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She thanked Mr. Kearns for coming down to the Downtown and added that given the economic climate, projects coming to the Downtown should be welcomed and fully supported. Chair Narum asked Ms. Schwartz if she owns the Pilates studio to the west of the project site. Ms. Schwartz replied that she is a 15 -year Pleasanton resident and that she opened her Pilates studio four years ago. Commissioner Olson asked Ms. Schwartz how she would characterize the architecture of her building. Ms. Schwartz replied that her studio was a renovated Valley Humane Society building, whose architectural style is more her of a "California/Yosemite type tucked in the woods." She stated that the building is lovely but quite different from the Spring Street buildings, which has a somewhat odd and funky architectural style. She indicated that this style has to stop at one point and that a large Mission Revival building will have a big impact on the character of the area. Linda Garbarino, representing Pleasanton Heritage Association (PHA) as its President, stated that she agreed with the staff report and comments made by the Commissioners. She expressed concern that she would like to see more dimensionality, as story poles do not tell a full story. She suggested that the project be reduced by one level, noting that someone living there would have an issue with not being able to see the view of the hills over the existing house. She stated that she felt allowing a three -story building in the Downtown would set a precedent. Ms. Garbarino indicated that she worked for an architect for three to four years and that she does not recognize the style of the proposed building. She stated that she has difficulty seeing Mission Revival architecture in the renderings. She added that three to four months ago, a historical archives person did a review of the Downtown to determine if homes in the area have redeeming qualities, and he noted this neighborhood as one that could have a national historic architecture status. She asked the Commissioners to bear that in mind when they discuss and make their decision on this proposal. Ms. Garbarino stated that she believes the height, massing, and overall scale of the proposal are not in keeping with the Downtown Design Guidelines, which, while not regulations, are design guidelines nonetheless that are followed closely. She noted that this is a residential rather than a commercial building, and it is important to ask what the goal of the building is. She added that the job Mr. Kearns did on the commercial building is fabulous, and the PHA would like to see the beauty and quality of that architecture of Spring Street reflected in anything that is built at the back. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, March 23, 2011 Page 8 of 21