Alameda, California, Measure B, McKay Avenue Parcel Open Space Designation Initiative (April 2019)
| Measure B: Alameda McKay Avenue Parcel Open Space Designation Initiative |
|---|
|
| The basics |
| Election date: |
| April 9, 2019 |
| Status: |
 Defeated
|
| Topic: |
| Local zoning, land use and development |
| Related articles |
| Local zoning, land use and development on the ballot April 9, 2019 ballot measures in California Alameda County, California ballot measures Local property on the ballot |
| See also |
| Alameda, California |
A citizen initiative to designate the site of a vacant federal building on McKay Avenue as open space was on the ballot for Alameda voters in Alameda County, California, on April 9, 2019. It was defeated.
| A yes vote was a vote in favor of a citizen initiative to designate a 3.65 acre parcel on McKay Avenue as open space and to prohibit the conversion of the site's vacant federal buildings into a wellness center as proposed in Measure A. |
| A no vote was a vote against a citizen initiative to designate a 3.65 acre parcel on McKay Avenue as open space and to prohibit the conversion of the site's vacant federal buildings into a wellness center. |
Measure B competed with Measure A, a city proposal to redevelop the 3.65 acre parcel on McKay Avenue as the site of a wellness center for senior assisted living and homelessness services. To learn more about competing measures in California, click here.
Election results
|
Alameda Measure B |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
| Yes | 9,400 | 44.09% | ||
|
|
11,922 | 55.91% | ||
-
- Results are officially certified.
Text of measure
Ballot question
The ballot question was as follows:[1]
| “ |
Shall the initiative to change the land use and zoning designations for a 3.65-acre parcel on McKay Avenue, from Office/Administrative-Professional to Open Space, which prohibits the conversion of vacant federal buildings into a senior assisted living facility, medical clinic and supportive services for homeless individuals, and limits the use of the property to parks and related uses, be adopted? [2] |
” |
Impartial analysis
The following impartial analysis was prepared by the office of the Alameda City Attorney:[3]
| “ |
The federal government currently owns an approximately 3.65 acre site on McKay Avenue, adjacent to Crab Cove. The property is improved with eleven, currently vacant, buildings. In 2017, the federal government determined the land to be appropriate for homeless services, and selected Alameda Point Collaborative (“APC”), a nonprofit, to develop and provide assisted living, medical respite, and supportive service facilities for the homeless (a “wellness center”), subject to removal of the City’s zoning overlay district to permit a wellness center. In September 2018, the federal government and APC entered into a three-year lease, which provides for the federal government to transfer ownership of the property to APC without undue delay once the property has been rezoned to permit its use for a wellness center and APC submits a request to the federal government for a conveyance. In December 2018, the City Council approved APC’s application to change the land use designations for the property to permit its use for a wellness center. Measure B, an initiative to change the land use designations for the property to Open Space, qualified for the ballot in November 2018. The City Council ordered a report on the effect of the initiative, and upon receipt of the report, placed the initiative on the April 9, 2019 ballot. If approved by the voters, Measure B would change the land use designations for the property to Open Space. The permissible uses of land designated Open Space include parks, parkways, playgrounds, golf courses, country clubs, and land reserves. The land use designation changes proposed by Measure B would limit the future use and development of the property by any owner subject to the City’s laws to parks and related uses, and prohibit the development of a wellness center, which is currently planned for the property. Because Measure B would limit the use of the property, if the Measure becomes effective, it is possible that APC or the federal government, depending upon who owns the property at the time, could bring litigation against the City for the loss in value of the property. Measure B would not change the ownership of the property, establish a funding source, or create a public park. In response to the qualification of Measure B for the April 2019 ballot, the City Council placed a competing measure, the Caring Alameda Act (designated as Measure A), on the same ballot. Measure B would take effect if it is approved by a majority of the voters and receives more votes than Measure A (the Caring Alameda Act). If the voters do not approve Measure B, existing law will not change, and the existing land use designations approved by the City Council in December 2018 would remain in effect. Measure B, if it takes effect, may only be amended or repealed by a subsequent vote of the people.[2] |
” |
| —Alameda City Attorney | ||
Full text
The full text of the initiative is available here.
