2026-03-09 Planning Board Meeting

The City of Alameda Planning Board convened on March 9, 2026, to review several development agreements and the 2040 General Plan housing element progress report. The board approved development agreements for projects including Delmonte and Boat Works after public comment and motions. A significant portion of the meeting focused on the annual housing progress report for 2025, highlighting a slowdown in housing unit permits issued compared to previous years, with economic conditions cited as a major factor. Board members discussed challenges in financing and construction, the need for ordinance amendments to facilitate housing production, and potential policy measures such as impact fee reductions modeled after other Bay Area cities. The board recommended clarifications to the report before submission to the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) and emphasized the importance of exploring creative solutions to accelerate housing development, particularly affordable units. The meeting concluded with staff updates on recent project decisions and temporary use permits.