PC 101711 Special Mtg - Laserfiche WebLink

with both exceptions, indicating that he has no problem with the internal streets being as proposed, but as mentioned by Commissioner Pentin, he would like to see the two main entryways be more accentuated, maybe made a little bit larger, so people know they are the entryways. Commissioner Blank indicated that he has no problem with both exceptions as depicted. Commissioner Pearce stated that she is unable to support the live/work depth until she understands it better and inquired why it is proposed to be 30 feet instead of 40 feet. She further inquired if the reason is the lack of windows in the rear of the units. Mr. Yau replied that a 40-foot depth for a residential unit is extremely deep and creates a portion at the back of the residential unit to be not as livable; hence, as it stands right now, it would not be an ideal residential unit with a 40-foot depth. He added that this would cause the loss of additional parking within the building itself. He noted that as the units get deeper, it takes away some of the advantage of the building, and they have found that people like to park in the building and go up the elevator to their units; the proposed depth is the balance they found between the two. Commissioner Pearce indicated that she was fine with the 30-foot depth. She added that having worked on the Hacienda Task Force, the lack of internal streets seems to be the difference between discussing this in theory and seeing it in practical application. She stated that she loves the idea of internal streets, but practically, the proposal works better for this site. Chair Narum stated that she would also agree and given a preference, she would much rather have the additional open space than the alleys. She also agreed with comments about beefing up the main entry and making it look a little more like a street. Mr. Yau stated that they had a meeting with Planning staff and the Traffic Engineering Division last week and indicated that for Site 1, the width of the street will be 26 feet and there is a 17-foot setback from the street to the building for the main entryway as well as for the entryway off of Owens Drive. He added that a driveway will come in, with landscaping on both sides, a sidewalk, and again some landscaping before getting to the building. B. Are the building designs appropriate in their physical context adjacent to large office buildings? Commissioner Blank stated that he is fine with the way the buildings are designed at this stage. He noted that while he thinks the Pleasanton Look is an important concept and one that the City has spent a lot of time creating, it did not need to be here. He indicated that he was struck when he looked at the plans and noted that this is something different, intended to be a TOD, an environment, a community; not that it PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, October 17, 2011 Page 19 of 36