Support
The group Friends of Crab Cove led the campaign in support of Measure B and against Measure A.
Supporters
The following individuals signed the official argument in favor of Measure B:[3]
- Marva Lyons, former president, Alameda NAACP (chapter currently inactive)
- Doug Dehaan, former vice mayor/council member
- Christine A. Kanbergs, owner, Little Crumbles Family Child Care & Preschool
- Robert Lagrone, retired fire chief, Alameda
- Jiaqi Yang, executive director, Save Alameda Parks
Arguments
The following official argument was submitted in favor of Measure B:[3]
| “ |
Alamedans voted in 2008 for Measure WW, which we are still paying for, to preserve and expand Crab Cove. Taxpayers already voted and raised $6.5 million to buy and improve the full 7.5 acre McKay Avenue “Federal Center” as it became available. We voted for tax Measure FF in 2018 to continue to expand Crab Cove. In 2014, a developer tried to land grab the first portion of the original 7.5 acre Federal Center and was defeated by Alamedans. Now another land grab is proposed for a regional facility to serve thousands of homeless from Berkeley, Oakland, San Francisco, etc., without guaranteeing to serve any of Alameda’s 204 homeless. By obtaining the remaining portion of the original parcel, which we already voted for, we are supporting Alamedans’ open space vision for generations to come. Alamedans put this measure on the ballot because Alameda is a unique island that has always focused on having open space and park land to enjoy. People raise their families here because there are safe places on the island, like Crab Cove, to enjoy outdoor activities including bike riding, dog walking and jogging. Children and teenagers use Crown Beach and Crab Cove traveling to and from schools. Crab Cove, a historical park, is the first Estuarine Marine Reserve in California. It’s a protected marine reserve and includes feeding grounds for the endangered Least Tern. Crab Cove is a safe, regional education center that hosts family-friendly events. It offers safe recreational space for tens of thousands of low-income children, disabled and seniors from all over the region. Alameda needs this additional land for open space to accommodate growing populations and provide options to address sea level rise. Please vote “YES” to protect what we already voted for and expand Alameda’s Open Space and Parks. Visit www.FriendsofCrabCove.org[2] |
” |
| —Official support argument | ||
Opposition
We Care Alameda led the campaign in opposition to Measure B and for Measure A.
Opponents
The following individuals signed the official argument submitted in opposition to Measure B:[3]
- Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft, mayor, city of Alameda
- John Knox White, vice mayor, city of Alameda
- Cindy Acker, principal/head of school, The Child Unique Montessori School
- Patrick Corder, resident/Alameda firefighter
- Doug Linney, board member/treasurer, League of Conservation Voters of East Bay
Arguments
The following official argument was submitted in favor of Measure B:[3]
| “ |
We strongly urge you to vote NO on Measure B. A report prepared for the City Council https://alamedaca.gov/mckayreport concluded:
Instead:
Measure B cuts off the debate, locking in a dangerous ordinance that can only be changed by another costly election. It’s not a realistic, practical, or compassionate way to address one of our community’s most pressing needs. Let’s help our community’s most vulnerable residents live with dignity and respect while maintaining the flexibility to enact laws, adapted to our island city‘s unique circumstances, that serve all Alamedans. Join us in continuing to ensure balanced and fair treatment for all – in the tradition of Alameda. Please vote NO on Measure B.[2] |
” |
| —Official opposition argument | ||
Path to the ballot
This measure was put on the ballot through a successful initiative petition campaign led by Friends of Crab Cove.[4]
See also
|
External links
Support |
Opposition |
Footnotes
- ↑ City of Alameda, "Elections," accessed March 5, 2019
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 We Care Alameda, "Measure B," accessed March 15, 2019
- ↑ East Bay Times, "Special Alameda election to decide fate of proposed center for seniors, homeless," January 15, 2019
 |
State of California Sacramento (capital) |
|---|---|
| Elections |
What's on my ballot? | Elections in 2026 | How to vote | How to run for office | Ballot measures |
| Government |
Who represents me? | U.S. President | U.S. Congress | Federal courts | State executives | State legislature | State and local courts | Counties | Cities | School districts | Public policy |
