10 ATTACHMENTS 8-11 - Laserfiche WebLink

Chair O'Connor stated that he could tell staff worked hard with the applicant on this proposal and that he was very impressed with it and liked the way it looked; his only concern is meeting the General Plan's Community of Character goals, No. 2 on page 23 of the staff report, which is the PUD District. He noted that this proposal is an improvement over what is currently in the area, and that corner can be improved with the landscaping that can be put in there. He indicated that his only area of concern with respect to entering the City is the look of the hardscape on the Hopyard Road side of the building which has no signage; all the signage is on the other three sides and the drive -thru has been hidden on the other side as well. He proposed that it could be softened in some way by either adding some kind of trellis work, or covering the stucco walls with some greenery, which may also be problematic with so many glass windows. He added that the trees that are already in the center of the building could also be extended to the north, noting that at some point, the canopies of the trees will be high enough where the windows will be visible, but it would soften the look of the building from that east side. Commissioner Allen stated that she also felt that staff and the applicant had done a really good job at creating a really nice, more upscale look; however, as Chair O'Connor mentioned, she too is still struggling with this Community Character element because there are so few opportunities to enhance the appearance of this major City gateway, which is a really unique one in the spot right as people come off 1 -580. She agreed with Chair O'Connor's comments about the east elevation and adding some trees, trellises, and vines. She suggested that specific to the east elevation as well as going to the north, the stone veneer could actually go up higher in certain areas to create more vertical interest and make it look like some columns around some strategic areas, as opposed to just looking at mass and stucco. She noted that there is a store across the street called Specialty's Cafe and Bakery and Peet's Coffee and Tea that is stunning and looks classy with copper work and a neat gable. She added that she has also seen a Starbucks and a Jack -in- the -Box restaurant at El Dorado Hills that looked so Craftsman style and really classy with great rich wood or stone. She stated that there are just a few more things that can be done with this property so people who come into the City will not see just a fast -food restaurant but a really classy gateway and a model for Pleasanton. With respect to the north side, Commissioner Allen stated that she had four suggestions for this gateway: (1) People on the freeway will see only the top half of the building, the stucco wall with the red sign, and not any of the stonework below. Some of the stone veneer at key locations could be extended upward to make that richness visible. (2) Consider gray concrete tiles as opposed to composition tiles to make it even much more upscale and professional - looking than it already is. It would enhance the City's Community of Character and visual feel such that people see not a fast -food restaurant but a "wow." (3) Some awnings or any more design elements could create richness and more interest, such as the tower element on the south elevation. (4) Since some of the mature trees are being taken down, use some of the money the applicant is paying into EXCERPT: PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, October 22, 2014 Page 5 of 12