Petition to Alameda City Council:

We, the undersigned citizens of the City of Alameda, petition the Alameda City Council to REJECT the provisions in the Draft 2023-2031 Housing Element that propose massive upzoning of our older established neighborhoods and historic commercial districts, including:

1. Unlimited residential density within the walls of existing structures.
   
   
2. Unlimited density and a 40’ height allowed on any parcel within ¼ mile of a commuter bus line, including demolition and replacement of existing buildings.
3.  Increased density ranging from 30 to 60 units per acre (36% to 173% above the existing density) in the R-3 to R-6 zoning districts covering most of central Alameda.
4. Unlimited density and height limits increased to 60’ in the historic portions of Park St. and Webster St. and increased to 45’ in the small historic “Stations” districts on Lincoln Ave. and Encinal Ave.

These zoning increases are not needed to meet housing goals and will put our historical housing inventory at risk, resulting in gentrification, with current tenants replaced by non-rent controlled market rate units. The recent Council action abolishing off-street parking minimums exacerbates congestion in the neighborhoods. These upzonings also include reduced yard space requirements that threaten our beautiful greenhouse gas absorbing urban forest.

Signed--