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In Alameda, Measure A almost invariably refers to an initiative passed in 1973 which forbids the construction of multiple-dwelling unit buildings in Alameda and limits the residential density in Alameda, with exceptions for certain low-income housing and replacement of existing buildings. The measure added Article XXVI to the City's charter. In political science, the initiative (also known as popular or citizens initiative) provides a means by which a petition signed by a certain minimum number of registered voters can force a public vote on a proposed statute, constitutional amendment, charter amendment or ordinance. ...
1973 (MCMLXXIII) was a common year starting on Monday. ...
History
Measure A in Alameda was enacted in 1973 in response to a development trend whereby historical buildings and Victorian homes were replaced by multi-dwelling structures (i.e. apartment blocks.) Many Alameda residents feared that uncontrolled and unplanned growth would result in a high-density, overcrowded city.
The history of Measure A is rooted in the period after WWII when the need for housing grew significantly. Between WWII and 1973 (almost 30 years), approximately 1,500 buildings (an average of about 60 per year) were torn down of all types and styles. The peak years of these teardowns were in the late 1960’s. Over a six-year period, houses were being torn down at a rate of one every five days. The construction of large apartment blocks in the place of these demolished buildings added over 10,000 residents to a community which essentially had no vacant land for development. As a result of the increased population and increased traffic problems, a campaign was formed to enact restrictions on building density in Alameda, not just for protection of Victorian houses, but also to prevent unmoderated growth and overcrowding on the island.
Many Alamedans were disgusted by the destruction of the city’s historic buildings, the construction of large apartment blocks, and the massive bay-fill project which created the lagoon and the new South Shore area, which resulted in a significant increase in population and traffic congestion. Citizen activist groups like Alamedans for a Better Community (ABC) and Alamedans for Today and Tomorrow (ATT) sought ways to control the city’s rapid growth.
There was a strong desire on the part of the electorate to have their voices heard and to be able to effect a change in the direction of local government. Opponents of development backed the reform slate of Chuck Corica, Lloyd Hurwitz and George Beckam, and Measure A in the municipal election of March, 1973. Campaign flyers for the Beckam, Corica, Hurwitz slate show pictures of traffic congestion and pictures of demolition equipment tearing down Victorians and included the assertion that "past decisions by the incumbents on development coupled with proposed development will push Alameda towards a high population projection of 175,000 people." That same election saw the passage of Measure A. The Beckham, Corica and Hurwitz slate defeated three incumbents on the council, and Measure A passed.
Since its passage in 1973, there have been two unsuccessful attempts to gain voter-approved exceptions to Measure A. In 1979, Alameda voters turned down a ballot measure that would have approved construction of 50 to 100 additional rental units on a specific site in the West end of the city. In 1984, Alameda voters rejected an exemption to Measure A to accommodate a private proposal to construct 272 residential units in a renovated industrial building.
Text of Measure A The result of the Measure A initiative can be seen today in the Charter of the City of Alameda and in the City of Alameda's Municipal Code.
Charter of the City of Alameda
Article XXVI
Multiple Dwelling Units
Sec. 26-1. There shall be no multiple dwelling units built in the City of Alameda.
Sec. 26-2. Exception being the Alameda Housing Authority replacement of existing low cost housing units and the proposed Senior Citizens low cost housing complex, pursuant to Article XXV of the Charter of the City of Alameda.
Sec. 26-3. The maximum density for any residential development within the City of Alameda shall be one housing unit per 2,000 square feet of land. This limitation shall not apply to the repair or replacement of existing residential units, whether single-family or multiple-unit, which are damaged or destroyed by fire or other disaster; provided that the total number of residential units on any lot may not be increased. This limitation also shall not apply to replacement units under Section 26-2.
City of Alameda Municipal Code
Chapter XXX
Section 30-50
30-50.1 Declaration of Policy.
Article XXVI, an initiative amendment to the City’s Charter, provides:
“Sec. 26-1. There shall be no multiple dwelling units built in the City of Alameda.”
“Sec. 26-2. Exception being the Alameda Housing Authority replacement of existing low cost housing units and the proposed Senior Citizens low cost housing complex, pursuant to Article XXIV Charter of the City of Alameda.”
