Endorses CARP update and housing and transportation reports
On March 10, the Planning Board held a public workshop to review the updated Alameda Aquatic Center design. Since its initial proposal, Alameda Recreation and Parks Department (ARPD) has modified the design to address significant unforeseen expenses, particularly related to soil conditions. The architect reduced the building and site size and modified the landscaping, while maintaining the square footage of the two planned swimming pools.
The Board unanimously endorsed the 2025 Climate Action and Resiliency Plan (CARP) Update and the 2024 Housing Element and Transportation Reports with their comments incorporated. The Housing Report noted a slow housing market with inadequate new construction being built. The Transportation Report highlighted significant transportation construction projects for 2025, such as the upcoming Oakland Alameda Access Project.
Aquatic Center update
The Alameda Aquatic Center site is at the west end of Jean Sweeney Open Space Park. Its design includes a 30-meter by 25-yard competition pool with 12 lanes as well as an activity pool with a zero-beach style entry and three lap lanes.
In December 2024, the Planning Board reviewed its initial design. Since then, ARPD has modified it to address significant budget concerns as well as comments received.
Recreation and Parks Director Justin Long and Clarence Mamuyac, President of ELS Architecture and Urban Design, the project’s architect, shared that cost estimates received were far higher than anticipated due to increased site costs, particularly related to unforeseen soil issues.
To shave approximately $5.5 million from costs, the architect reduced the building and site size and modified the landscaping while maintaining the two swimming pools. “The building got smaller, the site development got smaller… but maintaining the square footage of water we’re delivering to the community was paramount,” Mamuyac said.
Further, the architect proposed incorporating concrete masonry units with metal screens, replacing an initially monolithic material approach. The architect referenced the Cal Aquatic Center in Berkeley as inspiration for material selection. Landscaping became more compact, and bioswale placement was revised to align with the reduced site footprint.
To address comments from the last workshop, the architect added a drop-off area to improve accessibility, adjusted the mid-block crosswalk and driveway location for better traffic flow, and reduced parking spaces.
The project emphasizes sustainability, positioning itself as a demonstration site for all-electric operations. It will feature interactive educational exhibits on home electrification, sustainability, and water energy usage sponsored by Alameda Municipal Power (AMP). Twenty-four chiller pumps will heat the pools, eliminating gas-based heating.
“This is an all-electric facility…a demonstration project not only for the city but we think for the state as well,” Mayumac said.
Board comments
Board Member Andy Wang commended the reduction in parking and highlighted the lack of a standard for parking at aquatic centers, making it challenging to justify the number of parking spaces. He mentioned receiving a letter from Bike Walk Alameda challenging the parking count and suggesting the involvement of a TDM (Transportation Demand Management) consultant to better articulate parking needs. He suggested that the rationale behind the parking count should align with projected demand, occupancy, and the City’s goals for a transportation mode shift.
Board Member Hanson Hom asked how ARPD would promote biking and walking to the Aquatic Center. Director Long said the facility will offer almost 120 bike parking spaces and some bike lockers. He said ARPD will promote transportation connections to the bus stop on Wilma Chan Way and all other non-vehicular ways to get to the facility.
Board President Xiomara Cisneros asked about the potential expansion of electric vehicle charging spaces. Mayumac answered that there are plans for four EV charging stations. The infrastructure will accommodate more in the future, contingent on budget and demand. Board Member Asheshh Saheba suggested refinements to the facility’s design, such as relocating AMP educational video panels to avoid obstructing landscaping.
The architect will incorporate comments received from the Board into a design revision. The Planning Board will formally review the application in the future.
Housing Element update
Planning Director Allen Tai presented a status update on the implementation of Alameda’s Housing Element for the 2023-2031 planning period. The Housing Element aims to meet the Regional Housing Needs Allocation, requiring 5,353 new housing units over eight years, or approximately 650 units per year.
Tai reported that only 243 units had been permitted in two years due to a slow housing market. Of these, 190 units are affordable housing.
Despite this slow progress, Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) development has been strong, with a significant rise in permits issued since Alameda revamped its ADU ordinance in 2017. Annual ADU construction increased from six units over 20 years to an average of 50 per year, with 58 ADUs completed last year. The trend remains strong in 2025.
