The eagle site has landed

I’m hopeful that this will be an easy agenda item to get through because it’s so needed, actually even if the housing market wasn’t as bad as it is now, this sort of housing is always in short supply.  But, given the conflict over the old Island High school site in the past and the desires of the neighborhood for that spot to be open space, I’m anticipating conflict (and a recusal from one of the Planning Board members who lives in that neighborhood).

Tonight at the Planning Board, staff is presenting the Housing Authority’s plans for a housing development on the old Island High site.  From the staff report:

The Housing Authority of the City of Alameda is proposing to construct a 22-unit rental housing project affordable to low- and very low- income families at 2437 Eagle Avenue. The 0.83-acre site located at the corner of Eagle and Everett Street in the North Park Street Residential Zoning District. The proposal includes one two-story building and two three-story buildings and on-site parking, landscaping, outdoor play area and court yard, and a community room for the residents.

Further details from the design intent statement:

Twenty-two units are being proposed, comprising of (6) 1-bedroom units, (9) 2-bedroom units, and (7) 3-bedroom units. Each of the three unit types will have a fully accessible unit on the ground floor. Also on the ground floor, there will be 5 visitable and adaptable units for a total of nine accessible/adaptable units.

Back to the staff report here’s what the parking situation will look like because, inevitably, that issue will come up:

The applicant proposes 30 parking spaces to serve the 22 units, which provides a parking ratio of 1.36 spaces per unit. AMC Section 30-7.19 allows the Planning Board to approve the proposed parking plan because of the reduced demand for parking for affordable housing. Based upon vehicle ownership in its other projects, the Housing Authority believes the 1.36 parking ratio is adequate to serve the project. The proposed parking ratio exceeds, or is similar to, other Housing Authority properties occupied by families with children. The Esperanza Apartments (1.07 spaces per unit), Roseville Village (1.09 spaces per unit), and the Shinsei Gardens Apartments (1.54 spaces per unit) each adequately meets the parking needs of the residents. In addition, the facility meets the City’s Bicycle Facility Design Standards by providing a storage area for 26 long-term bicycle parking spaces, and bike racks for six short-term bicycle parking spaces

I have to say I’m surprised at how low the parking numbers are, per unit, at the Esperanza Apartments.  But clearly the Housing Authority has reviewed the data from their developments and have a good idea of the parking requirements of their typical families.  Plus, according to the design intent statement the area is well served by public transportation and is in walking distance to many essential services:

Located nearby within walking distance are many services, such as the Bridgeside Shopping Center which is 2-1/2 blocks to the northeast, the Marketplace and restaurants on Park Street, McKinley Park which is 5 blocks to the west, the Alameda Main Library, the Alameda Cineplex, 2 elementary schools, and several churches.

2437 Eagle Avenue is located within 1⁄4 mile (4 blocks) of AC Transit bus stops that provide service directly to downtown San Francisco and to the Fruitvale BART stations to allow people to get to regional job centers.

And now: renderings!