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Councilmember McGovern stated that not in the guidelines is the depth of the live/work units. New retail in the City is now at 50 feet and she clarified with Mr. Dolan that the proposed depth is 30 feet. Staff would prefer a deeper retail, and there have been concessions. The new retail spaces at the Safeway Center are 50 feet which he said is ideal. The applicant initially submitted the plan with 20 feet which was unacceptable. If made deeper, the internal parking is lost; therefore, the City must decide whether it can accept this or give up some parking. Councilmember McGovern voiced concern with the viability and interest of interested retailers, given the amount of depth and asked for further guidance. Mr. Dolan agreed this has been a struggle, and staff is still considering what its recommendation will be. Councilmember Sullivan asked for staff to compare and identify examples and classes of retailers where 30, 40, and 50 feet have been used successfully. Mr. Dolan noted staff could research this further but noted there are many examples in town with less than 50 feet. An example is Tully's Coffee, which is at 30 feet. They have additional depth that goes back at least 10 more feet or more behind the wall which is storage and work area. He said that if staff conducted a survey, they would arrive at a variety of depths along Main Street. Councilmember McGovern reiterated that the Council wanted the project as mixed use and she did not want to reduce the possibility for retail. Mr. Dolan then presented the landscape plan and described the ample landscaping around the perimeter, central open space areas, and along the main entrances, noting that given the size of the buildings, the applicant has introduced landscaping in every possible area. The way the project is designed there is a fair amount of garage door on the front bottom floors. They made a good effort to ensure the garage doors do not face out to the community, but are internal and an effort has been made to also include small landscape areas to break up the concrete wherever possible. Mr. Dolan presented a graphic demonstrating the amount of open space. He said there is a 13,000 square foot plaza out front which serves the retail and is more of an urban space. He described the ample landscaping and screening from the road and freeway to provide separation from the interior space, the pool and fitness area, the tot lot area and gathering areas just outside the buildings which face onto open space. Councilmember McGovern questioned and confirmed that a noise and air quality study will have been completed prior to the project returning to the Council. Mr. Dolan then pointed to a table which demonstrates that the project meets the open space requirements called for in the guidelines. The plaza is counted as well as the private balconies of each unit. He presented the internal circulation showing many sidewalks where people will be able to move throughout the project and get from their buildings to the crossing of Owens to BART. Councilmember McGovern pointed to the trail connection maps Mr. Dolan is presenting and said they indicate "to be done by others". She asked whether this work would parallel with the construction of the project. She referred to safety issues, walkability and bike-ability, voiced the need to ensure the City is not creating islands for periods of time because trail systems are not yet connected, and questioned the status of different funding mechanisms. Mr. Dolan directed her to two notations on the plan; one for Site 1 and one for Site 2 that make reference to connection to the Iron Horse Trail to be done by others. One will cross Owens to BART; this is part of the Iron Horse Trail project. EBRPD grant monies will be funding that and BRE will not be responsible for that particular crossing. For the trail between the project and Kaiser, staff has asked BRE to dedicate 10 feet in the hopes it will become a larger right-of- way with a full dimension of what the Iron Horse Trail would look like. While there is no final City Council Planning Commission Page 2 of 11 February 8,2012 Joint Workshop Minutes