The City Council declares and determines:
a. The proliferation throughout the City of residential dwellings in attached groups of more than two (2) units has created and, if continued, will further create, land use densities and other undesirable effects to a degree which affects adversely the environment and the quality of living conditions necessary to and desirable by the people. For this and other reasons the Charter amendment should be interpreted in accordance with the intent of the framers thereof, which intent is hereby found to be a prohibition against the construction of dwelling units of more than two (2) attached in the same structure as hereinbelow set forth.
b. That in order to put into full effect the intent of the electorate in adding the sections to the Charter, it is necessary to clarify the wording thereof by defining the phrase, “multiple dwelling units,” so that legislative policy will be followed in the implementation and administration of the amendment as applied to specific residential housing sought to be constructed within the City. (Ord. No. 1693 N.S.)
Bay Farm Island controversy In 1975, developer Ron Cowan, for whom a road across the Oakland Airport is named, partnered with Utah International to develop a plan for over one thousand acres of San Francisco Bay wetlands on Bay Farm Island, a portion of Alameda adjacent to Oakland Airport. The original plan called for a high-density development of nearly 10,000 homes for 21,000 residents. Although there were no Victorians to save on Bay Farm Island, Cowan's plan produced a strong backlash among Alameda residents, who resisted such high-density development. Don Perata, an Alameda schoolteacher who went on to become a California State Senator, was one of the harshest critics of Cowan's plan. Perata ran for mayor of Alameda in 1975 but lost the race by slim margins. Nonetheless, through the restrictions of Measure A, the City of Alameda pressured Cowan to reduce the size of his development to 3,000 homes for 10,000 people. Don Perata (born April 30, 1945) is a California Democratic politician, who is the current President Pro Tempore of the California State Senate. ...
Opponents of changing Measure A Opponents of changing Measure A, who generally call themselves "Measure A supporters", say they are resisting Alameda turning into a "Manhattan by the bay." Measure A supporters assert that the passage of Measure A and the election of the Beckam, Corica, Hurwitz slate is the reason that the population in Alameda remains under 100,000 and never reached the 175,000 person projection. Measure A supporters often accuse proponents of changing Measure A of doing the work of, or taking money from, big developers who would theoretically reap greater profits from higher density development at Alameda Point. Measure A proponents argue that any change to Measure A must stem from a grass-roots citizen petition, as did the enactment of the original measure. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9]
Advocates of changing Measure A HOMES (Housing Opportunities Make Economic Sense) Alameda advocates changes to Measure A to allow construction of multi-family housing at Alameda Point. HOMES supporters advocated that the Alameda City Council put a vote on the November 2006 ballot to exempt Alameda Point from Measure A. HOMES is led by Helen Sause, who was the project manager of the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency's Yerba Buena Gardens project for seventeen years, and who is credited for getting the project completed.[1]
Affordable housing In general, affordable housing units, either for sale or for rent, can take the form of below-market-rate subsidized housing units, below-market-rate units created through inclusionary zoning, and market-rate units. Affordable housing is a dwelling where the total housing costs are affordable to those living in that housing unit. ...
Section 8 is an American sponsored public housing program divided into two programs, tenant-based and project-based. ...
Inclusionary zoning, also know as inclusionary housing, refers to city planning ordinances that require a given share of new construction be affordable to people with low to moderate incomes. ...
At Alameda Point, inclusionary zoning will be used to provide a number of below-market-rate affordable housing units. Housing development there is subject to a settlement agreement between the City of Alameda, Renewed Hope, Arc Ecology, and Catellus Development Corporation which requires that 25%, rather than 20% as required by existing laws, of all housing be set aside as deed-restricted affordable housing units for very-low-, low-, and moderate-income households, defined as a percentage of area median income. (See section 5 "Affordable housing" in [10] ) Inclusionary zoning, also know as inclusionary housing, refers to city planning ordinances that require a given share of new construction be affordable to people with low to moderate incomes. ...
The City of Alameda provides Housing Assistance for Alameda residents by administering the Section 8 (housing) program in the city, and also with First-Time Home Buyer Programs, including Free Home Buyer Workshops and a Down Payment Assistance (DPA) Program. Section 8 is an American sponsored public housing program divided into two programs, tenant-based and project-based. ...
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