From EPAC
23 January 2002

To the Alameda City Planning Board:

RE: Zoning of the Dutra/Fox/Collins property along the Estuary

We'd like an item placed on the agenda of the next meeting of the Planning
Board, to be held 28th January, to discuss a part of the proposed Housing
Element which considers developing the Dutra/Fox/Collins property for
housing instead of a park, as was stated in the 1991 Alameda City Master
Plan.

The 1991 General Plan stated:

	"This park will require a major funding commitment by the City, but
	will probably do more than any other single project to ensure
	Alameda's long-term quality.  It could have the character of San
	Francisco's marina Green and would attract all age groups to enjoy
	large and small boats on the Estuary, views of the Oakland skyline
	and hills, and active sports.  The new park would serve a sector of
	the City that is short of park space, and would guarantee the high
	quality of housing proposed for the area."

The necessity of the park is clear, but implementation is difficult.
Developers are already after the property.  In the proposed Housing Element
the area designated as a future park in the last Master Plan has been
re-designated for housing development!  Already one developer's plan has
been through eight revisions with the Planning Department.

The City Recreation and Parks Department has not pursued the
recommendations of the 1991 General Plan.  It has not investigated funding
possibilities nor has it done anything to bring this park to life.

The Estuary Park Action Committee (EPAC) is a group of concerned citizens
dedicated to making a park on the Estuary.  We need to secure funding,
enlist the aid of outside groups, and provide impetus to the Recreation and
Parks Department.  To do this, we need time.  If the Housing Element is
approved in its current form, we'll have no time to even try to make
Estuary Park a reality-the land will simply be thrown to developers.
They'll profit, but the neighborhood won't.  We support balanced
development that provides housing and necessary civic infrastructure for
transportation, education, health care, and recreation.  The people in East
Alameda need that park in that location.  Certainly all citizens will
benefit.

If the Housing Element before you is altered and that space designated as
open space, we will at least have time to try to get a park there.  That
designation would have to be amended before housing would be allowed on the
site.  We are asking you to keep that property designated as open space for
the reasons outlined in the 1991 General Plan.  Give us the time to make
our park a reality.

We'd like to present our opinions on the Housing Element at the next
Planning Board meeting.  We've been circulating petitions to gather
signatures of like minded citizens.  We enclose the petition leaflet and
copies of the 206 signatures collected so far.

Thank you.

Estuary Park Action Committee
2050 Eagle Avenue, #1 
Alameda, CA 94501
Phone:	510-748-9811
Fax:	510-748-9880
Email:	jwoodard@best.com