Judge Rules Against Friends of Crab Cove
Published on August 21, 2019
PRESS RELEASE
August 21, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Sarah Henry, Public Information Officer
510-747-4714
Judge Rules Against Friends of Crab Cove
Health care and supportive housing serving Alameda’s homeless to move forward
Alameda Point Collaborative (APC) has been providing housing for formerly homeless families for decades. In December 2018, the City Council took actions to permit the development of a senior housing and medical respite center for homeless individuals on a 3.65 acre parcel on McKay Avenue in the City of Alameda.
Friends of Crab Cove unsuccessfully challenged this project during the City’s legislative process, and again at the ballot box. At an April 9, 2019 special election, voters overwhelmingly approved Measure A, confirming the City’s decisions to allow the wellness center to move forward, and rejected Measure B, which would have prohibited the center in favor of rezoning the parcel for open space.
Following these unsuccessful attempts to stop the project, Friends of Crab Cove petitioned the court to reject the will of the voters and the City’s legislative body by unsuccessfully alleging various deficiencies in the City’s environmental review analysis and administrative process.
At the final merits hearing last Friday, August 16, 2019, the Honorable Judge Frank Roesch of the Alameda County Superior Court orally ruled against petitioners and in support of the City and APC.
“In the midst of a statewide housing and homelessness crisis, the Court’s decision affirms that the City of Alameda could and in fact did take reasonable and lawful steps toward addressing both concerns,” said City Attorney Yibin Shen. “We agree with the Court that the Council’s rezoning decision is both lawful and fully consistent with the California Environmental Quality Act.”
Alameda’s City Council is committed to working with community partners to address homelessness. This positive ruling allows the wellness center to move forward as planned, providing much needed senior assisted living and supportive services for homeless individuals.
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