Planning Board to Hold Study Session on Alameda's Housing Future

Alameda Planning Board members will hear from planning staff members Monday night about what's needed to finalize the Housing Element of the city's General Plan.

Sound dull? Not if you consider the potential consequences of failing to update this portion of the General Plan: a loss of state funding for some local projects; exposure to lawsuits by developers; and possible legal challenges to public works projects.

In addition, the Housing Element helps set the future course for residential development in Alameda. Under state law, the city must show it has planned for a range of housing types, including low-income housing and muti-family rental housing. It must also demonstrate how it will accommodate its share of future housing growth in the region.

Monday's study session is an early step in a process that will likely stretch until the fall of 2012. No formal action will be taken at the session.

Also on Monday's agenda:

• Design review of proposed work on a home at 219 Santa Clara Ave.
• A status report on the city's public art program and a vote on accepting the annual report on the Public Art Fund.

The Planning Board will meet at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 12, in the City Hall council chambers, 2263 Santa Clara Ave.

The complete agenda and related materials (including several reports on the Housing Element) are available on the City of Alameda website.