PC 101711 Special Mtg - Laserfiche WebLink

continue the dialogue with the applicant about whether or not there should be a top feature on areas that do not have this major dramatic top feature. Mr. Dolan then presented the layout and site plan for Site 2, stating that like Site 1, it does not have the internal streets. He noted that the main project entry off of Gibraltar Drive is the only place in this layout where there could be the condition of actually having lanes of traffic, a landscaping strip with trees in it, a sidewalk, and more landscaping; the rest is an alley condition. He indicated that as in Site 1, the more active uses face the street so that when driving by, one sees the most attractive elevations of the project addressing the community, which is a positive. He added that some of the garage-door-ladened elevations are less visible, inside the project, and not exposed to the rest of the community. He noted that this is the type of development that occurs at this particular density, as everything cannot be surfaced-parked, and because there are no big garages, parking must be tucked underneath the units. Mr. Dolan indicated that there is also a nice internal recreation component centrally located with a pool, leasing area, recreational facility, and some open space. He noted that as required that one of the two projects include a park, a .55-acre of parkland, slightly larger than Veterans Plaza on Peters Avenue down the street from City Hall, in include in this project at a location that creates a very good opportunity to further develop the adjacent Shaklee piece and expand the park quite a bit. He added that it is nicely located along one of the trails that would run up the western border of this property, connecting Gibraltar Drive through to Site 1 and ultimately to Owens Drive and the BART station. Mr. Dolan then presented a slide showing the live/work on the corner of Gibraltar and Hacienda Drives. He noted there was a requirement in the Guidelines that 50 percent of that frontage should be live/work units, and since what is being proposed is somewhat less than that, the City will have to decide whether that amount of live/work at this particular location is adequate even though it does not meet the letter of the Guidelines. Mr. Dolan then displayed several photos, including a lower building across from the residential which is no more than three stories and with a more residential feel; a park; some simple internal elevations which may not require additional details because it is quite close to the building next door and with the addition of landscaping along the first floor and a top element; other internal architectural elevations and perspectives; the ends of the buildings on Hacienda Drive across from the residential; and landscaping. He indicated that there is a lot of land dedicated to trail connection on this project, including a ten-foot wide trail dedication along both sides. He noted that the idea for the trail adjoining Kaiser is for the City to work with Kaiser to expand the width and put in a much more significant trail. He added that this project has the same issue with the live/work depth. Mr. Dolan stated that questions for this particular site would be similar to those of Site 1: exceptions on the internal streets; level of exception, if any, for the depth of the PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, October 17, 2011 Page 11 of 36