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Mayor Hosterman questioned the dilemma with building out to the stated densities, and Mr. <br /> Reber said there are four different product types in the package which he briefly reviewed. They <br /> need to go to the lower density building units to make this financial viable from the beginning, <br /> given setbacks, a portion of diagonal parking that tapers out with the acceleration lane on <br /> Owens, and live /work units. They also have a major concern with putting retail on Parcel 2 <br /> because it will eat into the amount of density and does not have the synergy being located <br /> across from BART. <br /> Mayor Hosterman invited comments and questions from Planning Commissioners and Council <br /> Members. <br /> Planning Commissioner Pentin said he is interested in circulation, transit, and understands the <br /> discussion about retail which is just as important as residential density. He is also interested in <br /> circulation of the bike paths, pedestrian use, likes seeing streets slowed down and thanked the <br /> applicant team and staff for their hard work. <br /> Planning Commissioner Narum said she is very happy with documents, likes a lot of the <br /> flexibility, acknowledged that the project will not all be built in 2011, and some things that are not <br /> economically viable now might be later. Her largest concern is that she would really like to see a <br /> half- to one -acre public park somewhere in one of the parcels. She is also a member of the <br /> Housing Element Task Force. There are a number of properties in this general area that could <br /> be subject to rezoning for high density housing. She thinks the City should try to develop a <br /> public park and she would like to see the property owners have a discussion with staff on if <br /> there was some way to get a park with flexibility on some non -core PUD standards or <br /> discussion about in -lieu park fees. Otherwise, she thinks the exercise was great, appreciates <br /> the visioning and new concepts. <br /> Planning Commission Chair Olson said he was delighted to see the package and acknowledged <br /> the amount of work done in a relatively short period of time. He voiced a concern with schools <br /> and noted he has had limited exposure with TOD in other areas through reading, but thinks <br /> solving the school issue will be a key item. He knows historically the town has not had busing <br /> but it may be that limited busing be considered with respect to this area to help solve the school <br /> problem. <br /> His second concern is the issue of affordable housing. The City is under pressure to provide an <br /> answer and the specifics of affordable housing having not been addressed, and at some point <br /> they will need to be. He asked the task force to develop at least a list of financing alternatives <br /> available to us. Someone made the point that Pleasanton is a PDA which will hopefully provide <br /> funding that could be used to finance affordable housing. <br /> Planning Commissioner Blank acknowledged the 14 meetings of the task force since March <br /> which is impressive. He agrees with the need for flexibility but asked for clear flexibility. He also <br /> agrees this is a framework as opposed to an actual PUD development and a vision, and <br /> outlined the following items as comments: He assumes condo conversions would not be <br /> permitted in these areas. Looking at the list of neighborhood uses, he saw some odd things <br /> such as "stamp and coin stores" and also "hobby shops ". One is specific and one is general, <br /> and he encouraged they be made one way or another. He is very concerned with affordable <br /> housing. Typically, the denser the environment, the more affordable the housing. It also might <br /> allow for the open space. He agrees the open space in this environment seems light. If there is <br /> a proposal for tucked up under garages, he wants to ensure handicapped spaces are included. <br /> He was not sure he supported trading off balconies with open space, but to a great extent the <br /> Joint Workshop Minutes Page 7 of 13 December 16, 2010 <br />