructions, shouting, slander and meaningless accusations from one of the appellants. The meeting did end with a result was that the ad hoc committee will select speakers for a forum on Measure A at their next meeting. Suggestions for speakers were to be submitted to Planning Board Director Cathy Woodbury by June 29th.

The next ad hoc committee meeting is planned for Friday, July 13, 2007. We will keep you advised of the place and time.

For a play-by-play account of the first ad hoc meeting, take a look at John Knox White's blog report. In fact, his site Stop, Drop and Roll has several posts related to the history of Measure A, including quotes from some of the original supporters who expressed concern about the stringency and legality of the measure.

Those who originally authored the amendment were obviously quite concerned about the future of Alameda. It makes one wonder how well the intentions of the Measure A “founding fathers” meshes with today’s consequences of the measure. Were the “intentions” truly to prohibit the charm and character of Alameda from being continued into Alameda Point and allow the building of only suburban-style monotonous neighborhoods? Probably not.

WRT/ Solomon Meeting

We are still awaiting a firm date on the next WRT/ Solomon community workshop, which is supported by a grant from the MTC (Metropolitan Transportation Commission).

Measure A Quiz: True or False

There are many misconceptions about Measure A and just what it does or does not allow. Take this quiz on Measure A and related issues to test your understanding.

1. Modifying Measure A for Alameda Point would lead to Measure A being eroded for the rest of the Island.

answerFalse. Measure A is a charter amendment and can only be modified or changed by voter approval. If the voters approved changing it for Alameda Point, then that is the only place for which it could be modified. Changing it anywhere else in Alameda would require another ballot measure.

2. A mix of retail and housing, such as found on Park Street, cannot be built today under Measure A.

answerTrue. Units may be built over retail under Measure A, but not similar to Park Street which includes small apartments and configurations of more than two attached units. Measure A requires that each housing unit must be built on a minimum lot size of 2000 square feet and only two units may be attached.

3. Measure A limits the ability to build senior apartments or condos.

answerTrue. The Measure A requirement that each unit must have a 2000 square foot lot and no more than two units adjoined prevents the building of senior apartments, or any apartments, condos, town homes, or live/work lofts.

4. Measure A curbs development.

answerFalse. Measure A does not prevent nor curb development; it merely dictates the type of building that can be accomplished. Measure A limits new housing to only single family or duplex homes, but it does not limit the number of new homes that can be built beyond stating that there can be only one unit per 2000 square feet. Do the math, that can still be some heavy density. The point is, Measure A does not ensure a density level that is consistent with historic Alameda. A community developed master plan does that and that is what we need to ensure that the community vision is fulfilled, not a 34 year old prohibition.

5. Alameda can choose not to develop Alameda Point and it will remain undeveloped.

answerFalse. The Navy owns Alameda Point. If the City is not in charge of developing it, then the Navy will auction off the land to developers directly, not giving the citizens of Alameda any say-so in who develops the land.

6. If the land is auctioned off by the Navy, zoning laws would ensure that Alameda Point is developed according to the community vision.

answerFalse. City zoning laws would remain applicable if the Navy auctioned off the land, but the City would have a difficult time achieving the community developed vision and principles (see the City of Alameda General Plan). The developers would have to adhere to Measure A, for instance, but would not have to build a neighborhood that reduced the reliance on the automobile, provided seamless integration with the rest of the Island, or contributed to transit solutions and recreational areas, etc., all of which have been established as goals by the community.

7. In modifying Measure A, proponents want to “Manhattanize” Alameda.

answerFalse. Land use controls would be built into the development plan to limit density and heights, mandate open space, and permit mixed-use development not now possible. How many units will actually be built will be dependent on many other factors, including the State Tidelands Trust requirements, how much clean-up can be done for the soil, traffic capacity, economic viability, Flood Plain standards and design.

8. Developers will make a bigger profit if they can build more and different types of housing.

answerFalse. According to an article entitled “Why Building Smart is So Hard” in The Next American City magazine, it is much more difficult to make a profit with sustainable development. “You’re not going to make as much money in the same timeframe as you would by building all single-family homes or a power center. The premise that socially good building can compete with mass production is false. It can’t, it won’t, it never will.”

