01 - Laserfiche WebLink

The project also includes two offsite roadway changes: 1) the dedication of project frontage along Hopyard Road to undertake future improvements including a new dedicated right turn lane, 5-foot bicycle lane and 4-foot sidewalk; and 2) extension of the northbound left turn lane from Hopyard Road to Owens from 125 to 250 feet to accommodate traffic generated by the project. Mr. Weinstein reviewed several site elevations, noting that the building design references residential architecture with gabled roofs over the majority of the building, exposed rafters, and trellises. He stated that staff worked diligently with the applicant to minimize the perceived mass of the building, particularly on the east elevation, using recessed windows, projected facade segments, awnings, rafters and stone veneer elements. He stated that staff believes the project would be generally compatible with the surrounding commercial, shopping center and office land uses due to its similar physical and operational characteristics. He noted that the Community Character Element of the General Plan does discourage franchise architecture and signage at major entryways into the city but said staff believes the project is well-designed overall and that the traditionally residential architectural elements are not characteristic of conventional corporate architecture. He noted that at its meeting on October 22, 2014, the Planning Commission recommended that additional stone design features and vegetation along the north and east elevations of the site would further improve the project's aesthetics when viewed from Hopyard Road and the 1-580 off ramp. The project also includes a stone entryway feature that would enhance the overall visual appearance and staff is working with the applicant to further differentiate the look of this feature to set it apart from the actual design of the restaurant. Traffic and circulation issues surrounding the project were a subject of considerable scrutiny by staff. As part of the review process, Hexagon Transportation was asked to prepare a report evaluating the potential for the project to result in onsite parking shortages and offsite traffic congestion. Hexagon visited the site during both weekday and Saturday hours to observe the existing parking supply and demand at the shipping center and office parking lot to the west and south of site. Hexagon concluded that with the 16 onsite parking spaces and approximately 60-80 vacant parking spaces typically available in the shopping center, the project would be able to meet its expected demand of 46 parking spaces. Hexagon examined whether the drive-through lanes would be adequate to accommodate expected traffic and, using empirical data gathered from the San Jose Chick-fil-A location, concluded that the storage space behind both the ordering boards and pickup windows would be sufficient to meet the demand. However, staff has also included a Condition of Approval that would require the relocation of the ordering boards if it is found that queuing is worse than what is anticipated. Hexagon also examined the impacts of the traffic generated by the project on the local roadway system under both existing and future conditions. Based on a trip generation of slightly over 2,000 per day, 185 of those occurring during the a.m. peak hour and 132 during p.m. peak hours, it was determined that all roadways would operate acceptably. This assessment takes into account the General Plan policy which allows gateway intersections such as the 1-580 eastbound offramp and Hopyard Road to operate below Level of Service D. Level of service standards would be met at the Owens and Hopyard intersection, although the left hand turn pocket at northbound Hopyard at Owens would not have sufficient vehicle capacity. As noted earlier, the applicant would be required to extend this turn pocket from 125 to 250 feet in order to mitigate this impact. The project site also contains 34 trees, 31 of which would be removed including 16 heritage trees. 13 of these heritage trees are in poor or fair condition, however, 3 remain in good condition. In addition, 4 sycamore trees would be removed to allow for extension of the left turn pocket on Hopyard Road. The project's landscape plan calls for a total of 39 trees to be planted, for which staff has identified conditions to ensure the trees will be drought tolerant. The project would also then contribute funds to the Urban Forestry Fund based on the value of the heritage and other trees on the project site less the value of the trees to be planted. City Council Minutes Page 9 of 14 Dec 2,2014