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Planning Board Reviews Draft Aquatic Center Design

Also recommends Encinal Terminals delay, approves Saltbreaker dining patio

On December 9, the Planning Board held a public workshop to review the conceptual plan for the proposed Aquatic Center at Jean Sweeney Park. Design comments focused on parking, stormwater management, safe drop-off, and aesthetic concerns. Planning staff will incorporate feedback from the meeting into an updated design for Board approval in the early to late spring.

Alameda Post - a render of the new Aquatic Center at Jean Sweeney
Concept design for the new Aquatic Center at Jean Sweeney Open Space Park. Image presented at the December 9 Planning Board meeting, Agenda # 5-C, Exhibit 1.

The Board also approved recommending that City Council grant a three-year extension to the developer of the Encinal Terminals housing and commercial development for specific intermediate deadlines while retaining the overall 15-year timeline. The developer requested the delay due to currently unfavorable economic conditions for residential development.

The Board also approved a use permit and conditionally approved design review for a new Alameda Point outdoor dining facility for Saltbreaker. Humble Sea taproom, and a proposed new wine bar, Vinyl, will also be eligible to use it.



Aquatic Center concept

The Alameda Aquatic Center Project is at the west end of Jean Sweeney Park near Wilma Chan Way and Atlantic Avenue. The design includes a 30-meter by 25-yard competition pool with 12 lap lanes and an activity pool with beach-style entry and three lap lanes. The configuration will support various programs, including swim lessons, aqua camps, water polo, lap swimming, aqua fitness, disability therapy, toddler playtime, and scuba and kayak lessons.

The draft site plan shows pavilions clad in a wood-like material forming the entry. The shallow recreation pool is closest to the entrance, and the competition pool is farthest away. The pool area is secured by a fence and a wall blocking winds from the West. Parapets screen roof-mounted heat pumps from the road. Numerous trees and shrubs form the landscaping.

In the plaza, there is parking for bicycles and cargo bikes. Interior spaces house administration, locker rooms, a mechanical room, pool equipment storage, and a snack bar. Night lighting will project downward to create a soft glow effect and minimize light pollution. Ninety-seven parking spaces are onsite; 125 overflow spaces are in an adjacent business park. The Center will be all-electric and incorporate recycled materials. It will operate from early morning to late evening.

Alameda Post - a map of the landscaping plan for the new aquatic center
Aquatic Center landscape plan. Image presented at the December 9 Planning Board meeting, Agenda # 5-C, Exhibit 1.

Board and public comment

Public comment focused on parking, stormwater management, and noise concerns. One speaker advocated coordinating with the Oakland Alameda Adaptation Committee to ensure that the infrastructure enhances neighborhood resilience. They highlighted the need to manage stormwater runoff and noise, suggesting scheduling louder activities during the day.

The Bike Walk Alameda Board of Directors advocated for reducing or eliminating the new parking lot, noting that the site’s proximity to AC Transit and the Cross Alameda Trail are part of its appeal. They suggested that parking should be fee-based to discourage excessive driving and to help fund improvements. They advocated for stormwater management features such as pumps, detention basins, permeable surfaces, and more tree planting.

Planning Manager Steven Buckley noted that the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) evaluation is just beginning and will include evaluating traffic, stormwater management, and noise issues.

Board member Andy Wang echoed parking concerns and advocated for a more rigorous approach to ensuring that the project supports sustainable transportation rather than relying heavily on parking. Board member Asheshh Saheba emphasized creating a designated safe drop-off zone to prevent traffic congestion and ensure easy access.

Saheba also highlighted the significance of the western edge as a trailhead for the Cross Alameda Trail and the need for this area to suggest a sense of arrival by visual impact. He recommended varying the buildings’ exterior materials and massing to create more visual interest, suggesting a taller, more prominent arrival feature. Board Vice President Diana Ariza added that the building’s façade along Atlantic Avenue should be aesthetically pleasing due to pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicle traffic along that street.

Staff will incorporate feedback into an updated design for Board approval in the early to late spring.

Alameda Post - a map of how Encinal Terminal could be divided into homes, dock space, and public access
Encinal Terminal conceptual plan. Image presented at the December 9 Planning Board meeting, Agenda # 5-A, Exhibit 2.

Encinal Terminals development

The Encinal Terminals site is a vacant lot at 1521 Buena Vista Avenue designated as a multifamily housing opportunity site. The City has agreements with North Waterfront Cove LLC (applicant), a homebuilder and developer, for a mixed-use plan of up to 589 multifamily housing units with commercial and maritime space, a marina, and a public open space.

In November, the applicant requested extending selected intermediate milestones by three years while retaining the overall 15-year timeline for implementation due to “circumstances beyond our control, specifically an economic environment that has obliterated the present residual land value of the property.” The applicant noted that slack was built into the 15-year timeline specifically to accommodate periods of economic uncertainty.

The Planning Board voted to recommend that City Council approve the request on the conditions that the applicant make steady progress on the formation of the project’s assessment district, that the developer agree to reimburse the City for staff and consultant services incurred as part of formulating the assessment district, and that the developer submit biannual written reports tracking economic conditions.

The Board also recommended that City Council take steps to consider the project’s economic impact, such as collaborating with local unions to ensure that the project adheres to prevailing wage standards and benefits the local economy. The Board acknowledged that a better economic climate would make such a recommendation more feasible.

Alameda Point - a render of the new outdoor patio and lawn in front of Store House Lofts near Humble Sea at Alameda Point

Alameda Post - a render of a large lawn area next to outdoor dining at Alameda Point
Concept for the outdoor dining facility at 2350 Saratoga Street. Images presented at the December 9 Planning Board meeting, Agenda # 5-B, Exhibit 1.

Alameda Point outdoor dining

Saltbreaker opened at 2350 Saratoga Street in 2023. Since then, it has been the first and only sit-down table-service restaurant at Alameda Point, broadening the eating options there, and is considered a vital amenity and building block for Alameda Point’s growth and sustainable development. Saltbreaker deems a formal patio dining area essential for increasing its visibility. All the nearby eating and drinking establishments have outdoor venues. They are popular, allowing people to enjoy Alameda’s moderate weather and the unique atmosphere of the former naval base.

Currently, an informal dining area in front of the building is defined by rope, barrels, and picnic tables. Alameda Point Redevelopers proposes installing a more formal outdoor dining facility, including a semi-permanent structure, fences, landscaping, paving, furniture, and mobile food trucks.

The Planning Board approved the use permit and design review on the condition that patio dining hours be limited to sunrise to sunset, that drought tolerant, low-water-consumption ground cover and plant material is used in non-seating areas, and a minimum of four trees be installed either in-ground or in minimum 48” diameter pots. If later operating hours are desired, the applicant must submit a lighting plan. Humble Sea taproom and a proposed new wine bar, Vinyl, also will be eligible to use the patio.

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.

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