======================== Date: Wed, 07 Nov 2001 20:54:41 -0800 Subject: Housing Element Report From: Penny Cozad To: , , , , , , , , , Hi to everybody. I went to the 4th Public workshop at the Housing Commission meeting tonight. As with the other 3 committee presentations, very few people were in attendance from the public, and the committee members had not read the Draft Housing Element. Stephan Belcher, the presenter will make himself available for presentations to private groups. I would like to suggest that we invite him and try to get together any of the other neighbor hood groups that we can find.... The next regular meetings of the committees that heard the presentation should be important ones since, theoretically, they will have had time to read the draft and make some decisions. The Social Service Human Relations Board (10/25/01 presentation) was the most vocal that the Draft did not address concerns/recommendations expressed in the Housing Forum document which is included in the Draft appendices. The Housing Commission meeting tonight also seemed to have some issue concerning the increased density that the Draft proposes. Measure A is a very hot topic and is seen, by those who want more housing of any kind in Alameda, as an impediment and something that should be modified. Measure A prohibits the construction of apartment buildings and other multi-family dwellings. I raised the issue concerning potential park/open space being allocated to housing, but Stephan Belcher explained that the Planning Board would deal with that. As individuals and as a group, we need to press the issue that, at minimum, the 1990 General Plan goals for park & open space should be maintained. If park space is used for housing then the draft or new General Plan should compensate and allocate park space in the same size for the same part of the island. We have to be persistent in our recommendations and communications with the city. Talk with you when we get back next Friday, Penny