9. People need to be from Alameda to be creditable in advising us.

answerFalse. Alameda needs advisors who are experts in all fields, from the creation of “green’ communities to those who have expertise in design and land planning. Where they come from is not the issue. Judging their credentials is the one way to get good recommendations and not be insular in seeking only that which comes from this small island. Ultimately, “Island People” are the decision-makers and will choose what advice they apply, but we are entitled to the best advice there is!

10. Measure A is good for Alameda.

answerFalse? True? We don’t know. The public has not had the benefit of expert analysis of Measure A and its impact on Alameda. The City was fairly well built up when Measure A began to be applied (exceptions being the drive-in movie site and the East Housing,) and we have not had the hoped for analysis of Measure A to judge the results. However, the drive-in movie site and the East Housing DO resemble suburbia, not Central Alameda. It is clear that with the 1700 acres to be developed at Alameda Point, it is critical to have the best development possible as known in 2007 as we plan for the next 50 years.

HOMES is making every effort to share the distinction between the Alameda that existed in 1973 and the “clean slate” to be developed as our newest neighborhood.

HOMES is a grassroots citizen’s group dedicated to promoting responsible development at Alameda Point. In this era of global warming, rising fuel prices, growing traffic congestion and ever-increasing housing prices, we are advocating for Alameda’s newest neighborhood to support sustainable growth that provides homes and jobs and addresses traffic issues for all Alamedans.

Support Education and Public Discussion of Alameda Point Development

HOMES’ needs your support for efforts to educate the community about the issues and opportunities surrounding redevelopment at Alameda Point. HOMES is solely funded by community contributions. Please send your donation to:

Rose Foundation/HOMES, 816 Grand St., Alameda, CA 94501

(Rose is our fiscal partner). Donations are tax-deductible.

