13 - Laserfiche WebLink

standardization by which to review projects proposed for downtown, while acknowledging the potential for modifications to address site-specific issues. PUBLIC PROCESS In recent years, the City Council has developed a model for using ad hoc committees to achieve desired outcomes; most recent examples are the Housing Element Update Task Force and the Hacienda Design Guidelines Task Force. This model of City and public collaboration has served well to address the issue in a timely manner while allowing for a participatory community process. Task Force Composition Staff is recommending — with support from the Pleasanton Downtown Association — the City Council approve the formation of an 11 member ad hoc Downtown Hospitality Guidelines Task Force comprised of two members from the City Council, two members from the Planning Commission, two members appointed by the Pleasanton Downtown Association Board of Directors, and five Pleasanton residents to carry out the task as set forth in this report. The City Council and Planning Commission representatives will be selected from their respective memberships. The Pleasanton Downtown Association Board of Directors will select its two representatives. The Pleasanton residents will be selected through the City's normal application and selection process, whereby the Mayor and each City Council member make one selection to the task force. It is important to note the inclusion of residents on this task force, and is suggested that these five at-large appointees represent a mix of neighbors adjacent to the downtown as well as residents who live throughout the community. Coordination of the Downtown Hospitality Guidelines Task Force will be shared by staff in the City's Economic Development and Community Development Departments. Senior Planners Robin Giffin and Steve Otto will facilitate the task force's efforts with direction and involvement of Economic Development Director Pamela Ott and Community Development Director Brian Dolan. Task Force Focus The task force's discussions will be focused on a few key topics: consistency in hours of operation for evening venues, allowance of indoor and outdoor music, and acceptable noise levels, although other topics may be identified for current or future consideration. While the task force will look to the Downtown Specific Plan as a reference point for community's vision for the downtown district, it is not intended that this task force will amend the specific plan. Rather, a review of the Downtown Specific Plan with particular attention to guidelines for historic preservation will be planned for after these hospitality guidelines are adopted. As well, other issues may arise during the discussions; these will be evaluated for relevance to the focus of the task force and either incorporated into this guidelines process or deferred for consideration through a different process. Schedule It is projected by City staff that this process can be started in late October and completed by May 2012, with monthly meetings of the task force with additional Page 3 of 5