Still, to stay on track, the City must issue 850 housing permits per year for the next six years, which Tai called “a pretty tall task.” He noted, however, that the Planning Board has done significant work to entitle housing and put housing in the City’s pipeline. He concluded the City would be well prepared when economic conditions improve and developers come in to pull permits.
Transportation report
Transportation Planning Manager Lisa Foster presented the transportation report and work plan (link downloads PDF), highlighting Alameda’s progress.
Key 2024 accomplishments included:
- 1.4 miles of new bikeways.
- 92 curb ramps upgraded.
- 395 sidewalk trip hazards repaired.
- 89 intersection safety improvements implemented.
- 51,000 passengers used the Oakland-Alameda Water Shuttle, which launched in July.
- The free bus pass program for low-income seniors and disabled residents facilitated over 200,000 AC Transit rides.
Projects in progress or planned for 2025 include:
- Near completion of the Cross Alameda Trail, a four-mile bike and pedestrian route from Fruitvale Bridge to Seaplane Lagoon. Final segments in progress include the Clement Avenue Extension (Ohlone Avenue to Grand Street) and the Clement Ave/Tilden Way Project, extending the trail between Broadway and the Miller-Sweeney/Fruitvale Bridge.
- The Central Avenue Safety Improvement Project, started in January 2025, which will include a road diet with two motor vehicle travel lanes, a two-way left-turn lane as a center lane, bikeways, three roundabouts, resurfacing, improved bus stops, enhanced pedestrian crossings, and street trees/rain gardens.
- Neighborhood Greenways Implementation to provide traffic-calmed bicycle- and pedestrian-priority streets where vehicles are allowed but volumes and speeds are kept low.
- Grand Street Construction, Phase 1, which will add a two-way separated bikeway, a bus stop, and crosswalk enhancements to Grand Street between Shore Line and Otis drives.
- The Oakland-Alameda Access Project, which will begin construction in the summer or fall to enhance regional traffic flow. Temporary lane closures in the Posey and Webster tubes will cause disruptions.
- AC Transit Changes: In summer 2025, the W and OX routes will combine into one line, and the 19 will reroute to serve Alameda Point. Thanks to community advocacy, the 51A will continue to serve Alameda.
The City’s Capital Projects Map depicts current and upcoming infrastructure projects.
Board comments on housing and transportation reports
Board Member Hanson Hom raised concerns about the limited impact of the first-time homebuyer program, noting that only one homeowner had benefited recently. He asked if program modifications could improve accessibility. Allen Tai responded that the slow housing market and high interest rates were primary challenges limiting the program’s current usage; the program was more successful in the past when interest rates were lower. However, he said he would bring the issue to City Council’s attention.
Hom also wanted the Housing Element Update to clarify that the Planning Board is relaxing certain requirements related to Universal Design to remove barriers for townhome developers.
Board President Xiomara Cisneros recommended that the report discuss how the short-term rental ordinance aligns with discouraging the removal of residential units from the housing supply. She also asked staff to enroll the City of Alameda in the Doorway program, which matches home-seekers to low-income housing units.
Board Member Andy Wang suggested long-term tracking of intersections or corridors where safety improvements have been made to assess whether the changes, such as daylighting crosswalks, effectively reduce accidents.
The motion to accept the housing and transportation reports with Board comments incorporated and to recommend their adoption by the City Council passed unanimously.
CARP update
Danielle Mieler, City Sustainability and Resilience Manager, presented the updated Climate Action and Resiliency Plan (CARP) and the 2024 Annual Report, which Ken Der reviewed for the Alameda Post. Mieler emphasized that the update is a “mid-cycle update” ahead of a more comprehensive revision in 2030.
In summary, the 2022 greenhouse gas inventory shows a 29% emissions reduction since 2005, primarily due to clean energy from Alameda Municipal Power and increased electric vehicle adoption. The City aims for carbon neutrality by 2045. Community engagement, flood mitigation, and adaptation projects are key focuses. The update enhances transportation, electrification, and climate education efforts.
The Planning Board unanimously voted to recommend that City Council adopt the update and annual report. The City Council will review the CARP update and report at its meeting on March 18.
Contributing writer Karin K. Jensen covers boards and commissions for the Alameda Post. Contact her via [email protected]. Her writing is collected at https://linktr.ee/karinkjensen and https://alamedapost.com/Karin-K-Jensen.
