At the Chamber of Commerce panel discussions last Thursday and in the Chamber’s numerous recent written reports, the Chamber has repeatedly said they like SunCal’s plan for Alameda Point, but object to “development by ballot box.”
But the truth is, in the case of Alameda Point, we have no choice but to have a ballot box development.
The community vision for Alameda Point of a vibrant new neighborhood that de-emphasizes the automobile and creates a walkable community requires a range of housing types, including apartments over retail, work-live units, townhomes and condos. The inclusion of compact housing, along with single-family homes, supports walking and biking, neighborhood retail, job creation, various transit options, and conserves land for use as trails, parks and sports facilities.
But this plan also does not conform to Measure A (Alameda’s Charter Amendment XXVI). Measure A can only be modified by the voters. And Alamedans are not about to give carte blanche to overturning Measure A without seeing exactly what they will get in return.
So, the simple fact is: the Alameda Point plan does not conform to Measure A; therefore, an initiative must be approved by the voters.
