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- layout on the Angela Street side would mitigate the limitations. He added that in the future, he hoped to link the parking lot to the Vaughn Building next door. THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS CLOSED. Commissioner Arkin noted that he would like this building to be more pedestrian- friendly. He would like the building to be moved back eight or nine feet, and for the applicants to add seating in the front. Because the street was heavily trafficked by pedestrians, it would be beneficial to install more greenery in the front of the building. Commissioner Roberts stated that the Downtown Specific Plan wanted to the buildings to be right on the street. Commissioner Arkin stated that the Tully's Building was pushed back, with landscaping in the front. THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS REOPENED. Charles Huff noted that two feet of space in the back of the building was required for parking overhang, and that it was not wide enough to provide landscaping between the parking and the building. The net result oftwo feet was not enough to push the building back and provide greenery in the front at the same time. Commissioner Sullivan believed that Commissioner Arkin's comments were valid, and he would like to examine them further. r A discussion about landscaping and pedestrian amenities ensued. Mr. Huff understood the Planning Commission's concerns, and noted that the Downtown Specific Plan wanted the public's eye to continue down the street in a consistent manner. He believed that setting the building back could be more of a visual deterrent than a positive characteristic. He noted that the applicant would install a green space 0 the west side of Vaughn building, which would provide an opportunity for some public seating. The small one-story element on the west side was designed to contain a small coffee shop or a similar use. Mr. Huff displayed that portion of the plan to the Planning Commission, and a discussion of possible public accommodation ensued. Peter MacDonald, 400 Main Street, Suite 210, noted that he was a downtown business owner located near this project. He supported approval ofthis project, as well as the part of the project that received the PDA recommendation. He believed that the concept of larger setbacks in a downtown area was exactly what was destroying downtowns of America, and that they did not make the streetscapes pedestrian-friendly and conducive to retail. The potential for retail uses on the side streets was also a goal of the Downtown Specific Plan, and he believed that it should be followed. . -- Michael O'Callaghan, 125 West Neal Street, spoke in support of this project. He also supported the concept of the placement of the building on the sidewalk. In dealing with the development of other downtown parcels, he believed there was waffling regarding PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES July 10, 2002 Page 9