CCMIN071613 - Laserfiche WebLink

Councilmember Narum asked if the Commission discussed what looks like the addition of a number of trees in Lions Wayside Park along First Street. Mr. Streng said the Commission viewed it more as a conceptual representation of greenery along that stretch than as the addition of a specific number of trees. He confirmed for Councilmember Narum that the trees were not proposed in response to a request from adjacent residents. Mike Hosterman, Pleasanton Downtown Association (PDA) President, said the PDA board strongly supports Option A. He said Option A significantly increases the usability of the Firehouse Arts Center and creates a strong meeting place in the downtown. He suggested that if the bandstand were moved back to Railroad Avenue, performers could use Railroad Avenue or Firehouse Arts Center as a sort of staging area. He also noted that undergrounding the ditch, as suggested in OptioI A, would allow easy access to the restrooms at Firehouse Arts Center. He explained that the PDA reviewed the project with a focus on what would most successfully enhance, beautify and draw people to the downtown. The PDA board feels strongly that this is an important project for the City. He said the board favors undergrounding the drainage swale on both sides of the park, which would allow additional parking on the Delucchi side to support downtown businesses. He noted that the farmers market has outgrown itself, that there are many additional vendors who would like to participate, and said the board supports any efforts to expand the market area along West Angela Street. He questioned the proposed trees in the great lawn area, which he thought needed to be expanded as much as possible to accommodate even current attendance levels. He said he would like to see the plaza on the north side of Neal Street moved to the other side so as riot to detract from the great lawn area and perhaps just one plaza on the Delucchi Park side. It would also be his preference to move the water/adventure plaza into Delucchi Park, nearer the restrooms. He stressed that any measures to increase bicycle and pedestrian connectivity, such as continuing the trail down through the park, would be of incredible benefit to downtown vitality. Mayor Thorne closed public hearing. MOTION: It was m/s by Narum/Brown to direct staff to pursue preliminary Option A. Councilmember Narum concurred with Mr. Hosterman's comments regarding the size of the great lawn, though she acknowledged the benefit of providing at least some trees for s lading. She said the adventure play area should be moved to Delucchi Park for a number of reasons that include proximity to restroom facilities and utilizing the space around Firehouse Arts Center to expand the connectivity of the center with the rest of the park. She said she appreciated Mr. Larson's comments about creating a welcoming focal point along Neal Street but wondered if the focal area could be narrowed a bit to expand the usable area of the rest of the park. She said she would like the Neal Street plaza extended up to Railroad Avenue. She asked that staff investigate the financial and env ronmental impacts of undergrounding the swale on the Delucchi side. She also stated support for incorporating the existing granite blocks somewhere into the design, perhaps as part of the gateway feature. She said she liked the plan overall and thought it addressed many of the goals stated by the community. Councilmember Brown also shared her support for Option A. She stressed that she would like to see all healthy heritage trees retained on the site. She also noted that with the early sunset over the ridge and the shadow from existing trees, the great lawn area is actually bathed in shade fairly early in the evening. She said she supported the concept of an adventure play area but, which she normally loved visual water features, she did not feel comfortable with young kids playing somewhat unattended near water while their parents attended the concert. She suggested shifting the play area slightly to minimize noise spillage into the Firehouse Arts Center plaza as well as rotating the bandstand slightly to allow for a larger great lawn. She said she would prefer to see the bathroom area, which is currently a wonderful play area, remain grassy. She expressed some concern over the proposed bollards location and said she could support something that ran more in line with the existing pavemen: and bus stops. She City Council Minutes Page 11 of 13 July 16, 2013