PC 102302 - Laserfiche WebLink

,- In response to an inquiry by Commissioner Sullivan, Mr. Iserson noted that the sign would be changed to a black background with reds and pinks, reading "Baci Restaurant." The size of the sign would be the same. In response to an inquiry by Commissioner Arkin, Mr. Iserson replied that the Code did not address the temporary placement of newspapers in the windows during construction. In response to an inquiry by Commissioner Sedlak, Mr. Iserson confirmed that the building was not subdivided. A discussion of the building's history ensued. THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS OPENED. Bahman Tehrani, applicant, noted that the building was very dark inside, and added that he would like to enlarge the windows so that passersby may see the interior. He noted that the color coordination was very simple. He noted that while the neon tubing was out of character for the downtown area, the eggplant color was meant for accent lighting and would square the building. He noted that Baci would be an Italian restaurant, and that it was not his first restaurant. A discussion of the color scheme and design ensued. r Joyce Getty Shapiro, 925 Kottinger Drive, noted because the Post Office and phone company originally occupied the subject building, some of the original windows were lower. She noted that the subject building was the first building her father had bought downtown, and agreed with the applicant that it was a special building. She noted that she had been very interested in downtown buildings for many years, and eventually became President of the Chamber of Commerce. Her involvement included heading the Downtown Committee, and sitting on the Planning Commission for eight years. She detailed her family's history of ownership of the building, and noted that she has had been closely involved with Pleasanton's downtown for thirty-six years. Ms. Shapiro noted that she was appalled at the major alterations that were proposed by the applicant. She had noticed the saw cutting near the windows, and believed that proceeding to work on the windows without a building permit was not a naIve mistake. She noted that the building was built in 1912, and the lowering the other windows would set a negative precedent and alter the original character of the building. Ms. Shapiro noted that the success of a restaurant was not dependent upon seeing in or out of the building, and if the food is good, people will come. She did not believe that lower windows equaled economic viability, and that the front of the restaurant was not a storefront. She believed that the approval of the alterations would set a precedent that may lead to alterations of other historic buildings, and asked the Planning Commission to deny the application. Michael O'Callaghan, 125 West Neal Street, noted that he was a strong advocate of downtown /" first floor retail and was a historic building contractor and designer. He wholeheartedly PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTESl October 23, 2002 Page 22