Laserfiche WebLink
does have concerns about open space, the Council needs to recognize that these are urban <br /> developments the City is being forced to plan for. In this context, the City has done the best it can to <br /> protect the community by preparing these guidelines. <br /> Councilmember McGovern referred to page 12, Public and Community Uses, and asked if childcare <br /> facilities are prohibited in commercial spaces. <br /> Ms. Stern said it would be a conditional use and referred her to the next page. <br /> Councilmember McGovern asked and Ms. Stern confirmed that "small family daycare" would allow <br /> someone to offer daycare services out of their apartment, provided they satisfy relevant state law <br /> requirements. <br /> Councilmember McGovern referred to text on page 46 that says usable open space may be located on <br /> the roof of an attached garage or carport and said this is another instance where she wonders if <br /> children will have sufficient open space. <br /> Ms. Stern said it is part of the existing ordinance related to open space. <br /> Councilmember McGovern reiterated her earlier concerns that the City has never undertaken multi- <br /> family development, which she thinks mandates different open space requirements, to this extent. She <br /> also requested and staff agreed to replace the maximums analyzed by the SEIR with the density range <br /> on each of the site descriptions <br /> Councilmember Cook-Kallio said that throughout this process, staff, the Council and the public have <br /> worked very hard to retain the things that Pleasantonians believe to be important, particularly with <br /> respect to children, schools, open space and the quality of buildings. She said she liked the idea of a <br /> density range, which moves everyone closer to where was intended. She said she too has concerns <br /> about open space, which is one reason it is so important to ensure that they provide connections to <br /> nearby parks. She thanked everyone who participated in what was a long and difficult process. <br /> Vice-Mayor Thorne said his fellow Councilmembers said most of what needs to be said. He requested <br /> clarification on the statement that any changes made to the guidelines for a specific project must meet <br /> the intent of the guidelines. He asked if staff has reviewed any of the requests received from potential <br /> developers for consistency with this intent. <br /> Mr. Dolan said he could think of several that would, some with compelling explanations. <br /> Vice-Mayor Thorne said his concern was that the City would back itself into a corner and be unable to <br /> approve a project that is good and meets the intent of the Council but that he is reassured to learn there <br /> is the potential to make exceptions. <br /> Mr. Dolan said that staff feels the guidelines have evolved to the right balance of encouragement and <br /> direction while still allowing ultimate flexibility for unique situations and creative solutions. <br /> Vice-Mayor Thorne echoed the Council's thanks. <br /> Councilmember McGovern repeated her request to address a limit on the number of stories. <br /> Mr. Dolan recommended that the Council rely on the guidelines that discuss compatibility with the <br /> neighborhood. He said staff typically considers compatibility to be within one story of surrounding <br /> development. He cautioned against setting a hard maximum because they have made a point in <br /> requesting a mixture of building types. These would typically be at different densities to allow for <br /> neighborhood compatibility on one end of the site while still meeting density needs with the other. <br /> City Council Minutes Page 17 of 19 August 21, 2012 <br />