The proposal is missing retail areas and a grocery store, and fails to meet zoning regulations.
On September 26, 2025, Authentic Living Enterprisesfiled a preliminary permitTo redevelop Harbor Bay Landing from a shopping mall into 305 residential units. As stated in the project details submitted, 217 of these units would be available for purchase while 88 would be offered for rent. The development would consist of 16 extremely low-income (VLI), 12 low-income (LI), and 22 moderate-income units.
Significantly, the project does not intend to incorporate any retail areas. At present, Harbor Bay Landing, situated at 867 Island Drive, is the sole commercial shopping center on Bay Farm Island. Should the redevelopment plans proceed as outlined, residents of Bay Farm will need to cross the Bay Farm Island Bridge to access groceries and fuel. The Harbor Bay 76 gas station within the plaza has stated that it will be closing on November 30.
As stated by Steven Buckley, the Planning Services Manager within Alameda's Planning, Building, and Transportation Department, the initial permit that has been submitted serves as an indication of intent. "It's a way of saying thanks for the heads up, here are some ideas," he clarifies. He emphasizes that it is not a finalized or approved plan for the project.
In six months, True Life Companies will be able to file documents for their project, which would then require approval from the Planning Board and City Council, particularly since their proposal involves altering the zoning regulations.
It is unclear why True Life Companiessubmitted a preliminary permit that excludes retail space, especially considering the City's Preliminary Application Review for Harbor Bay Landing states thatexisting zoning regulations mandate the inclusion of a grocery store within the developmentRequests for comments from True Life remained unaddressed. The real estate investment and development company maintains offices in Colorado, Utah, and North Carolina, along with California.
An October 8 article in The Real Deal, a real estate news website, notes that True Life could accelerate its development process by incorporating affordable housing and utilizing SB 330, the Housing Crisis Act of 2019, which, among other things, restricts "the number of public hearings on a project to expedite getting shovels in the ground."
Buckley mentioned that there's nothing for worried residents to do concerning the current initial permit application besides providing feedback to City Council members and the Planning Board. The City will be seeking community input through a website that will be available soon. Until then, residents can send emails.planning@alamedaca.govor participate in City Council and Planning Board meetings.
City Council sessions are heldevery first and third Tuesday at 7:00 PM. Planning Board gatherings are heldevery second and fourth Monday at 7:00 PM. Both meetings can be participated in person at City Hall, 2263 Santa Clara Avenue, or through Zoom.
A list of members of the City Council along with their contact informationcan be found online.
Jean Chen is a writer who contributes to theAlameda Post. Contact her via jean@alamedpost.com. Her writing is compiled atHealthy urvival/Jean-Chen.
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