12 ATTACHMENT 6 - Laserfiche WebLink

DRAFT Commissioner O'Connor noted that the south side would be on the opposite side of this development. Commissioner Pearce said yes. Commissioner Allen replied that was correct. Commissioner O'Connor asked if no one today on the north side has direct access. Commissioner Allen said that was correct. Commissioner Pearce stated that she just wanted to have the conversation because it did not look like the Commission had a conversation about a gate. She noted that there was a conversation about eliminating access from West Las Positas Boulevard through the property and that it is certainly not what she wants; that she is not looking for some kind of cut-through. She indicated that it seemed to her to be an issue of fairness and something that was appropriate if it is an amenity in terms of living, such as a park. She noted that there are residences that back up to all kinds of parks, such as a sports park or aquatics center, and there are gates that go right out to the park. She added that it seems like it is a benefit of living there, and she did not want to discount a conversation with regard to this simply because this is higher-density housing. She stated that she thinks all residences that back up to these public amenities deserve the same kind of access, so she wanted to have this conversation ahead of a Council conversation which she was certain would happen on the exact same topic. Chair Olson stated that he will weigh in in favor of the neighborhood's view that there should be no access. He indicated that it syncs up with what he said during the Work Session. He noted that the Commission heard early on with this project from the Parkside neighbors that the Arroyo presents them with problems from time to time; things go on in there, out there, just on the other side of their fences, and he did not think the Commission should be contributing to that. Commissioner O'Connor added that beyond that, he thinks the north side was developed as industrial and that it was never contemplated that there would be public access on that side. He indicated that he thinks this is a unique situation where if that had all been residential on the north side, they would have this same access as the south side does. He added that it is just a little unique that a piece of property right in the middle of an industrial area was rezoned, and no one contemplated that. He noted that they still do have access, and it is not that far away to come down the side alley. Commissioner Pearce stated that she just wanted to make sure the Commission had the conversation. Commissioner O'Connor stated that the Commission had quite a few Work Sessions, and the applicants had even more with the neighbors. He indicated that there have been a lot of requests for changes, and he cannot think of any that the applicants have not actually DRAFT EXCERPT: PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, 2/26/2014 Page 12 of 13