newsletter of homesalameda.org june, 2007
In This Issue Planning Board Ad Hoc Committee WRT Transportation/ Land Use Community Workshop Measure A Quiz Planning Board Ad Hoc Committee The first meeting of the Planning Board ad hoc committee, delegated to design a forum to present the impacts on Measure A on the housing element and transportation in Alameda, met on June 7th from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. at the Library. From all accounts, it was a raucous meeting, unfortunately exhibiting the worst traits of incivility, full of obstructions, shouting, slander and meaningless accusations from one of the appellants. The meeting did end with a result was that the ad hoc committee will select speakers for a forum on Measure A at their next meeting. Suggestions for speakers were to be submitted to Planning Board Director Cathy Woodbury by June 29th. The next ad hoc committee meeting is planned for Friday, July 13, 2007. We will keep you advised of the place and time. For a play-by-play account of the first ad hoc meeting, take a look at John Knox White's blog report. In fact, his site Stop, Drop and Roll has several posts related to the history of Measure A, including quotes from some of the original supporters who expressed concern about the stringency and legality of the measure. Those who originally authored the amendment were obviously quite concerned about the future of Alameda. It makes one wonder how well the intentions of the Measure A “founding fathers” meshes with today’s consequences of the measure. Were the “intentions” truly to prohibit the charm and character of Alameda from being continued into Alameda Point and allow the building of only suburban-style monotonous neighborhoods? Probably not. WRT/ Solomon Meeting We are still awaiting a firm date on the next WRT/ Solomon community workshop, which is supported by a grant from the MTC (Metropolitan Transportation Commission). Measure A Quiz: True or False There are many misconceptions about Measure A and just what it does or does not allow. Take this quiz on Measure A and related issues to test your understanding. 1. Modifying Measure A for Alameda Point would lead to Measure A being eroded for the rest of the Island. answerFalse. Measure A is a charter amendment and can only be modified or changed by voter approval. If the voters approved changing it for Alameda Point, then that is the only place for which it could be modified. Changing it anywhere else in Alameda would require another ballot measure. 2. A mix of retail and housing, such as found on Park Street, cannot be built today under Measure A. answerTrue. Units may be built over retail under Measure A, but not similar to Park Street which includes small apartments and configurations of more than two attached units. Measure A requires that each housing unit must be built on a minimum lot size of 2000 square feet and only two units may be attached. 3. Measure A limits the ability to build senior apartments or condos. answerTrue. The Measure A requirement that each unit must have a 2000 square foot lot and no more than two units adjoined prevents the building of senior apartments, or any apartments, condos, town homes, or live/work lofts. 4. Measure A curbs development. answerFalse. Measure A does not prevent nor curb development; it merely dictates the type of building that can be accomplished. Measure A limits new housing to only single family or duplex homes, but it does not limit the number of new homes that can be built beyond stating that there can be only one unit per 2000 square feet. Do the math, that can still be some heavy density. The point is, Measure A does not ensure a density level that is consistent with historic Alameda. A community developed master plan does that and that is what we need to ensure that the community vision is fulfilled, not a 34 year old prohibition. 5. Alameda can choose not to develop Alameda Point and it will remain undeveloped. answerFalse. The Navy owns Alameda Point. If the City is not in charge of developing it, then the Navy will auction off the land to developers directly, not giving the citizens of Alameda any say-so in who develops the land. 6. If the land is auctioned off by the Navy, zoning laws would ensure that Alameda Point is developed according to the community vision. answerFalse. City zoning laws would remain applicable if the Navy auctioned off the land, but the City would have a difficult time achieving the community developed vision and principles (see the City of Alameda General Plan). The developers would have to adhere to Measure A, for instance, but would not have to build a neighborhood that reduced the reliance on the automobile, provided seamless integration with the rest of the Island, or contributed to transit solutions and recreational areas, etc., all of which have been established as goals by the community. 7. In modifying Measure A, proponents want to “Manhattanize” Alameda. answerFalse. Land use controls would be built into the development plan to limit density and heights, mandate open space, and permit mixed-use development not now possible. How many units will actually be built will be dependent on many other factors, including the State Tidelands Trust requirements, how much clean-up can be done for the soil, traffic capacity, economic viability, Flood Plain standards and design. 8. Developers will make a bigger profit if they can build more and different types of housing. answerFalse. According to an article entitled “Why Building Smart is So Hard” in The Next American City magazine, it is much more difficult to make a profit with sustainable development. “You’re not going to make as much money in the same timeframe as you would by building all single-family homes or a power center. The premise that socially good building can compete with mass production is false. It can’t, it won’t, it never will.” 9. People need to be from Alameda to be creditable in advising us. answerFalse. Alameda needs advisors who are experts in all fields, from the creation of “green’ communities to those who have expertise in design and land planning. Where they come from is not the issue. Judging their credentials is the one way to get good recommendations and not be insular in seeking only that which comes from this small island. Ultimately, “Island People” are the decision-makers and will choose what advice they apply, but we are entitled to the best advice there is! 10. Measure A is good for Alameda. answerFalse? True? We don’t know. The public has not had the benefit of expert analysis of Measure A and its impact on Alameda. The City was fairly well built up when Measure A began to be applied (exceptions being the drive-in movie site and the East Housing,) and we have not had the hoped for analysis of Measure A to judge the results. However, the drive-in movie site and the East Housing DO resemble suburbia, not Central Alameda. It is clear that with the 1700 acres to be developed at Alameda Point, it is critical to have the best development possible as known in 2007 as we plan for the next 50 years. HOMES is making every effort to share the distinction between the Alameda that existed in 1973 and the “clean slate” to be developed as our newest neighborhood. HOMES is a grassroots citizen’s group dedicated to promoting responsible development at Alameda Point. In this era of global warming, rising fuel prices, growing traffic congestion and ever-increasing housing prices, we are advocating for Alameda’s newest neighborhood to support sustainable growth that provides homes and jobs and addresses traffic issues for all Alamedans. Support Education and Public Discussion of Alameda Point Development HOMES’ needs your support for efforts to educate the community about the issues and opportunities surrounding redevelopment at Alameda Point. HOMES is solely funded by community contributions. Please send your donation to: Rose Foundation/HOMES, 816 Grand St., Alameda, CA 94501 (Rose is our fiscal partner). Donations are tax-deductible. News Archive home