PC 121102 - Laserfiche WebLink

I concur with the City's landscape architect that Brisbane box, Brazilian pepper, and New Zealand Christmas trees are not cold-hardy in Pleasanton. In the 20 years I have lived here, we have experienced winters with lows cold enough to kill those species. I am in favor of the emphasis on courtyard gardens and the project design. Research has shown that people recover from illness faster, and have a better sense of well-being when they can view attractive landscapes. 3. Building Design: I think it is very difficult to get a sense of the three- dimensional mass and the height contributed by the site grade relative to neighbors from the two-dimensional drawings. I strongly urge the Planning Commission to require story poles to be installed and reviewed on-site. A photo montage from Bernal A venue also would better represent the overpowering effect the building would have on the neighborhood. 4. Traffic Circulation: The traffic analysis has indicated that the project would generate 26 and 21 trips to and from the site during a.m. and p.m. peak hours. I fail to see how this is accurate when the facility anticipates 60 staff during peak hours, family and friends visiting residents, and delivery service vehicles. Traffic on Bonita and Angela Avenue before and after church functions is constant. I think it is inaccurate to expect that no project traffic would be generated on Bonita and Angela. On what facts is that opinion based? Clearly a more comprehensive traffic analysis is needed. I request limiting access to the Bonita and Angela outlets to church functions. One way to do this would be to place removable ballards or a gate at each of these exits that could be opened for weekend services and closed during the week. 5. Parking: Lighting the facility was not discussed during in the plans or staff review. I request that the lighting be designed to avoid impacting surrounding back yards and homes. I also request that the night staff park in the lot near the church or center of the property so the parking lots adjacent to the homes do not need to be lighted all night. Thank you for this opportunity to express my opinion about the ElderCare facility. In summary, I think it is a very worthwhile project for Pleasanton, but I think the current plans need to be significantly scaled down to be in keeping with the surrounding residential neighborhood. While I am willing to accept some impacts because of the social benefits of the property, I am unwilling to have this massive structure towering over my neighborhood, lose the native oaks along the perimeter of the project, exacerbate drainage problems or increase traffic on a narrow residential street. I believe these issues are solvable, and an appropriate project in keeping with the neighborhood can be designed." PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES December 11, 2002 Page 13