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He reviewed the site architecture and circulation plans, stating that retail uses would be served by 2 <br /> new driveways and a 41 space parking lot. Residential access would be served by two existing <br /> driveways on Owens Drive which would be slightly modified for the project. He referred to samples on <br /> the dais for examples of the proposed colors and materials of the building facades. <br /> Mr. Otto stated that the project conforms to most of the applicable housing standards. The applicant <br /> has requested three exceptions, which staff supports: 1) to allow perpendicular parking on both sides of <br /> the small segment between the community buildings and G3 buildings; 2) to allow half of the residential <br /> garage doors to be recessed at 2 feet and the other half at 1 foot, rather than the required 2 feet; and 3) <br /> that the retail building depths be reduced from the 40-60 foot requirement to a depth of 31-54 feet. <br /> Councilmember Pentin asked and Mr. Otto confirmed that the garage door request is related purely to <br /> design aesthetics and does present any safety issues. <br /> Vice-Mayor Cook-Kallio recalled that in drafting the guidelines, there depth preference for retail <br /> establishments was based on what retail occupants typically require. She asked whether target <br /> occupants have been identified and whether depth standards have changed since the guidelines were <br /> adopted. <br /> Mr. Dolan deferred to the applicant regarding target occupants. He said that much of the concern over <br /> retail depth related to projects where the applicant was really less than willing to implement retail and <br /> had proposed retail sizes that were more suited to residential uses. Here the applicant has proposed a <br /> retail only structure that is designed for retail and will never house a residential use, so staff is <br /> comfortable with the variation. <br /> Councilmember Pentin asked and Mr. Otto confirmed that variations in depth were allowed for the BRE <br /> projects. <br /> Mr. Otto reviewed the proposed Development Agreement, which would vest the related entitlements for <br /> 10 years and allow the City to use the projects in lieu park dedication fees totaling nearly $2.4 million <br /> towards improving City parks, including Phase 2 of the Bernal Community Park. The developer's <br /> affordable housing obligations are also included in the agreement. He also reviewed the proposed <br /> Growth Management Agreement which would extend the requested allocations for the life of the <br /> Development Agreement. <br /> Assistant City Manager Bocian presented the proposed Affordable Housing Agreement options. Option <br /> 1 provides the deepest level of affordability with more units in the 50% and 80% of AMI range but less <br /> than 15% of the total density. Option 2 reaches the 15% affordability target but has a lesser <br /> affordability. He called the Council's attention to a memo distributed earlier that day reflecting a change <br /> to the unit mix in Option 2. Based on staff's continued efforts to achieve conformance with the <br /> development standards, which indicate that 45% of the affordable units be in the 2 and 3 bedroom <br /> category, the applicant has redistributed the unit mix without affecting the net number of affordable <br /> units. He noted that while Option 2 has a lesser level of affordability, it offers more rent restricted units. <br /> Recent trends indicate increasing rents in Pleasanton and that even meeting he requirements of a <br /> 100% AMI will most likely require a write down of the market rental rates. <br /> Councilmember Brown said 100% AMI sounds like the equivalent of market rate rather than affordable. <br /> Mr. Bocian said it depends largely on the community but that a number of the newer apartment projects <br /> in Pleasanton are above 100%. <br /> Several members of the Council requested clarification on median income. <br /> City Council Minutes Page 15 of 23 April 16, 2013 <br />